Team Herald
MARGAO: On Wednesday, the fifth day of Ganesh Chaturthi, over a thousand people participated in the traditional Ganesh idol immersion (visarjan) ceremony across Salcete, including Margao and Fatorda.
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The Ganesh festivities, which began on September 7, came to a close with the immersion ceremonies held at various water bodies. The idols of Lord Ganesh, installed in homes and public pandals across the town, were taken in grand processions for immersion, marking the end of the five-day festival.
The authorities, including the police, had made elaborate arrangements for the immersion and processions, ensuring smooth and orderly celebrations. The processions in Margao and surrounding areas began on Wednesday evening with fervent chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa morya, pudhachya varshi lavkar ya’, accompanied by firecrackers, the beating of drums and festive dancing.
The immersion ceremonies saw large participation from devotees, who bid farewell to the elephant-headed god in a display of devotion and joy, bringing the vibrant festival to a close in South Goa.
Viriato celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi
with Vanarmare tribe
PONDA: South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes, visited the Katkari-Vanarmare tribe at Nirankal-Bethora and participated in their Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
During his visit, Fernandes emphasized the need for social transformation to improve the lives of this marginalized community, which has often been overlooked in terms of development and opportunities.
In a reflective statement, Fernandes raised important questions about the integration of the Katkari-Vanarmare tribe into mainstream society. “Did they miss the bus of opportunity and development? Or have we failed to take them along?” he pondered. He further acknowledged, “If I may correct myself, I feel we missed the opportunity to integrate this community into our fold. Let’s do it now.”
Fernandes further touched upon the need for stronger social initiatives to support the Katkari-Vanarmare tribe, a community that has historically faced socio-economic challenges. He called for a concerted effort to uplift their social and economic status through better integration and support from society and the government.
