No Carnival-Shigmo parades

Sandesh Prabhudesai
13 February 2001  

No Carnival this year, the unique festival of Goa, at the government level. It simply means that the colourful street parades may not take place in any city of the state.

In view of the disastrous earthquake that claimed thousands of lives in Gujarat, chief minister Manohar Parrikar made this announcement after the cabinet meeting.

He was earlier of the opinion that such important festivities, which help the tourism industry here, need not be stopped. But the citizens representing Carnival as well as Shigmo committees thought otherwise.

Besides the traditional Carnival and Shigmo festivals of Christians and Hindus held respectively in February and March, the state was organising colourful street parades in important towns and cities on these occasions.

While Carnival floats had a commercial colour blended with western music and dance besides creative themes, the Shigmo parade was purely projection of folk dances along with various tableau based on mythological themes.

Incorporating both the events among the 72 national festivals, even the central government was giving grant of Rs five lakh each to the state government to organise these events. This grant would also not be sought this year.

"We have no objection if some citizens organise the parades privately. But we will not take any initiative or help it financially", said Parrikar. The state-sponsored Carnival was to start from 24 February while the Shigmo from 7 March.

Tourism minister Filip Neri Rodrigues said the proposal was put before the cabinet after majority of the members of the Carnival and Shigmo committees vehemently proposed that the events should be cancelled in view of the calamity.

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