'Dovol' bags first prize at Curchorem Carnival floats parade

CURCHOREM: “Dovol (blackmith)” from Quepem by Raul Pereira won the first prize in traditional category at Carnival 2020 floats parade organised by Centro Social Anjo Custodio (CSAC) in association with Goa Tourism and Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council (CCMC) at Curchorem.

“Poder” and “Goenche Vavradi” bagged the second and third prize respectively while, in club/institutional category “Goenchim Festam" and “Journey to Death” bagged the first and second prize respectively while, “Stop Dengue” got the third prize.

In the family category, “What will earth look like” bagged the first prize and “Ramponkar” and “Goenchem Kazar” won the second and third prize respectively and in clown category “Padeli”, “Dhangar” and “Headless Rider” bagged the first, second and third prize respectively while, in fun/junk category “Golden Brass Band” won first prize, “Portuguese Family” second prize and “Goencho Poder” got third prize.

More than 30 professional floats were participated besides local floats depicting Goan tradition and conveying public interest messages. Well-known singer and film actress Ester Noronha was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of CCMC chief officer Ajay Gaude and CSAC president Christy Bennet.

Thousands of people including children flocked to Quepem to get the glimpse of floats parade on the second day of Carnival at Quepem on Sunday evening.

The floats parade which was organised by Quepem Carnival Committee in association first time with Department of Tourism, was flagged off by National award winning bollywood actor Nana Patekar in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, Water Resources Minister Felipe Neri Rodrigues, Cuncolim MLA Clafasio Dias, Quepem chairperson Dayesh Naik, organising committee president Sanzil D'Costa, Walter Menezes, Zilla Panchayat (ZP) members, councillors and panchayat members.

The role of King Momo was played by David Fernandes and Queen by Saviana Fernandes from Quepem. Among 62 floats "Adle Xetkar, Adle Podder, Sao Joao" in traditional category and "Goenche Vauradi" in club were the centre of attraction among other floats participated in the parade depicting Goan tradition and conveying various public interest messages.

Bollywood actor Nana Patekar appealed to the Goan politicians not to play the cast, creed and religion but to work tirelessly for the people as they were ruling the nation occupying the ministry post only because of the peoples vote.

Soon after he flagged off the Carnival parade from Quepem police station on Sunday, Patekar along with Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant `Babu' Kavlekar went along the road side to greet the people and shake hands. He spoke in English, Hindi, Marathi and Konkani. Patekar appealed to politicians and voters to maintain the communal harmony in India for the better progress. When there is Hindu festival I am Hindu, when there is Christian festival I am Christian and when there is Muslim festival I am Muslim, he said.

“Goa has actual cosmopolitan culture, there are no communal riots and I am very fortunate to say that I am already settled in Dona Paula and soon will transfer my voting in Goa," Patekar told the large gathering who especially came to have a glimpse at him. On behalf of Quepem Carnival committee, Kavlekar presented a Ganapati idol to the bollywood actor but after accepting the memento, Patekar requested him to present him a Jesus idol when he comes next time to Quepem.

Since the model code of conduct was in force for the March 22 Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections, not a single politician spoke during the function.