Having no or few cars on the road is a very idealistic thinking in this present age. But fewer cars on the road will certainly benefit our towns and villages and, our streets will have a different look and be free of pollution.
Keeping this in mind and with an objective to make the streets user-friendly and inclusive, Porvorim Rising Rising is all set to host the fourth edition of ‘NoMoZo’ (No Motor Zone) on Sunday, February 26, on the Service Road in Porvorim.
NoMoZo, is a brainchild of Minister of Tourism, IT & EC and Printing and Stationary, and Porvorim MLA, Rohan Khaunte.
THE IDEA BEHIND NoMoZo
In the year 2018, NoMoZo was conceptualised in order to give people a clean and safe space to play, to connect with families and friends, to promote fitness and sport, culture and heritage, local art and craft and to foster healthy community gathering and bring together people of all age groups.
Porvorim MLA, Rohan Khaunte said, “There is a need for motor-free streets in today's times when traffic has increased. NoMoZo was a concept to bring all the people together and give them an opportunity to socialise as one community. The success of three editions till 2020 made us realise the power of people coming together for such a great cause.”
WHAT'S UP FOR THIS YEAR?
Co-ordinator of NoMoZo, Ninil D’Souza, said that this year NoMoZo 4.0 will have zones for sports like karate and boxing. Many will also be able to showcase their talents for music, photography, arts and crafts, dance in zones earmarked for the purpose, he explained.
Other additions to the NoMoZo are food, artefacts and handicrafts, a mega health check-up, children and education-oriented programmes which will bring around 30,000 people from Porvorim, other parts of Goa and tourists to the place.
FOR CHILDREN AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Also, two special zones for children and senior citizens have been meticulously planned.
D'Souza said that children will be able to spend their day at NoMoZo fruitfully by learning something new and socializing with other kids in their age group. Senior citizens, who always desist traffic and sometimes fear crossing heavily motorised roads, will get to a chance relax in a non-polluted environment, even if that means for a day, he added.
IT ZONE, FOOTBALL AND MORE...
An IT zone, which has geen conceptualised for the event, will have demonstrations of 3D printing technology, drone mechanism and robotics. This will give youngsters a sneak peek into a sector that could be a career option for them in future. Represented by start-up companies in Goa, this zone will showcase various innovations by Goans.
At another interesting section -- FC Goa Zone -- football lovers, especially children, can play some fun games, interact with football stars and know more about the FC Goa school training progamme.
FITNESS AND HEALTH
This year, there will be a free mega health check-up at NoMoZo. Eye and dental care, diabetes, blood pressure and orthopaedic, bone density, psychiatry, ayurveda, homeopathy consultations and screening for breast and cervical cancers will be covered at this camp.
Besides, there will be fitness demonstrations, martial arts and self-defence along with a boxing ring that will have live action from Goan boxers.
VOCAL FOR LOCAL
With +50 stalls, NoMoZo, gives a unique platform to small, and home-run business entrepreneurs to set up shop. This is an endeavour of Porvorim Rising to be vocal for local, on such a large platform. Here, people will get to see indigenous, home-made products and hand-made items .
ENTERTAINMENT
The main stage will have various cultural and entertainment performances throughout the evening. In the past NoMoZo saw cricketer Sreesanth, Actor Yash, DJ Nikhil Chinappa, King Momo, FC Goa players and several stars attending the event.
WORK IN PROGRESS
This year, Porvorim Rising has collaborated with Goa Tourism to organise the large-scale event.
Suraj Borkar of Porvorim Rising said: “Our team has been working tirelessly to bring back the magic of NoMoZo on Sunday, that we’ve all missed out on since 2020.”
To truly make it a people's event, organisations like Rotary Club of Porvorim, Rotary Club of Mapusa, Samraat Club, Porvorim, JCI, Porvorim, Rotract Club, IHM and many others have joined hands.
So, don't miss this interesting event happening this Sunday, where you will find people strolling, cycling, and skating on a two-kilometre stretch of road from DIET, near IHM, to Acdil High School, opposite Delfino’s.
At least once in a while there will be no blaring of horns and traffic jams, and people (read pedestrians) will be able to exercise the right of having their way first!
