------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Narkasura competition purely a cultural event: organisation ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Margao-based Solid Party organiser of many a cultural programmes, has reiterated that Narkasura competition is purely a cultural event and has to looked upon purely with this aim in mind.Briefing newsmen, Chief Co-ordinator Raju Shirodkar said "it is our aim to nuture, develop and preserve the talent of Goa. Holding such competitions will encourage and give a boost to this talent".
Moreover, he said Narkasur effigies are burnt at the end of the contest, thereby signifying the triumph of good over evil, adding that it's the duty of the participants to burn the effigies on the city outskirts. "Our organisation can in no way be held responsible for this as we merely conduct the event", he added.
Councillor Rupesh Mahatme pointed out that Solid party has strictly adhered to the guidelines relating to timings. "We also take credit for stopping fire works display during the time of the competition", he said. Outlining the social activities carried out by the organisation, Mahatme said the group has constructed a bus shelter at Hospicio hospital; held blood donation camps in Margao; distributed scholarship to need students annually and took active part during natural calamities and in the rehabilitation work.
Meanwhile, the organisation has said the eight Narkasur competitions would be held near the municipal building on a grand scale. "We have changed the venue as Margao is being beautified. We always support cleanliness and beautification of the city", Mahatme added.Actress Ashwini Pandey of CID fame will be the special attraction, of this year's competition, the organisation added. ---------------------------------- HERALD 21/10/03 page 5 ---------------------------------- Stop malpractices, people urged ------------------------------------------- The Sanathan Saunstha has urged the people to avoid malpractices and contests regarding Narkasura effigies during Diwali festival. Addressing a press conference, Tulsidas Naik Ganjekar explained that malpractices which include extortion of money, noise pollution, violence and indecent behaviour towards women, causes distress and diminishes the joy of the festival.
"During the festival, people accord more importance to Narkasura than to Lord Krishna. We along with like-minded organisations are striving to curb these malpractices and we would want people to support us," Naik said.
In a bid to carry out this campaign, the Sanathan Saunstha has already met with organisers of Narkasura contests and tried to educate them on this matter.
A VCD on 'Customs of burning Narkasura effigies - Culture or perversion' is also being telecast through cable network at various places in Goa. ---------------------------------- HERALD 21/10/03 page 5 ---------------------------------- Sanctity of Diwali ---------------------- Diwali is the festival of lights but it is being turned into a festival of air and noise pollution. The Narkasur competition results in littering of the streets and inconveniences the elderly and the sick.
Festivals are occasions of joy and happiness. One cannot be happy at the expense of others. The authorities should ensure that there is no noise and air pollution this Diwali.
ANAND LYNGDOH, Margao in a letter to the Editor ------------------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 18/10/03 page 10 -------------------------------------------------
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