http://www.zeenews.com/nri/inner1.asp?aid=196020&sid=BUS
Goa carnival to attract tourists A three-day Goa carnival would be held from February 25 to 28, with float parades planned in important cities of the state, including Panaji. "In Panaji, we expect at least 50,000 people to witness the float parade and the crowd will comprise a sizeable number of tourists who would come to Goa specially for the carnival", Surendra Furtado, Chairman, Panaji Carnival Committee told. The float parades are organised in association with the state tourism department. The float parade in Panaji would be held on February 25, which will be led by a special float hosting 'King Momo' on it. "This time, we are trying to bring back the traditional flavour of carnival for the float parade," stated a committee member, when asked about increasing commercialisation with floats depicting various consumer goods and liquor products ruling the parade. "Last year, the Panaji Traditional Festival and Carnival Committee tried to bring back the traditional carnival flavour and partly succeeded in bringing the traditional floats. Conventional khell-tiatres and other programmes were organised during the carnival festivities," he said. "This year too, more emphasis is given on the traditional floats to retain the identity of the carnival", he added. Bureau Report -- Salaam ali kum. Gabe Menezes. London, England
