Margao 1st February 2008 A graceful audience with many a mando enthusiasts returning home on account of non-availability of passes. This was how the Mando fever caught up at the All Goa Mando Festival organised by Tourism Airline Management Education TAME, Goa in association with Department of Art and Culture and Western Beverages Pvt Ltd., Cuncolim held at the Gomant Vidya Niketan Air-conditioned hall at Margao. The festival was declared open by His Excellency Shri. S. C. Jamir, Governor of Goa at 4.22 p.m with the lighting of traditional lamp and releasing of the colourful Souvenir. Dr. Francisco Colaco eminent cardiologist, social reformer, writer and mando lover was felicitated at the hands of the Governor of Goa Shri. S. C. Jamir with a coconut, shawl and trophy for his contribution towards the Mando art. The Governor in his address exhorted that Goans from cross sections to come forward and participate actively in the cultural events to the promotion and preservation of this precious, priceless gems of social cultural inheritance. Stressing the importance on cultural events he said that they not inflame the heart of people but helps in the removal of evil feelings of differences of caste and creed and ultimately helps in peace and harmony of the society. The Governor stated that several disruptive forces are raising their heads in the country and that it is the primary duty of every citizens to stall the advance of these disruptive forces and thus strengthen the forces of unity by eliminating forces of friction by establishing goodwill, understanding and mutual respect. Remarking that the personally laid emphasis on peace, the spirit of togetherness and tolerance to help promote social, cultural harmony. He congratulated the management of TAME Tourism Airline Management Education and called upon the audience to consolidate efforts to promote and cherish social cultural values and essential process of our unity and strength. Earlier the Director of TAME in his welcome speech stated that today Mando has reached a higher platform and credited the success entirely to the Chief Minister Mr. Digambar Kamat who is also the Minister for Art and Culture and thanked him for his continuous support to this Goan art. Mrs. Farrel Furtado introduced the Chief Guest while Mr. Rudolph Noronha introduced the illustrious Living Mando Legend Dr. Francisco Colaco who has co. The function was compeered by Dr. Roopa Chari and Michael Gracias The Festival witnessed a total number of 19 troupes and handsome cash prizes were distrubted at the hands of Dr. Francisco Colaco The festival started off with the Senior citizens taking the mando beat to the loud applause of the audience and Governor himself and ended with the troupe Rivoncheo Thonddgar Zhori trained by Fr. Peter Cardozo Winners of the Competition ended up with Mando Mogi, Margao led by Pervez Gomes won the overall competition wining the First Prize Rolling Trophy in the Traditional category and second in the Original category while Goenchim Noketrem, Sarzora won the First Prize Rolling Trophy in the Original Category and stood second in the Traditional category. Consolation prizes were given to the following troupes Chimbelchim Noketram Chimbel ; Merces Salkam Merces ; Xavier's College Naad Mapusa ; Merces, Merces Firgocehim Saad Merces ; Vel'lencho Nad Velim, Rivoncheo Thonddgar Zhori ;; Nuvemchim Mankam Motiam Nuvem and Mungullichem Mankam Margao Judges for the contest were Arlindo Miranda, Silvano Fernandes and Jose Maria da Silva.