Queen’s Baton Relay in Goa: Street programe that never took place Beautiful programe - A fusion of Goan Festivals such as Carnival, Shigmo, Dances etc by popular Francisco Martins was to start at 5.30 pm from Twin Mandovi bridges or Cuise boats terminal, Panjim.
Waiting, waiting, waiting but no sign of Santa Monica Cruise boat which was to arrive from Old Goa before 5.30pm with Queen’s Baton Relay onboard. In Goa, nothing starts on time not even the Queen Baton Relay. It’s Goa Government to blame - ‘Sucegad’ as always. When such long delays, what can aam admi do? Boycott the function as (a section of) Goa Press recently did? There were no free meals or daggling carrots on offer though! But nature has it’s own way to react. Both Santa Monica Boat and the heavy Rains arrived same time i.e. at 6.45pm and the rain was on for over 15 minutes. The rain did not stop yet, the Baton Relay headed for Kala Academy at around 7.05pm Did the programe ever took place? Yes, but in the cover of darkness around 7.10 pm Where there was no one in the streets to watch the show It did not even cross the new Patto bridge, the whole show was abandoned midway. Causing traffic chaos on one side of the bussy D B Road up to Panjim Market. Don't know if Goa Press will ever come out on this fiasco in the monring newspapers I knew Govt. functions never start on time (but I also hoped there might be a exception on this occasion ) Before my Cameras go into ‘blind’ mode i.e. say after 6.15pm, I did capture some something Thank God, I did that. Here are some pics and video clip XIX Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010, start Oct. 3 Shera, a Royal Bengal Tiger (Mascot for Delhi 2010) With Hockey Sticks, Shuttle corks, Silver/Bronze medals etc http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk28/4969358680/sizes/l/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk28/4968747921/sizes/l/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk28/4968749807/sizes/l/ King Momo under the bridge http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk28/4969355882/sizes/l/ Both bridges are seen here http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk28/4969355006/sizes/l/ A footballer (Mascot) http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk28/4969356694/sizes/l/ Mandovi bridge with all lamps on (Usually half of them seen dead) http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk28/4969357350/sizes/l/ Video clip - Carnival Floats No one may have better than this.. Because the float parade never took place http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymNcX94h7B0 Repeat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymNcX94h7B0 Mandovi River, bridge, santa Monica etc included in the end About 4 minute duration clip joego...@yahoo.co.uk for Goa & NRI related info... http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/ For Goan Video Clips http://youtube.com/joeukgoa In Goa, Dial 1 0 8 For Hospital, Police, Fire etc