-- Samir Umarye
PANJIM, JAN 15 Entering into its 15th episode, Konkani Bhasha Mandal’s Goa Yuva Mahotsav is expected to be a star-studded event this time when it will be held at Bicholim on January 30 and 31. “We have invited Bollywood star Vivek Oberoi as the chief guest for the prize distribution function while efforts are on to confirm presence of Nana Patekar to kick-off the event,” Dr Shekhar Salkar, chief coordinator of the festival, told reporters. The two-day long event, an extravaganza of youthful culture and creativity, will be held at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maidan, Bicholim. Bicholim MLA and chairman of reception committee Rajesh Patnekar expected the participation of around 200 students and youths representing around 30 colleges and higher secondaries and 20 cultural organizations from all over Goa. The Mahotsav which began at Margao has traveled to every nook and corner of the state. The organizers said that this time the main venue is named after Konkani writer and famed journalist Chandrakant Keni. Patnekar said that the main stage is named after noted tiatr artist and sangeet natak academy award winner Padmashri M Boyer. The other venues would be named after Fr Anton Pereira, Nilkanth Karapurkar, Krishna Laxman Moye and Vinayak Natekar. The Mahotsav will be spread over three venues besides a special hall for rangoli competition, which will have capacity to accommodate 4,000 people. The organizing committee is headed by Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, Dr Shekhar salkar is the chief coordinator and Suraj Komarpant is the working president of the mahotsav. Vidhyadhar Raut is secretary, Zaki Shaikh and Rupesh Thanekar are the joint secretaries. KBM president Prashant Naik, secretary Nityanand Naik and treasurer Rajendra Naik along with Chetan Acharya, Paresh Naik, Surel Tilve and Shirish Naik are assisting the local team in the organization of the event.
