'Fatorda to have a weekly Sunday market selling ethnic Goan handicrafts'

MARGAO: The ‘

Opinion Poll Square

’ in

Fatorda

may soon play host to a weekly ‘Sunday Goan Authentic Handicrafts Street/Flea Market’ and ‘No-Mo- Zo’ (No Motorist Zone) events within the next couple of months.

“This will be a tourism event backed by the tourism department since most action takes place in north Goa with south Goa attracting family tourism. The ‘No-Mo-Zo’ will be a half day fest and a calendar event as we seek to exploit the potential of the ‘Opinion Poll Square’ with the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) councilors being proactive and the public supportive towards such programmes. We need to have avenues to sell authentic Goan handicrafts wherein tourists can purchase them,” said the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vijai Sardesai while informing the media about the forthcoming three-day ‘Margao Fatorda Carnival 2018’ programme from February 11-13.

Sardesai drew attention to the extremely successful ‘Ingo’s Saturday Market’ held in north Goa as well as the attempt to have a weekly market at Colva some years back wherein prominent artists like Subodh Kerkar display and sell their artworks. Sardesai said, “There is no ethnic Goan flavour in these markets as the handicrafts are sold from other north Indian states. Goans need to benefit from it.”

Sardesai further spoke of reviving the ‘street dance’ event which would be open to everyone sans entry fees imposed on the public. “On the occasion of Fat Saturday celebrated on February 10, We For Fatorda (A Vijai Sardesai initiative) will host the Big Fat Fatorda Carnival Blast 2018 at the Opinion Poll Square from 7 pm onwards with performances by an international band Slipping Chairs from Colombo followed by Goan band Forefront and local Fatorda lad DJ Navin. On Sunday, February 11, the Carnival floats parade will be flagged off from the Margao Old Market circle at 4 pm and will proceed towards the Lake View Plaza, Fatorda. It will be followed by scintillating music by Goan bands such as Purple Rain, Tidal Wave and True Blue as well as Goan nightingale Lorna. On Monday, February 12, there will be a fancy dress contest, Konkani programme and Goan bands Sky High and Aces performing from 7 pm onwards. On Tuesday, February 13, besides, the Konkani programme, bands such as Lynx and Ragas 2 Riches will perform from 7 pm onwards. Moreover, there will be specific Konkani programmes and the khell tiatrs that are the essence of Intruz staged in every municipality ward. This year, there will also be VIP hospitality lounges set up for elite foreign tourists by the 13 five starred resorts who have confirmed their participation in the four days Carnival fiesta of unadulterated entertainment, laughter and merriment,” said Sardesai.

Also present were the MMC chairperson Dr Babita Angle Prabhudessai, vice chairperson Tito Cardozo and all the MMC councillors.

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