Media Release
Panaji, Mar 4: BMT Goa, Parvatibai Chowgule College in collaboration with State Central Library Patto Panaji Goa organized a unique ‘Track Two Poetry Writing Competition’ for the regional poets of Goa, at the Goa State Central Library, Patto recently.
The event saw socially aware, and responsible poets come together to give a voice to socially relevant topics. They were brought together by an organization that itself is making inroads to change the mindset of people from the ground up.
Having recently started a ‘Chalo School Mega Drive’ initiative, BMT Goa organized this poetry writing competition to create awareness about civic insensitivity of their surroundings. They did this in a novel way.
Poets were shown a muted video which contained visuals of an overflowing garbage receptacle with the usual animals feeding from it. In a particular disturbing visual, a cow eating a rather large plastic bag was shown.
The audience were also shown how people made their way around this garbage bin.
On numerous occasions people are seen doing the same. The visuals were telecasted for around half an hour. The curious faces of the audience watching the silent movie showed emotions ranging from disgust to quiet contemplation. It was clear to see that the video had made an impact.
The poets then took their time to create an expression for what they had watched. The group of poets included students and the elderly.
“Few of the poets came up with Konkani and Marathi and Hindi Geets to express their feeling. I hope that the endeavor continues, as it is only the first step on a long journey”, said Andrew Barreto while sharing his experiences on the ‘Track Two Poetry writing Competition’.
“The active politicians, social workers and the Government class one officers related with the welfare of the general public, various departments of education, resource persons of sarva shiksha abhiyan must make it a point to see this mute movie once as it will certainly change their mind set of resolving the issues addressed”, said the executive director operations BMT Goa and coordinator Chalo School Mega Drive Dr Gunaji Desai while addressing the poets.
In the beginning curator, State Central Library Carlos Fernandes welcomed the participants, Sulaksha Kulmule, senior librarian proposed vote of thanks.
Shubhangi Desai, along with senior poets from Konkani, Marathi and Hindi language, young budding poets from Goa University and various colleges form Goa participated in the program.
Andrew Barreto compeered the function while Mansi Bandokar along with other staff of Library assisted in the conduct of the program.
The prize winners will be declared by March 6 and the selected poets will be called for recording the poems composed by them. The prizes along with the certificates will be awarded in a special function to be organized on March 25.