From Sanjay Borkar in Margao
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (mb)
Pics Sugun Gawade

Margao, Jan 13: The 13th Goa Yuva Mahotsav kicked off at Sanguem, 25 km from here on Saturday morning, with great enthusiasm and joy.

Chief minister Digamber Kamat inaugurated the two-day Mahotsav by lighting the traditional lamp. Sanguem MLA and reception committee chairman Vasudev Gaonkar, Curchorem MLA Shyam Sataradekar, working president Paresh Naik, Konkani Bhasha Mandal (KBM) president Purnandand Chari, Goa Konkani Academy president (GKA) Pundalik Naik, Bindiya Wast, Mahotsav secretary Dr Revansiddh Naik were among those present on the dais.

Rather than blaming politicians for the upsurge of non-Goans' presence in the state and grabbing of employment by them, it was time that "Goans should introspect why such things had happened and where we (Goans) had gone wrong and should make efforts to resolve the problems," said the chief minister in his speech.

Those who would introspect the ongoing situation and make leeway of it will always win, he reiterated and stressed on introspection.

He appealed to the youth to play a major and vital role in taking the state ahead.

Negative factors are on the rise in the state, but one should also come up with solutions while opposing any project, he said, with an obvious reference to the agitations held which led to the scrapping of SEZs in Goa.

He also affirmed that he would never take any decision that would go against the interests of Goans.

Working committee president Paresh Naik in his speech said that Goans should be like iron, when its one corner gets heated, its every corner too feels the effect.

He appealed to the youth that only they could save Goa from the selfish politicians, who always try to sell Goa in the name of development, by wooing unwanted projects in the state. They should protest against every bad things which could put Goa in trouble.

Naik said if issues like SEZ erupt again, then every Goan should come out to raise his voice in opposition.

KBM president Purnanand Chari said that the palanquin of Konkani and Goa welfare issues should be shouldered by the youth and it was their duty to look after it.

By making a special mention of the mammoth crowd present in the Mahotsav pandal, he said that this was the fruit of Konkani movement, which began since the time of the opinion poll in the state. 

Although nothing special was announced by the chief minister for the youth, GKA president Pundalik Naik announced the instituion of an annual award of “Sahitya and Seva Purskars", both of which will be given to selected youth who contribute to and serve Konkani in different ways.

The two-day festival will conclude on Sunday with lots of programmes and competitions. Competitions like Trio, Face Painting, Lokmand, Rangoli, Mime, street play, Solo Singing, and traditional dance were held on Saturday.