VASCO
The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has assured to extend all support including financial assistance to troupes making mythological figures for the famous Vasco Saptah.
“The issue regarding the support to the ‘Paar’ (mythological float) and ‘Dindi’ (procession) had been placed before me,” said MMC Chairperson Leo Rodrigues
"The MMC will support the groups engaging in the Paar this year because this is a century-old tradition and has to be kept alive. The MMC will support these groups, if required, so that the age-old tradition does not get disconnected from the Saptah Festival.”
“We are fortunate that we can celebrate Saptah on a grand scale during my tenure after a break of two years and I will do everything I can to ensure that the festival is celebrated in all aspects where all religious traditions and rituals are observed," said Rodrigues.
Earlier on Monday, former MMC chairperson Nandadeep Raut had demanded that the age-old rituals and traditions of having a Paar and Dindi should not be discontinued during the upcoming Saptah festival.
"This is the 123rd year of Saptah festival and after a gap of two years, we are having the Saptah on a grand scale and people are excited because we will have a fair also this year.”
“However, I heard that the traditional Paar groups are not participating this year and I do not know the reason. I visited the MMC to discuss the issue with the chairperson and he assured to extend all support, including financial assistance, to these groups so that the traditional rituals are not discontinued,” said Raut.
MMC Councillor Vinod Kinlekar said the Paar and Dindi are key components of the Saptah festival.
“Without them, the festival is incomplete and people will also feel that they have missed something, despite the festival being celebrated on a grand scale,” said Kinlekar.
