Porvorim Rising is back with the sixth edition of ‘NoMoZo’ on February 9, offering a variety of activities for all ages on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Marg
RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT BUZZ
Porvorim is set to host the sixth edition of ‘NoMoZo’ (No Motor Zone) on Sunday, February 9, transforming Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Marg into a vibrant, motor-free festival. Organised by Porvorim Rising, an initiative by Tourism Minister and MLA Rohan Khaunte, the event celebrates fitness, sports, culture, heritage, and local arts, with activities for all age groups.
The festivities will commence at 3 p.m., with the inauguration at 4.30 p.m., featuring Bollywood actor John Abraham as the chief guest.
Minister for Tourism and IT, and MLA of Porvorim, Rohan Khaunte, states, “NoMoZo has evolved into a festival for the people. Despite the venue change this year, we remain committed to organising it with the same energy and dedication.” He further assures, “Although development work is ongoing in Porvorim, we have made sure it will not impact the spirit of NoMoZo.”
The main organiser, Ninil D’Souza, describes NoMoZo as a “community-driven movement that unites people through fitness, culture, and innovation.” He adds, “This year, we’ve expanded our zones and introduced new activities to make NoMoZo 6.0 bigger and better.”
This edition will feature 12 zones, including Heritage, IT & Science, Astronomy, Performance, Youth, Fitness, Boxing, Martial Arts, Kids, Health, Art, and Dance.
The Heritage Zone will showcase Goa’s traditions through live demonstrations of pottery, bamboo weaving, and Kunbi saree making, along with traditional Hindu and Catholic wedding ceremonies. Heritage Zone coordinator Anuj Harmalkar says, “We are recreating the Goa of our ancestors, providing a platform for rarely seen traditions.”
The Performance Zone will feature folk dances, contemporary music, and live street performances, while the IT & Science Zone will offer hands-on experiences with robotics, 3D printing, drones, and AR/VR technology. IT Zone coordinator Ryan Cruz Vaz says, “Many visitors will get to use these technologies for the first time.”
The Astronomy Zone, by the Association of Friends of Astronomy (Goa), will offer telescope observations and constellation storytelling. The Youth Zone, curated by the Rotary Club of Mapusa Elegance, will feature talent showcases and quizzes on road safety, the environment, and Goan culture.
The festival will also emphasise health and fitness. The Fitness, Boxing, and Martial Arts Zones will host interactive workouts, live demonstrations, and training sessions. The Health Zone will offer free check-ups and awareness programmes, including a Mega Health Checkup, introduced due to the high turnout of senior citizens in previous editions.
For families and children, the Kids Zone will feature interactive games, storytelling sessions, and creative workshops. The Art Zone will highlight local artists through live installations, painting workshops, and traditional Goan crafts. The Dance Zone will encourage attendees to join high-energy dance sessions.
In addition, over 50 stalls featuring local cuisine, handmade products, and eco-friendly goods will be set up near the main stage, along the road leading to it, and at the Art Park. These stalls are offered free of charge to support small businesses and entrepreneurs.
The organisers expect a turnout similar to last year’s 25,000 visitors and have implemented measures to accommodate the crowd, including designated water stations, relaxation areas for senior citizens, and special parking zones to ensure a smooth experience for all attendees.
D’Souza concludes, “We’ve taken extra measures to make NoMoZo 6.0 enjoyable and accessible for everyone.”
