NT Reporter
Ponda
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, on Thursday, said festivals like Shigmotsav showcase the traditional way of Goan life and reflect communal harmony
in the state.
“Late Ravi Naik was the first to start village-level Shigmo celebrations across the state. Traditional Shigmotsav allows us to showcase our culture, heritage and traditions and make it inclusive. The engineering innovation and technology skills of Goan youth are seen through the chitrarath floats,” he said.
Sawant was speaking after flagging off the Shigmotsav float parade in Ponda, known as the cultural capital of Antruz Mahal.
Union Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sadanand Tanawade, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, BJP Goa president Damodar Naik, Ponda Municipal Council chairperson Virendra Dhavalikar and Chairman of Rajiv Kala Mandir, Ponda, Ritesh Naik were present.
The Shigmotsav festivities in the state, which commenced from Ponda, drew thousands of locals, Shigmo revellers and tourists, including foreigners,
to the town. The traditional floats participating in the parade depicted various aspects of Goa’s culture.
“I appreciate the artistes. The festival, which will be held in different towns over the next 13 days, showcases the communal harmony among Goans,” Sawant said, adding that festivals like Shigmotsav are part of cultural tourism.
The romatamel presented by specially-abled participants under the banner of Shree Zareshwar Shigmotsav Samitee (Lokvishwas Pratisthan students) was a major attraction at the start of the parade.
The parade was organised by the Ponda Shigmotsav Samitee in association with the Goa
Tourism Department.
Shigmotsav 2026 is being organised by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) from March 5 to 18 across the state.
Khaunte said, “We are promoting cultural and spiritual tourism so that domestic and international tourists visit Goa to witness and enjoy festivals like Shigmo. Infrastructure assistance has been enhanced by Rs 1 lakh to further strengthen the Shigmotsav culture in Goa.”
Shripad Naik said, “In the absence of late Ravi Naik, this is the first time we are celebrating Shigmotsav. We should not forget the contribution of late Ravi Naik.”
This year’s Ponda Shigmotsav parade featured 16 romatamel groups, 14 chitrarath floats, five folk dance troupes and around 39 fancy dress participants.
