FUN AND FROLIC MOOD WITH CARNIVAL FESTIVITIES AT PANJIM

PANJIM: Music, song and dance; creativity, tradition and fun filled the beautiful promenade by the Mandovi waterfront as Carnival 2011 was ushered in by the float parade in the capital city on Saturday evening. King Momo Cezar D'Mello, surrounded by a bevy of women, declared the four-day Carnival open with the cry "Viva Carnaval" that was echoed by the huge crowds waiting for the parade to begin.

The traditional floats did an excellent job of portraying Goan culture. There were interesting themes on display including a float showing a captured gigantic fish, Somali Pirates, an agitation to get rid of the River Princess. There was even an Octopus Paul who predicted that India would win the 2050 FIFA World Cup. A float from Cavelossim displayed the theme of global warming with a giant globe which had water falling into a bucket below. While most floats boasted a large number of dancers, the last float caught attention with a couple dancing and a man wearing a giant old man mask playing a giant piano.

A crack on the D B Marg opposite Hotel Mandovi caused floats much difficulty and led to delays, while the public was not too happy with commercial floats in the sponsored category turning the Carnival parade into a blatant advertisement parade.