GOVT. GIVES IFFI MORE IMPORTANCE THAN THE OLD GOA NOVENAS AND FEAST

OLD GOA: A large number of devotees thronged Old Goa on the fourth day of the novenas in honour of St Francis Xavier on Saturday. Sources said that over a lakh devotees attended the masses that started at 5am. As the 9.30am mass ended, however, two persons fainted, and in the absence of emergency services (ambulances) had to be transported by private vehicles for medical treatment, said sources.

"What arrangement has the government made in Old Goa for this annual religious event where thousands of people converge," asked a devotee, Anthony Mendonca. "The government which swears by the aam admi is only devoting its energy to ensure that the International Film Festival of India (Iffi) is a success," he fumed.

When contacted, Rajesh Waghware, CEO of GVK EMRI which runs '108' ambulance service, denied that their ambulance had been diverted for Iffi to Panaji. "Our Old Goa ambulance is stationed there but may be at the point of time the vehicle was attending another call. For certain it has not been shifted elsewhere," Waghware said.

The fire services department too said ambulances attached to the Old Goa fire station have not been deputed for Iffi. "Our ambulance is stationed at the Old Goa fire station which is located very close to the Old Goa religious centre," an official said.

Meanwhile, Fr Savio Barreto, rector of Bom Jesus Basilica, once again urged the government to change the date of Iffi so that it does not clash with the novenas and the feast of St Francis Xavier.

"Church authorities, including me, have been urging the chief minister, in writing, since February 2008 to use his good offices to change the dates of the International Film Festival of India, since the clash of both events is very inconveniencing to the devotees," Barreto said (TNN)