Saraswat Food and Cultural Festival to begin on Feb 3 NT News Service Margao Jan 31: The three-day annual Saraswat Food and Cultural Festival, hosted by the Mathagramasth Saraswat Samaj under the banner of the Goa Saraswat Samaj will be inaugurated at the hands of educationist, Prof Arvind Kudchadkar and the Power Minister, Mr Digamber Kamat on February 3. Addressing a press conference, the Goa Saraswat Samaj president, Mr Shanu Pai Panandikar in the presence of the organising committee chairman, Dr Jagannath 'Desh' Prabhudessai revealed that the main aim behind hosting the festival was to promote interaction between people. "It is meant to be a platform for everybody, not just members of the Saraswat community," he said.
Mr Panandikar informed that in its third edition, the Saraswat Food and Cultural would remain open in the evenings on the first two days while on Sunday, stalls will remain open throughout the day. Noted stage artist, Padmashree Mr Prasad Sawkar will be felicitated at the inaugural function. The Leader of Opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar will attend the concluding session on Sunday. Mr Prabhudessai disclosed that programmes on all the days had been divided under two heads on stage and off stage events. "The on stage events would comprise of dance and singing competitions in various age groups, pudve and nau vari contest, a talent show, fancy dress and story telling contest. The off stage events include mehendi, flower making, best out of waste, embroidery, healthy baby, cookery and like events, he stated. Highlights of the third day would include a fashion show, Ms and Mr Saraswat (a contest for unmarried Saraswat boys and girls in the age group of 16 to 25 years), Mr and Ms Saraswat for married couples from the community and a Saraswat fashion show. Participation in the various events is open only for members of the Saraswat community though the programmes can be witnessed by all. Mr Panandikar further mentioned that like always stalls would be categorized as food and trade stalls. "The food stalls will be run by both professional and non-professional (families) persons," he said adding that the festival would be celebrated with fervour offering an opportunity for all to savour the delicacies of Saraswat cuisine while alongside providing a chance to the youth to display their talent in cultural activity like dancing and singing. The trade stalls would consist of various organizations wanting to promote their products along with Saraswat matrimonial cell and a stall to guide youth to adopt the right suited career. "We have received tremendous response from the time we announced the festival plans. People are very eager," Mr Panandikar said to a query on the number of people expected to visit the festival venue at the BPS Club.
