Dears, I do not believe we need to nitpick on every trivial issue. Feast dates are flexible. They have always been so. the unchanging die like the dodo and become extinct like dinos.
One suggestion that I would make to the GTDC is to name the King and Queen as Herod and Herodia, as in the case of the original Sao Joao story. If a Princess is to be selected she should be name Pincess Salome. I do not know if Herod had a son. The prize should be a carved watermelon on a platter ...in lieu of St. John's head that Salome asked her father. The complimentary drink at Sudesh Shetye's is blood red Amrit Kokum or Xarope de Brindao. That goes well with the story. It is a pleasant journey. [I went on it last week ...and you can see me on RTP after a month or so, talking about spices] On Sao Joao day watch RTP for the snippets on the "Opinion Poll" KPA and GBA ...the sagas of 1967, 1987 and 2007 ....all 20 years apart! that is if you are not in Siolim or anjuna to see the boat parades and music shows, dunking newly-weds in the wells at Aldona or doing similar things elsewhere in Goa. In India, Sao Joao happens only in Goa. Sao Joao, Sao Joao, gunvta mure Khuim pavle kovona! Sao Joao, Sao Joao! Oslim festam vorsak dhon panvttim kiteak ye'na? Viva Sao Joao! Mog asundi Miguel Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:41:30 +0530 (IST) From: godfrey gonsalves <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Goanet] GTDC Sao Joao on 21st June irks Catholic community. According to advertisements released on the local dailies and on its website? www.goa-tourism.com to kick start Monsoon Promotional Campaign Goa Tourism Development Corporation is organizing "SAO JOAO FEST" on board Santa Monica on Saturday, 21st June, 2008 It adds further that traditionally, the feast is celebrated with joy and mirth with young and not so young men, wearing crowns (copels) of tender coconut leaves, leaping into swollen wells and rivers to commemorate Saint John the Baptist's "leap of joy" in his mother's womb The cruise will leave Panjim (instead of Panaji ) Jetty at 10.00 a..m, sail along Old Goa/Chorao/ Diwar islands and Savoi and return at 4.30 p..m. There will be plenty of entertainment on board for the whole day with a live band playing sensational music meant for dancing, cultural dances performed by cultural troupe and other acts associated with Sao Joao Festivities?.?? Significantly the highlight of the day will be the professionals divers doing Sao Joao jump into the river and the crowning of Sao Joao King and Queen. Mr Armando when contacted telephonically informed this writer that he had made sure that the programme which is intended for 21st as chalked out by the department was only restricted to family groups and individuals would not be permitted . As a result 17 individuals who had applied have been rejected and only 27 families have been booked for the festivities so far.? Mr Armando also assured this writer that the families partaking in the festivities would be explained the religious significance of the Feast so that sentiments of the community observing these festivities are not hurt. Mr Armando informed this writer that indeed Hotels were having such celebrations in the past on the dates of their choice ,? ?GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Miguel Braganza, S1 Gracinda Apts, Rajvaddo, Mhapsa 403507 Goa Ph 9822982676 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.