TG LIFE
When the mercury starts dropping, the smell of baked bebinca, dodol and rum cakes wafts through the air. You know its the season of merry making – it’s Christmas time! And while Goans get ready to bask in the Christmas festivities, the villagers of Parra too are set to delve into the preparations, the traditional way.
This year too, Parra Citizens Association will host the popular Festival of Stars and All Goa Carol singing competitions which have garnered a lot of response since the last five years. “Our sole aim is to keep the culture and traditional ways of celebrating the festivals alive. The present day celebrations are ddominated by technology and gadgets. During earlier times, all family members used to engage themselves in the preparations like the crib, the star etc. But now people do not find the time to do it. Atleast for the sake of the competition, we want family members to come together and take part in the festivities. That’s the the joy festivals instore in them and we want to bring that in our lives,” says Pradeep Morajkar, executive member of Parra Citizens forum who informed that they have been organising similar competitions during other festivals too. The Akash Kandil competition that is organised during Diwali time also received tremendous response with around 1140 entries from across the State. The competition was held in two categories- for locals of Calangute and other one for North Goa.
The Festival of Stars, an all Goa star presentation that has been organised by the Parra Citizens Association will be held on December 23 at Jacknim, Parra Tinto from 1pm onwards. The event is supported by Micheal Lobo, deputy speaker of Goa legislative assembly and the MLA of Calangute constituency. This year too the event will be held in two categories All Goa and restricted to Calangute constituency. The prizes are also allotted separately for both the categories. There 8 prizes allotted in each category with the winners getting cash prizes and a trophy. There are 10 consolation prizes too. “The stars will be made at home and brought to the venue. We have extended the competition for participants across the state to bring out the creativity from the different corners of the state. The competition is also eco friendly wherein we have not allowed the use of plastic and thermocol to make the stars,” infomed Morajkar.
All Goa Carol singing competition is also organised on the occasion to get into the true Christmas spirit. The competition has been organised with only 15 entries, 8 prizes to be bagged and 7 consolation prizes. A prize for each entry!
Apart from this there will be other cultural programme organised on the occasion. The youth of Parra also get together to make larger than life-sized crib which has been a major attraction in the village. “The youngsters have been working on the crib for the past one month. Every year they try to bring in something new and innovative. People from far and near throng the place to witness the creativity of our local youth. But the main thing is, events like these gets the village together,” says Morajkar.
