Diwali celebrated with traditional fervour and enthusiasm in Goa

Panaji, Oct 21(UNI) Diwali, the festival of lights, was celebrated with traditional fervour and enthusiasm in this tourist island state, Goa.

After worshipping goddess Lakshmi, people started bursting crackers in front of their homes which are richly decorated with various rangoli themes.

Early in the morning, the Goans burnt scores of effigies of the mythological demon Narakasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

Despite a spate of complaints regarding noice pollution, police did not check the revellers in front of the Narakasura pandals, who were singing and dancing to pop songs amid blaring hi-decible speakers.

''We have literally no sleep at all last night till 0530hrs when the revellers, mostly youth, burnt the effigies and burst fire crackers marking the death of Narakasura. Our pleadings with the police through the police control room including the deputy inspector general of police(DIG-crimes) proved futile,'' residents of St.Inez govenment quarters complained.

Others said police in fact propped the event to serve the interest of a local minister who financed the makers of Narakasuras and the revellers which had nothing to do with an iota of devotion.

Yet another bad phase begins this evening with bursting of crakers which was however restricted to 2300hrs. Police said they would not spare anyone bursting the crackers after this deadline with even the courts also making rulines in this regard.

UNI BM WD AG1907