Annual Carnival float parade thrills people

Panaji, Feb 17 (UNI) More than 40 floats with different themes, highlighting the need for saving the fragile environment and ecology, and preventing child sex and labour, participated in the annual Carnival here today.

Welcoming the ''Viva Carnival-2007'', the revellers sang and danced while Deputy Cief Minister in-charge of Tourism Dr Wilfred de Souza flagged it off in the presence of Goa Tourism Development Corporation's chairperson Fatima De Sa, who led the parade sitting on a motorcycle.

The Carnival, considered as the biggest ''peoples' festival'' of Goa, passed through the Bandorkar Marg. The colourful float parade was witnessed by thousands of people, including foreign and domestic tourists, who had thronged either side of the 3-km long stretch between the Patto bridge and the Kala Academy.

The state tourism department, the GTDC and the Arts and Culture Department had sponsored the event, which was aimed at promoting tourism in a big way in the state. The city corportion of Panaji backed out of its participation following a row.

Foreigners had a field day, with some of them seen dancing to the tunes of the music bands on the carnival floats. They had also joined some floats saying, ''While Goans dance, dine 'n' sleep, Kidd (worm) destroys Goa.'' Similar float parades would be held in Margao, Vasco and Mapusa successively from tomorrow. Local level processions would also be held at different places.

One of the floats with a message ''No to drugs, re-elections, unemployment'' attracted the attention of the people.

Among other messages were ''Ban catching frogs to save Goa from mosquitoes'' and ''Save Hills'', with a skeleton in the background.

A float carrying slogans and drawings asking the people to ''Make Goa world friendly'', ''No internet abuse, no child abuse, no child labour and child sex, no child pornography and no to female foeticide'' was by the NGO Friends of the Little People.

On other floats were children performing African samba dance, traditional carpenters cutting the logs, people brewing country liquor and catching the fish, turtles and other marine species. They calling for prevention of over-exploitation of resources.

Traditional fisherfolk danced and youth in colourful costumes displayed their aerobatic skills.

Police had made elaborate security arrangements, while the authorities barricaded the road. Traffic control had become a Herculean task.

UNI