Goa Govt will make efforts to encourage talent: Kamat

Panaji, Aug 18 (UNI) Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today said his government would make efforts to encourage artistic talent.

Presenting 'State Rewards' at Kala Academy here, Mr Kamat said the government is working on a scheme of honouring artists in the age group of 18 and 45 to encourage talent.

Harping on the mantra of ''benefitting the aam aadmi (common man)'', he said he was committed to bringing smiles on the face of the ordinary citizen, even as it was ready to face criticism of any kind.

Barring a few top artists like cartoonist Mario Miranda and tiatrist M Boyer, 18 artists were presented with Rs 50,000 besides a scroll and a memento each as part of the State Reward.

Internationally renowned pop singer, musician and Padmashree award recipient Remo Fernandes, however, spurned the State Reward to protest what he termed the ''loot of Goa'' by the politicians, both of the ruling and the opposition parties.

UNI