Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA – The Canacona Sports & Cultural Club, in association with its cultural wing, the Canacona Cultural Academy, is all set to organize Deepotsav-2025 on 24th October at the Gaitonde Mini-Sports Complex, Chaudi. The event, held in collaboration with Canacona Patrakar Sangh, Canacona Kalakar Sangh, Lions Club of Canacona, and Canacona Tourism Council, forms part of the Deepawali celebrations and aims to showcase the rich cultural heritage and festival traditions of the region.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, organizing committee chairman Janardhan Bhandari said the event seeks to highlight hidden talent in Canacona by providing a platform for local performers. “We expect a crowd of over 3,000 people, including around 1,000 participants and more than 2,000 spectators,” he added. Bhandari further noted that the event is organized under the aegis of the Art & Culture Department and the Goa Tourism Department and will feature competitions such as kite flying, Akash Kandil, Panatee Sajawat, sweet dish (Poha), reels making and presentation on Canacona tourist spots, and a fancy dress competition for participants aged eight and above.
Deepotsav-2025 will also include performances by local groups, including Dindi presentation by Vitthal Rakhumai group from Saleri–Agonda, Dhol-Tasha by Shiv Jayanti Mahotsav Samiti, Poinguinim, Lezim by Shradhanand Vidyalaya, Diwali dance by Shashwat Group Poinguinim and Kala Mogi Khotigaokar, Ghumat-Aarati by S. S. Angle Hr. Sec. School, Mashem, and Garba & Dandiya by Shri Bhumipurush Dance Group, Palolem.
The organizers highlighted that the event will attract audiences from Gulem to Polem and Cotigao to Khola and enjoys the full support of Canacona MLA and Minister for Art & Culture Ramesh Tawadkar, ZP members of Khola and Poinguinim, Canacona Municipal Council, all seven panchayats of the taluka, and several local organizations, including Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandals, taxi owners, and shack owners associations.
The festivities will begin with a kite flying competition at Shri Mallikarjun Dev premises at Chaudi at 3:00 p.m., followed by a Dindi procession from the KTC bus stand near Shivaji Maharaj Statue at 5:00 p.m. The event will conclude with a prize distribution ceremony at 9:30 p.m., attended by Art & Culture Minister Ramesh Tawadkar. Social Welfare Minister Subhash Faldesai will be the guest of honor, with special invitees including MLA Elton Fernandes, former Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar, former Minister Isidor Fernandes, ex-MLA Vijay Pai Khot, ZP members Shanu Velip and Shobhana Velip, CMC Chairperson Laxuman Pagui, and sarpanchas and council members from all seven panchayats.
