Goemkarponn Desk
CANACONA: Not to loose hope, neither belief, a senior citizen from Canacona continues to knock on the doors various authorities to allow celebrations of traditional Feasts on the island at Anjediva.
Natividade De Sa, after Naval authorities including central Ministers having previously refused to grant permissions, had once again made another representation to highest authorities with copies to Administrations in Goa and Karnataka to allow celebration of feast of St. Francis D’Assise on October 4. The feast of Our Lady of Springs (Nossa Senhora das Brotas is celebrated on February 2 annually at Anjediva Chapel.
As usual there was no response from rest of the addressees (Naval and other top Government Authorities), The Deputy Commissioner, Uttar Kanada , Karwar informed De Sa that his request the pending issue for permission to hold celebrations of the feasts of Churches at Anjediva Islands has been forwarded to the Flag Officer Commanding, Indian Navy Karwar (Seabird) for further needful action.
The Addtl Dy. Commissioner , Uttara Kannada, Karwar who signed the letter has however, requested De Sa to follow up with Naval Authorities.
While people from various walks of life have requested Naval Authorities including the Defence Ministry to allow pilgrims to celebrate the two traditional feasts (Feb’2 and Oct’4), as recent as January(2023) end, the Goyche Fudle Pilge Khatir has petitioned to Governor of Goa P S Sreedharan Pillar and Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant with a plea for access to celebrate the annual customary prayers at Anjediva Island on 2 February and October 4.
According to De Sa , Government of Goa has handed over the Island (Anjediva) to Indian navy in the year 1989, but the people of Goa especially from Canacona who were traditionally celebrating both the feast at the island were prevent by Indian Navy from the year 2005 citing safety norms of Indian defence forces, causing hardships in people’s belief and also hindering the religious concerns of the faithfulls.
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