Right from hotels to taxis, the rent-a-bike, the restaurants have crazy business those.
Not to forget, the illicit drug trade also flourishes during that period time. Though there have been incidents of drug-related deaths from the Sunburn venue, it won’t be suitable to blame the festival as the police and security personnel have not given entry to media for the last 14 years.
Though there is suspicion, only police and security persons can reveal what they are trying to hide by not allowing Goan media.
It is not just the local businesses; many politicians involved in the approval of the festival, including MLAs, also benefit from the festival.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkapronn
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant announced that the State government will not hold the Sunburn festival in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic.
While many appreciated the CM for a tough stand on the Sunburn cancellation, many were critical of the decision.
No doubt, Sunburn brings in a huge crowd during the New year period (The Christmas Week) and as such, the businesses in the Northern coastal belt flourish.
With COVID19 lockdown, many were hoping that Sunburn was held this year so that they could have a decent business in a bid to recover from the losses due to COVID19-induced lockdowns.
Right from hotels to taxis, the rent-a-bike, the restaurants have crazy business those.
Not to forget, the illicit drug trade also flourishes during that period time. Though there have been incidents of drug-related deaths from the Sunburn venue, it won’t be suitable to blame the festival as the police and security personnel have not given entry to media for the last 14 years.
Though there is suspicion, only police and security persons can reveal what they are trying to hide by not allowing Goan media.
It is not just the local businesses; many politicians involved in the approval of the festival, including MLAs, also benefit from the festival.
Looking at the overall situation, one would opine whether the State needs such a festival? The festival brings just lakhs of people who go on a searching spree for drugs and prostitution. Does it not tarnish the image of the State.
Moreover, what has happened to the past cases of death? Nobody knows? They have been closed as unnatural deaths. That’s it?
Now what is shocking is that the organisers have announced the dates for the festival without the government’s approval.
This is at a time when the schools are just about to start, and the theatres are still allowed to operate at 50 per cent of the capacity.
Ever since we reportedly crossed our first COVID-19 peak in May-June, life has been different in Goa.
Movie theatres are now open for business (whether or not anyone visits is different), so are restaurants. People are venturing out cautiously (at least that’s the assumption), with some even opting for short getaways to secluded hilly regions and beaches.
In the middle of all this, the annual Sunburn music festival organisers dropped the dates for this year’s event.
Taking to Twitter, the official Sunburn Festival account posted that it would be returning with a “completely new avatar” from 27-29 December.
Now, it’s one thing to justify opening up restaurants and other businesses that are a regular source of employment for most people… but music a festival? Do we really need one?
No one denies that the events sector has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, but inviting people from across the country to convene in one place and freely interact with each is just … irresponsible.
On the one hand, it might be a little beneficial for the tourism industry, but on the other, it might put unnecessary pressure on Goa’s limited resources, you know?
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