Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday congratulated the people of Divar and wished them on the occasion of Bonderam by promising to take up the project of building a bridge between the twin islands of Divar and Vanxim.
Speaking during the festival, Sawant said that he was impressed by the response of the people towards the festival despite the heavy rain as well as the commitment displayed by the youth in displaying floats with the message of preserving local culture.
“Despite the heavy rain, people have come here in large numbers which shows the love the people of Divar have for the Bonderam festival, which the Piedade youth association has been celebrating for the last 40 years and which is a uniquely traditional festival for the people of the village,” Sawant said.
“I saw a float with the message: Divar Vachovya, Nusteamcho Vevsay Vachovya (Save Divar and save our traditional fishing business). I congratulate them and the youth who made the float,” Sawant said.
“Your local MLA has been asking for two bridges, but if we have to save the island it has to remain an island. However, the government can take up a bridge between the two islands -- Divar and Vanxim-- that will be taken up by the government,” Sawant said.
“Let us continue to show the unity we are showing between communities and the festival will continue to grow and become a big festival,” Sawant said.
Later in the day, local MLA Rajesh Faldessai promised to continue helping the people of Divar celebrate the festival.
“The rain has attempted to play spoilsport but the spirit of the people of Divar has not allowed that to happen. As a local MLA, I believe that the government needs to celebrate such local festivals and I am grateful that the Department of Tourism, the Department of Art and Culture are supporting this festival and that the Director of Tourism Suneel Anchipaka is here among us,” he said.