Governor, Shri P S Sreedharan Pillai along with Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant today inaugurated the 22nd edition of Lokotsav 2022 at Adarsh Gram, Amonem, Poinguinim, Cancona organised by Adarsh Yuva Sangh and Shree Balram Education Society in association with Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.

Speaking on the occasion Governor Shri Pillai said Lokotsav is one of the largest people’s gatherings in the country and added that he is extremely happy to participate in the event a second time. He said if we analyse the ideology, literature and life of great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay and others – their opinion was that the goal of Swarajya and Surajya can be achieved only through gramswarajya and antyodaya tatva meaning serving to the last citizen of the society. People’s participation is very much important in any people-related event to achieve the goal he remarked.

“I have visited Cancona Taluka three times through my Goa Sampurna Yatra and have asked an expert team and Goa University to study the problems and get solutions to the problems and difficulties faced by people. I am writing a book on the heritage trees of Goa and have identified 31 such types of trees. The tree in the premises of Partagal Math in Cancona is one of the oldest tree I have come across the State, Shri Pillai said.

Chief Minister, Dr Sawant said, people from across Goa visit the Lokostsav as it is one of the annual festivals for which people wait eagerly. Concept of the Lokotsav itself describes that the organizers are connected with the land. Every citizen of the State – may it be youth, women or old age they should be self-sufficient and make the State self-reliant. The Swayampurna Goa programme was launched by the Government is to make every citizen stand on their own feet. If we do it continuously it will happen, he said.

Lokotsav is the event which preserves the culture of the State. Human development is very much important just like other infrastructure development, he said. Lokotsav is the event which preserves Culture, language and food culture. Lokotsav has played a major role to revive and get energy level high to the folk culture of the State, he added.

Dr Sawant said every individual should contribute for the development of the State and country. India will host the G20 summit this year and out of which 8 meetings will be held in Goa which means India is walking on the path of becoming world leader. These 8 meetings will be participated by world leaders and will provide an opportunity to represent our rich folk culture and food culture. It will definitely boost the tourism industry of the State. There is a lot of scope for cultural, spiritual, hinterland and wellness tourism, he said.

Government is developing infrastructure on a large scale so that Goa should not lag behind in any terms. When the Government is starting Mopa Airport it does not mean that other parts of the State will lag behind, he said. Work for the bypass road for Cancona will be taken up soon. Cottage and wool industries will also be set up in Cancona taluka. Major educational institute project will also be taken up, informed the Chief Minister.

PWD Minister, Shri Nilesh Cabral said, excitement of the people and popularity of the Lokotsav itself describes the event.

MLA from Bihar, Smt Nikki Hembrom; Chairman, Economic Development Corporation, Shri Sadanand Shet Tanawde spoke on the occasion.

MLA’s Shri Premendra Shet, Shri Ulhas Tuenkar; Shri Daji Salkar, Shri Pravin Arlekar, Shri Rajesh Phaldessai; Zilla Panchayat Members, Shri Shanu Velip and Shri Kushli Velip; Chairperson, Cancona Municipal Council, Shri Ramakant Naik Gaonkar; President, Shree Balram Education Society, Shri Anushk Gaonkar; Ex – Chief Minister, Shri Babu Kavlekar and others were among the prominent persons present on the occasion.

Host of the Lokotsav and Speaker, Goa Legislative Assembly, Shri Ramesh Tawadkar welcomed.

Bhagwan Birsa Munda Tribal Sports Festival organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs; Sports Authority of Goa; Adarsh Yuva Sangh and Balram Education Society was also inaugurated on the occasion.

Students of Balram Residential High School presented a unique welcome song by presenting culture on lok sangeet of Goa. Various personalities were felicitated on the occasion for their immense contribution in the various fields.