Panjim, April 29, 2015, Goa Coconut and Cashew Festival 2015, the first of its kind began in the capital city of Panjim these evening drawing scores of tourists from far and wide. This five day festival aims at presenting the benefits of coconut and cashew in a creative and unique manner and saw local Goans involved in this industry showcasing the best produce and products from coconut and cashew here today.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Shri. Laxmikant Parsekar inaugurated the five day event in the distinguished presence of Tourism Minister, Shri . Dilip Parulekar, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Chairman, Shri. Nilesh Cabral, Panjim MLA Shri. Sidharth Kuncalienkar , Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Mayor, Shri. Shubham Chodankar , Chief Secretary and Secretary Tourism , Govt. of Goa Shri. R. K. Shrivastava, Director of Tourism Shri. Ameya Abhyankar and Managing Director of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC( Shri. Nikhil Desai.
In a unique gesture signifying Green Goa, the Hon’ble Chief Minister and all the distinguished guests were presented with coconut and cashew saplings. The festival is organized by Goa Tourism in association with Department of Agriculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Goa Handicrafts Corporation, from 29th April 2015 t0 3rd May at the D. B. Bandodkar Grounds, Campal, Panaji-Goa.
Coinciding with the May 1 holiday and giving tourists a long weekend in Goa, tourism officials are expecting thousands to converge at the D. B. Bandodkar grounds. Elaborate arrangements have been made for parking and security around the event grounds.
The festival promises to b exciting and will have foot-tapping entertainment, fun-filled activities and lots more. These programmes will be held against the backdrop of a mesmerizing stage design that will be based on a theme to present the heritage value of both coconut and the cashew nut.
There will be various coconut tree climbing workshops, demos on Feni distillation, handicrafts made from coconut and cashew and even cooking workshops. Interesting and innovative games have been displayed using the nuts as an integral part of the fun quotient. A stall will also be set yp by the Dept of Agriculture selling Coconut and Cashew saplings and grafts.
Various themed dances, songs and acts that go with the festival will be conceptualized and presented to make the festival an integrated edutainment capsule. A performance titled ‘The Coconut and Cashew Musical’ was staged on the inaugural day and would also be performed on the last day.
A major highlight of the event was the launch of a new charcoaled-filtered and blended oak-aged product ‘Lembranca’ by Madame Rosa Distillery, the only drink label designed by late Mario Miranda, Goa’s renowned cartoonist. At the Lembranca stall is another attraction where a renowned cartoonist sketching caricatures. Musicians will also serenade at the venue to add more festivity.
On the inaugural day (April 29) the program comprised of the Coconut and Cashew Musical, The T Band by violinist Selwyn, Goenchim Noketram and LORNA LIVE.
On April 30, the program comprises of Latin Connection, Dance Illusion and Rodney LIVE.
On day 3, May 1 , the entertainment comprises of Grace- instruments and four talented musicians come together, DANCE-O-PHILIA and Viva Goa, LYNX The Band and RHYTHM AND BLUES -The Band featuring LULU- Melodious tunes and foot tapping music coming your way with this 6 piece band.
On Saturday May 2, the entertainment comprises of Ambot Tik- unique combination of instruments, Gavana- Goa’s well renowned 16- piece troupe, 2Blue and band- English and bollywood Rock Fusion vocalist .
The last day’s program includes the coconut and Cashew Musical-, Shyam Edwankar- a breathtaking rhythms on 7 percussion instruments and BOMBAY BASSMENT- the Band-Out of the hustle and bustle of Bombay.
Article Submitted by Goa Tourism PR team for publication.