Fire Safety Norms Reduce Stalls at Panaji's Lokotsav Festival
Panaji's popular Lokotsav festival will feature significantly fewer stalls this year. Organizers made this decision to comply with strict fire safety precautions. The 25th edition of the festival will host only 450 stalls. That is 100 fewer than the usual count of nearly 550 stalls seen in previous years.
Minister Inspects Preparations and Explains Changes
Art and Culture Minister Ramesh Tawadkar inspected the festival preparations at Kala Academy in Panaji on Monday. He confirmed the reduction in stall numbers. "We have reduced the number of stalls this year following fire safety norms," Tawadkar stated. He specifically mentioned the recent fire tragedy as a key reason for this precautionary measure.
However, the minister offered reassurance to vendors. He explained that many stalls will operate on a sharing basis. This arrangement will still allow a large number of vendors to participate in the event. The festival will include 50 dedicated food stalls among the total.
Folk Performances and Future Cultural Plans
The Lokotsav festival will not disappoint audiences despite the stall reduction. Folk artists from 16 different states will perform on stage. Their performances will span ten exciting days, showcasing India's rich cultural diversity.
Minister Tawadkar also revealed ambitious future plans for Goa's cultural scene. He announced that Goa will soon have a designated venue for daily folk shows. This new venue will operate similarly to Lokotsav but on a regular basis. "This will allow an evening cultural dance performance from Goa to be showcased every day," he explained. The initiative aims to promote cultural tourism in the state.
Details of the Proposed Cultural Venue
Art and Culture Director Vivek Naik provided additional details about the planned venue. He stated that organizers plan to make it a ticketed event during non-monsoon months. The current plan involves setting up a temporary outdoor stage for six months each year.
"We plan to have it ready by March," Naik confirmed. This timeline suggests the venue could launch in time for the next tourist season. The initiative represents a significant step toward making Goa a year-round cultural destination.
The reduced stall count at Lokotsav reflects a necessary safety measure. Meanwhile, the proposed daily cultural venue promises to create new opportunities for artists and boost tourism in Panaji and across Goa.
