MARGAO: "Yuva Mahotsav has seen several agitations finding a voice in its pandal. The voice of Mhadei first reverberated in the seventh Goa Yuva Mahotsav and it again found a voice in the 21st Goa Yuva Mahotsav held in Panaji. The various movements like Regional Plan and SEZ were deliberated upon in this youth festival. Medium of Instruction (MOI) agitation saw the same youth force of Yuva Mahotsav coming on streets," said president of Konkani Bhasha Mandal(KBM), Chetan Acharya.
The 25th Yuva Mahotsav organised by KBM will start from January 17 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. And this year too, there is much possibility of the voice of Mhadei in the Mahotsav pandal. Speaking to GT, Chetan further said that this Goa Yuva Mahotsav is a unique festival where other educational institutions, as well as cultural groups especially from the rural Goa, participate in the same competitive platform.
"Yuva Mahotsav is a platform that voices out the concerns of Goa and that is exactly the motive. Competitions are designed in a way they encompass all these issues and also showcase the talents of the youth", he added. Highlighting Yuva Mahotsav he further said that Mahotsav started on a grand note since its inception. Today the competition is completely hi-tech and all the entries are accepted online and data processing is done through special software designed for the festival.
"The most important part of Mahotsav is the sportsmanship that is showcased. Even the groups which are not winning the competitions are seen shouting cheers to the winning team," said Chetan. When asked about what is the aim to organise the Yuva Mahotsav he said, "The main aim is to pass on the rich culture and tradition of Goa to the youths and ignite the Goan identity amongst them". He also said that a special quiz based totally on Goa is another competition that remains from first year. Folk dance and street play and two other competitions that have remained since inception. Recently shooting competition has been introduced where participants submit short films.