Panaji, Dec 7 (IANS) The Goa float at the Republic Day parade, which has often won prizes in the past, may not make its presence felt at Rajpath this year, an official said.
A defence ministry's panel, which oversees and clears the themes of the floats to be paraded Jan 26, has rejected Goa's theme of the 'jagor', a multi-religious wake carried out in most villages, where ancient talks and folk stories are narrated.
The art form is fading out and conscious steps are being taken by the state government to revive the same as part of state heritage.
Congress Rajya Sabha member from Goa Shantaram Naik said efforts made to lobby with the ministry of defence, which largely conducts the celebrations, had failed to find favour with the screening panel.
"We have asked them to review the decision," Naik said, adding that according to the panel, changes it recommended had already been incorporated by the Goa government in its float.
"New drawings on jagor were presented whereupon the expert committee suggested some major changes," Naik said.
"There were 15 states, out of which 14 have been cleared except Goa. And among nine floats of ministries, five have been cleared.
"A total of 19 floats are presently cleared," Naik said.
Speaking to IANS, Sushant Khedekar, vice president of the state-run centre for performing arts, who is in charge of putting together the float said: "Artistes had put in a lot of strain in creating the decorations and the theme for the jagor float."
"This is really sad. We will try and appeal once again. The state government will officially take the matter up with the ministry of defence," Khedekar said.
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