Panaji (Goa): As Goa gears up for the most eagerly awaited ‘Carnival,’ Goa Police will for the very time in the history of the event will participate in the float parade. However, its float will be jara hatke as the disciplined force intends to use this platform to create social awareness.
Director General of Police Muktesh Chander has revealed that the float will carry messages on the ill-effects of drugs, following road safety, etc. “It will be a long float that will contain awareness on different issues with also a strong message that any sort of crime in Goa would not be tolerated,” he told TNV.
The recently launched Traffic Sentinel Scheme, where general public report about traffic violation on Goa Police’s Whats App, will also be publicized in a bid to attract more volunteers.
The department, with the help of local artisans, is designing the float that would be presented before the government for an approval.
The float, among over 50 other participating floats, will be placed in a separate category. In most likelihood the Goa Police Band might accompany the moving float while a set of police personnel will distribute the leaflets of the Traffic Sentinel Scheme. The other floats will have entertainers and dancers moving through the cities. However, all these floats will undergo screening before being allowed to participate in the parade. This year the government has also hiked prize money for the competition.
Besides sub centres, the four days of fun and frolic will be held in major places including Panaji on February 10 along the new Carnival route from Miramar to Dona Paula, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa on February 11, 12 and 13 respectively.
Simultaneously, there are also celebrations in villages and cities all across Goa. The legendary King Momo will rule over Goa for four days and will throw open Carnaval revelry in the capital city on February 10, while the celebrations culminate with the famous Red and Black Ball.

Team TNV