Goa Carnival festivities begin

The much-awaited Goa festival kicked off today with holding of famous float parade which was witnessed by over 50,000 people.
The parade, organised by Goa Tourism Department, was flagged off by state Chief Secretary Kewal Sharma in the presence of tourism secretary R K Srivastava, director of Tourism department, Ameya Abhyanakr and others.
The float hosting King Momo, a mythological character who rules the State during the four-day-long Carnival celebrations, heralded the parade which travelled across three-kilometre stretch which was thronged by visitors.
Geovani Bosco Santimano (57), an IRS officer, was selected as the King Momo for this year through a selection process which was monitored by a panel of tourism department officials.

Around 100 floats to participate in the parade depict various themes ranging from science to mythology and environment.
The road named after state's first chief minister DB Bandodkar was decorated for the parade today. The parades will also be held across other cities from tomorrow onwards.
The festivities are presided over by 'King Momo', who had given the message of merry-making, drinking and eating just before the austere 40 days of Lent.