My family never knew I applied to be King Momo: Shalom

With only a day left for Goa's one of the most joyous festival of Carnival, Shalom Sardinha, who will be King Momo this year, said he had applied for the role without even informing his family.
"Well, my family was shocked given that other than my wife no one knew I was applying for the role. But once those initial moments were up, they were all laughing with my brother saying that they could not get a more perfect king," said the 35-year-old engineer working with a firm in Goa.
When the float parade is flagged-off at the hands of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar tomorrow here, Shalom will be given the traditional 'key' of the city, which means he rules the place for next four days.

Attired as the Greek king, Shalom will be accompanied by his group on the main float waiving-off to the crowd of lakhs who would gather on D B Bandokar road alongside the picturesque Mandovi river.
Shalom says life has not changed much for him after being selected to be King Momo of Carnival 2016.
"Life has not changed because I know I am playing the role like in the movies. No doubt, it has brought me much closer to friends and acquaintanceswho called to wish me for being selected for the role," he said.

Shalom is the son of former Goa Chief Minister Francisco Sardinha, who himself enacted King Momo for Carnival 1974.

The burly built Shalom, who feels he is fit for roles like Christmas Father and King Momo, says he is preparing to enjoy and have a wonderful time with others at the float.
Shalom had tried to step into the shoes of his politician father, but was defeated in 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
He, however, aspires to join politics for betterment of the coastal state.
"Well, if I was ruling Goa, my priorities would be improving the financial health of the state, controlling and managing the garbage and pollution menace and most importantly improve the educational, parking and health support system in Goa. I can do it in one year," he claimed.