Caculo Mall in association with Goencho Festakar – Marius Fernandes and Gwendolyn de Ornelas, organised a two-day zero waste and inclusive Mango Festival on 29th and 30th April. The festival aimed to celebrate Goan mangoes, traditions, knowledge, and empower marginalised communities, stated a press release.
The Mango Fest hosted an array of local vendors selling distinctive and interesting varieties of mangoes, mango food, plants and saplings, snacks, art, and more. In addition, the festival included workshops on mango grafting, “mollam” making, mango pickle, mango sasanv, and basic candle-making with mango fragrance.
Fr Derick Fernandes, Parish Priest of Pilerne and Senior Journalist Prakash Kamat spoke on the various fests and Goan traditions during ‘bolkaocheo gazali’ during the fest.
Neville Afonso, Director of Agriculture, spoke to Gwendolyn de Ornelas on the Past Present & Future of the Goan mangoes and production techniques.
The Mango Fest also featured the presence of Persons with Disability (PwDs) who displayed their talents and artworks, making the festival special and inclusive.
This inclusion initiative was coordinated by Prakash Kamat. A presentation on wheelchair accessible E-richsaw was given by Taha Haaziq, Secretary of Goa State Disability Commission.
Furthermore, an awareness & sensitisation session over love and care towards voiceless animals, was led by Albert Fernandes. Konkani global icon award winner, Angelo Fernandes also performed various Konkani songs at the fest, adding to the vibrant and celebratory atmosphere.
Mango flavoured cake was cut in memory of the late great Goan artist Vamona Navelkar whose birth anniversary is on the 5th of May.
The Mango Fest was a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of Caculo Mall, showcasing their commitment to promoting local businesses, traditions, knowledge, and inclusion.
