India’s First Lighthouse Festival Takes off in Goa

Padmesh Prabhune

India’s first ever Lighthouse Festival began in Goa with much fanfare. The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated India’s First Lighthouse Festival from the Fort Aguada Lighthouse in Panjim, Goa, a fest that will be equally celebrated across all the lighthouses in the country in an effort to transform these historic spots in to tourist destinations.

India has as many as 203 lighthouses dotting its vast coastline of 7,517 km.

The three day festival, beginning 23rd September and ending on 25th September, is a gala event in carnival style with local artists, dance troupes, food and culinary stalls, music concerts, and similar activities to attract people to Lighthouses.

The inaugural session was attended by the Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, the Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Tourism, Shri Shripad Naik, as well as Tourism Minister of Goa, Shri Rohan Khaunte, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, “It is a moment of great happiness for everyone in the team at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways as we begin this historic Lighthouse festival across the country. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji, we remain committed to the cause of nation building.

“Lighthouses that were long ignored for any potential value creation beyond their role as navigational tools were identified by Prime Minister Narendra Modiji to be developed into touristic points and allow them to become lynchpins of local tourism and at the same time generate income for the country.”

He added, “While ships continue to be guided for safe sailing by these lighthouses, they will now offer solace to people to relish the magnificent beauty of nature.”

Also speaking at the event, Pramod Sawant said, “lighthouses are beacons of hope and symbols of strength. Our coastal state Goa has played a vital role in India’s maritime history.”

This is India’s first ever lighthouse festival. The initiative aims to showcase the rich culture, significance, and allure of these magnificent structures whereby they can propel the prospect of tourism and power the local economy. The festival also witnessed historians, archaeologists, cultural anthropologists and many other people with interest in history, culture and society, participate in interesting discussions around marine history during this event.

Shri Sonowal had earlier launched a campaign ‘Lighthouse Heritage Tourism’ to transform them into Tourism Spots renovating all lighthouse with adequate facilities to act as tourist spots. This festival is the logical outcome of the campaign.
-Marex Media