by Eurico Menezes
‘Bonderam’ a unique festival of Divar gives me the inspiration to jot down these few lines as I do so annually and am inspired to do so.

As tradition goes the Parish Priest to the sound of the local band, along with the boys of the village carrying flags of different nations prominent amongst them being the Portuguese one, go around the village.

This is the Novidade or Konsachem fest celebrated by the local parishioners, Christians or Hindus alike in the true spirit of brotherhood, that has come down right from our great grandfathers to the present generation. Except that the added attraction is the festival of Bonderam which on a larger scale and a tourist attraction thanks to the Department of Tourism and the local organizers, the Piedade Youth Association.

The credit of course should be given to the local boys and girls representing their wards trying to put up a glamorous show by way of floats with the support of the residents of the particular ward and of course from those abroad. This is the crux of the whole Bonderam festival.

The festival no doubt attracts a lot of tourists domestic as well as foreign.

Of course to every good comes the bad, and the bad side of Bonderam is the youth drinking for the festivities as if there is no tomorrow.

I remember one year the police had to be called since the drunken youth could not be controlled. I hope we will not have to face such a situation this year.