Jr Sardinha steps into father’s shoes to become a King Momo; and…
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 29 January 2016 23:08 IST
Entering into his father’s shoes, Shalom Sardinha, son of former chief minister Francisco Sardinha, has brought the glory back to Curtorim after 42 years as a King Momo, of this year’s four-day Carnival.
Will he also follow the footsteps for his father to become the MLA of Curtorim?
“Well, I would love to, but it’s not an easy task. But that work is more serious than ruling Goa for four days for fun and merry”, says always-smiling Shalom.
But he is thrilled that he is being chosen as this year’s King Momo after senior Sardinha, who was the King Momo in 1974, not as an active politician.
Sardinha contested for the first time in 1977, successfully, and also to become the minister in Pratapsing Rane government in 1980.
But Shalom, as an independent, has already lost a Lok Sabha election in 2014, after his then sitting MP father was denied the Congress ticket.
Curtorim MLA Alex Reginald Lourenco was the official Congress candidate.
But Shalom is not superstitious to believe that being chosen as the King Momo would lead him to win actual election.
“I am simply thrilled since the competition was tough and I was chosen from among six candidates after tough questioning by around 23 people sitting around you”, he says.
The juries apparently not only consider the physic of a person to be the King Momo but also his IQ and behaviour.
What’s the difference between his Papa and him?
“Well, he was slim and fit, I’m fat”, says Shalom, his smiling face holding weight of 125 kgs.
But he wants to pass on two serious messages to the youth on the occasion of Carnival.
“Drive carefully realising our lives are precious and do not get into drugs or substance abuse which would destroy our lives. Be alert and enjoy life.”
And, yes, after placing down the crown of a King Momo, ambitious Shalom has his plans ready to contest election, if possible, the forthcoming Assembly election.
Viva Carnival!!!
