Free Overseas Trips Were Most Alluring Prizes Offered This Year.
Kathanki Raval, 16, a trained dancer who has been painting the town red with her mean garba moves this Navratri, is all set to fly. She has just an all-expenses paid six-day package to Bangkok for being the best dance performer at a garba event.
Many garba revellers who are driven by both passion to swirl and win prizes, danced their way to win trips abroad which were the biggest attraction at events this Navratri.
Kathanki, who has been winning best performer award consistently for the past five-odd years, says, “I have won gold, home applia n c e s, l a r g e amounts of cash, but getting a fully paid trip package abroad is the highest point this Navratri.” Kathanki’s businessman father Ashish said, “At many other Garba events, both of us have won best performance prizes together. Kathanki has won our family the best Diwali gift”.
Many garba revellers who are driven by both passion to swirl and win prizes danced their way to win trips abroad which were the biggest attraction at events this Navratri. Bhumi Rajgor danced passionately and won six-day package to Thailand. She is super excited to spend her well earned Diwali holidays in foreign land.
Manoj Chaudhari, organizer of The Times of India and Shanku’s Dandiya Entertainment, said, “On Wednesday, the best dancer won three-day package tour to Dubai. In the past week garba events, dancers won 16 trips as prizes to various local destinations.”
Two garba enthusiasts won a prize of five-day package to Bangkok under ‘best performer category’ at a city’s club garba event hosted on Saturday and Sunday. “This year, the trend of offering tour packages to Bangkok, Dubai, Singapore and other local destinations picked up as it has stirred deep interest to win among revellers,” said Ami Patwa, founder of Venunaad, who was on the evaluation penal that decided for the prize of trip to Bangkok. Patwa said that vibrant garba costumes, good expression, grace and duration of the performance are the prime factors that decided a winner.
“Apart from expensive home appliances, bikes, jewellery and cash, chance to win vacations to Singapore, Dubai or Bangkok are the premier attractions this year,” said Monica Shah of Aradhana, who has been judging Navratri contests since the past decade.
