Panaji, Apr 21 (PTI) The three-day 'Spirit of Goa' festival organised by the state's tourism department started at Colva beach on Friday, an official said.

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The festival, which will showcase a variety of products, cuisines, beverages like feni and urak and handicrafts from coconuts and cashew fruits, was inaugurated in the presence of Union Minister Shripad Naik and state tourism minister Rohan Khaunte, he said.

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"The festival is returning to Colva beach after a decade. Some people were insinuating that the state government was creating disparity between north and south Goa. The state government is giving equal importance to both districts. We have started nautical tourism in Vasco (in south Goa)," Khaunte said.

The aim is to create proper tourism verticals promoting wellness, heritage and spirituality, the minister added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)