Goa Liberation Day

Goa, Daman and Diu Liberation Day (Portuguese: Dia da libertação de Goa; Konkani: गोंय मुक्ति दिस, Goem Mukti Dis; Hindi: गोवा मुक्ति दिवस[2]) is observed on December 19 every year in Goa, India.[3][4] The Goa Liberation Day is celebrated in commemoration of the Indian armed forces annexing Portuguese-ruled Goa.[5] Also, India was completely free from European rule on this day.[6][7]

Goa,Daman and Diu Liberation Day
The War Memorial at Indian Naval Ship Gomantak was constructed in memory of seven young sailors and other personnel who died on 19 December 1961 in the "Operation Vijay (1961)" undertaken by the Indian Navy for annexation of Anjediva Island and Territories of Goa, Daman and Diu from the Portuguese rule in India.[1]
Observed byGoans, Indians
SignificanceLiberation of Goa from Portugal
Date19 December 1961
FrequencyAnnual
Related toGoa liberation movement

Background
2011 Indian postage stamp dedicated to the golden jubilee of Goa Liberation

Goa was annexed by the Indian Army on 19 December 1961, from around 451 years of Portuguese rule.[8] The movement for independence in the 19th century in India had a small impact and to a lesser extent in Goa as well. A few residents of Goa also participated in Satyagraha in 1940s. The Portuguese refused to leave Goa even after India got independence from the British in 1947, stating that Goa was culturally and religiously distinct from the rest of India. The Indian government didn't take any military action then, as it was more concerned with assimilating the independent Princely States, so it held a series of diplomatic talks with the Portuguese. After the talks failed, the then-Government of India chose the military option for the annexation of Goa.[9]

Observance

Various programmes organised across Goa to mark the Goa Liberation Day.[10] In 2021, the observance consisted of a women's parliament and a youth parliament. The Prime Minister of India inaugurated new projects like the Super Specialty Block at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, the renovated Fort Aguada Jail Museum in North Goa, Aviation Skill Development Center at Mopa Airport, the Gas-insulated Substation at Dabolim-Navelim, Margao, and the New South Goa District Hospital.[11]

Operation Vijay

Operation Vijay was launched to invade the three Portuguese territories: Goa, Daman and Diu. It was supposedly the first tri-service operation of the Indian armed forces. The Indian government wanted to take the military action from 01 December 1961, but it occurred as the 36-hour military operation that began on December 18th and ended on December 19th.[12]

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Goa Liberation Day.

References
  1. "Goa,Daman Diu Liberation Day Anniversary". Indiannavy.nic.in. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  2. "जब भारतीय सेना ने गोवा को 450 साल पुराने पुर्तगाली शासन से कराया था आजाद" (in Hindi). Dainik Jagran. 19 December 2018.
  3. Bose, Abhimanyu (19 December 2018). "Country Celebrates 57th Goa Liberation Day, Parade Held In Coastal State". NDTV.
  4. "This is how Goa celebrated its 57th Liberation day". The Times of India. 20 December 2018.
  5. Bose, Abhimanyu (19 December 2018). "Country Celebrates 57th Goa Liberation Day, Parade Held In Coastal State". NDTV.
  6. "Goa Liberation Day 2021: Operation Vijay 1961". SA News Channel. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  7. "Goa Liberation Day Highlights: Goa would have been liberated earlier had Sardar Patel lived longer, says PM Modi". The Indian Express. 19 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  8. "Here's to the folks of Goa, Daman and Diu!". Rediff.com. 19 December 2011.
  9. "Goa Liberation Day 2020: All about its history and significance". Hindustan Times. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  10. "On Goa Liberation Day, govt calls to make state plastic-free". Indian Express. 19 December 2018.
  11. "Goa Liberation Day 2021: History, significance, theme, quotes and messages". India Today. 19 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  12. "Explained: Goa Liberation Day and PM Narendra Modi's visit". The Indian Express. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
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