Goa, Daman and Diu Liberation Day (Portuguese: Dia da libertação de Goa; Konkani: गोंय मुक्ति दिस, Goem Mukti Dis; Hindi: गोवा मुक्ति दिवस[1]) is observed on December 19 every year in Goa, India.[2][3] The Goa Liberation Day is celebrated in commemoration of the Indian armed forces annexingPortuguese-ruled Goa.[4] Also, India was completely free from European rule on this day.[5][6]
Goa was annexed by the Indian Army on 19 December 1961, from around 451 years of Portuguese rule.[7] 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.[8]
Observance
Various programmes organised across Goa to mark the Goa Liberation Day.[9] 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.[10]
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 1 December 1961, but it occurred as the 36-hour military operation that began on December 18 and ended on December 19.[11]
