Goa Liberation Day | 21 Dec 2020

Why in News

The Prime Minister of India greeted the people of Goa on Goa Liberation Day, which falls on 19th December every year.

Key Points

  • The day marks the occasion when the Indian armed forces freed Goa in 1961 from 450 years of Portuguese rule.
    • The Portuguese colonised several parts of India in 1510 but by the end of the 19th-century Portuguese colonies in India were limited to Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Anjediva Island (a part of Goa).
    • As India gained independence on 15th August, 1947, it requested the Portuguese to cede their territories but they refused.
  • The Goa liberation movement started off with small scale revolts, but reached its peak between 1940 to 1960.
  • In 1961, after the failure of diplomatic efforts with Portuguese, the Indian Government launched Operation Vijay and annexed Daman and Diu and Goa with the Indian mainland on 19th December.
    • On 30th May 1987, the territory was split and Goa was formed. Daman and Diu remained a Union Territory.
    • Hence, 30th May is celebrated as the Statehood Day of Goa.

Goa

  • It is located on the southwestern coast of India within the region known as the Konkan, and geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats.
  • Capital: Panji.
  • Official Language: Konkani.
  • Borders: It is surrounded by Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea forming its western coast.
  • Geography:
    • The highest point of Goa is Sonsogor.
    • Goa's seven major rivers are the Zuari, Mandovi (also called Mhadei), Terekhol, Chapora, Galgibag, Kumbarjua canal, Talpona and the Sal.
    • Most of Goa's soil cover is made up of laterites.
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks:

Source: PIB