Goa Statehood Day – 30 May

On 30 May Goa got its statehood, although Goa Liberation Day is celebrated on 19th December when Goa was freed from Portuguese rule after around 450 years. On 30 May 1987 Goa was conferred statehood and Daman and Diu were made a separate union territory. Goa Statehood Day helped in shaping Goa’s distinct identity.

History

Goa was under the reign of the Portuguese for more than four centuries. Even after the independence of India from the British, Goa was still in hands of the Portuguese. The Indian government then actively pursued the cause of Goa’s independence.

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru finally ordered an invasion on 17 December 1961 and Goa was liberated bloodlessly within two days which is now celebrated as Goa Liberation Day. The Portuguese government in Goa surrendered formally on 19th December 1961 ending more than 450 years of colonial rule in the state of Goa. The surrender signaled a decisive victory for India’s armed action, code-named Operation Vijay. Initial moves to assimilate the region into neighboring states and to drop Konkani as the official regional language were resisted by Goans.

Goa was made a Union Territory within the Indian union. On 30th May 1987, Goa became India’s 25th state and Konkani was recognized as one of the country’s official languages. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi helped pass the bill that made Goa a full-fledged state, 26 years after the Portuguese-ruled territory officially became a part of India. Goa is the only state to have a uniform civil code for all communities, which is a model and a legacy of Portuguese rule. Daman and Diu were separated from Goa and continued to be administered as a union territory.

About Goa

Goa is a state on the southwestern coast of India, it is separated from the Deccan highlands of Karnataka by the Western Ghats. It is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west, Maharashtra to the north, and Karnataka to the east and south. Panaji is the capital of Goa and Konkani is their official language.

Goa is a popular tourist destination, popularly known as ‘the pearl of the east’, and is famous for its churches, age-old ruins, palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves, ferry rides, and bubbly folk music. Sun, sand, and sea being the major attractions, Goa is a perfect heaven for the ones who need and want relaxation.

Goa’s beautiful coastline has been attracting visitors since the 1960s. India’s smallest state is split into two distinctive districts — in both, there are beautiful golden sand beaches and roads that wind through leafy green hills. Some of the region’s most famous colonial architecture and Catholic cathedrals — which capture the area’s distinctive Portuguese heritage — can be found there. The region was ruled by different rulers in history but it’s the Portuguese whose legacy still lives on.

Celebration

May 30th is a result of the struggle by the Goans to protect their identities as Goans and therefore this day is of historic importance. It was a proud moment years ago when Goa became a singular state; Goans began having our own rules and new goals. The day is celebrated in a big way with a series of cultural events across the state. The people of Goa continue to maintain and foster peace, harmony, friendship, and cooperation and strive for the progress and development of the state.

The people of Goa are known for their warm hospitality, harmony & spirit of brotherhood. May this beautiful state continue to prosper in the years to come.