19 December is celebrated as Goa Liberation Day each year. India got its independence on 15th August, 1947 from British Colonial Rule but Goa was still not a part of India. It took around 14 years more to be liberate from the Portuguese rule and get the independence on 19 December, 1961.
This day is observed as a independence of Goa and it’s integration into India.
The Indian government first thought of taking a diplomatic talk with a Portuguese but it failed, ultimately it resulted in a military action by the Indian Army against Portuguese for the annexation of Goa. Indian Army successfully captured Goa from Portuguese ruling for almost 451 years.
Operation Vijay was launched and 36- hour military action was started on December 18 and ended on December 19.
On December 1961, Goa officially became a part of India and was declared as a Union Territory along with Daman and Diu.
President Droupadi Murmu paid heartfelt tributes to the freedom fighters on the social media platform X.
President Murmu posted, “On Goa Liberation Day, the nation pays homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the liberation of Goa from colonial rule. We salute the freedom fighters and our armed forces for their exemplary courage and sacrifice. I wish a bright future for the residents of this beautiful state.”