‘Goa Liberation Day’ is celebrated on 19th December to commemorate the liberation of the state from Portuguese rule in 1961. As part of Operation Vijay, the Indian Armed Forces used the Armed Forces Trifecta with the help of local resistance movements to drive out European rule from the country.
History :
The Portuguese established their rule in many parts of India in 1510, but by the end of the 19th century, Portuguese rule in India was limited to only Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Anjadiva Island. The Goa Liberation Movement, which sought to end Portuguese colonial rule in Goa, began with a small-scale rebellion. On August 15, 1947, when India gained independence, Goa was still under Portuguese rule.
Thereafter the Portuguese refused to give up their hold on Goa and other Indian territories. After unsuccessful negotiations with the Portuguese and numerous diplomatic attempts, the former Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, decided that military intervention would be the only option. From 18 December 1961, a 36-hour military operation ‘Operation Vijay’ was carried out, which included strikes by the Indian Navy, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army.
