India

Your Favourite Holiday Destination Does Not Celebrate Independence Day On August 15; Know This State

By
OB Bureau

New Delhi: As India celebrates its 77th Independence Day on Tuesday, one state in the country will not. The state is Goa. All Indian regions, with the exception of Goa, became independent from colonial rule at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947.

Goa was still governed by the Portuguese, who had been in charge of the state for more than 450 years when India gained freedom from British authority in 1947. Portuguese colonists were among the earliest in India and the last to depart.  Goa was invaded by the Portuguese in 1510, and as a result, the state saw several changes and citizens were subjected to horrific torture.  It was only in 1946 that Goa started witnessing the beginning of the end of Portuguese rule in India.

Ram Manohar Lohia established the Civil Disobedience Movement after visiting Goa in June 1946 and learning about the state’s situation.

The movement quickly acquired popularity among young fighters and leaders in Goa, and Prabhakar Vitthal Sinari founded the Azad Gomantak Dal (AGD) with a few of his close men. Later, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) teamed up with the revolutionary group that had fought the Portuguese in Goa.With the help of nationalists from other states, the AGD eventually expanded into the United Front of Liberation, which launched attacks first to free Naroli, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli from Portuguese colonies, then in Goa.  Under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, India decided that military intervention was required to reunite Goa with the rest of the nation and put an end to the decades-long rule of Portuguese overseas provinces in the area after a number of failed discussions.Operation Vijay, a coordinated military campaign by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, launched an assault on Portuguese Goa on December 18, 1961, which at the time had just 3,300 Portuguese soldiers. Manuel António Vassalo-e Silva, the deposed governor general, finally consented to surrender. At 6pm on December 18, the Portuguese flag in front of the Secretariat was lowered, and a white flag was raised to signify surrender. Major General Candeth raised the Indian flag in front of the Secretariat the next morning, December 19.

Thus,  Goans observe and celebrate Goa Liberation Day on December 19.

 

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

IPL Auction: KKR Break Bank For Venkatesh On Lucrative Day For Indian Players; Check Top Buys

Mumbai: The first day of the IPL mega player auction at Jeddah threw up several…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Hands Over Case Of Attack On Dharmasala MLA To Crime Branch

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has handed over the investigation into the attack on Dhramasala MLA…

November 24, 2024

Commissionerate Police Issues Traffic Advisory During Winter Session Of Odisha Assembly; Details Here

Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate of Police on Sunday issued an advisory for movement of vehicular traffic…

November 24, 2024

Elon Musk Proposal: Fire US Federal Employees Who Want To Work From Home

New York: Now that President-elect Donald Trump has tasked Elon Musk with the responsibility of co-heading…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Warns Of Stern Action For Renting Out Its Quarters

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has warned its employees of stern action for sub-letting their allotted…

November 24, 2024

AR Rahman Best Man In The World, Certifies Saira Banu; Then Why Their Separation?

Mumbai: There has been a lot of talk over AR Rahman and his wife Saira…

November 24, 2024

Process On To Form NODC In 2-3 Months, Says Odisha CM Mohan Majhi

Sundargarh: The North Odisha Development Council (NODC) would be formed in 2-3 months, said Chief…

November 24, 2024

Odisha DGP Reviews Security Arrangements For President’s Visit To Puri

Puri: Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania on Sunday reviewed the security arrangements for…

November 24, 2024