Venita Gomes
The Portuguese colonialists captured Goa in the year 1510 and ruled the land for over 450 years.
On June 18, 1946, at the height of colonial rule, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia defiantly led the civil disobedience movement against the dictatorial regime of Portugal's Antonio Salazar in Goa.
From then onwards, the struggle for Goa's liberation really accelerated.
The Indian army conducted 'Operation Vijay' to liberate Goa, Daman and Diu from the clutches of the Portuguese colonists.
The military operation went on for nearly 40 hours, with strikes through land, air and sea.
On the evening of December 19, 1961, General Manuel António Vassalo e Silva, Governor-General of Portuguese India, signed the Instrument of Surrender.
The Instrument of Surrender translated into English reads "I, General Manuel Antonio Vassalo e Silva, C-in-C of Armed forces of the Portuguese State of India, offer in my capacity as C-in-C, unconditional surrender of Armed forces in Goa at 20.30 hours on 19 Dec 1961."
Thousands of people were involved in the fight to free Goa from Portuguese dominion.
Goans happily welcomed the Indian forces after their victory over the Portuguese forces.