Recalling Goa's Statehood day

Abigail Crasto

PORTUGUESE RULE IN GOA

Goa remained under Portuguese rule even after 14 years of India's independence. The images portray the resilience of Goans as they fought for their right and freedom from Portuguese.

Goa| Liberation Struggle| Borim bridge| | Photo: Central Library

GOA LIBERATION

Under Operation Vijay, Indian Armed Forces liberated Goa on December 19 1961. After liberation, Goa was made a union territory, administered directly by the President of India.

Goa| Liberation Celebration|19th December 1961| | Photo: Central Library

OPINION POLL

An Opinion Poll was held in 1967, the only such referendum in independent India to decide Goa's fate. The merger symbol was the flower while the two leaves symbolized anti-merger.

Goa| Opinion Poll|16th January 1967| | Photo: Oheraldo/ Central Library

AND IT WAS ANTI-MERGER

Wide support for anti-merger was seen in articles and poems in Goan publications. The verdict was in the favor for Goa as separate identity and entity instead of a merger with Maharashtra.

Goa| Opinion poll| Symbols| Poetry| | Photo: Oheraldo/ Central library

GOA BECOMES A STATE

In the following years, Goans actively campaigned for full statehood seeking political empowerment and self –government. It became the 25th state of India on May 30 1987.

Goa| PM Rajiv Gandhi conferred statehood to Goa| Statehood Advert| | Photo: Oheraldo/ Central library

STATEHOOD PREPARATIONS

The then Secretary for Education and Culture, A. Mishra supervising the rehearsal for Statehood celebrations at Campal ground, Panjim.

Goa|Statehood|25th state of India| Swearing-in preparations| | Photo: Oheraldo/ Central library

SWEARING-IN OF NEW CABINET

The swearing-in Ceremony of Goa's new Cabinet was held with Dr. Gopal Singh as Governor and Pratapsingh Rane as Chief Minister.

Goa| Statehood| Swearing-in ceremony| cabinet | Photo: Oheraldo/ Central library

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