Goa Celebrates its Statehood Day

Goa celebrates its 29th Statehood Day today. It was on this day in 1987 that Goa became the 25th state of India. It was a Union Territory along with Daman and Diu from December 1961 onwards when Goa was liberated from the colonial rule.

Once Goa was liberated there was a controversy regarding merging Goa with the neighbouring state of Maharashtra or Mysore. However, opinion poll of 1967 suggested that Goa, Daman and Diu be Union Territory.

On Goa Statehood Day my best wishes to the people of Goa. May the state scale new heights of progress in the years to come.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 30, 2016

Warm greetings to all Goans on Goa Statehood Day.

— Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) May 30, 2016

On the 29th Statehood Day, Government of Goa will launch today at 4 pm Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Scheme which is health insurance cover scheme for every Goan. For two-and-a-half-month Goa Electronics Limited will register the names of beneficiaries and the scheme will be implemented from the 15th of August this year.

The state is all set to get a solid waste management plant which will be a first of its kind in Asia. The new plant which is set up at Saligao will be made officially operative from today.
This garbage treatment plant will produce bio-methane gas which will generate electricity and it will also be used as manure. This plant will be treating 100-ton garbage every day.

Also new wing of the Colvale jail will be inaugurated today. Last year 30% of the building was inaugurated. The new wing of the jail will be used for reforming the inmates.

Goa's role in India's history

Goa is the smallest Indian state and it has always been important for the history of India as it has always been a major trading center and also it has attracted merchants and traders from all parts of the world.

Goa also attracted monks and missionaries and this has left a distinct impression on various aspects of Goa's culture. Goa has been home to prehistoric men and had housed a population of hunter-gatherers much before mankind learned how to cultivate.

Since then Goa has been governed by many ancient dynasties and has mention in the mythology as well. Goa was part of Vijayanagar empire from 1370 and was later part of Adil Shah's Bijapur Sultanate too.

Portuguese conquest of Goa:

Afonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa in 1510 and defeated Adil Shah and his allies. Once Portuguese conquered Goa they took control over the spice trade and from then on began the time that left a huge impression on Goa. Portuguese built houses which were surrounded by gardens and palm groves and the houses were built of stone and were red or white. They Portuguese proverb that, "He who has seen Goa need not see Lisbon" should be sufficient to make one realise how strong were the Portuguese footprints on Goa.

The grand style of living continued till the end of the 16th century. Goa lost its Portuguese grandeur little after the appearance of the Dutch and after an epidemic ravaging it in 1635. Shivaji then began conquering areas near Goa and his Son Sambhaji would have been able to oust Portuguese had Mughals not helped Portuguese in stopping him.

Goa in World War ll

Goa was neutral during the World War ll like Portugal and so many Axis ships took refuge in Goa. It was a covert mission by British that stopped the spying by the Axis ships.

Goa post India's independence

Portuguese refused to give its possessions to India after India attained freedom from the British. Unarmed Indians were killed in their struggle to liberate Goa from Portugal's control. India did not allow Portuguese access to their enclaves through Indian territory and so Portugal had provided airline to Goa.

On 18th December 1961 Indian army crossed Goa's border. After more than 36 hours long Operation Vijay, Goa was taken over by India. From then on Goa remained a Union Territory till it became a state in 1987.