PANJIM: The 64th Goa Liberation Day was celebrated with grandeur across the state. Liberation day functions were held at Margao, Ponda, Mapusa, Vasco and other major towns. The main State level function was held at Taleigao Plateau where Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, hoisted the national flag to commemorate Goa's historic Liberation from the Portuguese rule on December 19, 1961.
After long drawn negotiations with the Portuguese peaceful methods did not convince them to leave, just as the British and French had left, so India was left with no alternative but to send in the Indian Army which liberated Goa on the intervening night of 18 and 19 December through Operation Vijay. This was the day that every inch of India became from foreign rule.
India gained its independence from British Rule on August 15, 1947, but Goa was reeling under Portuguese rule for another 14 years, under the rule of the Portuguese Dictator Oliveira Salazar.
Portugal colonised Goa in 1510 and ruled over Goa Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli for nearly 451 years.
The army operation lasted 36-hour which began on December 18, 1961and ended on 19 December 1961. It was coordinated by the Indian Army, Indian Air force, and Indian Navy.
Major General KP Candeth was commanding the 17 Infantry Division and placed 50 Parachute Brigade under him
Air operations were entrusted to Air Vice Marshal Erlic Pinto and the Navy was delegated to create a suitable Task Force.
Major General Candeth planned to launch simultaneous operations against all three colonies.
During the historic moment, the Indian Armed Forces reclaimed Goa’s territory with little resistance, and General Manuel António Vassalo e Silva submitted the certificate of surrender, officially ending the 451 years of Portuguese rule in the region.
After the successful completion of the operation, Goa was placed under military administration headed by Kunhiraman Palat Candeth as Lieutenant Governor.
On 8 June 1962, military rule was replaced by the civilian government when the Lieutenant Governor nominated an informal Consultative Council of 29 nominated members to assist him in the administration of Goa.
The first democratic elections were held in Goa on December 9, 1963 and the first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar took office on December 20, 1963, on the second anniversary of Goa’s Liberation. Thus began the democratic political journey of Goa.