Goa Liberation day holds great significance in the history of Goa. It signifies the day when Goa was released of Portuguese dominance by assistance from the Indian Navy. The liberation helped the people of Goa to relieve themselves from the exploitative rules of the Portuguese. The liberation also made the independence of India complete as after the British left India, Goa was the only part that remained under the British rule.
The day is celebrated with a lot of fanfare in Goa. The celebration features a torch light procession that takes off from three various locations of Goa. The three processions ultimately meet at the Azad Maidan. At this place, the participants of the procession pay their tribute to the martyrs. Cultural programs like Sugam Sangeet are also organized to celebrate the day.
Operation Vijay kicked off on December 17, 1961. After diplomatic efforts with the Portuguese administration failed, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru ordered military intervention. Portugal had an army of 3,000 that was ill-prepared to handle the attack by 3,000-strong Indian forces.
The operation was carried out with minimal bloodshed and forced the Portuguese Governor General Vassalo da Silva to give up control of Goa. Within three days of the attack starting, Goa finally achieved independence and became a part of India. Upon the surrender of the Portuguese governor general, Goa, Daman and Diu was declared a federally administered Union Territory placed directly under the President of India, and Major-General K. P. Candeth was appointed as its military governor. The war had lasted two days, and had cost 22 Indian and 30 Portuguese lives.
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