Focus: GS II- Governance
Why in news?
The Prime Minister greeted the people of Goa on the occasion of their Statehood Day (30 May).
Key Points:
- Goa is located on the southwestern coast of India within the region known as the Konkan, and geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats.
- Capital: Panji
- Official Language: Konkani
- Borders: It is surrounded by Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea forming its western coast.
History of Goa as a Portuguese Colony
- After Indian Independence Goa was the largest part of the Portuguese possession in India, the other territories being small enclaves.
- The Portuguese colonised several parts of India in 1510 but by the end of the 19th century Portuguese colonies in India were limited to Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Anjediva Island.
- Portuguese were the first ones to colonize parts of India and were the last to leave.
- In 1961, India incorporated these territories after a liberation of Portugal’s Indian colonies.
Geography:
- The highest point of Goa is Sonsogor.
- Goa’s seven major rivers are the Zuari, Mandovi, Terekhol, Chapora, Galgibag, Kumbarjua canal, Talpona and the Sal.
- Most of Goa’s soil cover is made up of laterites.
Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks:
- Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
- Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
- Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
- Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary
- Mollem National Park
Liberation of Goa
- The Goa liberation movement, which sought to end Portuguese colonial rule in Goa, started off with small scale revolts, but reached its peak between 1940 to 1960, ending when India invaded Goa in 1961.
- After the failure of diplomatic efforts with Portuguese, military operation code-named ‘Operation Vijay’ was conducted by Indian Navy, Airforce and Army and Goa was liberated on 19th December, 1961.
Operation Vijay
- After the failure of diplomatic efforts with Portuguese, military operation code-named ‘Operation Vijay’ was conducted by Indian Navy, Airforce and Army and Goa was liberated on 19th December, 1961.
- Operation Vijay began on December 17, 1961 and with a force of almost 30,000, the Indian attack overpowered the ill-prepared Portuguese 3,000-member army.
- With minimal bloodshed, the attack was successful and was carried forward to retrieve the other Portuguese-controlled areas, Daman and Diu.
- After just 3 days, on December 18, the Portuguese Governor General Vassalo da Silva gave up control of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu.
The Referendum: Road to Statehood
A referendum was held which offered the people of Goa, Daman and Diu two options:
- To merge Goa with Maharashtra; and Daman and Diu with Gujarat. Or
- To remain a Union Territory of India.
Goans rejected the merger with Maharashtra
- Goa did not achieve full statehood in 1971 as was expected.
- Following persistent demands; including a 1976 resolution by the Goa assembly demanding full statehood – Goa finally became a state on 30 May 1987.
- Daman and Diu were separated from Goa and continue to be administered as the Union territory of Daman and Diu.
