Panaji: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday visit Goa to attend Goa Liberation Day celebrations to mark the coastal state’s independence from Portuguese rule.
Goa Liberation Day is observed on December 19 every year to mark the success of ‘Operation Vijay’ undertaken by Indian armed forces that liberated Goa from Portuguese rule.
Unlike the rest of India, Goa did not achieve independence on August 15, 1947, and was ruled by the Portuguese for nearly a decade more. Apart from Goa, the Portuguese also ruled Daman, Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Anjediva Island.
As part of the celebrations this year, PM Modi will attend the Goa Liberation Day function at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in Taleigao at around 3pm, where he will felicitate freedom fighters and veterans of Operation Vijay, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has said.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate several development projects, including the renovated Fort Aguada Jail Museum, Super Speciality Block at Goa Medical College, New South Goa District Hospital, Aviation Skill Development Center at Mopa Airport and the Gas-insulated Substation at Dabolim-Navelim, Margao during his visit.
He will also lay the foundation stone for the India International University of Legal Education and Research of Bar Council of India Trust at Goa.
At around 2:15pm, PM Modi will also pay floral tributes at Martyr’s Memorial at Azad Maidan in Panaji. At around 2:30 pm, he will attend the Sail Parade and flypast at Miramar.
Besides these, PM Modi will also release a special cover and special cancellation to mark the commemoration of the Indian armed forces freeing Goa from Portuguese rule.
The Prime Minister will also release ‘My Stamp’ depicting the Hutatma Smarak, which recognises those who laid down their lives during the Goa Liberation Movement, at Patradevi. A ‘Meghdoot Post Card’ depicting a collage of pictures of different events during the Goa Liberation Struggle will also be presented to the Prime Minister.
He will also distribute awards to the best Panchayat/Municipality, Swayampurna Mitras and beneficiaries of the Swayampurna Goa Programme.
Notably, Goa is among five states headed for assembly polls early next year.
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