Goa Liberation Day | 21 Dec 2020

The Prime Minister of India greeted the people of Goa on Goa Liberation Day, which falls on 19^th December every year.

The day marks the occasion when the Indian armed forces freed Goa in 1961 from 450 years of Portuguese rule.
- The Portuguese colonised several parts of India in 1510 but by the end of the 19^th-century Portuguese colonies in India were limited to Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Anjediva Island (a part of Goa).
- As India gained independence on 15^th August, 1947, it requested the Portuguese to cede their territories but they refused.
The Goa liberation movement started off with small scale revolts, but reached its peak between 1940 to 1960.
In 1961, after the failure of diplomatic efforts with Portuguese, the Indian Government launched Operation Vijay and annexed Daman and Diu and Goa with the Indian mainland on 19^th December.
- On 30^th May 1987, the territory was split and Goa was formed. Daman and Diu remained a Union Territory.
- Hence, 30^th May is celebrated as the Statehood Day of Goa.

It 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.
- Konkani is one of the 22 languages from the Eight Schedule.
- It was added in the list along with Manipuri and Nepali by the 71^st Amendment Act of 1992.
Borders: It is surrounded by Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea forming its western coast.
Geography:
- The highest point of Goa is Sonsogor.
- Goa's seven major rivers are the Zuari, Mandovi (also called Mhadei), 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