Goa Statehood Day

In News

• Recently, Goa celebrated its foundation day.

About the Statehood day of Goa

• After India gained independence in 1947, the people of Goa requested the Portuguese to leave Goan territory. 
  • However, the Portuguese refused. 
• In 1961, India launched Operation Vijay and annexed Goa and Daman and Diu with the Indian mainland.
• When Goa became a full state, elections were later held in the state 
  • In 1962, Shri Dayanand Bhandarkar became the first elected Chief Minister of Goa.
• There was also talk of the merger of Goa with Maharashtra because Goa was located in the neighborhood of Maharashtra. 
• In the year 1967, there was a referendum and the people of Goa chose to remain as a union territory. 
• On May 30, 1987, Goa was given full statehood and Daman and Diu was made a separate union territory. 

About Goa State

• Goa is India’s smallest state by area and is fourth-smallest by population. 
• Capital: Panjim
• Official language: Konkani
• Geography: 
  • It is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats.
  • Highest Point: Sonsogor.
  • Major Rivers: 
    • Mandovi, Zuari (Both the rivers are fed by the Southwest monsoon) 
  • Soil type: Laterite
  • Geographical location: 
    • Goa is bounded on the North by Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, on the East by Belgaum and on the South by Karwar Districts of Karnataka, and on the West by the Arabian Sea.
    • Goa has a tropical climate with a maximum rainfall of 130 to 140 inches between June and September. 
  • History: 
    • During the medieval period, Goa was ruled by the Kadamba kingdom, Vijayanagara Empire, Bahmani Sultanate and Bijapur Sultanate.
    • The Portuguese invaded Goa in 1510, defeating the Bijapur Sultanate. 
    • The Portuguese rule lasted for about 450 years, and heavily influenced Goan culture, cuisine, and architecture.
  • Architecture: 
    • The architecture of Goa is a combination of Goan, Ottoman and Portuguese styles.
    • Basilica of Bom Jesus
      • This is one of the most famous churches in India built in 1605. 
      • It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
      • The church is known for its baroque architecture and has magnificent interiors built in the Mosaic-Corinthian style.
    • Church of St. Augustine
      • It is a ruined church complex located in Old Goa. 
      • The church was completed in 1602 and is part of the World Heritage Site.

Source: PIB