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Goa Statehood Day 2023 observed on 30th May

Goa Statehood Day 2023

The smallest state by area, Goa is famous for its beaches and the relics of its colonial past. It got its statehood on May 30, 1987. It was a Portuguese territory since Alfonso de Albuquerque conquered it in 1510 by defeating Adil Shah of Bijapur who was ruling the region. 400 years later, India took back Goa from the Portuguese. This year Goa celebrates its 36th anniversary of  statehood.

May 30 is the day when Goa was declared a state separate from Daman and Diu. This took place in the year 1987 and since the, the day is observed as ‘Goa Statehood Day.’ After it received its statehood, Panaji was given the status of the capital of Goa and Konkani language became the official language.

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History of Goa

  • Goa is the smallest state in India by area and is famous all over the world for its beautiful beaches and famous architecture. Before 1961, Goa was a colony of Portugal who rule the region for about 450 years.
  • After India gained independence in 1947, it requested the Portuguese to leave Goa 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 Goa and on 20 December 1962, Shri Dayanand Bhandarkar became the first elected Chief Minister of Goa.
  • There was also talk of 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.
  • Later on May 30, 1987, Goa was given full statehood and thus Goa became the 25th state of the Republic of India.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

  • Goa Capital: Panaji;
  • Goa  Chief minister: Pramod Sawant;
  • Goa  Official sport: Football;
  • Goa  Official animal: Gaur;
  • Goa  Governor: P.S. Sreedharan Pillai.

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