OPERATION VIJAY

Subject: Defence

Context: President Ram NathKovind became the first President to visit Goa on the state’s Liberation Day as he inaugurated a cultural event to mark the beginning of Goa’s 60th year of liberation from 451 years of colonial Portuguese rule.

Concept:

• Every year 19th December is celebrated by India as on this day Operation Vijay was completed by the Indian Forces liberating Territories of Goa, Daman and Diu and the Anjadiv Island and from the Portuguese rule.
• Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru ordered a military intervention for the liberation of Goa after all the diplomatic talks failed with the Portuguese, thereby launching the Operation Vijay on 17th December 1961.
• Portuguese army was not well prepared to handle the attack of Indian armed forces.
• The operation lasted for two days and was done with minimal bloodshed.
• The Portuguese Governor General Vassalo da Silva was coerced to give up control of Goa with which Goa finally became independent and a part of India.
• Major-General K. P. Candeth was appointed as the military governor of Goa and kept directly under the administration of the President of India.