Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Goa  to take part in the Goa Liberation Day celebrations at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in Goa’s Teleigao. During his visit, Modi attended sail parade and fly-past in Panaji as well as inaugurating multiple developmental projects and offerring tribute at the Martyrs Memorial in the capital city.

PM Modi on Sunday inaugurated multiple 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. The Prime Minister had been received by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and senior government officials at Dabolim Airport.

“Goa came under Portugal rule when the other major part of the country was ruled by the Mughals. But even centuries later, neither Goa has forgotten its Indianness, nor India has forgotten its Goa,” PM Modi remarked during the inaugural event. 

Goa Liberation Day is celebrated on December 19 every year to mark the success of ‘Operation Vijay’ undertaken by the Indian Armed Forces that liberated Goa from Portuguese rule.

During his visit to Goa, PM Modi is slated to release a Special Cover and Special Cancellation to mark the commemoration of the Indian Armed Forces freeing Goa from Portuguese rule.

He will also release ‘My Stamp’ depicting the Hutatma Smarak at Patradevi, which salutes the great sacrifices made by the martyrs of the Goa Liberation Movement. 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. 

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), 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. Prime Minister will then distribute awards to the best Panchayat/Municipality, Swayampurna Mitras and beneficiaries of Swayampurna Goa Programme.