Op Vijay-Goa !!

Today is 60th year of celebration of Operation Vijay Operation Vijay (1961) was the successful operation conducted by Indian Armed Forces to end 450 years of Portuguese’ colonial rule in Goa.  When the Portuguese refused to give up control of the state in 1947, India’s first PM.

Pandit Nehru, started trying different non-violent ways to resolve the issue. But all his efforts of peaceful and diplomatic negotiations were rendered useless.  He imposed an economic blockade on Goa, but even that did not deter the Portuguese power to leave the Indian soil.

So in 1961, Mr Nehru decided that there was no alternative option left for military intervention. He orchestrated a military attack on Goa on December 18 of that year and code-named it ‘Operation Vijay’, which translates to ‘Operation Victory.

The intervention lasted for 36 hours and included teams from all the branches of the Indian Armed Forces – the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. On December 19th, Goa’s deposed Governor-general Manuel António Vassalo e Silva surrendered to the Indian forces after twenty-two Indians and thirty Portuguese became battle casualty in the operation. With that, not only Goa tasted the air of freedom, but other previously Portuguese controlled places like Daman and Diu and Anjadip Island did too.

Inverted flag of Portugal showcased in officers' lounge of Black Cat Div of Indian Army as mark of victory over Portuguese forces in 1961. Portuguese Prisoners of Wars being sent back home