On Goa liberation anniversary, Modi cites BJP’s deep links to State
The Hindu
‘Goa did not lose its ties with India even after enduring 450 years of Portuguese rule’
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Goa liberation from Portugal in 1961, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated a raft of development and public work projects worth ₹600 crore in the poll-bound State, stressing the BJP’s deep ties with Goa in his speech.
The diamond jubilee celebrations of Goa’s Liberation Day commenced with the Prime Minister arriving at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in Taleigao for the main event, where he felicitated freedom fighters and veterans of ‘Operation Vijay’ — the military action in 1961 by which India liberated the territories of Goa, Daman and Diu from Portuguese rule.
“Goa did not lose its ties with India even after enduring 450 years of Portuguese rule. Goa came under Portugal rule when the major part of the country was ruled by the Mughals. But even centuries later, neither Goa has forgotten its Indianness, nor has India forgotten its Goa,” said Mr. Modi, remarking that had former Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had lived longer, then Goa would not have needed to wait so long (till 1961) for its liberation.
The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.