Goa Statehood Day

Situated on the west coast of India, Goa is the smallest state by area and a popular tourist destination, renowned for its breathtaking beaches.

It was a Portuguese colony for over 450 years until it was liberated by India in 1961 and was given the status of union territory along with Daman and Diu in 1987. However, later in 1987, Goa was granted statehood, making it the 25th state of the Indian Union.

Goa Statehood Day is celebrated annually on May 30, commemorating the day when Goa was declared a state separate from Daman and Diu in 1987.

The history of Goa dates back to 1510, when Alfonso de Albuquerque conquered the region, defeating Adil Shah of Bijapur. For the next 400 years, Goa remained under Portuguese rule. The Indian government then requested that the Portuguese cede their territories, but the Portuguese refused. In response, the Indian government launched Operation Vijay in 1961, annexing the Daman and Diu islands and Goa to the Indian mainland. This marked the end of Portuguese rule in Goa.

On May 30, 1987, the territory was split, and Goa was formed as the 25th state of the Republic of India. Panaji was designated as the capital of Goa, and Konkani was declared the official language. Since then, Goa Statehood Day has been observed annually on May 30.

Significance and Celebrations

The significance of this day lies in the fact that it marks the official integration of Goa as an official state into the Indian Union after centuries of Portuguese colonial rule. It is celebrated by various cultural events and celebrations across the state to honour Goa’s rich heritage and the sacrifices made during the struggle for liberation from Portuguese rule.

 

International Potato Day

 

Potato is a universally loved vegetable. It is easy to access, easy to cook and is cheap. This makes it accessible to all kinds of strata of society. Potatoes are used in making a variety of dishes – from being used in curries to fries to fritters. French fries, one of the most loved dishes across the world is made with potatoes. Potatoes can grow in any extreme conditions and are flexible in nature. This makes it one of the most advantageous crops to grow.

International Potato Day observed this year on May 30, for the very first time, is to create awareness about the nutritional value and the significance of potatoes as a staple food throughout the world.

History:

In December 2023, the General Assembly announced that May 30 will be observed as International Potato Day every year. Potatoes rank among the top five staple food items used throughout the world. The day will be celebrated to highlight the significance of potatoes from the Andean region to the world.

Significance:

"Potatoes are an important component of strategies to provide accessible and nutritious food and improved livelihoods in rural and other areas where natural resources, especially arable land and water are limited and inputs expensive. The crop's versatility and ability to grow in a variety of conditions make it an advantageous crop choice. Potatoes are also a climate-friendly crop, as they produce low levels of greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to other crops," wrote the United Nations on their official website. The theme for this year's International Potato Day is - Harvesting Diversity, Feeding Hope.