Taligao, Goa: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday participated in the Goa Liberation Day celebrations at Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Stadium at Taligao in Goa. He felicitated the freedom fighters and veterans of ‘Operation Vijay’ at the function. During his address on this occasion, the Prime Minister said, Goa is top in good governance, per capita income, and many other fronts. He congratulated the Goa government for completing cent percent coverage of 1st dose to all its eligible population. He appreciated Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for keeping the pace of development up in the state. The Prime Minister urged the people of the state to set new goals to achieve greater heights. He said that Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swayampurna Goa is a grand success in the state. The Prime Minister said that Vibrant Goa by its innate loveable nature has always stood to give and to share. The new strides of development of Goa are truly inspirations for all. Prime Minister Modi added that tourism is on rising and the success of IFFI manifested it along with the expansion of roads, infrastructure and services for the tourists. He assured that mission Gatishakti will speed up the infrastructure projects. The education sector is also on the right path.
While remembering the dynamic leadership qualities of former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Prime Minister Modi said that Goa is on the path of development as envisaged by Parrikar. He said that service to Humanity is the message of Goans to the world. The Prime Minister said that when the invitation was given to Pope Francis to come to India, Pope termed it as the greatest gift which reflects his love for India’s diversity and vibrant democracy.
After reaching Goa this afternoon, the Prime Minister laid a wreath on the Martyrs’ Memorial at Azad Maidan in Panaji. He witnessed a fly past and a sail parade at Miramar Beach. Mr Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects worth over 650 crore rupees in Goa. The inaugurated projects include 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. Mr Modi laid the Foundation Stone for India International University of Legal Education and Research of Bar Council of India Trust at Goa.
Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Union Minister of State Sripad Naik and other ministers were present on the occasion.
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 in 1961.
