Goa, 14 December 2021

 

A seminar was organized by Goa Naval Area at Raj Hans auditorium, Dabolim on 14 December 2021 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the liberation of Goa. The seminar was attended by eminent speakers and senior delegates from the military as well as the academia.

Shri PS Sreedharan Pillai,  Governor of Goa, was the Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address at the inaugural session. Rear Admiral Philipose G Pynumootil, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area, delivered the welcome address, setting the tone for the proceedings.

Delivering the keynote address, the Governor appreciated the Navy's initiative of delving into the history of the liberation of Goa, and pointed out that such deliberations are needed to enhance awareness in the public, especially the youth, on the sacrifices made by previous generations, including the armed forces, in nation building.

Addressing the seminar, Vice Admiral AB Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command brought out that the growth of Goa and the Indian Navy in the region has been synonymous, the liberation happening simultaneously with commissioning of INS Vikrant, the first aircraft carrier of Indian Navy, and the Navy's effort in developing Dabolim airfield into a full-fledged air station.

The first session featured a broad analysis of sea power in liberation of Goa by Rear Admiral SY Shrikhande (Retd). This was followed by an expose on the role of Indian Army in the liberation of Goa by Brigadier AS Sawhney and Colonel Manvendra Nagaich of the 2 Signal Training Centre, Goa.

The second session saw an interesting mix of papers, starting with "Goa's Struggle for Freedom: Azad Gomantak Dal and Gunpowder Resistance" by Dr Seema S Risbud, Associate Professor, Dept of History, Goa University.  Commodore Johnson Odakkal (Retd) spoke on the geopolitical context and national churns of Goa liberation, bringing out a Malabar connection. The seminar ended with an overview of post-colonial Goa and its political economy of transformation presented by Parag D Parobo, Asst Professor of History, Goa University.

Papers of both sessions sparked discussions on history, liberation and development of Goa. All discussions were moderated by Commodore Srikant Kesnur, Director, Maritime Warfare Centre, Mumbai.

The Governor also felicitated veterans of the Goa liberation effort on the occasion.Veterans Manipurath Bhaskaran Nair, Ex Chief Electrical (Power), Durga Bux Singh Chauhan, Ex Chief Air (Air Handler), Honorary Sub Lieutenant Kansraj Sharma, NM (Retd) were felicitated.

 

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