Goa, 1961 :The Complete Story of Nationalism and Integration

Valmiki Faleiro's book titled "Goa 1961: The Complete Story of Nationalism and Integration of Goa" has been published by Viking India in July 2023.

The book delves into the historical events that led to Goa becoming a part of India.

According to Faleiro's account, Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule on December 19, 1961, following 36 hours of military intervention. The book not only covers the events of 1961 but also delves into the pre-1961 era, presenting diverse narratives, emotional anecdotes, and significant incidents.

The book sheds light on various intriguing aspects, such as the Nizam of Hyderabad's interest in purchasing Goa from the Portuguese to build a port and unite with Pakistan as a part of that country. It also mentions the establishment of Transportes Aéroes da India Portuguesa (TAIP), a Goa-based civilian airline, in 1955, which notably had air hostesses wearing saris as their uniform - a first in India.

Historically, in the early 1750s, an armed rebellion against the Portuguese was planned by the native Bishop Mateus Castro Mahale.

During 1961, Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru assured Western nations that force would not be used on Goa. Nonetheless, on December 19, 1961, India declared Goa 'liberated' from Portugal, and the last Portuguese governor, Manuel Antonio Vasallo e Silva, surrendered to Brigadier Dhillon of the Indian Army, leading to his confinement in Indian jails for about five months.

In a significant legal development, on August 9, 1965, the Supreme Court of India ruled that Goa had been 'acquired by conquest,' validating India's claim over the region.

With meticulous research and certified facts from official sources, this 408-page book serves as an in-depth academic study on the subject.

Apart from "Goa 1961," Valmiki Faleiro has authored two other books - "Patriotism in Action: Goans in India's Defense Services" and "Soaring Spirit: 450 Years of Madgaon's Espirito Santo Church 1565-2015."

oa, 1961 The complete story of Nationalism and Integration by Valmiki Faleiro, 62 years later is dedicated ‘to the Goan who held his head high from mid- seventeenth century to 1961’ is indeed a tribute to all the Goans who were engaged in the freedom struggle.
Among the many books available on the subject, this is the most complete book. It narrates the story from its occupation by the Portuguese in 1510. The author describes the systemic occupation of Goa by the Portuguese in terms of old and new conquests, conversion, repression, migration overseas and the struggle for freedom by the Goans conceived as early as July 1886 in particular by the Goan Catholics. It is a testimony to the aspiration of Goans to be part of India as the INC (Indian National Congress) was just founded in 1885.
This is a balanced account and the author has been fair to the Indian efforts to connect with Goa through the initial action by appointing Mirza Rashid Ali Baig as the first consul general sometime in 1947. The delay in embracing Goa into its fold took 14 years. International pressure, fumbling by our dignitaries, an extensively planned military operation, (but unnecessary, justified later on incorrect intelligence input) has been recounted with great finesse. Among the many anecdotes, the incident of surrender by the Portuguese Governor General Vassalo e Siva as excerpted from the book ‘Goa’s Liberation and Thereafter’ by Dr Kanetkar is interesting.
The author has identified most of the Goans who gave their precious time and life for the freedom struggle. Almost all those brave Goans would have departed to the other world but their descendants in Goa or anywhere in the world can be proud of their ancestry, thanks to this seminal work by Valmiki Faleiro.

The subject of the liberation of Goa in 1961 and its integration into the Indian Union in 1962 is sparsely understood at best and misunderstood at worst. What were the events that led to the thirtysixhour military operationpossibly the first since Independence that occurred entirely at India's initiative? What was the political climate within Goa? What role did Goans themselves play?

In this gripping account, former journalist Valmiki Faleiro covers a wide canvas in detail, including the entire story of Operation Vijay, the events that preceded it and those that followed. The diplomatic efforts, the arguments, the runup, the buildup, the actual ops and their aftermath in Goa, within India and internationallyall of it is vividly related in this nuanced telling. Faleiro lucidly outlines the prevailing political atmosphere and its changing character, the part played by indigenous independence movements and freedom fighters leading to the liberation of Goa, and the impact of its consequent assimilation into India.

Extensively researched and extremely wellwritten, Goa, 1961 is a seminal book on an important subject and a mustread for anyone interested in Indian history.

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