Goa is celebrating its Statehood Day today. It was on this day in 1987 that Goa was granted full statehood and became the 25th state of the Indian Union.

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan will participate in the Statehood Day celebrations at the Kala Academy in Panaji today. The occasion marks Goa’s journey from liberation to becoming one of India’s leading states in terms of human development and quality of life.

The Statehood Day celebrations will highlight Goa’s remarkable transformation over the last four decades. After liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961, Goa became a Union Territory along with Daman and Diu. A defining moment came in 1967 when Goans voted in the historic Opinion Poll to retain Goa’s distinct identity. The recognition of Konkani as the official language in 1987 paved the way for statehood, and Goa became India’s 25th state on 30 May that year.

Today’s function will include the release of a commemorative stamp on renowned cartoonist Mario Miranda, the launch of a coffee table book, presentation of awards and the announcement of citizen welfare initiatives.

Later in the day, the Vice President will visit the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO) in Goa, where he will tour research and technology exhibits, interact with scientists and release a coffee table book of CSIR-NIO.