Goa is celebrating its statehood day today. It was on this day in 1987 Goa became the 25th state of the Indian Union. Before this, Goa, along with Daman and Diu, was a union territory. Statehood helped in shaping Goa’s distinct identity. At the Goa statehood day programme in Panaji today, Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant, in a video message, said, it’s a day to reflect on people’s achievements and evolve a strategy to achieve the much-desired status of a prosperous and advanced state.
He appealed to the youth to opt for skill education, encouraged businesses to avail of new policies and central government schemes, and assured that ongoing projects such as Mopa airport will provide significant employment opportunities to Goans. Mr Sawant stressed on making Goa garbage-free with the launch of the Green Goa, Clean Goa awareness campaign. Programmes have been organized across the state including Margao in South Goa.