Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday inaugurated the newly re-developed Hutatma Smruti Smarak at Patradevi, a historic site associated with Goa’s liberation struggle against Portuguese rule, and paid tribute to the satyagrahis who laid down their lives during the movement.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Y. Naik were present at the inauguration.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said the Goa Liberation movement was not merely a regional struggle but a manifestation of India’s national consciousness and unity. He paid tribute to several satyagrahis, including Karnail Singh from Punjab, Sahodra Devi from Madhya Pradesh and Madhukar Damodar Chaudhary from Maharashtra.
“National unity is above narrow-minded thoughts such as regionalism, communalism, and casteism. Patradevi conveys a powerful message that while India may have diverse regional, social and cultural identities, ‘being Indian’ is what binds us all together,” Singh said.
He said the satyagrahis demonstrated that India could assert its rights through peaceful means, while emphasising that a sovereign nation also has the right to use its full strength when its territorial integrity is threatened and peaceful efforts have reached their limit.
Recalling the liberation of Goa through Operation Vijay in 1961, the Defence Minister commended the professionalism, courage and discipline of the Indian armed forces. He said the confidence displayed by the forces during the operation had established a tradition that continues to guide India’s defence preparedness.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Singh said it was proof that India’s defence forces were capable of giving a befitting response to those who threaten the country’s security.
“Op Sindoor is proof that our Defence Forces are capable of giving a befitting reply to those who cast an evil eye on India,” he said.
Singh said the legacy of Goa’s liberation should also serve as a reminder that India’s armed forces must remain vigilant, capable and prepared to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
India emerging as defence manufacturing power
Highlighting India’s transformation since 1961, Singh said the armed forces today operate with advanced platforms and technologies, including warships, fighter aircraft, sophisticated radar systems, network-centric warfare capabilities and long-range air power.
He said all three services were moving towards greater jointness and integration, while India’s defence industrial ecosystem was expanding rapidly.
Singh said India’s defence exports, which stood at around Rs 600 crore before 2014, have now crossed Rs 38,000 crore, while defence production has risen from around Rs 40,000 crore to a record Rs 1.81 lakh crore.
He also highlighted the country’s efforts to strengthen indigenous defence capabilities and move from being a major defence importer towards becoming a significant global defence manufacturing and exporting nation.
The Defence Minister also spoke about the increasing participation of women in national development, noting that women who once stood at the forefront of India’s freedom struggle are now flying fighter aircraft, holding leadership positions in the armed forces, contributing to space missions and driving innovation and entrepreneurship.
Youth urged to preserve legacy of Goa liberation
Singh urged younger generations to understand the sacrifices made during the freedom and Goa Liberation movements and to preserve the values associated with them.
He said freedom was not merely the right to express oneself but also carried responsibilities, including upholding national unity, respecting constitutional values, obeying the law and placing national interests above personal gains.
“The stories of the martyrs of Patradevi must not remain merely names and dates in history books,” he said, urging young people visiting Goa to visit the memorial and understand the sacrifices made to secure the country’s integrity.
“A generation that understands its history can steer its future in the right direction,” Singh said.
Memorial redeveloped at cost of Rs 9.50 crore
The Goa government undertook the redevelopment of the Hutatma Smruti Smarak through the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation at an estimated cost of Rs 9.50 crore.
The renovated memorial has been developed as an immersive educational and commemorative space, featuring a redesigned central monument, sculptural installations, information hubs and murals depicting the history of Goa’s liberation struggle.
Patradevi holds particular significance in the movement. On August 15, 1955, thousands of volunteers from across India participated in a peaceful satyagraha in Goa. The first group of satyagrahis entered Goa through Patradevi carrying Indian flags but came under Portuguese machine-gun fire. Several satyagrahis were killed at Patradevi, while others were martyred at different locations during the movement.
The redeveloped memorial is intended to help visitors, particularly young people, learn about and remember the sacrifices of the freedom fighters and volunteers who contributed to Goa’s eventual liberation.
