Goa celebrates ‘Asmitai Dis’ (Identity Day) or Opinion Poll Day on January 16. It was on this date in 1967 that Goans voted against merging with Maharashtra and chose to remain a Union Territory.
The people of Goa voted against the merger and Goa continued to be a union territory. Subsequently, in 1987, Goa became a full-fledged State within the Indian Union. It is strange that we celebrate Statehood Day, but not the Opinion Poll that allowed that to happen.
January 16 also has significance for the Catholic community in the State. On the same day Goa celebrates the feast St Joseph Vaz at Sancoale. St Joseph Vaz was canonized on January 14, 2015 by Pope Francis at Galle Face Green, Sri Lanka.
He was named the Patron of the Archdiocese of Goa on June 26, 1999. This year over a lakh of devotees thronged at Sancoale for the novenas and feast of the great saint.
Given the twin significance of the day it would be desirable for the government to declare January 16 a public holiday. This would give the Opinion Poll Day due importance and for Catholics to celebrate the feast of their beloved saint with fervour.
