Vasco da Gama, Goa explained

Vasco da Gama
Settlement Type:City
Pushpin Map:India Goa#India#Asia
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Vasco da Gama in Goa
Coordinates:15.3981°N 73.8111°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Type3:Sub-district
Subdivision Name1:Goa
Subdivision Name2:South Goa
Subdivision Name3:Mormugao
Named For:Vasco da Gama
Unit Pref:Metric
Elevation M:43
Population Total:100000
Population As Of:2011
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:403802
Area Code:91-832
Registration Plate:GA-06

Vasco da Gama, often shortened to Vasco, is a city in the state of Goa on the west coast of India. It is named after the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. It is the headquarters of the Mormugão taluka (subdistrict). The city lies on the western tip of the Mormugao peninsula, at the mouth of the Zuari River, about from Panaji, Goa's capital, from Margao, the district headquarters and about from Dabolim Airport.

The city was founded in 1543 and remained in Portuguese hands until the 1961 Indian military operation that annexed Goa. The 1888-constructed Mormugao Port remains a busy shipping route in Asia. This port is built by the Portuguese king in alliance with Gali Sidhayya who is the then zamindar of the Goa region. It is one of the major ports of independent India.[2] The shipbuilding area of Goa Shipyard Limited that builds Indian Navy and Coast Guard vessels was also built there in 1957 (during the Portuguese era). Initially built around the city's harbour as the 'Estaleiros Navais de Goa', the area has, since the end of Portuguese presence, expanded into construction for several other branches of maritime patrol and security. The Indian Navy has an obvious presence here, with its vast campuses and ports, which include the naval base INS Hansa.[3]

History

This city, in the former Portuguese territory of Goa, is named after the famous Portuguese explorer and navigator Vasco da Gama, who held the title of Governor of Portuguese India. This city serves as the headquarters of the Mormugao sub-district. It was founded in 1543 and remained in Portuguese hands until 1961, when the territory was lost to India.[4]

Vasco da Gama, 1st Count of Vidigueira was the first European to reach India by sea. His initial voyage to India (1497–1499) was the first to link Europe and Asia by an ocean route, connecting the Atlantic and the Indian oceans and, in this way, the West and the East. He reached Goa on 11 September 1524 but died at Kochi three months later. His remains were eventually returned to Portugal and interred at St Jeronimos monastery.[5]

The city is sometimes referred to as Sambhaji Nagar. Sambhaji was the eldest son of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. An attempt was made to change the city's name to Sambhaji Nagar, and this is reflected in a few government records. However, no official records have been found as to when the city was renamed. It is thus dismissed as a political move.[6] [7] [8]

Renovation of Clock Tower

In 2015, after a campaign by the Goa Heritage Action Group and the History Lovers Group, the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) decided to renovate the clock tower of the municipal market in the heart of the city. Built in 1921, the complex is an example of Art Deco style of architecture.[9] [10] The renovation work was completed in 2017 with funding provided by the Rajaram and Tarabai Bandekar Charitable Trust, and the clock was brought in from Nashik.[11] [12]

Climate

The city has a tropical monsoon climate (Koppen: Am)

Transport

Vasco is connected by road by the National Highway 17A & National Highway 17B, by rail by the Vasco da Gama railway station,[13] by the sea through the Mormugao Port[14] and by air through Dabolim Airport, thus serving as the main hub for most tourists visiting the state of Goa.

Sports

As in the rest of Goa, football is the most popular sport in Vasco. Two teams from the town have participated in the I-League – Vasco Sports Club and Salgaocar Sports Club. Salgaocar SC were Champions of the 1998–99 season[15] of the erstwhile NFL. Tilak Maidan is a 6,000-seater[16] football ground located in the city, hosts Indian Super League matches.[17] The stadium sporting a magnificent turf hosted I-league matches during April 2013, as the home ground for the four teams from Goa in the league, when Fatorda Stadium was closed down for renovation.[18]

Although cricket is not as popular as football, a Vasco resident Shadab Jakati[19] plays for Goa in the Ranji Trophy first-class competition and has also been selected to play for the Chennai Super Kings IPL franchise. Railway Stadium is a cricket ground in Vasco da Gama. The only recorded match held on the ground was a first-class match between Goa and Kerala in the 1986/87 Ranji Trophy,[20] which Kerala won by 6 wickets.[21]

Politics

The city of Vasco falls under the boundaries of the South Goa (Lok Sabha constituency) previously Mormugao Lok Sabha constituency in the Lok Sabha. The current Member of Parliament is Francisco Sardinha of the Indian National Congress.[22]

The extended city of Vasco / Mormugao elects three representatives to the Goa Legislative Assembly:[23]

Research

The National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR)[24] located at Headland Sada is a research and development institution administered by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It is responsible for administering the Indian Antarctic Program and maintains the Indian government's Antarctic research station, Maitri. In addition to laboratories for marine sample processing/analyses, it hosts a special low-temperature ice core sample storage facility. It is also the nodal agency for Indian scientific participation in the deep sea drilling research under the aegis of International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP).

Education

External links

Goa limestone

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Maps of India-Vasco da Gama. 2017-03-01. 21 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170421145701/http://www.mapsofindia.com/vasco-da-gama/. live.
  2. Web site: Major ports cargo traffic up 4.83% in Apr–Nov. December 10, 2018. The Hindu: Business Line. en. 2018-12-12. 5 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211105122459/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/major-ports-cargo-traffic-up-483-in-apr-nov/article25711532.ece. live.
  3. Web site: Goa airport's runway deteriorating, may affect operations: Indian Navy. 2018-05-11. Hindustan Times. 2018-12-12. 11 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180511102622/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/goa-airport-s-runway-deteriorating-may-affect-operations-indian-navy/story-ANBq1OFhD14t0CLWHAwiKP.html. live.
  4. Web site: Reclaiming Vasco-da-Gama, the port town. 2018-01-30. The Neutral View. en-US. 2018-12-12. 12 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181212132756/http://theneutralview.com/reclaiming-vasco-da-gama-the-port-town/. dead.
  5. Web site: Vasco da Gama's Voyage of 'Discovery' 1497 . 2011-03-21. South African History Online . 2016-11-06. 3 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220303054802/https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/vasco-da-gamas-voyage-discovery-1497. live.
  6. News: Has Vasco da Gama been renamed Sambhaji?. oHeraldo . 2 Dec 2015 . Navin . Jha . 2017-04-18. 27 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170527141041/http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Has-Vasco-da-Gama-been-renamed-Sambhaji/96346.html. dead.
  7. News: Demand to change name of Vasco da Gama city. Goa News . 26 December 1997. 2017-04-18. 19 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170419104435/http://www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=36. dead.
  8. News: From Vasco da Gama to Sambhaji: Goans accuse BJP of a sneaky plot to rename a town. Nagvenkar. Mayabhushan. Scroll.in . Dec 5, 2015 . 2017-04-18. 20 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160420004609/http://scroll.in/article/773679/from-vasco-da-gama-to-sambhaji-goans-accuse-bjp-of-a-sneaky-plot-to-rename-a-town. live.
  9. Web site: Vasco's heritage clock tower to get a new lease of life. The Times of India . Jun 21, 2015 . 2018-12-12. 20 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181220170327/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Vascos-heritage-clock-tower-to-get-a-new-lease-of-life/articleshow/47751732.cms. live.
  10. Web site: History Lovers Group all set to restore the Vasco Clock Tower. Mar 13, 2015. The Navhind Times. 2018-12-12. 15 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223616/https://www.navhindtimes.in/history-lovers-group-all-set-to-restore-the-vasco-clock-tower/. live.
  11. Web site: Tick-tock! Vasco's heritage clock tower catches up with the times. Apr 1, 2017. The Times of India. 2018-12-12. 19 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181219220647/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/tick-tock-vascos-heritage-clock-tower-catches-up-with-the-times/articleshow/57950626.cms. live.
  12. Web site: Vasco heritage clock stands tall amidst a dilapidated market. Fernandes. Adelmo. June 5, 2017. oHeraldo. 2018-12-12. 15 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181215221933/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Citizen-Herald/Vasco-heritage-clock-stands-tall-amidst-a-dilapidated-market/115977.html. live.
  13. Web site: Vasco Railway Station bags 'best maintained station' award. oHeraldo. 2018-12-12. 15 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223624/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa-News/Vasco-Railway-Station-bags-%E2%80%98best-maintained-station%E2%80%99-award-/129906.html. live.
  14. Web site: Italian cruise ship brings over 1,000 visitors to Goa – Times of India. The Times of India. 2018-12-12. 19 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181219000208/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/italian-cruise-ship-brings-over-1000-visitors-to-goa/articleshow/66994323.cms. live.
  15. Web site: Indianfootball.com . 20 November 2018 . 23 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181023121951/http://www.the-aiff.com/ . live .
  16. Web site: Venue Details: Tilak Maidan. indianfootball.com. 11 February 2010. 6 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006160921/http://www.indianfootball.com/en/statistic/venue/detail/stadiumId/166. live.
  17. https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl/2021-2022/news/isl-2021-22-sc-east-bengal-kerala-blasters-1-1-draw-fc-sceb-kbfc-indian-super-league/article37937114.ece ISL 2021-22: Mrcela, Vazquez goals leads to 1-1 draw between SC East Bengal and Kerala Blasters
  18. Web site: I-League to resume at Tilak Maidan from Thursday . 8 April 2013 . 18 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150218013839/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2013/04/02/3871446/i-league-action-to-resume-at-tilak-maidan-from-thursday . live .
  19. Web site: Shadab Jakati – India Cricket – Cricket Players and Officials – ESPN Cricinfo . Content.cricinfo.com . 6 August 2012 . 27 March 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090327141604/http://content.cricinfo.com/india/content/player/29655.html . live .
  20. Web site: First-class Matches played on Railway Stadium, Vasco da Gama. CricketArchive. 29 October 2011. 5 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151005130545/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/14/1271_f.html. live.
  21. Web site: Goa v Kerala, 1985/86 Ranji Trophy. CricketArchive. 29 October 2011. 14 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141214042921/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/46/46665.html. live.
  22. Web site: South Goa Lok Sabha Election Result 2019 LIVE Updates: close contest between Cosme Francisco Caitano Sardinha from INC and Narendra Keshav Sawaikar from BJP. 2020-06-16. Firstpost. 16 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200616055056/https://www.firstpost.com/politics/south-goa-lok-sabha-election-result-2019-live-updates-close-contest-between-cosme-francisco-caitano-sardinha-from-inc-and-narendra-keshav-sawaikar-from-bjp-6669621.html. live.
  23. Web site: Goa elections result 2017: Full list of constituencies and their winners . 12 March 2017 . 20 April 2017 . 21 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170421090720/http://indianexpress.com/elections/goa-assembly-elections-2017/goa-election-results-full-list-of-constituencies-and-candidates-winner-list-4562578/ . live .
  24. Web site: National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research, Goa, India . NCAOR.nic.in . 6 August 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121008133705/http://www.ncaor.nic.in/ . 8 October 2012 . dead . dmy-all .
  25. Web site: BITS Goa to enter into MoU with Texas varsity – Times of India. The Times of India. 2018-12-10. 12 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181212053432/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/bits-goa-to-enter-into-mou-with-texas-varsity/articleshow/63349573.cms. live.
  26. Web site: CBSE schools in Goa log impressive pass percentages at Class X exam – Times of India. The Times of India. 2018-12-10. 12 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181212050414/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/cbse-schools-in-goa-log-impressive-pass-percentages-at-class-x-exam/articleshow/64377767.cms. live.
  27. Web site: MES College felicitates meritorious students. The Navhind Times. December 2020. 10 December 2018. 10 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181210154729/https://www.navhindtimes.in/mes-college-felicitates-meritorious-students-2/amp/. live.
  28. Web site: Thousands protest in Goa after girl raped in school toilet. NDTV.com. 2018-12-10. 10 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181210154650/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/thousands-protest-in-goa-after-girl-raped-in-school-toilet-510389. live.
  29. Web site: Gul Panag to run Goa River Marathon. 2011-12-06. DNA India. 2018-12-10. 10 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181210202719/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-gul-panag-to-run-goa-river-marathon-1622367. live.

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