At 102, Goa’s “Voice of Freedom” recalls the day freedom rained from the sky
Goa: On 19 December 1961, leaflets dropped over Goa read: “Rejoice! Goa is free after 450 years.” The plane carrying them was piloted with two messengers of liberation: Libia Lobo Sardesai and Vaman Sardesai.
For 6 years, the couple ran the underground “Voice of Freedom” radio from a jungle hideout on Castlerock Hill, broadcasting uncensored news to Goans living under Portuguese rule. Portuguese authorities called it “the only voice hurting us at close range.” Libia and Vaman worked in secret, battling leeches, censorship and raids.
On 16 December 1961, they broadcast India’s surrender appeal to the Portuguese governor. When there was no reply, Operation Vijay began. The next day, the Army flew them over Goa to drop leaflets announcing liberation.
Libia, now 102, and Vaman married on Liberation Day in 1964. Vaman went on to become an IAS officer and India’s ambassador to Angola, receiving the Padma Shri in 1992. Libia became Goa’s first director of tourism and later a lawyer, receiving the Padma Shri in 2025.
Both were also awarded gallantry medals for their role in freeing Goa from 450 years of Portuguese rule.
