Mahe: As Kerala celebrates its Formation Day on November 1, Mahe near Kannur, which is part of the Puducherry state, observes its Liberation Day. The day marks the historic moment when Puducherry, along with its enclaves including Mahe, joined the Indian Union after ending the French colonial rule

The liberation movement in French India had gathered momentum in 1954, prompting the Governments of India and France to initiate discussions on the formal transfer of power in these provinces. On October 17, 1954, a meeting was convened at Keezhoor, attended by 176 representatives, including members of the municipal bodies and legislative assembly from Mahe, Yanam and Karaikal. In the historic session, 170 representatives voted in favour of merging with the Indian Union.

Following this, representatives of both governments signed an agreement on October 21, 1954, setting November 1, 1954 as the date for the official handover of the French territories to India. Since 2014, the Puducherry government has officially designated November 1 as Puducherry Liberation Day, observing it as a public holiday across the Union Territory.

This year’s celebrations began with a ceremony at Place de Arms (Sports Ground) on Saturday morning, where Minister C Jayakumar hoisted the national flag and received the salute from the police parade.