Percival Noronha

Percival Ivo Vital e Noronha ComM (26 July 1923 – 19 August 2019) was an Indian historian, heritage conservationist, and bureaucrat. In 1982, he established Friends of Astronomy, the first astronomy club in Goa. Noronha held an officer position in the Indian administration during his tenure in the Portuguese administration (Estado da Índia).

Percival Ivo Vital e Noronha was born on 26 July 1923, in Margão, Goa, during Portuguese India, which was part of Portuguese Empire (now in India). He was born to Antonio Jose Jonas Noronha and Maria Aurora Anastasia da Silveira Vital, who were local landlords, commonly known as bhatkars. His father, Antonio, hailed from Loutolim, while his mother, Maria, hailed from Ilhas. Both his parents were based in Margão.^[1]

Noronha played a role in contributing to the cultural development of Goa. One of his works was the establishment of the Carnival floats parade, which gained recognition as a tourist attraction. Additionally, his interest in the cosmos motivated him to establish the Association of Friends of Astronomy. As part of this initiative, Noronha set up an astronomical observatory on the terrace of Junta House, equipped with a telescope. This observatory gained attention from stargazers, who gathered there to observe various celestial phenomena. Noronha had an effect on the environment in Goa, particularly through his efforts to address erosion. He oversaw the planting of casuarina trees along a stretch extending from the Children's Park in Campal to Miramar Beach. This initiative aimed to mitigate erosion and maintain the stability of the coastline. The casuarina trees, planted during Noronha's tenure, experienced growth.^[2]

Noronha's residence in Fontainhas, known as "Ajenor", serves as a repository of reference books and literary works throughout his lifetime. Consequently, it became a destination for people of all ages, including foreigners, Indian citizens, intellectuals, and students, who sought his guidance. His knowledge had led to him being colloquially referred to as the "encyclopedia" within academic and intellectual circles. Noronha's publication titled A Walk through Old Goa served as a guide to the World Heritage Site of Old Goa, acknowledged by the United Nations. The book encompassed historical information, encompassing various architectural styles and providing descriptions of the monuments present in the city. After leaving his public service role, he spent a major part of his retirement years to pursuing scholarly interests. His academic endeavors gained recognition across various countries, including Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, Japan, and Macau. Noronha's presentations, which incorporated color slides, managed to capture the attention of historians and students in these nations.^[2]

Noronha expressed admiration for José Pereira, a recipient of the Padma Bhushan award. Pereira's work Baroque India, was highly regarded by Noronha for its clear and eloquent writing style, precise geometric descriptions, and use of mathematical concepts in literature.^[2]

On 19 August 2019, Noronha died at a relative's residence in Verna, Goa. As per his last wishes, he designated his nephew as the beneficiary of his entire shareholdings.^[3][4]

Noronha received several international accolades, including no fewer than 17 awards. Among these honors was the United Nations Peace Medal, which was bestowed upon him in 1972 in recognition of his contributions to fostering peace. In 2014, he was honored with the Ordem do Merito Comendador, the highest civilian honor in Portugal, in acknowledgment of his achievements. Noronha was also bestowed the Clube Militar de Macau medal, which he received for his lectures that attracted a wide audience.^[2][5]