The passing of a doyen of Urban Planning, who wore his Goan heart proudly, profoundly, poetically and, most importantly, self-effacingly.
I had the distinction of interacting with Edgar and that other spectacular Goan genius, Charles Correa, on the task force for formulating the Regional Plan 2021.
Despite my knowledge of Planning being almost non-existent, Edgar held our hands (Patricia Pinto and Ritu Prasad being my fellow comrades) and, in his inimitable, jovial and patient manner, explained all the intricacies of Planning to us, the unlearned activists (Ritu, being an architect, was an exception).
In many ways, the RP 2021, which theoretically protected so much of our environment, was the artistic flourish of Edgar.
That this document has been savaged by the Government in power is for history books to judge.
Suffice it to say that Goa owes a huge debt to this fabulous gentleman, a true Son of the Soil.
Always with a twinkle in his eye.
A smile so luminous, it could light up the darkness enveloping Goa.
A generosity so unique, he would share his knowledge unstintingly with anyone he encountered.
A simplicity and integrity so magnificent.
A giant in the field of Urban Planning, who rubbed shoulders with the powerful, yet kept a watchful eye; he always had the back of the powerless.
An idealist as well as a pragmatist (an epithet you can rarely apply to most activists who work passionately for Goa).
A powerful personality who could never be accused of artifice.
He spent his sunset years in his beloved Goa, and I presume his heart bled for the current ecocide perpetrated here in the guise of development. But he continued to offer his inputs and advice to the younger generation of architects and planners.
One of his dedicated pupils was the young Tahir Noronha, a glowing example of youth activism in the fight for our State.
There must be hundreds of others who are also beneficiaries of Edgar’s knowledge and wisdom.
As his sometimes doctor and always admirer, one could look into Edgar’s kind heart and open mind.
He was proud to be a Goan.
He was proud to be an internationally renowned planner.
He was proud, but never arrogant, about his boundless knowledge.
He was proud of the students he helped create for the country.
He was proud of his countless planning designs.
But my guess is that he was proudest, happiest and most at peace being Flavia’s husband.
His wife and sounding board for decades.
My sincere condolences to her, his children and his extended family.
For a life so richly lived.
For a game so well played.
For a duty so well fulfilled.
Thank you, Edgar.
For enriching our lives,
For leading by example,
For sharing knowledge abundantly,
And for being a true Goan hero, without ever wanting to be viewed as one.
Adios, amigo!!
You ran the race superbly.
