July 26, 2026, is the 103rd birth anniversary of Percival Noronha, the multi-tasking bureaucrat who is one of the most decorated Goans. He was bestowed with the Ordem do Mérito Comendador, Portugal's highest civilian honour, a rare distinction for a Goan. He also received the 1972 United Nations Peace Medal, as well as the Clube Militar de Macau Medal, for his impressive slide shows across the world, including in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Japan and Macau.
In all, Percival was decorated with 17 medals. In Goa, Percival is known for initiating the Carnival float parade, which became an international attraction; setting up the Friends of Astronomy at Junta House with a telescope so that stargazers could witness celestial spectacles; and tending to the environment by being instrumental in planting casuarina trees from the Children's Park in Campal up to Miramar Beach to prevent soil erosion.
He was known as an encyclopaedia to whom people from all walks of life used to turn for information. He is also one of the few Goans to have featured on Wikipedia for his stellar contributions.
During his stint as a multi-tasking bureaucrat, Percival's contribution to Goans in particular was extremely substantial. He is fondly remembered by multitudes who used to frequent his home in Fontainhas, Ajenor.
His booklet, ‘A Walk Through Old Goa’ is a comprehensive guide to all the churches, cathedrals and monuments in the holy city, and has been published by Broadway.
ELVIDIO MIRANDA via email
