A close and very dear friend, Valmiki Faleiro, passed away shockingly today. I had a close relationship with him and his family since 1983. He was the former President of Margao Municipal Council. Besides, he was a renowned journalist, writer, author, researcher, and real estate developer. I was associated with two of his real estate projects, both of which were bought and developed by me.
Apart from real estate, he was a versatile writer who authored a number of books, namely ‘Patriotism in Action’ (about Goans drafted in the army, navy, air force), ‘Soaring Spirits’ (about his cherished Espirito Santo Church, 1565-2015, its origins, and present days). He was instrumental in writing articles in several news dailies.
He began his career as a staff reporter for the West Coast Times, a Goan daily, and also wrote for other publications like Navhind Times, Indian Express, and Free Press Journal. Other books in the pipeline were ‘Monuments of Old Goa’ and ‘Konkani Proverbs,’ which would have enthralled Goans with excitement.
His notes and quotes from his famous books are still etched on my WhatsApp page, serving as glowing tributes to him. Goa has lost one of its gems”a historian, author, writer, and entrepreneur par excellence.
