Portugal honours Indian historian

Portugal President Anival Cavaco Silva has announced one of its highest civilian honours to Percival Noronha, one of Goa's foremost historians and chroniclers of its past ranging from the colonial times to the present.

Portugal President Anival Cavaco Silva has announced one of its highest civilian honours to Percival Noronha, one of Goa's foremost historians and chroniclers of its past ranging from the colonial times to the present.

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Noronha, 90, has been honoured with the title of 'Commander' of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator, a communication from the President's office said. The awards are given to Portuguese diaspora and foreign citizens.

Panaji-based Noronha was the chief information officer when Goa was liberated from the Portuguese in December 1961. He went on to hold several key positions in the Goa administration after 1961, and is known for his work on chronicling Goa's history.

The history of Indo-Portuguese furniture has been one his major interests.

Portugal was the first western country to colonise parts of India in the early sixteenth century, and the last to leave, on 19 December 1961.