Socrates Valmiki Faleiro (6 January 1956 – 5 October 2023) was an Indian researcher, writer, journalist, and former president of the Margao Municipal Council in Goa.[1][2] He practiced law in Margao and wrote popular columns for local newspapers for over three decades.[3]

Valmiki Faleiro
Faleiro in 2015
Born
Socrates Valmiki Faleiro

(1956-01-06)6 January 1956
Died5 October 2023(2023-10-05) (aged 67)
Margao, Goa, India
OccupationsLawyer, writer
Notable workGoa, 1961: The Complete Story of Nationalism and Integration (2023)

Early life

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Socrates Valmiki Faleiro was born on 6 January 1956 in Margao, Goa to Jose Manuel Faleiro, an officer in the Indian Army, and Olga de Sa. He was named after the Greek thinker, Socrates, and the Indian poet from legend, Valmiki.[4] Faleiro began his education under the Portuguese system at Agostinho Vicente Lourenco School. He continued his schooling at Loyola High School and Holy Spirit Institute in Margao. He then completed his higher education at Vidya Vikas Mandal's Commerce College in Margao.[1]

Career

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Journalism

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Faleiro was a journalist from 1975 to 1983. He reported about Goa for various national publications, including Current Weekly, The Free Press Journal, and The Indian Express. He also contributed to local dailies and journals.[1]

As a corporator

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From 1985 to 1987, Faleiro was the president of the Margao Municipal Council. During his tenure, he contributed significantly to the development of Margao.[1]

Writing

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Faleiro began writing in 2005. His first book, Patriotism in Action (2010), highlighted Goa's contributions to India's defense services. He also authored Soaring Spirit: 450 Years of Margao's Espirito Santo Church (1565-2015), exploring the extensive history of the Holy Spirit Church, Margao. His extensively researched work, Goa, 1961: The Complete Story of Nationalism and Integration, provided a comprehensive account of the Goa liberation movement and Operation Vijay.[1]

Death

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Faleiro died on 5 October 2023, at his residence in Margao due to a heart attack.[1]

Works

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "History researcher Valmiki Faleiro dies". The Times of India. 6 October 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  2. "Goa loses its 'great intelligent son' in Valmiki Faleiro". oHeraldo. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  3. "Goa's literary world loses the perseverance of Valmiki Faleiro". oHeraldo. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  4. Gracias, Radharao (31 January 2024). "Valmiki, my friend". oHeraldo. Retrieved 23 October 2025.