FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
In the world of fast speed internet, the post mail or snail mail is not dying a slow death. On the contrary, philatelists are making the most of the technology to reach out to the world and build their stamp collections while also researching about stamps. In Goa itself, the Goa Philatelic and Numismatic Society (GPNS) which was formed in 1975, has been reviving this passion and energising it by involving young school students. While it brings in a different joy when you see a postman deliverING mail these days, it becomes even more special when you receive a new stamp to add to YOUR existing collection.
The world of stamps is huge. The first postal stamp that was engraved and printed in Goa was ‘Natives of India’ in 1871. Rolando de Melo, a retired Science teacher, who taught at the Assumpta Convent High School, Sarzora, is the Secretary of the Goa Philatelic and Numismatic Society (GPNS). He has a huge collection of stamps, post cards, aerograms and stationary but his prized possession is the Portuguese India themed collection. “Goa has a vast postal history. Prior to Goa’s liberation, the postal service existed in Goa but the first stamp that was created in Goa was ‘Natives of India (Goa),’ in 1871. The stamp was designed by Portugal’s Jose Frederico d’Assa Castel- Branco and engraved by Gouvindo Zo, a Goan artist. I have also won gold and silver medals for my Portuguese India collection and this subject is being studied not only by Goans but people from different parts of the world. Stamps open up the world of education as they deal with history, geography and different interesting subjects,” says Rolando, who has also written and published a catalogue on Goan Philatelic material post Liberation till 2021, a useful handbook for the Goa-centric philatelist.
World Post Day is celebrated on October 9, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. The Post is the world’s largest logistics network. The purpose of World Post Day is to create awareness of the role of the postal sector in people’s and businesses’ everyday lives and its contribution to the social and economic development of countries.
GPNS is trying to revive the hobby of stamp collection which can later on lead to philately in a child’s life. With the aim to start young, they have been organising exhibitions and workshops in various schools. “Stamp collection is very much alive and in the past three years, especially during the lockdown, there has been quite a lot that has been happening. GPNS is the oldest Philatelic Society in Goa and will be turning 45 years old. We have been approaching schools to start stamp clubs in their schools and few have responded well. More youngsters are showing interest as we are constantly organising exhibitions, workshops and competitions. We have junior members who are below the age of 18 years and senior members too,” says Ashlesh Kamat from Margao, the Vice President of GPNS. As artists, he and his wife Siya Nadkarni, have also designed covers and postcards for the Goa Division.
There is a difference between stamp collection and philatelists, stamp collectors simply collect or buy highly-desirable stamps and don’t necessarily study them while philatelists study collections and stamps. There are various noted theme based collections in Goa by philatelists. President of GPNS, Dr Bernard Rodrigues, Senior Professor of Botany at Goa University, has a collection of ‘Mushroom’ stamps, former president of GPNS, R Ramesh Kumar, has a collection on dragonflies, Dr Rameshwar Naik has a vast collection on Hindu Mythology and Abhay Mudolkar has a collection on owls. Joao Paul Cotta who is now based in UK, has the largest Portuguese India collection.
“Stamp collection had a different charm in the 1960s and 70s when it was our main hobby. We are now ourselves making an effort to rediscover the hobby with school children. The teachers can use stamps as a teaching tool while students can use it for self study. Stamps can tell a lot about the era and history of what was going on in the world at that time of the year. In India, it can even tell which government was ruling during the release of the stamps,” says Rolando. Ashlesh says that former senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Goa Division, Dr Sudhir Jakhere, was instrumental in giving philately a boost during his tenure. He also released the Special Cover and Special Cancellation ‘150 Years of Servico Postal’ in 2021. “The internet is really helpful in reaching out to more people. With online tools like ‘Post Crossing’ there is a lot of scope for stamp and postcard collection. I have received over 500 postcards from 50 countries since 2014,” says Ashlesh.
Philately has been called the hobby of kings, as it consumes time and meticulous planning and proper preservation but it can also make a person feel like a king as they see their collection grow not just in quantity but in value too.
