PANAJI
The Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media (DCSCM) has released a very special postal commemorative cover on the occasion of 18th Exposition of Relics of St Francis Xavier of Goa, popularly known as ‘Goencho Saib’.
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao released the special postal commemorative cover in the presence of DCSCM Director Fr Barry Cardozo, Fr Joaquim Loiola Pereira, secretary to the cardinal, Blaise Fernandes of Caranzalem, and Alok K Goyal of Kolkata.
According to the DCSCM, this cover has many unique features, which will be first of its kind in India and one of the few postal covers worldwide.
The postal commemorative cover will be the first in India made on metallic matt paper with raised UV effects on selective areas with different types on the Relic Casket, Bom Jesus Basilica, on the Saint, Emblem, Exposition Logo and selective texts.
It is also probably one of the first internationally having a real silver coin effect of medal and metallic shine effects on postal covers.
These Postal Covers, which will be date cancelled at the Velha Goa post office on Thursday, are made in limited numbers and will be given on first cum first serve basis.
Besides these, there will be 100 numbers of numbered super special postal covers made on natural cork paper with silver effects, which is probably first of its kind in the world, stated the DCSCM.
Only other cover on the cork was also made in India in 2022, but with normal printing without any effects. Two posters, 1 postcard and 1 bookmark also made on metallic matt paper will be available.
The concept and coordination along with DCSCM was done by Blaise Fernandes of Caranzalem, philatelist and secretary of the PPC of Panjim Deanery. These unique covers and posters are designed by philatelist Alok K Goyal of Kolkata.
One can get these covers, postcards and bookmarks from the Diocesan Center for Social Communication Media during the exposition at the Help Desk counter in the Bom Jesus Basilica Compound.
