Philately, the study and collection of postage stamps, is often seen as a hobby. It is, though, profoundly more than - a miniature window into heritage, culture and biodiversity of a land. In a few square centimetres, a stamp preserves a postal imagery of a people portrayed through their architecture, food, dance and politics. French collector Georges Herpin found ‘timbromania’ to be a rather uninspiring term for his beloved pursuit, so he concocted the name we recognise today; combining ‘philo’ (love of) and ‘atelia’ (stamp duties paid). Closer home, a scientist and philatelist, Dr. M.R.Ramesh Kumar, curates more than 5,00,000 stamps, first day covers, special covers, miniature sheets, postal division picture postcards and philatelic passports. He started collecting at the age of four after his father’s multi-coloured stamp collection captured his imagination. Each stamp told him a fascinating tale that fuelled his love for knowledge. For years, he watched his father bring covers from the bank, painstakingly soak them in water, use blotting paper to remove moisture and then catalogue them. Growing up, he realised that not only do stamps carry historical value but collecting also makes for a great stress buster. While philately is regarded as a solo pursuit, it is actually a social one- grown through associating worldwide. Dr.Ramesh Kumar’s collection expanded as he corresponded with pen friends, philatelic bureaus, postal services, museums, and dealers from all over the world. While his collection houses rarities like the erstwhile Cochin and Travancore state stamps, 2 sets are particularly dear to him. One is a collection that harks back to his 1986-87 exploration, as a member of the 6th Indian Scientific Antarctica Expedition. The other is his beloved Goa collection that maps our cultural trajectory. His assortment draws an arc from freedom fighter T.B. Cunha to modern legends like Wendell Rodricks and Mario Miranda, and to local themes such as Goan breads, wildlife, and Geographic Indicators showcasing the Bebinca, Khaje, Feni, Kholla, and Harmal chillies and Myndoli bananas.
Memorial Stamps -TB Cunha and Wendell Rodricks
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Special Mario Miranda Cover
Special GI Cover -Goan Khaje
Special GI Cover -Cashew Feni
Just as cuisine reveals cultural identity, our faith reflects the wealth of belief. In 1974, a Special First Day cover was launched to honour the Expositions of St. Francis Xavier, along with a UNESCO Heritage Site stamp of the Bom Jesus Basilica.
1974 Exposition of St.Francis Xavier Cover
Following that, a special cover was released in 2014 to applaud a landmark initiative in which pilgrims the world over were given an opportunity to participate in the Holy Eucharist at Old Goa, in foreign and Indian languages for the first time.
2014 Special Cover
From a pilgrimage that drew the faithful, Goa next welcomed leaders from across the Commonwealth. When India hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) with a retreat in Goa, the Indian Government marked this honour with a special logo cover and commemorative stamps, depicting a 19th-century Goan couple. This emphasised a cultural view of Goa, instead of the popular touristic one.
1983 CHOGM Cover
Beyond diplomatic gatherings lies a Goa rooted in centuries of sacred memory. On the occasion of the Pope’s visit, the release of the Mahadeva Temple cover spotlighted the Shaivite temple of the Kadamba period.
Mahadeva Temple Cover
From moments of faith, Goa’s postal journey crossed bridges that physically and symbolically connected Goa, with the cover release on the Conde de Linhares Bridge. Built in 1633-34 under the direction of the then Viceroy of Portuguese India, Miguel de Noronha, 4th Count of Linhares, the causeway runs along the flood plains of the Mandovi, connecting Ribandar to Panaji. With tide control ducts, it was said to have been the longest in the world at the time of completion.
1995 Conde de Linhares Cover
Journeying across land and river, Goa’s postage next turns to the seas in 2015 by marking the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Golden Jubilee. Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Dona Paula, the NIO was instituted with the aim of undertaking oceanographic scientific research. A commemorative cover was released to celebrate its Golden Jubilee.
2015 NIO Golden Jubilee Cover
From the vast oceanic depths, we resurface to the shores of Panjim for the 2018 release of the cover by the City Corporation of Panjim. In March 1843, ‘Nova Goa’ was raised to the category of a city with status equaling its counterparts in Portugal. To celebrate 175 years of this elevated status, a special cover was released in 2018.
2018 City Corporation of Panjim Celebration Cover
Finally, beyond the city gates we meet the sentinels that have watched over Goa for centuries. A2019 cover on the Forts of Goa portrays our unique architectural heritage through the Alorna, Aguada, Santa Estevem and Corjuem Forts.
2019 Forts of Goa Cover
When asked which Goan icons still await philatelic recognition, Dr.Ramesh Kumar pointed to beloved Konkani poet Manohar Rai Sardesai and eminent freedom fighter Dr. Juliao Menezes. Until then, Dr.Ramesh Kumar, with his compact archive, continues cataloguing Goa's history devotedly for our future generations.
