One may ask, in the days of WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, email and other forms of speed-of-light communications, where does a humble ages-old postcard exist? To learn about it and believe your eyes, a visit to your nearest general post office is quite sufficient whenever there is a new release of a stamp, a postcard, a special cover or special postal cancellation on the occasion of commemorative events. It’s simply a celebration on such occasions. The slow-moving communication, which our parents and their parents and others used for communication to convey all important messages to near and dear ones may have become a thing of the past, but the Postal Department with able support of a band of philatelists are keeping the relics of communication alive with a new found enthusiasm.
It was evident on the occasion of World Postcard Day on October 1 that was held at General Post Office at Panjim. Post Master General Mariamma Thomas released a Special Postcard on Kunbi Sari and a Special Commemorative Cancellation to mark the day. She also inaugurated in the former PMG’s office heritage building, a dedicated philatelic bureau in the presence of Dr Bernard Rodrigues, president, Goa Philatelic and Numismatic Society, EngPantaleaoFernandes, Sanjay Walvekar, Senior Superintendent of Post, G N Rane, Senior Postmaster, Roland de Melo, secretary, GPNS, philatelists and postal staffs. The premises is slated to house a postal museum shortly.
Mariamma Thomas said, “I am very happy to see this heritage building is put to good use and hoping to set up a philatelic museum. This is a very prime location and we need to make optimum use of this building and also create a new tourist spot.” Highlighting the importance of postal services, she said, “In the past newspapers would carry on the front page about the new releases by postal department.”
Mentioning about Swachch Bharat Mission on this important postal day, Mariammanoted, “Mahatma Gandhi was an epiphany of simplicity. We don’t need too many things to live a simple life. There is beauty even in the simple postcard.” She complimented fashion designer late WendelRodricks for taking Kunbi Sari to the world level. Mariammaemphasised that postal department must have everything such that tourists visiting Goa must take some time to post a postcard as a remembrance. Complimenting the philatelist for their enthusiasm, she hoped philately grow in Goa.
Stating about the brief history of a humble postcard that took birth in Austria in the mid-19th century and it’s present status, Dr Bernard said, “In the times of WhatsApp, email and other forms of fast communications there is thought that postcard is outdated.However, the truth is almost 100 crores of postcards are sold every year as per the data available. The postcard is more elegant than a letter, which is a cheap mode of communication. A 50 paisa postcard can include anything from a simple message, picture or a painting. There is little chance of it being lost in transit.”
He thanked the postal authorities for their initiative in releasing of number of new commemorative items, philatelic passports and also highlighting Geographical Information tag in the last few years. “With the exposition of relics of St Francis Xavier in 2024 and also GOAPEX 2024, it is important to speed up the setting up of the museum,” Dr Bernard exhorted.
Ravish Bhateja from New Delhi, a new entrant into the world of philately who was on a short holiday to Goa made the best use of this opportunity to attend the function. Ravish opined, “Philately unites diversities across the world and maintains the traditional legacy of writing letters. Today’s programme was a benchmark, wherein like-minded people got together and had a healthy share of views, thoughts and opinions. The choice of value and dedication reflected intense passion with untiring persistence.”
As the day coincided with cleanliness initiative by the government and birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October2, Mariammainaugurated a special exhibition, ‘Mahatma Gandhi-A Philately Tribute’ consisting of various stamps, postcards, special covers and cancellations commemorating the life of Mahatma from the personal collection of philatelist, Dr Ramesh Kumar.
“Exhibit includes important events in Gandhiji’s life such as Satyagraha, Dandi March, his slogans, bhajans and also stationery on Gandhi, who made maximum use of postcards for communications. In fact, on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary, the Department of Post released several circular postal stamps which I have put on display that will remain open to the public for a week,” Dr Ramesh Kumar informed.
Newly released postcard carries a photograph contributed by PantaleaoFernandes, a well-known chronicler of traditional occupations. A presentation pack on ‘Aura of Aurora-The Antarctic Perspective’ containing six cancelled picture postcards with augmented reality of Indian expedition to Maitri Station were also available for philately collectors.