Long before the age of mobiles and computers, there was a time when Goans longed for communication from their loved ones. They eagerly waited for the postman to pass their home in the hopes that he will carry the news of the well-being of their family members. With most Goan homes
having at least some members working abroad, the post was an essential service for the people.
Ramesh Patil, Director, Postal Service, Goa Region, Panjim informs, “Since 1854, the Indian Postal Department has been in the continuous service of the Indians and has been doing a very important job of conveying messages and communication from the position of the post office.
The Postal Week will be celebrated till October 11, in the Goa State, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Kolhapur and Sangli Postal Departments as well as the Rail Dak Seva Department which is functioning for separation of postal transport.”
In Goa, Panjim and Margao are main post offices while there are 102 sub post offices as well as 156 branch post offices functioning in the state. Sale of postal materials, postal delivery, banking facilities, insurance services etc takes place from these offices. A Passport Seva Kendra is functioning at Panaji Head Post Office and Sub Foreign Post Office is functioning through this office to provide prompt dispatch of overseas parcels along with customs clearance.
One of the most buzzing places is the Philately Bureau which is functioning from the Panaji Head Post Office. Philately exhibitions are organized many times through this bureau, new as well as very rare postage stamps and other postal materials are sold.
Dona Paula-based Dr MR Ramesh Kumar has been a member of the Goa Philatelic and Numismatic Society for many decades and he is very active in promoting philately among children. To celebrate World Post Day, he gave three talks in different institutes in Kerala on his holidays. “I gave a hattrick of philatelic talks and exhibition on World Postal Day on October 9. The talks were at Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, Poochatty, Thrissur, St Paul School, Kuriachira, Thrissur and Sacred Heart High School, Kandasankadavu, Thrissur, where I put a three frame philatelic exhibition on the theme ‘Scientists and Scientific Institutions in India through Philately’, and Philatelic Quiz too. I had an excellent interactive session with the students. Thanks to Saji C John, ASP, Department
of Posts, Thrissur Postal Division for all the help, support and logistics too,”
says Dr Ramesh.
Dr Ramesh has had a fantastic experience with the Goa Post as well as the staff at the Philatelic Bureau, Panjim. “They always have been very cooperative and when we used to have our Goa Philately and Numismatics Society monthly meeting at their premises, they used to get us the latest stamps, special covers, etc..They go out of the, way to help you. The Philatelic Bureau and its activities reached its zenith during the period of Dr Sudhir Jhakere, who was the SSPO of the Goa Postal Division. He brought laurels to the Department of Posts as well as revenue too. He brought out limited edition Picture Postcards on all the Goa Philately related themes, Philatelic Passport, Martyrs Memorial, Festivals of Goa, also Geographic Indicators Special covers on all the Goan natural products,” adds Dr Ramesh.
Kaushik Dessai is a young philatelist whose consistency in postcrossing made him one of the leading postcrosser in the state. His passion for stamp collection began as a hobby when he was a school student. “I am a member of Stamp Boards and I benefited from that by exchanging stamps. Stamps are a great teaching tool especially for someone interested in Geography. The stamps show you the country, currency and even the unique personality on the country. Stamps
builds curiosity,” says Kaushik, a resident from Fatorda.
Some of his wonderful experiences as a postcrosser was when two postcards lost their way and landed in Indonesia and then came to India. “The postcard had the miss sent stamp on the card. I also received coins and tea satchets,” shares Kaushik.
Colva-based Dr Bernard F Rodrigues is presently the President of GPNS and is a senior professor of botany and dean of the School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Goa University. Philately is his first love. He started collecting stamps since his college days and collects several themes. His collection of the Princely State of Jaipur dates back from 1904 to 1947 was awarded Gold medal with the Jury Award at GOAPEX in 2014. It also received Gold medal at MAHAPEX in 2016 held at Nashik. Besides, he has won several philatelic medals.
Dr Bernard says, “A causal glance through the collection especially after a hectic day at office relieves all the stress. Besides, it immensely improves general knowledge and makes one knowledgeable in subjects like history, geography, geology, zoology, botany, etc. Being a botanist, I love collecting stamps on plants especially medicinal and flowering plants. Only a genuine philatelist knows the importance and benefits of philately.” Unusual stamps of the world fascinates him.
On October 9, Department of Posts, India, Panaji, Panaji Sub Division, Alto-Porvorim, St Cruz, Miramar, St Inez of the Goa Division organised a Postathon Walk to promote the message of ‘Fit Post, Fit India’, on the occasion of World Post Day, starting from the Panaji Post Office.