Head post office to be Goa’s first philatelic museum

PANAJI: With the department of posts getting its news premises at Patto, its Goa head office, housed in a heritage building in Panaji, is set to be converted into the state’s first philatelic museum.
The museum will have on display a range of stamps including those showcasing the 180-year-old history of Goa Posts. Some of these even date back to the Portuguese era.
“The structure requires internal repairs and maintenance. The premises was an office and now needs to be converted into a museum. Repairs will take a few months and the museum is slated to start by May or June,” N Vinodkumar, postmaster general at India Post, department of posts, Goa region said.
“Many philatelists from across the state have agreed to supply stamps from Goan Portuguese history. We intend to share the story of Goa’s postal history through the display of stamps,” he said.
Situated at a prime location, overlooking the Fontainhas heritage quarter on one side and the Mandovi on the other, the museum will be situated on the first floor of the building, while the ground floor will house the Goa philately bureau.
For this, he said, they will seek help from former NIO scientist and avid philatelist M R Ramesh Kumar who heads the philately society in Goa. Members of the society will be allowed to display stamps and coins from their collection from the Portuguese India era as well as themes like sons of the soil and culture and heritage of Goa.