SHILLONG: The department of posts, Shillong GPO, will form a club to bring together all philatelists, following which they will visit schools to raise awareness on philately, Senior Post Master, Shillong GPO, Kerlinmon Kharshandi, has informed.
As part of the National Postal Week held at GPO, Philately Day was observed by Shillong GPO on Tuesday where young and old philatelists were present on the occasion.
Among the philatelists was Commissioner and Secretary in the government of Meghalaya, Aldous Mawlong, who told The Shillong Times that he developed the hobby since class VIII and henceforth, his collection of stamps has grown.
“So many subjects can be incorporated and I feel that now the youths have lost their interest in such a hobby, which is not only interesting but also educational. I did not collect as much as before, it is still there. I have albums,” he said, adding that he would like to display his collection in the forum joined by other philatelists.
Observing that the youth should open their eyes to this hobby of stamp collection, Mawlong emphasised that parents should be sensitised and the department should also inculcate interest among people.
Retd. Postmaster General, Mildred Iawphniaw, has had the love for philately ever since she was a child and with the passage of time, it grew, especially after she joined the department of Posts.
“I used it as a means or tool to inculcate the value of respecting other’s religion, cultures and loving everything that is of India and the world. I love everything about the forest and would not even kill a caterpillar because of my love for nature; it is an educative system and teaches young people to value things,” she said
“At this age, my mind is still fresh, my emotions are like a child I feel like I am becoming younger and not older. This is what philately has done for me,” she added.
She said her stamp collections have become like her family property.