Mangalore: Daniel Monteiro's Philately Expo on 'Waterfowls' Opens

Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Jan 25: A philately exhibition on 'Waterfowls' by Daniel Monteiro was inaugurated at Orchid Art Gallery here on Friday January 25.

Justice Michael F Saldanha, retired judge of the high court inaugurated the exhibition.

Daniel Monteiro's attempt here was to highlight the ecological importance of the waterfowls to mankind, their distribution throughout the world, their lifestyle, how they raise a family and their migratory habits.

The exhibition on a whole comes with scholarly explanation on the birds giving scientific details on each. Daniel is a member of Bombay Natural History Society and Bangalore Bird Watchers Club and other philatelic associations in India. He has displayed his stamps in 164 exhibitions and more than 31 workshops.

Speaking to Daijiworld, 51-year-old Daniel said that he has been collecting stamps from the age of 11. His collection ranges from the ‘Mute Swan’ dating back to 1854, which was the first bird stamp in the world, till the ones issued in 2011. He also owns the first diamond stamp instituted with Swarovski crystals of ‘Mute Swan’, issued by Austria.

Out of the total 9,800 varieties of birds in the world, Daniel has stamps featuring 8,500 birds. Among them, 2,000 stamps are of water birds, including 1,200 of ducks.

Daniel's name is also in Guiness Book of Records for the largest collection of stamps featuring birds in 2011, where he had 4,911 stamps of 263 countries. Daniel also holds three Limca records in 2011 for collection of duck stamps, largest collection of bird stamps and for largest one-man exhibition. On the whole, Daniel has 10 international and 21 national awards.

When asked how he amassed such a huge collection of stamps, he replied, "I purchased it from post offices of other countries, through stamp dealers and through exchange with some people."

After inaugurating the exhibition, Justice Saldanha in his address lauded Daniel for his immense achievements and for earning laurels nationally and internationally. "Mangalorean community has produced several achievers and Daniel is one among them," he said, urging people to support such talents.

He also lauded Orchid Art Gallery for providing platform to artists and other achievers.

On the occasion, Orchid Art Gallery honored Daniel Monteiro for his achievements. Justice Saldanha did the honours.

The programme was compered by William Pais of Orchid Art Gallery.

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