Pics: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (WD/KR)
Karkala, Jan 19: It was a historic moment for St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur here on Thursday January 18 as it got postal stamp and a postal envelope dedicated to the minor basilica was released in a ceremony graced by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese, Shirthady Rajendra Kumar, IPOS, post master general, Dakshina Kannada region, Bengaluru, and Fr George D’Souza, rector of St Lawrence Minor Basilica.
Addressing the gathering, Shirthady Rajendra Kumar said, “Stamps are not only for postal use, they depict the tradition and heritage of a particular place. The envelope released today has the cancellation or the seal. We do not find such seals as normally only date and place name are mentioned. This seal with St Lawrence Basilica picture will be available permanently here after at Attur post office. It will be used on all the letters which are posted from the post office here. The envelopes are limited in number. Tourists visiting this place can buy picture post cards. We have 45 permanent pictorial cancellations in Karnataka, but as per my knowledge, this is the first pictorial cancellation of a church."
“I felt happy when there was a request to release these covers and pictorial cancellation. M K Krishnayya and Fr Valerian have put in a lot of effort to get these things done. It is my privilege to be a part of this programme. The postal department puts in lot of efforts to develop the heritage of places through such programs. There is need of encouragement from the general public for the same,” he added.
Curator of Corporation Bank’s heritage museum and also a stamp collector M K Krishnayya said, “I am collecting stamps and coins from the past 56 years. I used to visit St Lawrence Church, Attur before. I felt really peaceful visiting this place. I had even heard about this miraculous place from many people. Hence, I felt that a stamp should be dedicated to this historical place. There are 15 seals in Dakshina Kannada district and the one releasing today is the 16th seal. One can know the history of this place through the seal. I feel happy to say that this is the first time a seal has been released on a church. I am thankful to the postal department for approving my plea. My request to all people present here is to encourage children to learn more about this and to gain more knowledge on it.”
Addressing the gathering Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo said, “St Lawrence is known as ‘Man of Miracles’. The fact that this shrine was declared to be a Minor Basilica in just two months after request itself is a miracle. Today is indeed a holy day because Udupi is celebrating a historical paryaya festival and here we have witnessed history in this blessed place. St Lawrence is a very famous saint in Catholic Church. He had helped many poor and needy. This place provides peace and blessings to all. People from corners of the world visit this pilgrim centre and find peace. Keeping in mind, the historical details of the place, the postal department has introduced the special cover and stamp with St Lawrence’s picture. I am thankful and appreciate the work of the postal department. This will help the next generation to know the history and importance of this place.”
M K Krishnayya and Shirthady Rajendra Kumar and other dignitaries of the postal department were honoured.
Manjunath, senior post officer, Puttur, Bengaluru, Rajshekar Bhat, senior post officer, Udupi, Ananathram, assistant director of the office of post master general, Bengaluru, Prashanth Jathana, CDCR member, and Fr Valerian Mendonca, chancellor, diocese of Udupi were present on the occasion.
Fr George D’Souza welcomed the gathering. Fr Valerian Mendonca rendered the vote of thanks. Fr Denis D’Sa, PRO, diocese of Udupi, compered the programme.