Udupi: Daniel Monteiro Sets Guinness Record in Philately

Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (PS)
 
Udupi, May 5: Daniel Monteiro, an office assistant in St Mary's Syrian College has etched his name in the Guinness Book of World Records for his collection of stamps based on birds.
 
Daniel, a resident of Kumragodu village in Brahmavara here, is the son of the late Peter Monetiro and Florine Monteiro. Daniel developed the habit of collecting stamps at 11 years of age (in 1973). When he was told by a teacher that everybody should inculcate a hobby, Daniel was attracted towards philately. Afterwards, he took interest in collecting stamps of birds.

The reason for selecting birds’ stamps has to do with his interest in environment. Daniel is a naturalist, deeply involved studying ornithology and bird watching. He has also participated in environment preservation campaigns.

He has been honoured with 10 international awards by Belgium, Austria, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Korea, Indonesia, China and the Indian governments. He has also bagged 21 national-level and 13 state-level awards. Also, 31 noted associations have honoured him. He has also won Akhila Bharata Sahitya Sammelan award, district Rajyothsava award, Vishveshwaraiah award, Ambedkar award and many more.

Daniel has already set his name in Limca Book of Records for his collection of stamps with pictures of ducks. He has set three records in India Book of Records and has also been an active member of national union of philatelists.
 
He has organized 162 exhibitions with regard to stamp collection and held 31 environmental preservation campaigns. Moreover, he has presented papers on stamp collection and birds in various national-level conferences.
 
In Daniel’s collection there are 4,911 birds’ stamps belonging to 263 nations. With this, he broke the record was of German Paul Irvin Oswald.