Ducks get him entry in record book

Being an ardent stamp collector since 40 years Monteiro has more than 5,000 stamps only on birds of which 1,000 are on waterfowls alone.

His unique waterfowl collections from more than 126 countries has landed him in the ‘Limca Book of World Records’ this year and he is hoping to etch his name in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Monteiro reveals that his interest in philately began when he was in V standard.

“We had to exhibit our collections, as one of our class assignment. I was always weak when it came to studies and for the first time in my life the class applauded when they saw the collection of my stamps. From then on, there was no looking back,” says Monteiro.

He adds that when he was in VII standard his collection was rejected at a stamp expo as he had pasted the stamps in a book and not exhibited them appropriately.

“I was unaware of the procedures of exhibiting stamps. Vital Das Shanbaugh, who was then the President of Udupi Philately Club taught me the procedure and told I had to write a footnote about each collection,” says Monterio and adds that he  later joined philately clubs at Mangalore, Udupi, Bangalore, Pune and came to know that the collection holds more weightage if one categorises it in special genres.

Hailing from a village where there are plenty of migratory birds, I started my collection on birds. Today, I am very familiar with different bird species and often have been called as guest speaker to talk on birds.

“I have exhibited my collection according to the evolution, palaeontology, adaptations, migration, engendered species, economic importance and several other topics. I have more than 100 informatory books on birds,” says Monteiro.

Apart from Limca fame, he has won several medals from international philately platforms from countries such as Hong Kong, South Korea, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Austria, Belgium and Singapore.

Presently employed as a clerk at St Mary’s Syrian College (Bramhavar), Monteiro says that he was just a simpleton and has received international fame only because of his hobby.

However, with technologies like mobile and email, very few in the present generation indulge in hobbies like stamp collection, he regrets.