In possession of stamps and coins of more than a hundred countries, Ramesh Kumar Agrawal, a native of Bhawanipatna, wants to break the Guinness Book of World Records.
In November 2019, Ramesh received the award from the Bravo International Books of World Records for collecting stamps of 130 countries, coins of 120 countries, 90 set of commemorative coins, 480 First Day Cover and 200 Meghdoot Postcard.
Born in 1968, Ramesh was inspired by her mother when his family went to Nepal in 1980. “I was just 12 when my family visited Nepal. My mother collected some coins there and asked me to keep them safe. Then my passion began,” said Ramesh.
Coins of Asian, European and middle-east countries are available with him. He has a Nazrana coin of 1221.
He collected coins of Oman, Bhutan, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, America, Nepal, UAE, Australia, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Denmark, Canada, Korea, Denmark, Indonesia, Italy, South Africa, Bahrain, Hong Kong and many more.
Being a member of the Lions club of Bhawanipatna, he remains connected with the people across the country who help him in collection of foreign coins.
Besides, he had requested the peons of the banks who used to destroy the unused post cards and inland letters just back side of the banks.
Ramesh owns a medicine shop here. Ramesh has already spent Rs 7 lakh towards collecting coins and stamps.
He has a Postcard of 1832. He wants to make a museum of coins, stamps and postcards in Kalahandi so that children would be inspired for it. “If Government focuses on it, a museum can be built for schoolchildren and others,” said Ramesh.