KOCHI: As he was an epileptic patient, Arvind Kumar Pai was a loner during his school days and collecting stamps, which was his only hobby, kept him busy and happy.
The collections got larger as he grew older. And a few days ago, the simple hobby which he began to keep himself happy while recuperating from his illness got him a place in the Asia Book of Records.
The recognition comes in light of his Gandhi stamps, which is being toted as the largest one in Asia.
He was also recognised by India Book of Records for this staggering collection. He posses more than 7,500 stamps on Gandhi, dating from 1948 to 2013.
“I am extremely happy,” said Arvind. “It was a hobby that I began to overcome my loneliness. Later, I discovered that stamps are not just pieces of papers. Philately nourished the curiosity in me. It opened a window that gave me wide knowledge about a variety of topics,” he said.
Interestingly, this Asia records winner is not a member in any philatelic societies.
He has already held two stamp exhibitions- one at Thiruvananthapuram and another at his hometown Cherthala.
His seizures stopped when he turned 14 and he now works at a corporate office in Thiruvananthapuram. He studied history at Kerala University and was also a rank holder there.
“My dad, Muraleedhara Babu, died in 2012 due to cancer. I dedicate this honour to him, my mom Renjitha Bai, my wife Jyothy Lekshmy and my sister Sreelekshmi M Pai,” said Arvind.