A Former brilliant student of I.I.T. Madras, Author, Vice president of the South India Philatelic Association, Former Member of the Philatelists' Advisory Committee [in Charge of Approving Postage Stamps to be issued], Dept of Communication, Govt of India, [2009--2015] and Former Chief Engineer of Highways Dept, Govt of Tamil Nadu, Mr.J. Rolands Nelson , B.E,, M.Tech[ I.I.T, Madras,], ..Part Final

Mr. J. Rolands Nelson's Professional Track         : After having passed his M.Tech[ I.I.T, Madras] as a Topper, Mr Rolands Nelson joined the Department of High Ways Govt of Tamil Nadu as an Assistant Engineer in the year 1970 and worked in Chennai , Rameshwaram, and at Highways Research Station, Chennai with great efficacy and in 1979 he was promoted as Assistant Divisional Engineer and he worked at the Research Station as Soils and Foundation Engineer with creative distinction . In the year 1981 his application for Leave was sanctioned by the TN Govt and he went to Saudi Arabia and worked as Construction Engineer in M/S Johnson and Brothers company in Riyadh and Beeiah Consulting Engineers , Riyadh and returned to India in 1986. .In 1986 he rejoined in the Department of Highways , Tamil Nadu Govt and worked as A.D.E. at Tindivanam, Villupuram district.. During the years 1990- 1996 he worked as Assistant Divisional Engineer at various offices in Chennai. with great innovative devotion. In 1996 he was promoted as Divisional Engineer and worked at various Divisions at Arakonam, Thirucvallur, and Chengalpet,  constructing Roads and Bridges and Rail over Bridges. . In the year 2001 he was promoted as Superintending Engineer and looked after the maintenance of all Roads in 5 Districts namely Chennai, Chengalpet, Turuvallur , Vellore and Tiruvannamalai.. In 2002 Mr Rolands Nelson was promoted as Chief Engineer and worked in Chennai with great innovative devotion and distinction and retired on 31 august 2003. After his Retirement he worked as a Consultant  for propagating Modified Bifemen  for Ooms Polymer Pvt Ltd, Holland  for nearly three years [2003--2006] ... After superannuation.retirement The Tamil Nadu Government appointed him as Consultant [ Full Time] for Tamil Nadu Road Development Company in  Chennai in Charge of Chennai Ennore Manali Roads Improvement Project [Rs 600 crores Project].and he discharged his official duties with enviable efficacy and integrity.. 

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                                        Mr. Rolands Nelson , B.E, M.Tech,[I.I.T,  Madras]

Mr Rolands Nelson as a Philatelist     : Since his School days at Pasumalai ,Mr Rolands Nelson has been collecting Postal Stamps but   a gift Packet of Stamps presented to him by his Uncle Mr . Moses , [ Father of Dr. Christopher Nesamony, Nagercoil ] inspired and galvanised him to become a devoted Philatelist . He started to collect various kinds of Postal Stamps with great interest and  within a short span of time he became a great Philatelist. He regularly  participated in the State and National level Philatelic  Competitive Exhibitions with Exhibits on Bridges, Gandhi, Christmas, Olympics, Columbus .Performed First day Covers of India [1947--1975], Madras Postal history,  country collections  of India , Russia, Japan and Papua and New Guinea, 

His Memberships           :Mr Rolands Nelson is a member of the following important Philatelic Associations and Bodies  namely ;-[1] He is a Life Member of Philatelic Congress of India , [2] he is a Life member of Karnataka Philatelic Society and [3] is a Life Member of South India Philatelists Association and[4] currently Mr. Rolands nelson  is the Vice President of South India Philatelists' Association [ S.I.P.A ]from 2018  after having served SIPA as its Secretary during 2010--2018.

Mr Rolands Nelsons' Achievements : Mr Rolands Nelson  had the privilege to serve as Member of the Philatelic Advisory Committee [2009- 2015],[ in Charge of approving Postage Stamps to be issued], Dept of Communications , Govt of India , [2 He served as the Principal Jury at Competitive Exhibitions held at Coimbatore , Thanjavur, Trichy and Cuddlore during 2010- 2023.

His Career as an Author and Editor      : Mr Rolands Nelson had the privilege to serve as the Editor of the SIPA Bulletin from 2000-2018. He had authored a  Book [ 48 pages] in coloured art paper , titled ," Stamp Collecting for Beginners" to inculcate awareness of the hobby of Stamp collecting among School students.  He has authored an iconic Book [ 280 pages] , Library edition, in colour and in art  Paper, titled, " Princely States of India- A Philatelic Review  " about the stamps and postal stationary of erstwhile forty three princely States of India during the period 1870- 1950 . These 43 states were the only princely states who had their own postal service within their state  among around 800 princely states. . This masterpiece of Mr. Rolands Nelson  was released in April 2023 at the event conducted in the Anna Centenary Library , Kotturpuram, and the function was well attended by many Philatelists and  stamp Enthusiasts  . According to Mr Rolands Nelson , "Stamps are the windows to the world" . This book narrates the evolution and history of Stamps in India's princely states . Postal Stamps were brought to the Indian subcontinent by the British. and they were the first to  print Postal Stamps .Definitely this Book is one of the best Book written about the history of  Postal Stamps in India's Princely States. . 

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Conclusion   ;  Mr. Rolands Nelson is a really one of the great Philatelists of India today, and he has collected nearly a Lakh Postal Stamps . His Postal Stamp Collection covers various subjects, places, periods and persons and he exhibits his Postal Stamps in the national and state level Stamp exhibitions. This year also he  participated in the National Philatelic Exhibition held at New Delhi and exhibited his wonderful and rare collection of Stamps in the exhibition and Mr Rolands Nelson was awarded , SILVER medal in the Exhibit Class: Literature Class, Title : Princely States of India - A Philatelic Overview.  Mr Rolands Nelson is not only a great lover of Postal Stamps but also  an ardent Student of  the History of the Postal Stamps and he  wants to inculcate Philately in the minds of his countrymen and particularly young students. Currently he lives in Chennai . He is a great, creative and innovative Civil Engineer , The roads constructed under his supervision and the Bridges built under his plan and guidance play an important and commanding  role in the economic development of our State and nation.  He is an Intellectual and a great student of  the History of Postal Stamps.He is a relentless Hard Worker , Able Administrator, Unassuming, God fearing and a creative Thinker. . It is not possible to accommodate all the aspects and chapters of his prolific life within in the space of this Article.. I end this Article with a single sentence, ' Dear Mr. Rolands Nelson, not only  kanyakumari district is proud of you but the whole nation is  proud of you and we thank God for your meaningful life " 

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By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A, ,.[ All rights are reserved . This Article will be enlarged, modified, or corrected later if needed ]. 

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