Shouldering history: Vizianagaram entrepreneur collects ‘patches of pride’
Kapuganti Ravi, an entrepreneur from Vizianagaram, has built a collection of 480 police and security force arm patches from around the world. He views these patches as symbols of history, community, and regional pride.
Why it matters
It highlights a unique hobby that bridges international cultural exchange and appreciation for public service institutions.
Kapuganti Ravi has an unusual hobby for a business owner—collecting police arm patches from across the globe. The former Vizianagaram Rotary Club president has an extensive collection of 480 specialised patches spanning police forces, fire safety units, and security organisations from India and abroad.
Mr. Ravi, 58, has received many national and State awards for collecting rare currency notes, stamps, phone cards, among others since 1979. He has proved that age is not a barrier to pursuing hobbies.
Mr. Ravi got the idea of collecting police patches during COVID-19 pandemic when he had ample time due to restrictions imposed on the movement of people. He started collecting them through his pen friends in the U.S.A., Canada, Britain, Italy, France, Germany and other countries.
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