Bidar: The Indian Air Force's Suryakiran aerobatics team will be immortalised in a special postal cover to be released in Bidar on Friday.

The team, which has won many international and national awards, is based in Bidar. That is why we want to put it on the special first-day cover to mark the inauguration of Bidarpex-2005, the first-ever divisional-level philately exhibition in the district, Director of Postal Services (North Karnataka) Charles Lobo said on Thursday.

Two other special covers will feature art and culture of the land.

They will carry images of socio-religious reformers Basaveshwara, Guru Nanak and Manik Prabhu. They will also have illustrations of the world famous Bidri art and the ancient stone temple of Jalasangi. They will be exhibited and sold at the exhibition. These collectors' items will be published in a limited edition, Mr. Lobo said.

Over 200 exhibitors are expected to take part in the three-day exhibition. Stamps on at least 20 topics will be exhibited. They include animals, birds, flowers, fishes, national leaders, film actors, dancers, singers, agriculture, transport, sports, Olympics, science and technology, solar power, communications, and railways. A special section will feature stamps from the Nizam's period. Senior philatelists such as Sanguram and Varaprasad will display their invaluable collections in the non-competitive section. Competitions will be held in three categories — junior, senior and student. Four prizes will be given in each section.

Air Force Station Air Officer Commanding J.S. Dhillon will inaugurate the event on Friday. Postmaster General (North Karnataka) H.K. Sharma, national award winning Bidri artist S.R.A. Quadri, zilla panchayat Chief Executive Officer Antony Mendonca and Mr. Lobo will be present.

Superintendent of Posts D. Kalyan Rao, Veterinary University Registrar Suresh Honnappagol and senior philatelist B.R. Konda will be present during the valedictory on Sunday.

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