IMPRESSIVE COLLECTION: Children looking at the stamps on display at a philately exhibition that began in Bijapur on Sunday.

BIJAPUR: L.K. Das, Senior Superintendent of Post, Dharwad Division, said here on Sunday that the department had recommended to the central office to bring out stamps on the Gol Gumbaz and the Ibrahim Rouza, monuments from the Adil Shahi era in Bijapur. He was speaking at the inaugural function of "Bijapurpex-2006", a three-day philately exhibition that began here on Sunday. While responding to the suggestion made by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin in this regard, Mr. Das said a proposal to bring out stamps on these monuments was pending with the central office, and the issue would be followed up.

Mr. Mohsin lauded the credibility of the postal department and service rendered by it for decades. He released a special envelope with a picture of Ibrahim Rouza on its cover. Chief Executive Officer of Zillla Panchayat Rajeev Ranjan, who presided over the meeting, said a stamp depicting the Gol Gumbaz was released in 1952.

He said collecting stamps was one of the best hobbies a child could have. However, the habit of writing letters had been on the decline with the advent of e-mails. However, written letters always had its significance.

H.B. Hirevenkanagoudar, Superintendent of Post, Bijapur, welcomed the guests.

This is the first philately exhibition to be held in Bijapur. Stamp lovers thronged the KEB Samudaya Bhavan, the venue of the exhibition. According to Shyamsundar Ekbote, Manager (Philately Development), Office of Postmaster General, Dharwad and coordinator of the event, there were around 10,000 stamps and covers, from India and abroad, on display, some of which were more than 70 years old. He told The Hindu that there were 100 frames for displaying the stamps, of which 20 were earmarked to display collections of invitees. Most of them were professionals and awardees at State and national-level competitions.

Their collections were displayed to educate other stamp collectors, particularly young ones.

The remaining 80 frames were under the competition category. In this, three groups-junior, senior and schools-had been made. At the end of the exhibition, he said, the three best collections would be given prizes in each group.

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