The Hindu : New Delhi News : A spectacular World Philatelic Exhibition begins in Delhi today

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New Delhi

A spectacular World Philatelic Exhibition begins in Delhi today

Sandeep Joshi

Star attractions include release of a special khadi stamp on Mahatma Gandhi and a personalised ‘My Stamp'

NOW ON A STAMP: Meena Kumari

NEW DELHI: In what could be an ultimate treat for stamp-lovers or philately enthusiasts, the country will host a week-long exhibition in the Capital from this Saturday. Among the star attractions are release of a special khadi stamp and a personalised “My Stamp”, bearing a person's photo, both a first in the history of the Department of Posts (DoP), besides the most expensive Indian stamp — “Inverted Head Four Annas” — issued way back in 1854.

After 14 long years INDIPEX 2011: The World Philatelic Exhibition returns to the country, and DoP, also known as India Post, is leaving no stone unturned to make it a unique event not only for Indian but also foreign philatelists at Pragati Maidan, where the show will be opened by President Pratibha Patil.

Disclosing that the special khadi stamp will depict Mahatma Gandhi, Union Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot added: “Many countries have experimented with alternate materials like silk, etc., for printing postage stamps. India Post, however, has only printed stamps on paper, including three sets of scented stamps. But for the first time now a special stamp printed on khadi will be released by the President.”

Another unique feature of the event will be “My Stamp”. In this customised and personalised stamp any individual can have his photograph on a stamp sheet that can be preserved as a unique philatelic memento. These stamps can also be used on letters or sent out as greetings.

A choice of stamp sheets on sun signs, aircraft, rail engines, wildlife, the Taj Mahal and Panchtantra will be available for customisation. Each stamp sheet will cost Rs.150.

To make the event memorable, India Post will also release a set of stamps on six legendary actors — Meena Kumari, Nutan, Kanan Devi, Devika Rani, Leela Naidu and Savitri. The department has earlier released stamps honouring actors like Madhubala, Nargis, Guru Dutt and Raj Kapoor, singers like K.L. Saigal, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi, Hemant Kumar and Begum Akhtar, and directors like Dada Saheb Phalke, Satyajit Ray and Bimal Roy, to name a few.

“The aim of the exhibition is to promote philately and provide a forum for interaction between philatelic stakeholders like collectors, dealers, stamp designers and printers, and postal administrations. The exhibition will showcase some of the best collection of stamps, stationary and philatelic literature from all over the world in different categories. There are 595 collectors from 70 countries who will be participating in the exhibition, apart from 28 philatelic dealers and 31 postal administrations,” Mr. Pilot added.

The exhibition will largely focus on aero philately as India Post celebrates the centenary of the first air-mail flight which took place in the country on February 18, 1911. The ceremonial flight would take place on February 18, 2011, from Allahabad to Naini commemorating the centenary of the air-mail flight.

Being organised now under the auspices of Fédération Internationale de Philatélie and the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately in collaboration with the Philatelic Congress of India, the first such exhibition was organised in 1954 and the last one in 1997. This is the sixth time that such an exhibition is being held in India.

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