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| Welcome |
Duration: From 11th to 15th February 2023 (5 days)
Venue: Hall number 05, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India
Covered area: 100,000 Square feet (approx.)
Number of frames for display of philatelic exhibits = 1400
Number of exhibits = 20,000+
Number of philatelic exhibitors = 500
Number of categories = 13 (competitive) + Invitee class
Number of themes = 5
Number of visitors = 25,000+
Number of schools wherefrom students visited = 125 (National Capital Region Delhi) & others schools
Organizer: Department of Post, Ministry of Communication, Government of India
Partner Ministry: Ministry of Culture, Government of India
Collaborated by: Philatelic Congress of India
Estimated (unconfirmed) cost = INR 20 crore (USD 0.24 million)
Highest ever for any national philatelic exhibition.
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| The venue |
The above numbers speak for themselves about the grandeurs and the mega scale in which the philatelic exhibition was recently conducted by India Post. The exhibition showcased the cultural heritage, historical significance, natural beauties, diversity, etc., though a single window and all under one extra-large roof. It is simply impossible to describe the mega event with the limited vocabulary of the author. This was also termed as Maha Kumbh of Philately.
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| The entry gate |
Kumbh Mela is a religious festival cum pilgrimage for the Hindus associated with the purification of souls by bathing in holy rivers during auspicious time. The frequency of the celebration is every 12 years. It is celebrated in mega scale and hence termed as Maha (great) Kumbh. When any event is celebrated in larger-than-life scale it is compared as Maha Kumbh.
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| Post offices with architectural beauties |
India got independence from British rule on 15 August 1947. On 15 August 2023, it will be clocking 75 years of independence. A nationwide celebration, titled 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' (Great celebration of Independence) was commenced on 12 March 2021. It was a countdown of 75 weeks to touch the milestone of 75th anniversary of independence of India. There are five themes of this celebration:
1. Freedom struggle
2. Ideas@75
3. Resolve@75
4. Actions@75
5. Achievements@75
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| Point for selfie |
Philatelic objects of above themes were displayed in Amritpex. The section dedicated to the five exclusive themes of Azadi Ki Amrit Mahotsav witnessed massive response from enthusiastic philatelists. There were more than 200 frames, in this segment alone.
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| The free entry ticket |
In the past, to commemorate 50 years of independence of India, Indepex-97 was held in the year 1997 in New Delhi. The last World Philatelic Exhibition, called Indipex 2011 was held during 12-18 February 2011 at Pragati Maidan (Hall no. 8-11), New Delhi.
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| The mascot |
Amritpex’2023 was inaugurated by Ashwini Vaishnaw, the hon’ble Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology and Railways, Government of India. The national exhibition was a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. Hon’ble Minister released a commemorative postage stamp on Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. During the exhibition, on 14 February 2023, five Special Covers were issued, one each on Birsa Munda, Govind Guru, Puppetry, International Year of Millet and Freedom Struggle of India. It will not be out of point to mention that puppet show was organized at the venue for the visitors, and children in particular.
During the event, 12 postage stamps on the theme of 'Geographical Indications: Agricultural Goods' were issued. There was a mini sheet also with such 12 stamps. 'Bridal Costumes of India' was the theme for the release of another set of commemorative stamps. On the theme, 8 Different stamps were released. There were two mini sheets too, each having four stamps of bridal costume. 'Flavors of Delhi' was the theme for a set of picture postcards released during the event.
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| G20 Pavallion |
The exhibition was a perfect blend of philately, cultural diversity and soft diplomacy. There was a pavilion, within the display area, which highlighted the Presidency of India in global G20 forum. With semi-circular display pattern and flags of 20 G20 countries, it was a popular selfie point for youngsters as well as seniors.
G20 is an international grouping of countries, founded in 1999, comprising of 19 countries plus European Union. Besides member countries, there are nine guest countries and a few invited international organizations. Together they represent about 85% of global GDP, over 75% of global trade and about 67% of world population. India has taken over the presidency of this august body from Indonesia. The tenure of this responsibility will be for one year (01 December 2022 to 30 November 2023). After that, on 01 December 2023, the presidency of G20 will be handed over by India to Brazil.
Numerous workshops, seminars, panel discussions with moderators were organized there to make the event informative and memorable. A panel discussion titled 'Postal Services: A tool for global socio-economic development and connect' witnessed participation of policy makers, across the globe. Those who were physically present in the panel discussion were -
• Jean-Paul Forceville, Director European and International Relations, La Poste, France
• Dr. Vinaya Prakash Singh, Secretary General, Asia Pacific Postal Union
• Vineet Pandey, Secretary, Department of Posts
• Muktesh K. Pardeshi, OSD (G20 Operations), Ministry of External Affairs etc.
A few countries which could not attend physically, contributed virtually. Canada Post, Post Fiji, USPS, UPU etc., were represented through digital mode. The scope of cooperation and mutual support in the areas of postal services were discussed. Emerged points would be further strengthened through UPU and G20 routes.
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| Riding a time machine |
Riding time machine reached 1729 when Anchal Post was introduced in the Kingdom of Travancore and Cochin, South India. One cannot missed their 'Shanka' (Conch shell) emblem on the hexagonal pillar letter postbox. Post independence, Anchal Post was merged with Post & Telegraph Department on 01 April 1951.
The show-stopper of the exhibits was the Championship class. A few other classes (alphabetic order) of exhibitors were:
1. Aero-philately
2. Astro-philately
3. Literature
4. Maximaphilly
5. Modern Philately
6. Open philately
7. Postal history
8. Postal stationary
9. Revenues
10. Thematic
11. Traditional philately
There were exhibits exclusively for First Day Covers, Special Covers, single frame exhibits, thematic, etc. Themes of the exhibits were as wide and as wild as they could be. Some of the exhibits which drew attentions from the visitors were:
1) Indian Crash Air Mails 1919 To 1990
2) Study of Service Stamps of Cochin
3) Refugee Relief Taxes
4) Postal stationeries of Portuguese India, British India, Gwalior State, Post-independence India etc.
Besides, there were hundreds of popular as well as unconventional themes. It will not be out of point to mention that Piyush Khaitan won the ‘Champion of Champions’ award for his extraordinary collection of Indian Crash Air Mails.
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| Specially crafted zone for people with special needs |
One out of the box creation was setting up of Sensorial Zone. This section was exclusively designed for visually challenged visitors. With the help olfactory glands and touching sensation they could experience the stamps. There were perfumed stamps of India Post viz. Jasmine, Rose, Coffee etc., where these special visitors could smell those stamps kept on the stands. There was large replica of commemorative stamp of Louis Braille birth centenary (issued by India Post on 04 January 2009). Besides there were braille inscriptions about the stamps so that the visitors could read.
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| Torch bearers of future |
School children participated in droves. In the exhibition there were Youth class for students (10-15, 16-18, and 19-21 years). Students participated even under School Collection category. For school children there were galore of activities.
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| Hopping for hobby |
One of them was workshop of stamp designing. It is indeed a challenge to tell a story in a canvas of size 20 mm X 25 mm. Yes, that is the average size of a postage stamp. Therefore, designing a postage stamp requires plenty of creativity and imagination.
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| Artist Shankha Samanta |
The soft spoken and low-profile illustrious artist Shri Shankha Samanta conducted the stamp design workshop for them. He is the person who has designed maximum number of postage stamps of the theme of Gandhi, issued by India Post. Besides he has designed several commemorative postage stamps of numerous themes for India Post. There was tremendous response from the participant budding stamp designers of the future. The stamp design contest was conducted by National Book Trust.
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| Stamp designers at work |
There were overwhelming responses by the kids and adults alike, for the Letter Writing Competition. A specially designed postcard, with Amritpex print, was made available to the letter writers. After writing the letters, participants dropped the postcards in a letter box, positioned there. For many it was a revival of old sweet memories of letter writing.
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| Seminar in progress |
In this era of internet and email, when sending letters by post is mostly limited to wedding invitations and a few others letters, organizing philatelic exhibition is a daring act. The philatelists gathered in the exhibition hall were mostly senior citizens. But if we go by the crowd at children area, we can conclude that philately is still alive and thriving. It is in safe hands. Seniors are ready to hand over the baton to upcoming generations.
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Webliography:
https://amritpex2023.in/
https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1899562
Disclaimer:
The noble objective of this blog, is to promote the hobby of philately through images of stamps, a few pictures and related narration. Some of the scans and pictures featured in this blogpost are mine while others (sourced from internet) are the properties of their respective owners. No intention to infringe any type of copyright.
The information provided in the article is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith. This is only for sharing of knowledge of philately with philatelist fraternity of the world. No commercial or political angle, whatsoever, is involved. Under no circumstances, I shall have any liability for reliance on any information provided in the story.
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