Patil opens World Philatelic Exhibition in Delhi

New Delhi, Feb.12 (ANI): The President, Pratibha Devisingh Patil, on Saturday, opened the India Post organized INDIPEX 2011,a World Philatelic Exhibition at Pragati Maidan here.

The week-long event will be from February 12 to February 18.

The exhibition has been organized in collaboration with the Philatelic Congress of India under the auspices of the Federation Internationale de Philatelie and the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately.

India first held such an exhibition in 1954 and the last one in 1997.

This is the sixth time that such an exhibition is being held in India.

The aim of the exhibition is to promote philately and provide a forum for interaction between philatelic stakeholder's viz. 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.

Among the rare stamps on display will be the most expensive Indian stamp, the "Inverted Head Four Annas" issued in 1854.The other attractions in the Court of Honour and in the Invitee class are as follows:

The Court of Honour

1. Dr. Mrs. Sita Bhateja, India - Indian Classics

2. Mr. Pradip Jain, India- Indian Air Mails (Development and Operations)

3. Mrs. Damyanti M. Pittie, India - Handstruck Postage Stamps of ritish India

4. Mr. Ajeet Raj Singhee, India - Indian Feudatory States ostal Stationery

5. Mr. David Feldman S. A, Switzerland - Gems of Philately

6. Dr. Hugo Goeggel, Colombia - Colombian Air Mail

7. Mr. Tay Peng Hian, Singapore - The 1864 First stamp of etherlands East Indies.

8. Mr. Surajit Gongvatana, Thailand - British Post Office in angkok.

9. Mr. Vojtech Jankovic, Slovak Republic - My Life As A Bicycle

10. Mr. Hasse Brockenhuus von Lowenhielm, Sweden - Jaipur State

The Khadi Stamp

Many countries have experimented with alternate materials like silk etc. for printing postage stamps. India Post, however, has only printed stamps on paper, including 3 sets of scented stamps. But for the first time, a special stamp printed on Khadi will be releaed by the President of India while inaugurating INDIPEX 2011. The Khadi stamp will be on Mahatma Gandhi.

The Khadi stamp will be a premium limited edition in a miniature sheet format in a special collector's pack and will be available priced at Rs.250 during the exhibition. One can also book the Khadi stamp online by visiting the INDIPEX 2011 website at www.indipex2011.com. A maximum of 10 stamps can be ordered by a single person.

100 years of Airmail

On 18th February 1911, a French Pilot, Henri Pequet flew a small Sommer biplane carrying 6,500 letters from Allahabad to Naini. The Journey was brief and lasted just thirteen minutes. This was the world's first official airmail flight. Among the letters of many eminent people there was one from Pt. Motilal Nehru to his son Jawaharlal Nehru.

INDIPEX 2011 marks the centenary of the world's first airmail flight. To commemorate the occasion, India Post will issue a set of stamps on 12th February 2011. The Indian Airforce will operate a special flight on 12th February 2011 between Allahabad and Naini and carry First Day Covers with the commemorative stamps and a special postmark recording re-enactment of this historic flight. These stamps and covers with the special postmark will be much sought after by collectors and will be available at the exhibition.

My Stamp

One of the most exciting things on offer at INDIPEX 2011 will be the "My Stamp". This customised and personalized stamp is being introduced by India Post for the first time. One can have photographs of oneself on a stamp sheet or can be preserved as a unique philatelic memento. These stamps can also be used on letters or sent out as greetings on special occasions. A choice of stamp sheet on sun signs, aircrafts, train engines, wildlife, Taj Mahal and Panchtantra will be available for customization. Each stamp sheet will cost Rs.150.

Other Attractions

Stamps

India Post will release a set of stamps on six legendary actresses of Indian cinema, namely, Meena Kumari, Nutan, Kanan Devi, Devika Rani, Leela Naidu and Savitri on 13th February 2011. India Post has earlier released stamps honouring actors like Madhubala, Nargis, Guru Dutt, 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.

Young India

With a view to create awareness and interest about stamps among the youngsters of India, India Post had organized letter writing, stamp designing and quiz contest for school children from across the country from December, 2010 onwards.

The letters and stamp designs of state and national level winners will be on display at the exhibition. The best designs will also feature on actual stamps to be released on Children's Day.

The national level quiz will be held at the exhibition venue this afternoon when all the national awards for the children will also be handed out. (ANI)