BIHAR STAMP EXPO 2012

 

BIHAR STAMP EXPO 2012 – Day 1

- Report by Pradeep Kumar Mallik, Patna

Bihar Stamp Expo 2012, State level Philatelic Exhibition, was inaugurated yesterday (10th February) by His Excellency the Governor of Bihar Shri Devanand Konwar. It is the 11^th Bihar State Philatelic Exhibition organized by Bihar Circle of India Post. Earlier editions of were named as BIPEX. The venue of this four days long event named as Bihar Stamp Expo 2012 is Wheeler Senate Hall of Patna University, Patna.

The Bihar Stamp Expo 2012 is being organized in a Grand way with the active participation of officials of India Post under the patronage of Smt. Kaveri Banerji, the Chief Post Master General, Bihar Circle and the co-operation of the eminent philatelists of the Bihar State particularly from Patna.

The inauguration ceremony was witnessed by about 1000 audience, including invitees, philatelist and more prominently the school children from the various schools of Patna.

Distinguished Philatelists : From L to R:  Paramjit Singh, Ashok Tiwari, Sanjay Jain, Dr. Satyendra Agrawal

The chief guest was the Governor of Bihar. The guest in honour was Shri Shambhunath Singh, the Vice-Chancellor of Patna University. Chief Post Master General Smt. Kaveri Banerji while welcoming the guest stated the importance of philatelic exhibitions. In his inaugural address His Excellency the Governor of Bihar mentioning that the stamps being cultural ambassadors of a country. He was thrilled to know about ‘My stamp’. He pointed out that after exploring this new horizon of ‘My Stamp’, India Post can generate more financial resources for itself and for Government of India. Shri Shambhunath Singh, the Vice- Chancellor of Patna University was also addressed the gathering. In his speech he emphasized about how stamps are the symbol of sovereignty of any country. He felt proud that for organizing such exhibition the venue inside the university campus was chosen. Shri Anil Kumar, Director of Postal Services, proposed the vote of thanks.

Welcome address by the Chief Post Master General Bihar, Smt Kaveri Banerji

(From Left to Right: Shri Anil Kumar, Director Postal Services; Smt. Kaveri Banerji, Chief Post Master General, Bihar Circle; Shri Devanand Kunwar, Governor of Bihar, Shri Shambhunath Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Patna University & Shri M. Abdali’ Director Postal Services.)

Governor displaying His ‘My Stamp’

In the inaugural function a Special Cover on “Folk Paintings of Bihar” and a Stamp Booklet on “Faces of Buddha” was released by the distinguished guests. The first ‘My Stamp’ with the photograph of the Governor of Bihar, issued in this Expo, was presented to His Excellency.

Release of Special Cover by the distinguished guests

Address by the Governor

After the formal inauguration the Governor visited the Exhibition hall and shown keen interest in some exhibits. There are 315 frames of exhibits are in display. In competition classes most of the exhibit belongs to Thematic Class or Youth Class.

Exhibit Frames displayed inside the Hall

There are several exhibits of fame is exhibited in invitee class. Besides the philatelist of Bihar, other philatelist from different parts of India is also visiting. The thematic exhibit of Dr. Satyendra Agrawal entitled ‘A Rose is a Rose is a Rose is a Rose……..’ and Shri Bagri’s exhibit on ‘Map’ are also on display in invitee class. Some rare philatelic artifact, such as ‘Inverted Head’ and ‘Letter written by Mahatma Gandhi’ is also being displayed.

For School Children Painting, Letter Writing and Dance Competition were also organized. More than thousand participants participated in these competitions.

The functions and exhibition were well covered by both the print and electronic media.