Karphilex 2017, Bangalore

KARPHILEX-2017, Bangalore

14 - 16 July 2017

Philately exhibition, KARPHILEX- 2017 was held at Bengaluru from 14-16 July 2017 organised by the Karnataka Philatelic Society of India, which was founded in 1975. I was very much tempted to attend this exhibition considering that it will be interesting.Finally, I attended the exhibition and it was really enjoyable and interesting.

I was told that the KARPHILEX-2017 is happening after a gap of 10 years. I have in my collection the three special covers of first KARPHILEX held in 1976 at Bangalore ( 5,6, and 7 June 1976). There was a special  postal cancelation of exhibition with a Philately slogan each day. On 5^th June; “PHILATELY PROMOTES NATIONAL INTEGRATION”, 6th June; ”PHILATELY FOR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTAING”, 7^th June; “PHILATELY A VEHICLE OF CULTURAL EXCHANGE”. The logo of Karnataka Philately Society were printed in different colours for each day(Red, Blue, Orange)

Special Cover of KARPHILEX-1976

           

KARPHILEX event reminds me of the Bengaluru GPO which has always been very active in Philately activities. I remember in 1960’s many postal marks with slogans for public awareness were issued, for example “POST BOX ENSURES PROMPT AND CONVINIENT DELIVERY”. This slogan post mark I have seen only from Bengaluru GPO(may have been issued from other places).

            Karnataka Philatelic Society once had a youth philately division and used to issue special covers with youth as a theme. Overall, both Bengaluru GPO and Karnataka Philatelic Society have been very active in all aspects of Philately activities for decades now.

1.    Exhibition highlights :

·         The KARPHILEX-2017, philately exhibition was well planned in advance and implemented.

·         Wide publicity of the exhibition was done. Publicity in print media,  informing educational institutions, electronic media(what’s app, facebook),  word of mouth etc.

·         The exhibition  organising committee was receptive to ideas for philately promotions.

·         Various philately activities were organised for the three day event, like, Lucky Dip, Spot Competitions, Letter Writing activity by folding an envelope from a specially printed square paper, Memento chocolates with its collectible philately wrappers etc.

·         Organising committee members were always available during the three day event for any type of help and guideline for anybody who requires.

2.    SpecialPhilately activities etc :

a.    Letter Writing Activity

Special square paper was printed colourfully and given to the visitors. The objective is to fold the colourful square paper into an envelope. Once the envelope is folded, a few lines were written inside the envelope along with sender and receiver address. Next a stamp of Rs 5 was bought from the India Post counter which was gummed to the folded envelope and dropped into a letter box kept outside the exhibition hall. Four design varieties of the envelope were printed. All visitors enthusiastically participated in this interesting and unique letter writing activity.  Hope that such letter writing activity is done at all philately promotion events and other philately events.

                                               Folded Envelope

b.    Lucky Dip

            Visitors could buy a lucky dip ticket. There were three prizes, 1^stPrize (Penny Black Stamp, 1840), 2^nd Prize (Half Anna Stamp of 1854 of India), 3^rd Prize(First Post Independence stamps of India, set of 3,1948). The lucky dip coupon was very well printed and can be kept as preserved memory and also a collectible.

           Lucky Draw Coupon

c.    Customised Chocolate with Philately Wrapper

Chocolates were available with its wrapper having a stamp image and a few lines about the stamp. The wrapper was meant to be preserved as collectibles. Its an interesting idea and very attractive for promoting philately. Five different chocolate wrappers were available. Went well with visitors.

 

Five different varieties of Chocolate Wrapper

d.    Souvenir articles

·         The Exhibition Souvenir book had a special and detailed article on the Two Anna Stamp printed on the One Anna Stamp Paper authored by Markand D. Dave & P.S.Dixit.

·         Article titled “Classics India” by Internationally Renowned Philatelist and Chief Patronage of KARPHILEX-2017 Dr(Mrs.) SitaBhateja was interesting to read. Such articles keep India’s Philately history alive.

e.    Three Commemorative Covers

Three very unique and special covers were issued, each by Vietnam Post, Botswana Post and Namibia Post.

Commemorative Covers by Postal Dept of Vietnam, Botswana, Namibia

3.    Exhibits

·        There were about 104 participants participating in various philately categories including literature class. Largely, the exhibits were under the thematic class and very few on postal history.

·         Internationally Renowned Philatelist and Chief Patronage of KARPHILEX-2017 Dr Sita Bhateja’s Exhibit on British India Classic was a gem to go through.

·         The Two Exhibits on Postcards& Inland letter and Aerogramme remindedof the good old days of postal communication which was the only affordable means for distant communication.

· Interestingly, there was an exhibit on new philately activity i.e. Post Crossing (www.postcrossing.com). The idea of Post crossing is interesting and is keeping the postal communication alive. Post crossing activity must be encouraged by the entire philately community. With time, Post crossing will have a unique place in modern philately.

·         Exhibit on Letter Boxes was interesting.

4.    Dealers Stall

There were about more than 25 philately dealer stalls at the exhibition event meeting the needs and requirements of philatelists. India Post had a stall selling India Post philately items including My Stamps. Also, India Post was selling the two KARPHILEX-2017special covers with exhibition special postal cancellation.

Two Special Covers by India Post

5.    Memorable Exhibition Photographs

Souvenir Book Release

Awards to the Participants with Dr Sita Bhateja

Conclusion

All the three day was lively with continuous visitors and many philately events.  Overall the KARPHILAEX-2017 was a memorable and enjoyable philately event and keeping Philately community moving.

Postal administrations of Botswana,Namibia and Vietnam released Special covers to mark their presence at Karphilex-2017.This may be the first time when  a foreign postal administration  released  special covers at a philatelic event in India.


Other activities at Karphilex 2017


1. Treasure hunt -  Conducted by  Mani  Muthu  Krishnan 

2. Spot Quiz -  Conducted by  Nikhilesh  Melkote  and  RA Prasad 

3. Live Mind Games conducted by  Dr Mandra  

4. Distribution of thematic stamp packet  by  KPS  Stamp  Bank -  disturbed  among  children   by  Chitayanya  Dev 

5. Walk  with  Jury  - To discuss  about  improving  the  exhibits  contact  by  jury team Mr NK Agrawal, and  team 


6. Honour - Lifetime Achievement Award - to senior  philatelists  Dr Shangoram  

- Jagannath Mani, Bangalore