GOMMATPEX-2018 , Sravanabelgola

 GOMMATPEX-2018  

National level philatelic exhibition on Jainism theme GOMMATPEX-2018 successfully organized at famous pilgrimage centre and tourist attraction Sravanabelgola in Hassan District of Karnataka on 7th and 8th April 2018. 62 participants from all over India participated in this exhibition.

This exhibition was jointly organized by India Post, Karnataka Philatelic Society, Jainism Philately Group and Shri Jain Math Sravanabelgola at Interpretation Centre. A beautiful special cover was also released on this occasion.

Traditional postman with ancient dress and classical Karnataka Music escorted the guests His Holiness Bhattarak Charukirti Swami Ji, CPMG Dr. Carles Lobo, PMG Mr. Rajendra Kumar, National Chairman of Jainism Philately Group Mr. Sudhir Jain, Gommatwani Editor Mr. Ashok Kumar, Exhibition Chairman Mr. Mahaveer Kundur, Co-ordinator Mr. Jagannath Mani, Secretary Mr. H. C. Sadananda, Treasurer Mr. Manish Jain etc. Flag hosting and lighting of lamp was also very attractive.

Mrs. Rashmi Jain started the inaugural function with manglacharan song. Pujya Bhattarak Swamiji inaugurated the exhibition and blessed all the participants for spreading principles of Jainism through Philately. Chief Postmaster General Dr. Charles Lobo told that first permanent pictorial cancellation of Karnataka was introduced at Sravanabelgola in the year 1978 and after that Gommateshwara is the main attraction of Philatelists and maximum number of covers, cancellations, frankings have been issued on Gommateshwara.

It was a non competitive exhibition and all the participants received medal and certificate.

One the same day one more special cover has been issued to commemorate Diamond Jubilee of Sravanabelgola Post Office. 

Jainism Philately Group National Meet  successfully organized at Sravanabelgola

3rd National Meet of Jainism Philately Group (JPG) successfully organized at world famous religious place Sravanabelgola (Karnataka) on 7th April 2018 fallowed by visit of other historical places of Philatelic importance on 8th and 9th April 2018. About 150 members from all over India participated in the meet.

National Meet was inaugurated by Param Punya Swastishri Bgatdarak Charukirti Swamiji of Shri Jain Math Sravanabelgola and presided by JPG National Chairman Mr. Sudhir Jain (Satna). It was started with the mangalacharan by Mrs. Trishala Jain and welcome song by Mrs. Rashmi Jain. Editor of Gommatvani Mr. Ashok Kumar, National Vice Chairman Mr. Pramod Kumar Kain (Pondicherry) and Dr. Pradip Jain (Balod), General Secretary Mr. Mithalal Jain (Pune), Karnataka State Convenor Mr. Mahaveer Kundur (Hubli) and Mr. Manish Jain (Bangalore) were on the Dias. 

Chief guest Pujya Bhatrarak Ji given hiss blessings to the Group for spreading massages of Jainism like Ahimsa and non violence through Philately. He suggested to pursue release of commemorative stamps on first Jain saint Aacharya Shantisagar Ji Maharaj, brave queen of Karnataka Rani Abbakka, famous Maharani Shantala and Danchintamani Atimabbe.

Two beautiful books were also released on this occasion. First was " Dak tickaton par Jain itihas evam sanskrati" written by Mr. Suresh Kumar Jain (Ludhiana) and second was "Philately on Jainism" written by Mr. Vikas Jain (Ajmer) and Mr. Pramod Kumar Jain (Pondichery).

After the Sravanabelgola Meet JPG tour was organized for historical places Helebidu, Belur, Dharmsthala, Venur, Karkala and Moodbidri. All these places have permanent pictorial cancellations and a beautifully designed booklet covering Philatelic items related to these places released by Padmavibhushan Rajarshi Dr. Virendra Heggade Ji on 9th April 2018 at Dharmsthala in a grand function organized by JPG.

In Moodbidri JPG members visited famous Thousand Pillar Temple and witnessed rare ratna idols of precious stones and ancient manuscripts on tadpatras. Moodbidri Bhatrarak ji honoured all the JPG members in a function.

- Sudhir Jain, Satna (MP)