Around the world in so many stamps
In the pre-internet era, mankind was dependent on tiny pieces of printed paper that enabled longdistance communication. Among these were stamps, inland letters and postcards, for which one anticipated the arrival of the postman. Gradually, philately gained popularity as a hobby. Reviving interest in the same is the Delhi Circle of India Post, through its national philatelic exhibition, Amritpex 2023.
A preview of this was held recently at Miranda House, University of Delhi, as part of a curtain-raiser ceremony. The main event, which kicks off in the Capital today, highlights India’s history, culture, art and heritage through stamps and photographic collections. “This exhibition is like a digital detox,” says Manju Kumar, chief postmaster general, Delhi Circle. “If the younger generation begins to write even one letter a month, it would be a good time to get away from their phones and emotionally connect with people. They should learn the romanticism of letter writing.”
To contemporise philately as a hobby among youngsters, the India Post plans to narrate a story through stamps. “There will be panel discussions on women and youth empowerment, virtual reality rooms and other cultural activities,” informs Preeti Aggarwal, nodal officer, Department of Posts. There will also be a thematic puppet show, a post officethemed play by the National School of Drama, a performance by sitarist Shujaat Husain Khan, kavi sammelan, kiosks for generating digital postcards, selfie points, philately movies and much more. “The most exciting bits at the preview of the show in our college was the quiz on philately, the letter and postcard writing activity. I will surely visit this fabulous exhibition,” says Ayushi Rana, a second-year student of Geography (Hons) at Miranda House. Parvathi, a final-year student of BA in Economics and Political Science at the college, adds, “With letters vanishing from the digital era, this is the perfect initiative for us to keep in touch with our roots of communication.”