Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June, 1: Minister for Medical Education, Technical Education and Youth Services and Sports R S Chib inaugurated 2-day Grand Finale of School Stamps Show 2012 at Delhi Public School (DPS), here today.
The 2-day Grand Finale programmme was the part of a month long philately programme organized by Department of Posts, India, J&K Circle at various schools in Valley. The programme was aimed to develop the hobby of stamps collection and letter writing among school children. During the grand finale more than ten thousand rare stamps from India and abroad were showcased. Besides philately exhibition and quiz contest, debate competition was also held on the topic ‘Is Post Office relevant in modern era’ in which students from over twelve schools from the valley participated.
Addressing on the occasion, the Minister observed that the postal stamps are an important source for learning about the geography, history, culture, national personalities and other important aspects of any country. He said the use of stamps first started about 150 years ago and if arranged in chronological order all the stamps issued in India for the past over a century, would provide an exciting glimpse of our history and personalities.
Chib said that such exhibitions help our younger generation to understand the culture and functioning of post office and create hobby of stamps collection. He said the quiz and debate competitions on the occasion inculcate writing habits among them.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Postmaster General, John Samuel appraised that after a gap of 32 years, the department of Posts organized mega philatelic exhibition Chinar 2011 last year. He said that J&K Postal Circle was number one in post office saving bank in which 40 per cent growth was observed last year, adding that post office was a creative organization which released 60 to 80 stamps every year on history, geography and various personalities. The department has released maximum number of stamps on Mahatma Gandhi so far, he maintained.
Referring to future programme, the CPMG said that the department is going to organize 4- day philately exhibition on the occasion of Ladakh festival in which over twenty five thousand rare stamps would be put on display. He said the floating post office at Nehru Park has been revamped to restore the pristine glory of that post office, adding that the department is also contemplating to establish a philately room at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Batmaloo. The Minister also released special covers and Stamp booklet-2012 on the occasion
Among others, Vice-Chairman, DPS Vijay Dhar, Principals from the participating schools, faculty members and students were present.
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