Philatelic expo thrills young minds

• 3-day district level exhibition concludes
• Kids show curiosity to know about various stamps

Tirupati: Students of various schools and the denizens of Tirupati had a different experience for three days as they got the opportunity to witness rare collections of stamps and covers at the district-level philately expo, ‘TIRUPPEX-2018’ held by Tirupati Postal Division at TTD Sri Padmavathi Kalyanamandapam from November 15 to 17. After 14 years, the district-level expo with such a magnitude was held.

The young students were having interesting moments by visiting the exhibition. The exhibition has on display stamps and covers on 101 frames among which 30 frames were earmarked for invitees’ category and the rest for competition.

Students visiting expo were so amazed to see the collections and reading the details of them which were on display. They curiosity to learn about several stamps made them to ask their teachers, philatelists and organisers.

A 5th class student of Vidyanikethan International School P Sridhar has said that it was a thrilling experience for them as they learnt several things such as paisas, anas and other coins.

One of the philatelists in invitee category GV Suresh Rao of Nellore has displayed his collections in 10 frames. A recipient of gold medal at state-level, he observed that it gives immense knowledge to youngsters as they had the opportunity of going through various developments in the country as well as world during hundreds of years.

Complimenting that it was a good attempt, Devendra Kumar Jain of Hyderabad, who came here as a jury member, opined that it could have been organised in a better way.

Interacting with The Hans India, he remarked that there is a lot more to be done here to bring awareness among young minds on the importance of philately. “Such awareness could be created by conducting more seminars and discussions,” he averred.

Comparing the display in invitee category to that of competition category, he pointed out the lapses at district-level philatelists.

For instance, under a waterways subject, the collections should be arranged according to the developments from time to time till date which gives a complete story.

Similarly, when scout was the subject it should represent the origin of scouting, camps, services, emblems of various countries etc., In the same breath, he said that damaged covers and stamps should be avoided and whatever is displayed must be neat and properly arranged in a sequential order.

“Philately expos bring knowledge on culture, traditions, history, personalities and a host of others and will keep the entire universe in your pocket.

The more you study the more you can acquire knowledge,” he underlined. The Superintendent of Tirupati Postal Division G Srinivasa Murthy has said that the response was encouraging, and the managements of several schools have shown keen interest in bringing their students here to visit the exhibition.

Most of the students at school-level might not be aware of philately exhibition as it was held after nearly one-and-a-half decade in the district.
“Going by the response, we are planning to organise such expos in regular intervals in future and at various places in the district,” he maintained.

The ‘My Stamp’ counter, philatelic bureau extension counter, old stamps and coins sales and purchase counter opened at the expo have also received good response from the visitors.

Cultural programmes, competitions on letter writing, painting and quiz were also held. Five special covers were released during the three-day expo by eminent people.