New Delhi, February  2023: As a part of the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India Post, a department under the aegis of the Ministry of Communications, GoI, is organizing a National Philatelic Exhibition ‘Amritpex-2023’. The Delhi Circle of India Post announced this national exhibition in a ‘Curtain Raiser Ceremony’ held at the Miranda House Auditorium of Delhi University, today on 3rd February 2023.

The 5-day national exhibition ‘Amritpex-2023’ will be held at Hall no. 5 of Pragati Maidan Complex, New Delhi, from 11th to 15th February 2023.

‘Amritpex-2023’ is the National Philatelic Exhibition which spans a floor area of 50,000 square feet and includes 1400 frames and digital exhibitions, will highlight India’s history, culture, art, and heritage throughout the years using stamps and photographic collections. There will also be over 50 booths for the sale of philatelic objects. There will be a competitive element as well, and the winners will get the chance to take part in major international philatelic exhibits.

The themes of the exhibition will be centered on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and New India, Yuva Shakti, Nari Shakti, Nature and Wildlife, and India’s Culture and History; it will mark the celebrations of the diversity of the country and its growing Atma-Nirbharta in all sectors and rising statute in the world. Amritpex-2023 will also include The Wall of Stamps, Live Painting by Artists and Painters, Curated and Guided Tours, and a Time Capsule.

Additionally, visitors can anticipate virtual reality rooms, digital activities like Thematic Puppet Show, Play on Post office curated by the National School of Drama, Sitar Performance by Shujaat Husaain Khan, Kavi Sammelan, Ballimaran Band Performance, Khatak Performance, Digital Charkha, Kiosks for generating digital postcards, Quizzes of stamps, Drone activities, Selfie points, Philately movies and more.

The curtain raiser to announce Amritpex-2023 was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Prof. Rajni Abbi, Proctor, University of Delhi, Ms. Manju Kumar, Chief Post Master General, Delhi in the august presence of other eminent personalities; Prof. Pankaj Arora, DSW, University of Delhi; Prof. Bijayalaxmi Nanda, Principal Miranda House, University of Delhi and Mr. Ashok Kumar, Post Master General, Delhi Circle.

As part of its curtain-raising ceremony and to promote the event the Department of Posts unveil a mascot, a mobile app, a short film, and a mini-exhibition with a stamp theme.

Launch of the Mascot and App for Amritpex-2023

The ceremony was inaugurated by the Chief Guest with the launch of the Amritpex Mascot and an application designed for the exhibition. The appearance/form of the mascot is inspired by the Peacock, which is not only the national bird of our nation, but it also symbolizes the Philatelic Division of the Department of Posts, Government of India. The ceremony also witnessed the launch of a dedicated app for the Amritpex-2023. The public will be able to keep itself updated with the events, history, and services of India Post through this app.

A mini-exhibition showcased the journey of India Post

A number of events were held during the ceremony, including a mini exhibition of stamps that showcased the journey of India since its Independence through postal stamps. It showcased over 700 stamps including special stamps as well as first issued stamps by the India Post. The exhibition displaying nearly 20 frames was based on the theme ‘Transformative Journey of India Post’.

Quiz and cultural events held during the ceremony

A quiz on philately and Nukkad Natak were also organized in which a large number of students from Miranda House and other colleges of the University of Delhi, school students as well as numerous philatelists participated enthusiastically. The Delhi Postal Circle also held a letter-writing workshop for the students, postal employees, and the public at large.

My Stamp Counter

In an interesting move, the India Post has organised a facility for the public through which they can get a stamp published with their own picture at a stamp counter.

Elaborating on the journey and legacy of the India Post, Ms. Manju Kumar, Chief Post Master General, Delhi said, “India, as well as the India Post, have come a long way overcoming the hardships and rising to the new heights in the past decades. It’s a matter of great pride for us and also for the people of this vast country that we are celebrating the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav with Amritpex-2023”.

Prof. Rajni Abbi, Proctor, University of Delhi motivated the students and said, “It’s an honor for the University of Delhi to become an active part of such an event. I would like to convey my greetings on behalf of the University for the Amritpex to become a great success”.

On this occasion, Mr. Ashok Kumar, Post Master General, Delhi Circle said, “India Post has become a synonym for trust and reliability in these years among the masses not only in India but worldwide. Today, even the biggest marketplaces trust India Post for sending and receiving articles and money, etc.”

Prof. Pankaj Arora, Dean of Students’ Welfare, at the University of Delhi congratulated the India Post and said, “It is a great initiative by the Department of Post. Through events like Amritpex, even the newer generation would learn about the marvelous works done by the department”.

Prof. Bijayalaxmi Nanda, Principal Miranda House, University of Delhi shared, “An event of such magnanimity will surely encourage and generate interest among the future of our country, that is the younger generation, in philately, which holds the potential to spread knowledge through the picture on stamps”.

Notably, the 5-day national philatelic exhibition is a component of the national celebration known as Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, an initiative of the Indian government started in 2021 and devoted to the Indian people. It celebrates and commemorates India’s 75th anniversary of independence, as well as its illustrious past. The 75-week countdown to the 75th anniversary of independence began with the Mahotsav, which will conclude on 15th August 2023.