Thursday, July 18, 2013

Stamp of desolation on philatelic museum

, TNN | Jul 18, 2013, 04.11 AM IST
READ MORE World Wildlife Fund
LUDHIANA: The Philatelic Museum, opened in April, 1999, was meant to be a treasure trove for stamp collectors and aficionados in the city, but few people know about its existence today. If the government knows, they have forgotten and the museum is in dire need of attention.

Even the properties on display, which had been collected from across the world, have been stolen. With the place lying deserted, stray animals make themselves comfortable on the premises.

Yashpal Bangia, founder member of the Philatelic Club and Museum said, "Many letters have been written to the Union government and Indian postal services but no action has been taken yet. We even told the government that we are ready to handle all other services but they need to appoint someone."

Not that we have many such museums to allow one to go waste with a light mind. There are only two Philatelic museums in the country. One is in New Delhi and the other is here in the city.

No comments:

Tuesday, April 23, 2013


Numismatist of unique currency notes

, TNN | Apr 23, 2013, 06.22 AM IST
READ MORE replacement notes|Numismatics|Indian currency|currency collection
INDORE: At an age when most married men work hard for his family and start investing money in bonds, insurance schemes, RohitSoni, a 27-year-old married software engineer is living out his hobby --investing almost half of salary every month to collect rare currency ending with lucky number '786'.

Soni took to numismatics in 1996 when he got first currency note ending with the lucky number while buying a cricket ball. "I started searching for such notes and started buying from my friends and relatives. Later, I started searching for people who have record in such collections. It was challenging, but I did not give up," he said.

Besides collecting currency notes, he has a fancy for stamps and commemorative coins. He said saying, "The US has 50 states and each state has its unique identity engraved on it. I have quarter cent of each state in my collection."

His passion for currency is evident from the fact he has not only Indian currency, but currency collection of more than 40 countries. From 2008, he visits currency fair, organized in metro cities, 2-3 times in a year and buys rare currency note of Rs 5 for Rs 3,500. He said, "I started searching on internet and got to know that currency fairs are a good place where rare notes can be collected. Now, I take leave from office and visit fairs to search for the number." Notes with unique currency come to me due to my links, he boasts.

In his impressive collection there are notes with error, uncirculated currency notes. He has currency notes in denomination of Rs 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, not to speak of the ones ending with number 786. He has 150 notes of Re 1 and Rs 2 ending with number 786. "I have currency of British India period and foreign currency of six countries ending with 786. Star notes or replacement notes are also hard to find. I have currency that had minor error but came into the market. The fancy collection includes notes having number 123456, 786786, 108786," he added.
No comments:

Saturday, January 26, 2013


Now, get a postage stamp with your picture

TNN | Jan 26, 2013, 04.39 AM IST
READ MORE Postal Department|Postage Stamps|Kumbh Mela
ALLAHABAD: In sync with the changing scenario, the postal department is coming up with series of innovative experiments with postage stamps. While scented stamps with fragrances of sandal, rose and jasmine and golden postage stamps in association with Hallmark were issued in the in the past years, now personalised stamps with the name of "My Stamp" are being launched by the department, wherein a person can get his photo printed on postage stamps. The scheme was inaugurated by the director, postal services, Krishna Kumar Yadav at the Central Post Office in Kumbh Mela on Friday.

Inaugurating the "My Stamp" scheme at Kumbh Mela, Yadav said to avail the facility of "My Stamp" a buyer needs to fill up a form and deposit Rs 300 with a photo. A sheet of "My Stamp" contains 12 postage stamps. "In case people don't come with the photo, arrangements have been made to get the photo clicked on the spot," he said.

For "My Stamp" you don't need to dig into your pockets as it costs only Rs. 300/- for a sheet of 12 stamps with your beautiful photo. It is up to you to, whether you want to gift it to a family member, friend or someone close. Not only this, you may choose postage stamps of your Zodiac sign and get your photo printed on it.

It also is an overwhelming and unique way of showing your unfathomable love for someone. Five rupees stamp with your photo can be used to send Posts anywhere across the country.

My Stamp scheme will be provided with 16 postage stamps in Kumbh Mela, which includes postage stamps on flowers such as Cineraria, Dahalia, Lily, Pency and 12 zodiac signs. While elders have displayed a penchant for My Stamp with their respective Zodiac sign, children choose postage stamps with colorful flowers for their My Stamp. Many brought their entire family on postage stamps under My Stamp.

Yadav, said that although 'My Stamp' scheme is in practice in a number of countries across the world, it is a new trend in India. This scheme was formally launched in India for the first time during World Philatelic Exhibition-2011 (Indipex-2011, 12-18 February, 2011) in New Delhi. It was launched in Allahabad recently during Allahabad Philatelic Exhibition (13-14 January, 2013), where it became quite popular as hundreds availed the oppurtunity.In the backdrop of this the facility has also been introduced at the ongoing Kumbh Mela.
No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)