Stamping a new identity

Apart from around 2,000 stamps that will be displayed along with first day covers and miniature or souvenir sheets,the spacious and aesthetically done-up hall will also display old equipment from dak khanas of the yesteryears,a souvenir shop and even a workshop area complete with artists working on stamps. The idea is to make the visitors understand the whole process through which a stamp is developed,says a postal department official. Besides,there will be an amphitheatre inside the museum that can be used for philately-related events.

The entire collection will be displayed thematically. According to the official,10 or more themes have been selected for the stamps such as wildlife,biodiversity,monuments,sports,freedom movement,spiritual leaders,arts and artistes,etc. The workshop area will have exhibits explaining the genesis of stamps,the process through which a particular visual is selected for a stamp,and finally how it is printed. While for the philatelists,there would be a collector’s pack,catalogues,brochures and books on sale,even for the uninitiated,particularly schoolchildren,there will be bookmarks,pens,penholders etc,with impression of stamps embossed on them,that they can take home.

While no one in the Philately Department is willing to give the exact date of inauguration of the museum or the cost of the project,the officials at the department claim to be putting in every effort to ensure that the museum is ready next month. So,when the philatelists and the amateur collectors of the city visit the Indipex,they can peep into the world of Indian stamps.