Keekli Reporter, 3rd October, 2018, Shimla
Members of the Shimla Philately Club created a mini museum at Gaiety Threatre, Shimla, as they collectively showcased some of their best stamps during the two day SIMPEX held on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. But all good and exceptional things should come to an end, as during the closing ceremony of the event, Minister for Law and Education, Suresh Bhardwaj presided over the function as the chief guest. He was all praises for the organizers and the philatelists who had put up such brilliant exhibits. He said that even though technology advancements may have impacted the usage of post cards and letter writing, but stamp collection is an art, as stamps dating back to the British Rule were also seen at this SIMPEX. He lauded the efforts of the members and especially children, who were learning this art and taking it to new heights.
Even though the main topic of the event was Mahatma Gandhi but displays on other themes were equally impressive. As you entered the Hall, one was greeted with rare and unique collection of stamps on Mahatma Gandhi dating way back to 1948. Stamps categorised by year of printing, countries, miniature sheets, single stamps, special covers, postcards were all on display. Walking past each frame one could easily trace the history of Gandhi and his works. Each important event of Gandhi and his life was depicted in those umpteen number of frames.
As you walked towards the lower hall it seemed like a step back into the history of making stamps and the methods used to create stamps. The frames depicted stamps from 1852 and then pre- and post-independence period as well. Special thematic stamps included frames on Children’s Day, Butterflies, Different/Odd Shaped, Freemasons, Indian Cinema & Bollywood, Flags, History of India through stamps, Indian Armed Forces, Flora and Fauna, Chamba Territory, you name it and it was there. It was a history session but with all the colour and fun.
Visitors were amazed to see so many stamps under one roof depicting so many topics and themes. “You believe things only when you see them”, one of the visitors said, “who would have known that there are so many different stamps on Gandhi alone, I am really fascinated with the huge display on just one person.” He further added that other important aspects about these stamps are that they are a rich source of history and some of them are really valued very high. Another visitor was astonished to see the collection of post cards, and a rare envelop which had never been opened. Other more fascinating exhibits included the ‘longest stamp in the world”, first stamp of the world “Penny Black”, a stamp which has seeds, you name it and you could have seen it on display.
Another highlight of the SIMPEX was than an inter-school quiz on philately was held in the MP Hall where children proved that when it comes to knowledge, they were prepared and armed with answers. In a tough competition, finally girls from GGGS Lakkar Bazaar lifted the prize.
But as the exhibition came to an end, the young philatelists eagerly awaited the announcement of the results. A cultural programmed was presented for the entertainment of all, which was followed by few educational and eye opening words on the beginning of stamps to explanation of the methods used for collecting stamps, preserving and mounting them for exhibition. Various prizes were awarded in different categories and members of the postal department were facilitated too for their achievements as well. (SEE ALL VIDEOS)
Winners in Competitive Class
Group I – First: Maj (Dr) Ritu Kalra; Second: Inderjeet Kalra; Third: Viney Chandla
Group II – First: Inderjeet Kalra; Jainendra Nath Chandla; Third: Mamta
Group III – Maj (Dr) Ritu Kalra; Second: Neelam Chandel; Third: Samriti Rana
Youth Group (Age 12-16 years) – First: Raghav Chandla; Second: Pritha Doegar; Third: Palak Jain
Youth Group (Age 17-21 years) – First Akash Gautam; Second: Raunak Sood; Third: Yashvi Sood
Youth Group (Age 22-25 years) – First: Pankaj Verma; Second: Vedant Chandel; Third: Vidushi Chandel
Consolation Prizes: Vinod Maria, Dr Anurag sood, Tanvi Ohri, Meena Chandel, Harshit Jain, Kanika Jain, Gauri Chandla, Arnesh Chandel, Pragya Kumari Chandel, Anvikshiki Thakur, Sarthak Sood, Karmanya Sood, Aarav Thakur, Manvi Sood, Shubham Gautam, Dr Rajeev Raina (Invitation Class)
Winners of Quiz Competition
First Prize: Government Senior Secondary School, Lakkar Bazar
Second Prize: ECI Chalet Day
Third Prize: Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Vikas Nagar
