PM Praises Initiatives for AMRITPEX-2023 by India Post

New Delhi, 15th Feb 2023: In his tweet even the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narender Modi lauded the 5-day display of AMRITPEX-2023 which began here on 11th of this month and got concluded on Wednesday 15th Feb, witnessed a fabulous footfall of around 50 thousand exhibition enthusiasts particularly that have keen interest in the art of philately.

Honorable Prime Minister described the show stating that it would imbibe interest in children for collecting stamps and deepen their understanding of Indian history and culture.

People flocked for the 5-day event belonged to all strata of society including visitors from overseas and a vast number of students particularly in the category under graduation belonging to multiple schools located in and around NCR and enjoyed philately the most.

At the concluding day of the grand show, India Post awarded a couple of exhibitors for their outstanding performance in displaying stamps of various ages and categories with gold medals. An award was also conferred upon on an exhibitor that emerged as the champions of champions for his feat of displaying stamps in the 5 day show.

Piyush Khaitan from Bangalore won Champion of Champions Trophy, exhibited his collection on Indian Crash Air Mails 1919 to 1990.

Ms. Damyanti Pittie: She has won the Gold for her exhibit titled “Reign of King George V in British India-1936” in Traditional Philately class. She also won a special award Shri Murlidhar Ranasaria Memorial Award sponsored by M/s Ranasaria Foundation.

Mr. Santhosh M S: He has awarded the Gold for his exhibit titled “Handstruck Postage Stamps of India” in Postal History class. He also won a special award Col. L G Shenoi Memorial Award sponsored by Inddak Philatelic Publications.

Mr. Rajesh Jhunjhunwala: He has awarded the Gold for his exhibit titled “Development and Growth of Inland Mails in India Era 19Th Century” in Postal History class. He also won a special award K.H.Cama, N.D.Cooper, & R.F. Shroff Memorial Award sponsored by The Philatelic Society of India.

Mr. Narendar Saboo: He has awarded the Gold for his exhibit titled “Postal History of Portuguese India – 1819 to 1885” in Postal History class. He also won a special award Y R Shah Memorial Award sponsored by M/s Philatelic Titbits.

Ms. Ananya Kasaravalli: She has won the Gold for her exhibit titled “Coronation Durbars of British India” in traditional class. She also won a special award Sri D N Jatia Memorial Award sponsored by Philatelic Congress of India.

Mr. K S Mohan: He has awarded the Gold for his exhibit titled “Alpha Numerical Cancellations of Cochin” in Postal History class. He also won a special award Shri. Jagdish Talakshi Gogri Memorial Award sponsored by Smt. Rasik Jagdish Gogri.

Mr. Santhosh M S: He has awarded the Gold for his exhibit titled “Brahmini Dawk – History of communication in Mewar State” in Postal History class. He also won a special prize sponsored by Kutch Hobby Circle.

Mr. E. P. James: He has awarded the Secretary’s Trophy for Best Exhibit by the Department of Posts for his exhibit titled “Travancore Anchal Stamps” in Traditional Philately class.

Ms. Poorva Bansal: She has won First Prize in AKAM-Youth class for her exhibit titled “Milestones in Indian Healthcare” and awarded Director General’s Trophy by the Department of Posts.

However at the 5th day of AMRITPEX 2023, a comprehensive round table and panel discussion was organized on Postal Services: A tool for global socio economic development and connect in which the panelists felt the need that the postal services of G20 should be interlinked with one another for its comprehensive economic development and transformation.

The panelists argued that one of the major focuses of the G20 postal services should be to build capacities through reforms so that such services become effective & conclusive with the help of modern technologies to serve global citizens. Among those that participated in the round table both physically & virtually comprised – Mr. Vineet Pandey, Secretary and Chairperson, Postal Services Board, Mr. Muktesh K Pardeshi , OSD (G20 Operations), Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. Marjan Oswald, Deputy Director General, Universal Postal Union, Dr. Vinaya Prakash Singh, Secretary General, Asian Pacific Postal Union, Mr. Jean Paul Forceville, Director, European and international relations, La Poste, France, Ms. Mary P Anderson, Executive Director, International Postal Affairs, United States Postal Services, Dr. Rajeev Venugopal – General Manager, International Relations, Canada Post, Dr. Anirudh Bansod – CEO, Post Fiji.

It was also felt in the round table that philately is a tool to build bridges with the Indian diaspora and the world and stamps are a way to understand history, cultural, value and an effective tool of soft diplomacy.

The other focus of the round table was digitization of posts: empowering the citizens as it was concluded that post offices offer an unparalleled network to bridge digital divide and inclusive development in digital economy. Digital connectivity of entire post offices network would unleash new vistas of activities empowering the people. The support of G20 countries would foster timely and meaningful achievement of such initiatives.

In the Indian context it was further argued that the role of postal sector in financial inclusion and financial services like banking, insurance, money transfer, and door step delivery of government payments, financial literacy and adaptation to new Fin-Techs for hassle free transactions is paving the way for an inclusive society and inclusive economy. The emotional connection that the post offices has with the People along with technology can make the Post office one stop shop for all the government services providing services at the door step.

A forecast was also made that by 2030 the volume of e-commerce merchandise value will cross $ 1 trillion. Sustainability and social responsibility are the key drivers and strategic priorities in the modern times that will help postal sector realign itself to overcome these challenges to accelerate social and economic growth.

The 5th day of AMRITPEX 2023 got concluded with a mesmerizing dance performance undertaken by students of Bal Bhawan New Delhi whose act was largely appreciated by the audience present.