To leave a stamp on the young ones

Are your children glued to television or computers all day? Have they ever asked you what was the means of communication, six to seven decades back when there was no internet? Irrespective of whether they’ve asked about it not, give them a peek into the life of yesteryears, and take them to Balewadi this weekend to introduce them to Harkara Dawk — the postman of old times.

The postal department is keen on catching them young and that is what the huge exhibition Mahapex 2012 aims at. On till January 16, the 11th State Level Philatelic Exhibition is being held at Shri Shiv Chattrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi.

The postal stamps are printed records of our history, geography, culture, science, and it is important that the children know this and they conserve it, feels post master general of Pune Colonel KC Mishra. “We want the children to know the significance of a hobby, particularly philately — the hobby of collecting stamps — and educate them about one of the oldest departments of the country,” he said.

The event has, therefore, been planned with the youngsters in view. The event started on Friday with a run with the Harkara Dawk, who would run for eight kilometres carrying a sack of posts and a spear with a ghungroo, to keep away the beasts on the way.

The department is targeting youngsters between 12 and 18 years of age, but those between 18 to 45 years of age too can introduce stamp collection as a hobby, said Mishra. Talking to DNA, Mishra said, “This is one hobby which is also a means of investment, business and income as the rare stamps can also be auctioned at good price.” The market of stamps is worth around Rs4,000 crore and since the stamps are produced in commemorative and definitive forms, their value keeps  increasing.

The commemorative forms being the special stamps focussing on history or events are produced in limited numbers. While the definitive are the ones that are produced on large scale regularly. Once the production is stopped no new stamps are made. It also adds to one’s knowledge, as stamps cover everything from the flora-fauna of the country, to events, places and people of importance.

The postal department is one of the three oldest departments of India instituted in 1854 with the Indian Post Act 1854. But that doesn’t mean it’s not advanced. Pune’s postal department has roped in all technology savvy youngsters to use the modern means of communication to reach out to the children via Facebook, Twitter, and even radio. “There is a lot for youngsters at our exhibition like Stamp Mania where you can get stamps with your picture,” concluded Mishra. So head to the site and get your day stamped with history.

Attractions of Mahapex 2012: 

1. ‘Run for Philately’ led by a person dressed as Harkara was held on January 13 with the theme Passing the Philately baton to the Gen Next.

2. ‘HarkaraDawk’ carried 500 special covers, personally signed by him, and had a special stamp made of real silver and was on sale on a first-come-first-serve basis costing Rs 750 per cover.

3. Eight special covers are being released in four days on cartoons of RK Laxman, Kaas Plateau, Lavani Nrutya, Vasudeo, sculptures of Meera Bai, Big Foot, Loutolim, and Baba Amte.