Darjeeling made its presence felt at the national philately exhibition by bagging silver and bronze at the Delhi event.

Vivek Yonzone and Udaya Mani Pradhan, both stamp collectors from Darjeeling, won the silver and bronze medals, respectively, at AMRITPEX 2023, which was held for over five days starting February 11 at Pragati Maidan in Delhi.

The national event is organised by the Department of Posts in collaboration with the Philatelic Congress of India. It plays a pivotal role in promoting philately, considered by many as the king of hobbies, but which, unfortunately, is now dying a slow death.

“I won the silver with a five-frame exhibit named CHORDOPHONES, stringed element of music, under the thematic competitive class,” said Yonzone.

Udaya Mani Pradhan won bronze for his collection on Rotary International.

The exhibition has more than 1,200 frames of philatelic exhibits on display under 13 different competitive categories as well as the invitee class.

“It was a grand event with so many activities. I had a wonderful experience meeting and interacting with many senior and fellow collectors,” said Yonzone.

In fact, Yonzone started the Alpine Philatelic and Numismatic Society in Darjeeling in 2018 to encourage the local youths to collect stamps and coins.

Yonzone has also previously won medals in national events.

Pradhan, too is a veteran philatelist from Darjeeling. He has been nominated by India Post as an honorary member of the Calcutta Philatelic Club.

“Philately immortalises momentous events of history, honours great personalities and captures beautiful aspects of cultures and nature, thereby enriching our lives. India Post is privileged to contribute to the promotion of this delightful pursuit through various initiatives,” said Alok Sharma, the director general of postal services in a written message.

Various aspects of Darjeeling have also been immortalised through stamps, the latest being the commemorative postage stamp the United Nations (UN) issued on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) in in 2021 simultaneously from the UN offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna.

The Penny Black is the world’s first adhesive postage stamp used in the public postal system. It was first issued in the United Kingdom in 1840.