Welcome to INDIPEX 2011

INDIPEX 2011, the World Philatelic Exhibition aims to bring the international philatelic community together to celebrate philately, and will provide a unique platform for interaction between all the philatelic stake-holders, viz. the collectors, the dealers, the philatelic journalists and publishers, the designers and security printers, and the postal administrations who issue stamps and stationery. The exhibition will be largely competitive and showcase some of the finest and rarest stamp collections from around the world. Stamps reflect t he history, culture, ethos and concerns of nations and people, which makes stamp collection as a hobby interesting and educative.By showcasing the best philatelic collections, INDIPEX 2011 looks to attract many newcomers to explore the fascinating world of philately.

There is considerable excitement about the exhibition all around the world as it will be one of the biggest events in India after the Commonwealth Games.

It is being organized by India Post, Government of India, in association with the Philatelic Congress of India. The Federation International Philatelic (FIP) is extending its patronage, and the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP) its auspices, for conduct of the Exhibition.

The First Official Airmail Flight

The first official airmail flight took place in India between Allahabad and Naini on 18th February 1911, a whole hundred years ago. These will be highlighted through release of special covers, seminars and workshops, activities for children and so on.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by H.E. Smt. Pratibha Patil, the President of India.

Celebrating the Centenary

INDIPEX 2011 will have each day earmarked for celebrating themes such as science and technology, culture and heritage, youth and sports, environment and women’s issues. The exhibition itself will be spread over an area of over 29700 square feet, with booths and stalls for philatelic dealers, government ministries and under takings and corporate entities. With participation from over 70 countries, 500 foreign delegates and about 5000 school children, stamp enthusiasts and other visitors are expected to visit daily.

Previous Events

The first of such international philatelic exhibitions In India was organized in a small way in 1954 as part of the centenary celebrations of the Indian postages stamp. This was followed by INDIPEX-73 International Philatelic Exhibition held in New Delhi from 14 to 23 November1973. The first Asian International Philatelic Exhibition was held at Bangalore in 1977. In 1980 the Department of Posts and the Philatelic Congress of India jointly hosted INDIA-80 International Stamp Exhibition at New Delhi from 25 January to 3 February. This was followed by INDIA-89 World Philatelic Exhibition held at Pragati Maidan Complex at New Delhi from 20 to 29 January, 1989. INDEPEX-97 was also organized at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, and was significant in that it commemorated fifty years of the country’s independence. This was followed by INDEPEX ASIANA-2000, the second Asian International Philatelic Exhibition hosted by India, which was held at Calcutta (now Kolkata) and celebrated 50 years of the Republic of India, and the New Millennium.

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Commemorative Flight on 100 years of Airmail

The exhibition will largely focus on Aerophilately as India Post celebrates theCentenary of the First Official Airmail Flight that took place in India on 18th February 1911. A ceremonial flight would take place on 12th February 2011 from Allahabad to Naini commemorating the 100 years of the Airmail flight. The flight would carry about 5000 First Day Special Covers with special postmark; a collector’s delight being limited editions. A special stamp carrying a special cancellation will be released on 12th February, 2011 to commemorate the event.

The First Official Airmail Flight

Although airborne mail transport had occurred during the nineteenth century, the first Official Airmail was flown in India in 1911.

On February 18, 1911, French pilot Henri Pequet (1888-1974) carried the official airmail; a sack with about 6,000 cards and letters on his Humber biplane. The plane flew a distance of five miles, from an Allahabad polo field, over the Yamuna River, to Naini. All mails were marked with a large magenta cachet showing a plane within a double lined circle, inscribed “First Aerial Post — 1911 — U.P. Exhibition Allahabad“.

Pequet was in India flying demonstration flights for the United Provinces Exhibition in Allahabad. Walter Windham (1868-1942), a British aviation pioneer, organized the aerial demonstrations. The event marked the first time airplanes flew in India.

My Stamp

Your Personalized Stamp

One of the most exciting feature of the exhibition is the My Stamp which is being introduced by India Post for the first time in India. Also known as ‘Personalised stamp‘, My Stamp is a wonderful way to celebrate special occassions such as engagements, birth of a baby, or to send as greetings to loved ones and friends.

Personlized Stamp in 3 Steps!

1. Get your photograph clicked or carry any other photo on which you wish to create your personalised stamp.
2. Choose the template and the theme.
3. Get your My Stamp ready in print.

The template on My Stamp would be printed on the six themes:

1. Trains
2. Aeroplanes
3. Wildlife
4. Panchatantra
5. Sun Signs
6. Taj Mahal

Each template is designed on one of the above themes and has 12 personalised stamps perferated on it. One can get their personalised stamps on their favourite photograph on all of the themes mentioned above.

The Philatelic Passport

The Department of Post is going to release a Philatelic Passport at the exhibition. Having more than 70 countries participating at this exhibition, with a Philatelic Passport, collectors need to travel from country to country by visiting sales booths to buy the stamps and obtain the special date stamp cancellations of that participating country. When it is done, one will have completed his travel around the world. This is very exciting as the activity of traveling through the world would take place at just one venue which is the World Philatelic Exhibition at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Philatelic Passport aims to create enthusiasm amongst children, stamp lovers, philatelists and visitors. The philatelic passport when is full with stamps and postal cancellations on each page will become a good item for stamp collectors.

The passport can be obtained from the exhibition directly.

Source: http://www.indipex2011.com/