KOLKATA: The first-ever postage stamp released in 1854 and some other rare stamps will be displayed at a state-level philatelic exhibition to be hosted in the city from October 9.
India Post-West Bengal circle will host the exhibition, which will showcase the stamps in three categories -- invitee class, competitive class and non-competitive class on the eve of Durga Puja, Chief Postmaster General, West Bengal Circle, Arundhaty Ghosh said here today.
"Keeping Durga Puja in mind, the exhibition has been named Daaker Saaj, given by a winner from a naming competition," she said.
The five-day-long state-level exhibition was last organised a decade ago in 2005.
With eminent philatelists like S C Sukhani, Madhu Deogamkar and Dilip Kumar Das, the exhibition at the Academy of Fine Arts will showcase 40 frames in the invitee class and 143 in the competitive class, Ghosh said.
"During the exhibition, special covers will be released to commemorate different personalities, events and institutions," she said.
West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi will inaugurate the exhibition where students from different schools will participate in quiz contests, letter writing and sit and draw competitions, she said.
A workshop on philately for school children will also be held during the exhibition.
This will be the eighth edition of the state-level philatelic exhibition.