India 2018

Communications and Information Technology 109
day-to-day use as a token of payment of postage on mail articles. These
incorporate less complicated design inputs, entailing minimum expenditure in
their manufacture, and are printed in large quantities, over longer periods. On
the other hand the commemorative postage stamps are designed and printed
with greater aesthetic inputs. These are manufactured in limited quantities and
generate great interest among philatelists and collectors.
The philatelic activities of the Department include: designing, printing,
distribution and sale of special/commemorative postage stamps through
philatelic bureaus and counters, e-post office, e-commerce companies; designing,
printing and distribution of definitive postage stamps and items of postal
stationery like envelope, inland letter card, postcard, aerogram, registered cover,
etc.; promotion of philately and conduct of philatelic exhibitions at the national
level, and participation in international and world exhibitions as well as
monitoring of exhibitions at state/regional and district levels; maintenance of
the National Philatelic Museum, Dak Bhawan.
Release of Stamps
A total of 46 issues comprising 153 Commemorative postage stamps were
released during April, 2016 to March, 2017 commemorating various
personalities, events/ occasions. Some of the significant commemorations were
—Surya Namaskar, Tadoba Andhari National Park, Olympic Games Rio,
Orchids, Tourism in India, Swachh Bharat, Induction of C-130, Series 1: Near
Threatened Birds, Varanasi City, National Unity Day Salute to the Unifier of
India, 50th Anniversary of Haryana, Picnic, Third Battalion the Garhwal Rifles,
Exotic Birds. A commemorative postage stamp on the theme 'Olympic Games
Rio' was released on the occasion of opening of Olympic Games Rio in 2016 to
commemorate the event.
In the first quarter (April-June) of financial year 2017-18, commemorative
postage stamps on 14 issues were released. Some of the significant
commemorations were - Ramanujacharya, Champaran Satyagraha Centenary,
Banaras Hindu University, etc.
Celebration of National Postal Week
During the National Postal Week which was celebrated across the country from
09th October, 2016 to 15th October, 2016, various activities like postal workshops,
letter writing and stamp design competitions were organized to promote
philately. School children of various schools visited the National Philatelic
Museum in Delhi during the National Postal Week.
Participation in World Book Fair/Exhibitions
India Post participated in World Book Fair held in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
in 2017. A stall was booked and many philatelic stamps and items were
showcased and sold to the philatelists and other participants.