By Anil Kr Pujara and Dr.Pradeep Jain
Mega philatelic event i.e.INDIPEX-2011 had a sensational item for sale. It was release of GANDHI KHADI stamp. For the first time, India Post used Khadi cloth i.e. other than paper for printing the stamp. Though use of other material and not paper is quite common in other countries but in India it was used for the first time. Its sale was advertised in a big way n with lot of fanfare. The on line booking was started. Even during exhibition, the mad rush was seen. Collectors were seen thronging the counters to take their copy of stamp. India Post officials were seen pleading for calm n disciplined behaviour from the collectors but the response was quite chaotic. Even collectors were seen indulging in fights of course verbal on the issue.
From reliable sources, it has been learnt that the type of response INDIA POST had expected for the sale of this item has not been seen. Though total quantity printed is 1 lac but around 45000 thousand khadi stamps have only been sold online as well as through counter. It has also been learnt from the reliable sources that sources that unsold stamps will be dispatched to all the bureaus across the country for sale very soon. These PRESENTATION PACKS will be available for sale shortly from New Delhi Sansad Marg Philatelic Bureau. This PP Will be put on sale through e-post office site of India Post. This is a welcome move for the collectors who could not visit INDIPEX nor they could book the PP online. At last India Post has correctly taken a wise step which will go a long way to promote philately n check the unscrupulous elements from booking the profit.
