Allahabad :

The Department of Post is all set to allow people to have their photograph on postage stamp meant for official use. This facility will be available at the upcoming two-day Allahabad Philatelic Exhibition (Allaphilex-2015) starting this Friday.

People keen to use the ‘My Stamp’ will have to fill a form and submit it which his/her photograph along with Rs 300. The department will scan the photograph and prepare a postal stamp of Rs 5 denomination. The department will also offer ‘spot clicking’ facility. Later, the applicant would be provided with a sheet containing 12 photographed postal stamps

These stamps could be used to send mail anywhere in the country. However, the facility will be available for living persons only.

Allahabad region’s postal service director Krishna Kumar Yadav said, “Postal department will organize the exhibition at the Art Gallery of North Central Zone Cultural Centre where this facility will be made available.” He further said that this facility is already available in four cities of the state — Lucknow, Agra, Varanasi and Fatehpur Sikri.

He said a number of valuable stamps from around the world will also be displayed in the exhibition. City-based philatelists and those from across the country would showcase their collection of postage stamps and other philatelic materials.

Yadav said that people would also get acquainted with the story behind various stamps. Further youth would be encouraged to develop interest in philately.

During the exhibition philatelic workshops, letter writing, stamp design and quiz competitions would be organized to attract youth and schoolchildren.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / TNN /January 08th, 2015