Nagaland Philatelic Exhibition 2014 gets underway
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, MARCH 7
STATE Governor, Dr. Ashwani Kumar, has advised students to be careful about the language they use in their speech and words while cautioning that use of abusive or derogatory words emanating from bad ideas and negative thoughts, especially in today’s digital world, could create misunderstanding and irretrievable damage.
The Governor said this while addressing the inaugural function of the two day Nagaland Philatelic Exhibition 2014 (NAGAPEX-14) at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, on March 7. On the occasion he highlighted the importance of philately stating that such hobby of studying the tiny stamps affixed on the top right hand comer of the post card has been beneficial and informative and could improve knowledge, broaden one’s mind about history, geography, countries and even about the environment.
The Governor has also made reference between the olden mode of communication and the present digital advancement in modern time. While stating that it is possible to send messages through e-mail by click of a button in the modern world, he said such facilities were not existent in the past but had to depend on human beings, horses, camels and even birds and pigeons.
“In the ancient days, sending messages, letter or other forms of communication was not only difficult and expensive where only the rich, royals and powerful could afford, however things changed with the introduction of postage stamp, the concept which was brought about by a school teacher, Rowland Hill, in England in the year 1837, who was awarded the knighthood and his concept was implemented in the year 1840 with the introduction of a stamp costing one penny as a post paid mail,” Dr. Ashwani said.
As the State prepares to observe the International Women’s Day on March 8, the Governor has noted the need to acknowledge the contributions made by Naga women in the society, family, economy and agriculture by bringing about commemorative stamps. In this context, he has requested the Director of Postal Services to convince his bosses in Delhi to accord recognition on the contribution made by the Naga women.
“The Naga women have occupied many positions of eminence and faced many hardships in the past,” the Governor said.
While admitting that he is not a stamp collector and that Philately was not his hobby, Dr. Ashwani Kumar expressed that he has always been fascinated by Philately along with the passage of time.
He has complimented the postal department for providing inexpensive yet efficient and reliable postal service especially to the remote and far flung areas of the state and hoped that the measure which the department is undertaking will modernize and bring new changes.
Dr. Ashwani Kumar, on learning that the department is taking several measures to modernize its branches by bringing in technology and even expand its services to Banking, expressed his gratitude stating “The Postal Department has been providing inexpensive yet efficient and reliable postal services to the people of Nagaland since many years. We all must appreciate the quite manner in which this organization has been acquitting itself in the service of society, especially in the remote and far flung areas of the State.”
The Governor also released a special cover and inaugurated the exhibition of stamps.
Other highlights of the programme included presentation of welcome song by Don Bosco choir, Fr. Josuah (SDB) invoked God’s blessing while welcome address was delivered by Director Postal Services, Nagaland, Som Kamei.
Hundreds of students from Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung are taking part in the exhibition.
