The Indo-French Philatelic and Numismatic Association (IFPNA) in association with the Department of Posts, Government of India is organising the 3rd edition of the ‘Pondy Stamp, Coin and Banknote fair’ from Friday.
The three-day event, at Vel Sokkanathan Thirumana Nilayam, seeks to raise public awareness on philately (collecting of stamps) and numismatics (coins and banknotes) to get more people, especially young minds interested in these timeless hobbies. Dealers from across the country will be participating. There will be exhibits of classic and rare, ancient and modern, Indian and foreign, coins, currency, and stamps.
Other attractions include interactive exotic stamps , Indo – French coins issued and used in French Pondicherry, coins issued and used in the Mughal era and British India and the world’s largest banknote/currency.
A ‘Dear Pondy’ letter writing contest where participants will write a letter/postcard about what makes the city special to them is also part of the event. This is an effort to revive the practice of handwritten letters, organisers said. The stamp, coin and banknote school quiz finals featuring 12 schools, who cleared the preliminary round conducted in July, is scheduled for Saturday.
At India Post’s MyStamp counter, people can print a stamp with their image. The exhibition is open from 10.20 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. with free admission.