Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

TNA School at Gangtok in 2005 hosted the Palbheu Stamp Exhibition that saw participants from far places like Cooch Bihar, Berhampore, Gangarampur, Siliguri, Darjeeling, and Jalpaiguri. V Rama Roa, the Governor of Sikkim inaugurated the function with the release of a special cover. It was me who won the gold medal in the senior category and also the Post Master General Trophy for the best philatelist in the exhibition. Ganesh Pradhan stood second in the senior category.

Ever since Sikkim became part of the Indian Union, four major state-level Philatelic exhibitions had been held organized by the Department of Post. Little is known about the first philatelic exhibition SIKKIMPEX-82 except that among the many participants on the exhibition one of the participants was Late Ganga Kaptan, a legendary figure in Nepali literature. The three-day exhibition had three special covers released. Sikkim Philately had to wait for two decades to have the next major exhibition. Twenty years later in 2002, a three-day exhibition was held at White Hall. It was for the first time the people of Sikkim took a keen interest in that gummed piece of paper.  Dr Pawan Kumar Chamling, the Chief Minister of Sikkim was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The exhibition was a huge success. The occasion helped introduce Dipok Dey, a renowned stamp designer from Kolkata and the only Indian to design a United Nations Stamp with the young and eager stamp collectors of the state. Amo...

FIRST SPECIAL COVER OF SIKKIM PHILATELIC EXHIBITION 1982 INVITATION CARD OF SIKKIM PHILATELIC EXHIBITION 2002 NEWSPAPER CLIPPING OF SIKKIM PHILATELIC EXHIBITION 2002 SPECIAL COVER OF SIKKIM PHILATELIC EXHIBITION 2002 BY SHITAL PRADHAN The philately exhibition held at White Hall in 2002 was special in many senses, Sikkim was witnessing such an exhibition after twenty years of gap. An interesting incident happened on the inaugural speech by John Samuel, Post Master General for North Bengal and Sikkim. Samuel announced that such an event was held in this tiny state for the first time and he had to re-correct his words when two of the special covers on display were from the first philatelic exhibition held at Gangtok in 1982. This exhibition also brought the stamps collectors of the state for the first time. Dipok Dey, the only Asian stamp designer to design United Nations Stamp was also at his maiden Sikkim visit. Sikkim Philatelist has grown since then. Two of the winner R...