Int'l philatelic exhibition on life of Buddha kicks off

Gorakhpur: To mark International Museum Day, a three-day international philatelic exhibition ‘BuddhaPEX-25', began at the State Buddhist Museum in Gorakhpur on Saturday.

Jointly organized by the Department of Culture, Uttar Pradesh, and the Philatelic Society of Uttar Pradesh, the exhibition showcases a rare collection of postage stamps and materials themed on Lord Buddha from over 150 countries, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the USA. Postmaster General of Gorakhpur region, Gaurav Srivastava inaugurated the event in presence of noted philatelists Padma Ramchet Chaudhary and Aditya Singh.

Over 1,000 philatelic items, including stamps, special covers, miniature sheets, cancellations, and picture postcards, depict Buddha's life from birth to Mahaparinirvana, displayed across 60 exhibition frames.

The event also featured a postcrossing meetup, stamp history workshop, letter-writing, and painting competitions, which saw participation from nearly 250 students across 10 local schools.

Speaking on the occasion, Srivastava praised the initiative, calling it a rare and enlightening experience that reinforces India's identity as a global spiritual hub. Chaudhary emphasized Buddha's global impact and praised the museum's initiative to bring the region's rich Buddhist heritage to light.

Deputy Director of the museum Yashwant Singh Rathore emphasized the importance of cultural engagement, especially among youth, saying the museum serves as a bridge between the past and the future.