Department of Posts issued special cover and cancellation on five GI products of Varanasi

Various programs were  organized by the Department of Posts on 'Philately Day' on 13th October, 2021 under 'National Postal Day'. Programs like Design a Stamp, Quiz, Philatelic Workshop were organized for children on this occasion at Varanasi Head Post Office. A postage stamp exhibition based on 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' was also organized.

On this occasion, Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav, Postmaster General of Varanasi Region and GI Expert Padma Shri Awardee Dr. Rajnikant issued special cover and cancellation on five GI products related to Varanasi – Banaras Gulabi Meenakari Craft, Varanasi Soft Stone Jali Work, Varanasi Wooden Lacquerware & Toys, Banaras Metal Repousse Craft and Varanasi Glass Beads.

Postmaster General Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav said that this would encourage people associated with GI products of Varanasi. These GI products related to traditional handicrafts, handlooms and other household products will be able to make their branding at the global level by realizing the concept of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. Through these special covers, the workmanship and culture of Banaras will be spread in the country and abroad. Postmaster General Mr. Yadav said that recently, Shri Narendra Modi, the Member of Parliament from Varanasi and the Prime Minister of the country, had also presented a chess made of Gulabi Meenakari of Banaras to the Vice President of America, Kamala Harris, during his visit to America. The Prime Minister has also presented products based on GI products of Varanasi to other Heads of State. This has given these products a new global identity.

GI expert Padma Shri Dr. Rajni kant appreciated this initiative of the Department of Posts and said that this would give a new identity to the GI products of Varanasi. GI products may be delivered through Post Offices in Country and abroad. The GI tagged products of Varanasi have a unique identity across the world and this art has been preserved by the artisans here for centuries. In Uttar Pradesh, 17 out of 34 GI products are from Varanasi and its adjoining districts, to which livelihood of many people is also linked. The way the Prime Minister himself has taken the initiative to promote GI products, it is getting new dimensions through local to Global.

On this occasion, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Varanasi East Division, Mr Rajan, Superintendent Post Offices Varanasi West Division, Mr Sanjay Verma, Senior Postmaster Varanasi Head Post Office Chandrashekhar Singh Barua, Assistant Superintendent Post Offices Pankaj Srivastava, Suresh Chandra, RK Chauhan, Inderjit Pal, Harishankar Yadav and other employees of the Postal department were also present.