Hobby centres to be setup in Head Post offices

Chennai, Jan 7 (UNI) The Department of Posts has planned to start hobby centres in about 800 Head Post Offices (HPOs) across the country from January 26 to popularise stamp collection, especially among school children.

Speaking at the valedictory function of the India National Philatelic Exhibition-2008 (INPEX) here last evening, Postal Services Board Member (Operations and Marketing) K Noorjehan said the centres would be similar to the Nehru Philatelic Centre.

The Department would seek the help of philatelists to enrol at least ten schools in a region, and about 100 students would be selected from a school. They would be asked to open a philatelic deposit account in the post office, she added.

''There are more than 90 HPOs and we hope at least 9,200 savings accounts can be opened in Tamil Nadu. Though it is mandatory to have a minimum balance of Rs 200 per account, the children can open one with Rs 100, while we will provide materials worth Rs 100 as bonus.

''We will request philatelists to conduct workshops regularly.

Besides, we will have an interactive page on our website to cater to the specific needs of the philatelists. As many as 48 new stamps will be released during 2008,'' she added.

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