Patna: Bihar governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Thursday (November 28) inaugurated the state level philatelic exhibition (BIPEX-2024), organised by the Bihar postal circle, here at Gyan Bhawan and said that postage stamps are a good medium to connect with our tradition, culture and history. “Through this we can peek into our past,” he added.
The governor said that earlier messages used to be exchanged through letters, but in today’s digital age it is being done through mobile etc. “Postage stamps are a good medium to connect with our past. Through postage stamps based on various great men, we remember them and also get inspiration. Postage stamps are still relevant today. Earlier there used to be copper postage stamps, which are worth crores today,” added Arlekar.
Exhorting the students to nurture the hobby of philately, Arlekar said the collection of postage stamps for money is a different thing, but it is of great importance from the point of view of knowing and understanding our past. “Our children should be interested in stamp collection,” he added.
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On the occasion, the governor sent a letter through a pigeon, the reply to which was brought to him by the messenger ‘Harkara’ through the return post. He released special covers on Chanakya, Chitragupt and Aryabhatta and picture postcards based on sages. The governor also released books titled ‘Glory of Bihar’ and ‘Postal Heritage of Bihar’. He also visited the postage stamp exhibition.
Former Union minister CP Thakur, director general of Bihar Museums Anjani Kumar Singh and former Vice Chancellor of Patna University Rasbihari Prasad Singh also addressed the gathering.
Chief postmaster general (CPMG), Bihar postal circle, Anil Kumar, welcomed the chief guest and other visitors and children present in large numbers. He discussed the facilities being provided by the postal department at present and explained in detail the theme and objectives of BIPEX-2024. He also reiterated the commitment of the postal department to serve the society.
About 5000 students participated in various competitions
After the inaugural ceremony, the postage stamp design competition, letter writing competition and dance competition started in which about 5000 children from about 200 schools of Bihar participated.
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Special cover on Chanakya, Chandragupta & Arthashastra
About the special cover on ‘Chanakya, Chandragupta and Arthashastra’ released, Anil Kumar said that Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Maurya Empire, who established a vast empire of ancient India around 321 BC under the guidance of his guru Chanakya. Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, was a brilliant strategist and scholar who played an important role in bringing Chandragupta to power, using diplomacy and strategic intelligence.
Kautilya’s “Arthashastra,” a treatise on ancient Indian statecraft, economic policy and military strategy, is believed to have been written by Chanakya and is a foundational text in political science and administration. Chandragupta and Chanakya alliance unified large parts of the Indian subcontinent and established a strong centralized administration. Arthashastra provides insights on governance, with emphasis on espionage, taxation systems, and the well-being of the state, reflecting Chanakya’s pragmatic approach to maintaining power and stability.
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Picture postcards released
Picture postcards were released on Brahmarishi Chyavana, Maharishi Mandana Mishra, Maharishi Yagnavalkya, Maharishi Vatsyayana, Maharishi Sushruta, Maharishi Valmiki and Sage Ashtravakra. All of them have strong connections from Bihar region of yore.
Brahmarishi Chyavana
Brahmarishi Chyavana is regarded as a great Vedic sage, a pioneer of medicine and Ayurveda. Medicinal ingredients like Chyavanaprash are named after him, which are still used in Ayurvedic medicine. The ashram of Chyavana Rishi is still located in Buxar.
Maharishi Mandana Mishra
Maharishi Mandana Mishra was a renowned philosopher, whose “Brahmasiddhi” is an important treatise on Advaita Vedanta. He is known for his historic debate with Adi Shankaracharya, which focused on the nature of reality and spirituality. Mandana Bharati Dham is located in Mahishi block of Saharsa district of Bihar.
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Maharishi Yagnavalkya
Maharishi Yagnavalkya was a respected sage, famous for his contributions to the Vedas and Upanishads. He is particularly known for the “Brahma Sutra”. His dialogues with great women scholars like Gargi and Maitreyi highlighted the important role of women in Indian philosophy. His teachings emphasize the pursuit of knowledge, self-realization, and oneness of the individual with the universe. Madhubani district of Bihar is his hometown.
Maharishi Vatsyayana
Maharishi Vatsyayana was an ancient Indian philosopher, best known as the author of the ‘Kama Sutra’, a treatise on love relationships and the art of living. The text emphasizes the importance of happiness, emotional attachment and social conduct in human relationships. It is said to be associated with Pataliputra (modern Patna in Bihar).
Maharishi Vishwamitra
Maharishi Vishwamitra is a revered sage, known for his extraordinary spiritual journey from being a king to a Brahmarshi. He is also regarded as the author of the “Gayatri Mantra”. Vishwamitra is also famous for his role in the Ramayana epic, where he becomes the guide of Lord Rama and aids him in his attempt to defeat the demon king Ravana. His ashram/temple still stands in Buxar (Bihar).
Maharishi Sushruta
Maharishi Sushruta, known as the “Father of Surgery”, was an ancient Indian physician and surgeon, famous for his pioneering work in medicine and surgery, especially plastic surgery, cataract surgery, caesarean section and anesthesia. He is best known as the author of the Sushruta Samhita. Sushruta’s contributions laid the foundation for modern surgical practices. His medical practices and teachings spread to eastern India including Bihar and he lived somewhere in Patna and Varanasi.
Maharshi Valmiki
Maharshi Valmiki was a great sage of ancient India and author of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana. He is considered the Adi Kavi (first poet), and his works are a source of inspiration for religion, ideals, and morality. His ashram is located in Valmikinagar (Bettiah).
Sage Ashtavakra
Sage Ashtavakra was a great sage and philosopher of ancient India, after whom is the famous Ashtavakra Gita, a collection of teachings based on enlightenment and Advaita Vedanta. He is the first of many sages to have written a number of his works.
