World Philatellic Exhibition is being hoasted at New Delhi from 20-01-89 to 29-01-89. This exhibition is being organised by the Department of Posts, Govt. of India in cooperation with the Philatelic congress of India. It is being held under the patrionage of the Federation Inaternationale de Philatelie (FIP), granted to the exhibition during the 55th Congress of the FIP held at Stockholm. The first of such international exhibitions was organised by the Department of Psts in a small way in 1954 as a part of the cenenary celebrations of te Indian Postage Stamp.

This was followed by INDIPEX-73, India International Philatelic Exhibition organised by the Department of Posts and held in New Delhi from 14th to 23rd November, 1973. In 1977, the Philatelic Congress of India organised ASIANA 77 at Bangalore from 19th October to 23rd October, 1977. In 1980, the Department of Posts and the Philatelic Congress of India jointly hosted Inida-80 International Stamp Exhibiton inNew Delhi from 25th January to 3rd February, 1980. This exhibition marked the centenary of the Post Card Service in India as also the 125th anniversary of the First Indian Postage Stamp and was the first International Stamp Exhibition held in Asia under the patronage of trhe Federation Internationale de Philatelie.

The stage is now set for India-89 World Philatelic Exhibition which is being planned in a spaectacular way with all conviniences and facilities which accompany such exhibition. Objectives For the Department of Posts and the Philatelic Congress of India, the common objective in organising India 89 is to promote and dissemiate iformatin about the fascinating hobby of philately. It will give an opportunity to the work philatelic community to display their collections to a discerring international audience. India-89 will provide yet another occasion for the philatelists the world over to establish new contacts, rnew friendships and for fostering healthy competition amongst themselves in the colourful and festive atmosphere of New Delhi at the peak of the tourist season.

It will also be anopportunity for learning the latest techniques in designing and printing of stamps. Last, but not the least, it will be an occasion to enjoy the beauty of amn's creativeness, of progress, of civilisaton, of nature in all its myriad forms, because, ultimately we believe that these small pieces of paper, which we call stamps, depict a country's ethos. To herald the announcement of this prestigious exhibition, the Department of Posts is proud to bring out two special stamps.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India