Bongopex 2025 Returns After Six-Year Hiatus; Special Covers, Student Contests and Cultural Programme Set for Nov 15

By A Staff Reporter

Kolkata — The West Bengal Circle of the Department of Posts has revived its State Level Philately Exhibition, Bongopex 2025, after a six-year gap since the 2019 edition, Ekla Cholo Re. The four-day exhibition is being held at the Science City Convention Centre from 14 to 17 November 2025, and organisers say the event is aimed at rekindling interest in philately, showcasing rare and thematic stamp collections, and engaging younger audiences with hands-on activities.

The second day of the expo, 15 November 2025, features a marquee Special Cover Release ceremony scheduled to begin at 12:30 hrs. Two special covers will be unveiled: one celebrating luminaries of the Bengal Renaissance — Raja Rammohan Roy, Pandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, Abanindranath Thakur and Begum Rokeya — and another honouring Melody Maestros of Bengal, including Sandhya Mukherjee, Sumitra Sen, Pratima Bandyopadhyay, Nirmala Misra and Banasree Sengupta. The release will be accompanied by a cultural programme organised by the Department of Posts.

Distinguished guests expected at the ceremony include Dr. Jayanta Sengupta, Director of Alipore Museum, and eminent vocalist Smt. Srabani Sen. In keeping with its outreach goals, the Circle has also scheduled student competitions on the second day: a Stamp Designing Competition from 10:30 to 12:00 hrs, and a Letter Writing Competition for two age brackets (10–14 years and 15–18 years) from 14:30 to 16:00 hrs.

The Department of Posts, West Bengal Circle, has invited media houses to cover events on 15 November, noting the exhibition’s role in promoting philatelic heritage and inspiring new collectors. Visitors can expect displays of historical and thematic collections, interactive sessions, and programmes designed to connect the state’s cultural memory with the next generation through philately.