KATHMANDU: From connecting communities across borders to preserving history through stamps, the postal service’s enduring role was in focus at a philatelic exhibition organised on Friday to mark World Post Day and the 152nd anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
The department released five postage stamps across three issues, each with a denomination of Rs 10. The stamps honour Nepal’s historical figures and military heroes while commemorating a milestone in modern communication.
Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dr Bikram Timilsina, the chief guest, inaugurated the exhibition and viewed collections displayed by members of the Nepal Philatelic Society (NPS). Ten collectors showcased 14 frames of their postal items on the UPU and other themes. The minister also applied first-day cancellations to stamp covers, marking the formal release of the new issues.
Addressing the gathering, Timilsina said the government was working to restructure the postal service to make it faster, more convenient and reliable. He stressed the need for results-driven efforts to modernise the sector. “The postal service has a rich history, but we must also focus on its future by transforming it into a modern, reliable and citizen-centric service.”
Two of the new stamp sets, issued under the personality series, honour Bishe Nagarchi and Bange Sarki for their contributions to Nepal’s history. National Dalit Commission Chairman Devraj Bishwakarma said the stamps recognise the Dalit community’s historical role in nation-building.
Nagarchi is remembered for his role during Nepal’s unification under King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Historical accounts describe him as a musician and adviser who is believed to have helped mobilise financial resources and boost soldiers’ morale through music.
Sarki, meanwhile, is remembered for his patriotism and courage. Around 1866 BS, while working in India, he reportedly refused an attempt by British forces to recruit him as a spy to facilitate an invasion of Nepal. Despite promises of wealth and luxury, he stood his ground and was arrested, tortured and killed. His inclusion alongside Nagarchi highlights efforts to recognise historical figures whose contributions have received limited attention.
The second set honours two Nepali Gurkha soldiers, Kulbir Thapa Magar and Karna Bahadur Rana Magar, who received the Victoria Cross for gallantry during the First World War (1914–1918).
Thapa Magar became the first Nepali recipient of Britain’s highest award for gallantry for his actions in France in September 1915. Despite being wounded, he rescued injured British and Gurkha soldiers under enemy fire.
Rana Magar received the Victoria Cross for his actions at El Kelfr, Egypt, on April 10, 1918. Aged just 19, he took over a Lewis gun after its operator was shot and helped neutralise an enemy machine-gun position despite intense fire. Both soldiers survived the war and later returned to Nepal.
British Ambassador to Nepal Rob Fenn welcomed the recognition of the Gurkha soldiers, noting their valour while fighting for Britain against Germany during the war.
He also expressed interest in the third commemorative issue, which marks the centenary of Scottish inventor John Logie Baird’s public demonstration of television in London on January 26, 1926. Baird’s pioneering experiments helped lay the groundwork for television broadcasting.
The department also felicitated three Nepal Philatelic Society members for their achievements in international philately. Dr Ashok Rana received a gold medal at the Dubai 2026 World Stamp Exhibition in February for his collection, “Perkins, Bacon Issues for Nepal 1907–1935”. Rishi Tulsyan won a gold medal at the MACAO 2026 Specialized World Stamp Exhibition in June for his exhibit, “Postal Stationery of Nepal (1887–1950)”. Shyam Nhuchhe Pradhan was recognised for his service as an international philatelic jury member.
In her closing remarks, Postal Services Director General Manmaya Bhattarai Pangeni called for the modernisation of postal services to improve public access. She thanked postal workers for their contributions and said the department was proud to honour prominent national and international figures through commemorative stamps marking World Post Day.
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