Special Cover Captures the BRICS Cities Conclave for Posterity

Dignitaries at the photo-op following the release of the Special Cover.  An image of the cover is displayed on the electronic screen in the backdrop.

A Special Cover capturing the bonding of the five BRICS countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, in pictures was one of the highlights of the inaugural function of the BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave 2016, held at Mumbai on 14 April 2016.

The three-day event is hosted by Mumbai First, a Mumbai based think tank with the support of the Government of India and the Government of Maharashtra. It isbeing attended by more than 75 high profile delegates from the BRICS countries, including Governors, City Leaders, Urban Planners, Ministers and experts. The event is expected to be a definitive platform that will create an atmosphere of dialogue and engagement among states, cities and local bodies of the five BRICS nations. Such events, ultimately, will promote people to people contacts and lasting friendship.

The Special Cover was released by Shri CH Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra. In his key note speech, he highlighted the historic importance of five countries which together are home to more than 50% of the world’s population coming together to address their common problems and shape their common future. He also mentioned that the Special Cover released on the occasion will ensure that the event is captured for posterity.

Shri AK Dash, Chief Postmaster General, Maharashtra Circle 

addressing  the Conclave

The other dignitaries present included Union Urban Development Minister Shri Venkaiah Naidu and Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis. The speakers highlighted the growing significance of the BRICS group in the global economy and spoke about the inevitability of the process of urbanisation. It is important to evolve a positive correlation between urbanization and development, in spite of the challenges of urbanisation.

Shri AK Dash, Chief Postmaster General, Maharashtra Circle told the gathering that among all the duties and responsibilities assigned to the Postal Department, commemoration of important events through philatelic releases was the most pleasant. He expressed happiness for the Department having received an opportunity to be associated with the BRICS Cities Conclave that aimed to forge a sisterhood among the cities of these five nations.