Prashant Pandya | Exploring Philately, Ghazals & Life

About

Don't get confused between my personality & my attitude. My personality is who I am and my attitude depends on who you are.

This website is dedicated to my family, my hobbies and my activities. I hope you will find something interesting on my site.

Born: 28th April
Married: Pranoti (born 8th October)
Child: Mihir (born 21st September)

My Family Tree

My hometown is Rajpipla (erstwhile princely state) and I am living in Vadodara (formerly known as Baroda). I am proprietor of Virtual Biz Solution.

I have graduated in Microbiology from B. P. Baria Science Institute, Navsari, affiliated with Veer Narmad South Gujarat University.

I have worked in the manufacturing departments of pharmaceutical industries viz. Span Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. (Udhna-Surat), Alembic Chemicals Works Co. Ltd. (Vadodara) and Sarabhai Chemicals (Vadodara). I have also worked as Director of Moxy Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Unity Chemists & Druggists Pvt. Ltd. and Dialforhealth Unity Ltd.

Among my interests are philately, philatelic writing, music, ghazals and travel. Of course, I also design and manage Web sites, Blogs and Android App.

Some of the news clippings about my hobby and activities.
Vision of India-through the world of stamps - (Times of India, 15.08.2001).
Baroda Spawns a Legion Namesake - (Times of India, 08.09.2001).
Stamps to taste, smell, touch, hear and learn from - (Times of India, 22.10.2001).
Extreme philatelia - (Live Mint - 11th February 2011).
Thematic Collection by Prashant Pandya (વિષય આધારિત સ્ટેમ્પ્સનું કલેક્શન ધરાવતા પ્રશાંત પંડયા) - (Divya Bhaskar (Gujarati) - 4th May 2014).

“Talk to yourself once in a Day. Otherwise you may miss a meeting an Excellent person in this World.” - Swami Vivekananda.

Philately

Stamp collecting is a fascinating hobby. At first glance, stamps seem like tiny bits of coloured paper, but a closer look reveals a lot more. Right from amoeba to zebras, airplanes to yacht, archaeology to zoology, culture and heritage to space and technology, stamps have it all. In short, stamps provide a window to the country's heritage as well as achievements in various spheres. They increase our knowledge of history, geography and current world affairs. I have been a stamp collector since I was 14.

My collecting interest are:
1. Indian Postal Stationery (Pre Independence)
2. Rajpipla State Postal History
3. Baroda State Postal History
4. Modern Indian Postal History.
5. In thematic I collect on "The Story of Milk".

I have participated in several exhibitions and have won awards. I believe that philately is an edutainment (education with entertainment).

Presently I am Vice President of Philatelic Congress of India and President of Baroda Philatelic Society. I am an editor of 'Vadophil' newsletter published by Baroda Philatelic Society. I have served as Jury Member for District to National Level Philatelic Exhibitions. I am a philatelic writer and author too. I am also an Indian Representative of EXPONET, Virtual Philatelic Exhibition.

I am member of Philatelic Congress of India, Karnataka Philatelic Society and Philatelic Webmasters' Association.

My Exhibits:
1. British India Postal Stationery (Five Frame Exhibit)
2. The Story of Milk (One Frame Exhibit)
3. Glimpses of Innovations in 21st Century Indian Postal Services (Three Frame Exhibit)

Philatelic Writing
I believe, true, informative and interesting philatelic writing is the base stone for the development of philately. My aim is to spread information about philately, report happenings in philatelic world and to write on various aspects of philately.

My articles are published in:
1. Vadophil, quarterly newsletter of Baroda Philatelic Society.
2. Ind Dak Journal.
3. India Post, journal of India Study Circle for Philately, UK.
4. Various philatelic journals and other publications.

My Publication
A Guide to Modern Indian Postal Stationery, 1947-2003, Vol.- I, (Envelopes). Published on 6.6.2004.

Ghazals

In Urdu, the ghazal was originally a form of written or spoken poetry. However, the ghazal is also popular as a musical form. I like to listen ghazals sung by Jagjit Singh, Chitra Singh, Pankaj Udhas, Talat Aziz, Anup Jalota, Ghulam Ali and Bhupinder Singh.

More content coming soon. This section will feature favourite ghazals, singers, and personal reflections on music and lyrics.