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Monday, December 26, 2011

Guv releases Vijay Hazare's postal envelope


VADODARA: The late Vijay Hazare finally got a fitting tribute on Friday when a postal envelope with a photo of the Sachin Tendulkar of yesteryears was inaugurated by Gujarat governor Dr Kamla in the city. Hazare's son Ranjit expressed pleasure over the initiative but said that much more could have been done for his father whose contribution to Indian cricket isn't recognized in India.
"We are very happy that the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) and postal department has come out with the envelopes printed with images of Vijay Hazare. But, much more could have been done. hasn't done anything to recognise Hazare's greatness," said Ranjit and added that his father was respected much more in England and other cricket playing nations.
Hazare captained India in 14 matches between 1951 and 1953 and led the country to its first ever Test win (and the only victory under his captaincy) against England in 1951-52 at Madras (Chennai), winning by an innings and eight runs. Primarily a right-hand batsman, Hazare was also a medium-pace bowler. He accumulated 2,192 runs in 30 Tests.
"I still remember how he was mobbed by fans during our visit to Lords cricket ground in 1992. People took his autographs and were keen to get clicked with him. Even ex-India player Anil Kumble now has a road after his name in Bangalore," recalled Ranjit, who has played 38 Ranji matches for Baroda. BCA has been promising to install a bust of Hazare for the last three years but it is yet to work in that direction.
"Hazare was more like a family member for us as he had a job of looking after us eight brothers and sisters. And, it wasn't an easy job," recalled Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, scion of royal family. The two-day postal GUJPEX exhibition is underway at Akota town hall wherein personal collection of stamps is put on display. Apart from Beniwal, chief post master general, Humera Ahmed and Gaekwad attended the function. The postal envelopes of GSFC with images of banyan tree and National Institute of Design (NID) too were released. These envelopes will be sold during the exhibition.
"Collection of stamps in our country has gone down over years due to influx of satellite television. But, in developed countries, philately is still a hobby," Ahmed said.

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