Postage stamp featuring Mithila headgear issued

For the first time, a postage stamp featuring the famous 'paag' or headgear worn by the people of Bihar's Mithila region has been issued.

"The paag carries a lot of respect and is worn by the people of Mithila with pride. The paag dates back to pre- historic times when it was made of plant leaves. It exists today in a modified form. Paags are of different shades, colours and shapes," said a booklet on Headgears of India brought out by the postal department.

Birbal Jha, Chairman of Mithilalok Foundation working for socio-cultural and economic development of Mithila where goddess Sita was born, said, "Such a move by the government is a moral booster to the cultural activists of the country. This timely recognition of the Paag at the national level will certainly strengthen the socio-cultural fabric of India."
 

He said a wave of happiness has spread among Maithils and added that a campaign, 'Save the Paag', launched by the foundation a few years ago registered a tremendous response with more than one crore Maithils joining it.

A paag exhibition under the banner of Mithilalok was held last year in the Trade Fair here.