Praful Thakkar | |
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Born | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India | February 25, 1940
Occupation(s) | Retired Indian Administrative Officer, Author, Hobbyist |
Praful Thakkar (born February 25, 1940) is an Indian collector of autographs, philately, First Day Covers (FDCs), coins, medals, tokens, badges, badge plates and other collectibles from India. He has written several books on his hobbies.
Praful attended Gokuldas Tejpal High School, Bombay. He was a General Secretary of the Students’ Union and Co-operative Stores run by the students. He later attended the Tatwagnan Vidyapeeth in Thane, Maharashtra, an institute established by the founder of the Swadhyaya Movement, Pandurang Shashtri Athavle. Thakkar studied Indian and Western philosophy. After graduation, he took part in various competitive examinations for government administrative assignments. He worked as an I.A.S. officer serving the Government of Gujarat in various administrative capacities.
Thakkar has published several books, including collector's guides in the areas of numismatics, philately, and autographs. These include Collector's Guide to Indian Canteen Tokens, Collector's Guide to Membership Badges of Turf & Race Clubs of India, Collector's Guide to Chronologies of Sultans, Rulers & Colonial Heads of India, Chapras: Collector's Guide to Belt Buckles, Badges and Badge Plates of India, Collector's Guide to Covers & Folders of India 1947-1964 - Official & Private, and Glimpses of Indian Autographs.
He has also written on Indian culture, and translated Sanskrit poetry.