Meet Davinder Singh on a mission to collect pin badges from 192 nations

Davinder Singh has already picked up more than 130 of the mementos to mark his experience at the world’s fair

An Expo 2020 Dubai security guard Davinder Singh has built up a collection of commemorative  pin badges and hopes to complete a unique world tour before the Expo 2020 mega event concludes next month, a report in The National, says

Instead of the usual stamps that visitors collect for their yellow souvenir passports, Davinder Singh has been collecting commemorative pin badges from every country pavilion he has visited.

The 32-year-old from India has amassed an impressive collection of 132 of the mementos and is working to secure the remaining 60.

“I started collecting them because I wanted to have something memorable from the Expo,” Mr Singh said, who works as a security guard for a company participating in the world’s fair.

“People usually collect stamps, but I wanted to collect something that wouldn’t get damaged easily and would last for a very long time. It’s been fun going to all of the different pavilions and exploring different cultures.”

Mr Singh hopes to travel to future Expos in other countries to continue his collection. Victor Besa / The National

He moved to Dubai eight years ago, and said he enjoys how each pin is unique and how colourful they appear together on his display board. He said some pavilions sell the badges while others are giving them away for free.

“It’s taken me two months to get the pins I have so far and I’m still collecting them,” he said.

“Some of the small countries I went to did not have pins, but I have managed to collect a good amount, so I’m not feeling disheartened over the ones I have missed.”

Mr Singh said some Expo visitors who visit frequently to collect memorabilia from every pavilion have started to recognise him.

There are people who travel to every Expo to collect mementos, especially stamps.

 “I hope that I can travel to future Expos that happen in other countries and continue my collection.”

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