Meet the Expo worker 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

Indian security guard Davinder Singh has collected 132 country pavilion pins at Expo 2020 Dubai. All photos: Victor Besa / The National

Mr Singh, 32, has an impressive collection of 132 pins and counting, as he works towards securing pins from the remaining 60 countries.

Mr Singh, who moved to Dubai eight years ago, said he enjoys how each pin is unique and that they appear colourful together on the board he is displaying them.

He plans to hang the board as a decoration in his home to remind him of 'the good memories'.

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

An Expo 2020 Dubai security guard is pinning his hopes on completing a unique world tour before the mega event concludes next month.

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, who moved to Dubai eight years ago, said he enjoys how each pin is unique and how colourful they appear together on his display board, which he plans to hang in his home as a decoration to remind him of the “good memories”.

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.

In December, The National reported on a Pakistani visitor who collected more than 200 stamps from every pavilion on his kandura.

Expo organisers revealed that they had sold more than 700,000 yellow passports as of November.

“Some of the visitors know that it’s me when they see the colourful board from far away,” Mr Singh said.

“It’s a great feeling to have this many stamps because it feels like I have travelled to all these countries.

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

Expo 2020 visitor collects stamps on kandura - in pictures