New Special Covers

 

 

Special Cover on 'Celebration - Winner of 3 trophies' - 28th June 2014

Karnataka State Cricket Association, Bangalore organised felicitation function of the State Cricket team for winning the Ranji Trophy, Irani Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the season 2013-14 on 28th June2014 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Cubbon Road, Bangalore. On this momentous occasion, all cricketers of winning Ranji Trophy teams in the past were also felicitated.

On this occasion a Special Cover on 'Celebration - Winner of 3 trophies', Ranji Trophy, Irani Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy was released by Karnataka Postal Circle on 28th June 2014 at Bangalore.

During the event, Six frame exhibit on Cricket was on display at the venue. Collections of members of Karnataka Philatelic Society were on display.

 

Special Cover on Braille Edition of ‘Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master – A Yogi’s Autobiography’ and the Walk of Hope 2015-16 (Manav Ekta Mission) - 15th June 2014

Sri M – spiritual guide, social reformer and educationist was born into a Muslim family. His transformational journey, from a young boy to a living yogi, is a fascinating story symbolized by single-minded discipline and dedication. He travelled to the Himalayas at the age of 19, meeting saints and sages, eventually gaining his spiritual fulfillment under the guidance of Maheshwarnath Babaji. Based in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, he leads a simple life – teaching and guiding the Satsang Foundation and Manav Ekta Mission. Walk of Hope is an initiative of the Manav Ekta Mission works towards spreading the oneness of all religions by encouraging people to go to the core of all beliefs that nurture the innate goodness in every human being. It is a walkathon (padayatra) between Kanyakumari to Kashmir, over 6,000 kilometers, for promoting the cause of peace, harmony and human oneness. It will be led by Sri M, a spiritual luminary, author, educationist and social reformer.

Sri M’s autobiography, ‘Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master – A Yogi’s Autobiography’, is a bestseller. The Braille Version of the Sri M's autobiography was launched on the 15th of June 2014. On this occasion Karnataka Postal Circle issued a Special Cover to mark Braille Edition of ‘Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master – A Yogi’s Autobiography’ and the Walk of Hope 2015-16 organised by Manav Ekta Mission. Sri H. V. Ranganath, Senior Superintendent of Post Office, Bangalore East Division released the Special Cover at the function organized at Mitra Jyothi Charitable Trust, HSR Layout, Bangalore.

Courtesy : Indian Philately Digest

 

New Special Covers..

 

175th Year of St Mary's Anglo Indian Hr. Sec. School . Chennai

Chennai Circle released a Special Cover on 175th Year of St Mary's Anglo Indian Higher. Secondary School, Chennai on 23 June 2014.

: Mahesh Parekh – Chennai : email : maheshparekhb@gmail.com

Bhagwan Mahaveera Kewal Gyan Bhumi Rijubalika Tirth

 

A special Cover was released on Bhagwan Mahaveera Kewal Gyan Bhumi Rijubalika Tirth on 25th June 2014 by approval of Jharkhand Postal Circle.

: Pradip Jain – Patna : email : philapradip@gmail.com

New stamps on FIFA World Cup 2014

 

Here are new stamps from Aruba Post issued  for biggest football event FIFA World Cup 2014  being held at Brazil from 12 June to 12 July 2014. FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is responsible for the organization of football’s major international tournaments, notably the World Cup.

Each stamp is painted and designed in the form of a half circle. The half circle symbolizes the lens of a camera which symbolizes the worldwide focus on the most anticipated soccer event that takes place every four years.Each stamp has the world cup trophy on the right side of the stamp, painted in different tones according to the color pattern on the right bottom side of each stamp.The multicolor patterns on the right bottom side symbolize the unity of all flags and races that are brought together by this worldwide event.

Club News

Honour for SIPA Members

Sri G. Amarchand  receiving The Life Time Achievement Award and certificate from the Hon’ble Minister Thiru.P.Rajavelu Minister for Welfare and Tourism Govt. of Pondicherry.

Indo French Philatelic &  Numismatic Association ( IFPNA ) honored & awarded two eminent philatelists of SIPA in the recently held Nu-Philex 2014 Philately and Numismatic exhibition organised at Pondicherry by IFPNA from 20th to 22nd June, 2014 . honored & awarded two eminent philatelists in the recently held Nu-Philex 2014 Philately and Numismatic exhibition organised at Pondicherry from 20th to 22nd June, 2014.

Mr. G. Amarchand  was a longtime Treasurer of South India Philatelists Association .His collection of India Classic Stamps have taken him to the league of International Gold Medalists, as he won the Gold Medal at Indepex 2011 at Delhi. He is also an expert on Maritime Mails of the British era.He was instrumental in making a number of Stamp Collectors into serious Philatelists.

On behalf of Sri G.Balakrishna Das his son Mr.B.Mahesh Parekh receiving  The Life Time Achievement Award and certificate from the Hon’ble Minister Thiru.P.Rajavelu Minister for Welfare and Tourism Govt. of Pondicherry.

Mr. G. Balakrishna Das  is  the founder-member of SOUTH INDIA PHILATELISTS’ ASSOCIATION .He started specializing in French India stamps and Convention States of British India, i.e. before Independence. He has won Gold Medals for both his collections in National level and Large Vermeil  in International exhibitions. He was the Secretary of South India Philatelists’ Association from inception i.e from 1956 till 2000, when he was elected as President of South India Philatelists’ Association.

Mr. Balakrishna Das was instrumental in all the 13 Philatelic Exhibitions conducted with aplomb by SIPA right from 1959 till 2011. Mr Balakrishnadas is now 81 yrs old, for him philately is not merely collecting stamps, but true essence of life.

New Special Cover

Special Cover on "Right to Go - Toilets for Every Home" - 26th June 2014

Department of Post, Maharashtra Postal Circle issued a Special Cover and Cancellation (Special Cover approval no. MH/15/2014) to acknowledge the efforts of Rotary Club of Thane Hills and the importance of their project 'Right To Go'. The Special Cover was released by Shri H. C. Agrawal, Postmaster General, Mumbai Region and in the august presence of Thane District Collector, Mr. P. Velrasu.

Rotary Club of Thane Hills (RCTH) was chartered on May 20, 1991. Within a radius of 75 kms from Thane city, there are villages which suffer from appalling lack of basic sanitation. Women from these villages have to trudge long distances every morning to find a convenient and safe place to ease themselves. The lack of toilet facilities in the villages is an insult to the dignity of women, and poses a threat to personal and public health.

Rotary Club of Thane Hills ‘Right to Go’ project envisages the construction of basic toilet blocks within the compound of 200 rural homes in the targeted village of SOGAV, Tal. Shahapur , Dist. Thane. Under the "RIght to Go" project, Rotary Club of Thane Hills have constructed 210 Toilet blocks for 210 homes in Sogav village, 80 kms from city of Mumbai.

 

Special Cover on Natya Kalanidhi Guru A. T. Govindraj Pillai Birth Centenary - 22nd June 2014

 

As a part of Centenary celebrations of Natya Kalanidhi Guru A.T. Govindraj Pillai Birth a Special Cover was issued on 22nd June 2014 at the function held at Shri Shanmukhananda Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Auditorium, Mumbai.

Born on 22nd June 1914, in a family devoted to music and dance for generations, Guru Ayyampettai Thyagaraj Govindraj Pillai had first started his music lessons from Vidwan Veerabhadra Pillai. Later he was thoroughly trained in the intricacies of Carnatic music by the veterans Vidwan Markhanda Pillai and Vidwan Venugopal. By sheer dint of hard work and intense devotion to the art, Guru Govindraj Pillai had reached the pinnacle of fame which very few could accomplish. He married to Karunambal, daughter of Bharatha Vidwan Kuppiah Pillai. Karunambal was a great source of inspiration and of immense help to Guru Govindraj in imparting tuition to the students.

Rajarajeshwari Kala Mandir was established in Bombay (Mumbai) by Guru Sri A. T. Govindraj Pillai in the year 1945. He was assisted by his wife Smt. Karunambal. In recognition of his very distinguished and meritorious services in the field of Bharatha Natyam, The Tamil Nadu Sangeet Nataka Academy, Madras conferred on Guru Govindraj Pillai the prestigious title of ‘Kalaimamani’ and the award of the best Bharatha Natya Vidwan of 1971. Majestic in his nattuvangam and melodious in his singing, Guru Govindraj Pillai had conducted over 2000 arangterams and nearly 10000 concerts in India and abroad.

Courtesy : Indian Philately Digest

Indian theme on foreign stamps…

 

Taj Mahal on Myanmar stamps

Date of Issue: June 28, 2014

Myanmar Post  will issue a set of two stamps on 60th Anniversary of the Announcement of the Five principles of peaceful co-existence by Myanmar, China, and India (1954 - 2014) on 28 June 2014. Stamp design features three images, one for each country, and the last image depicts Taj Mahal.

Image Courtesy : Ms. Thitar Aung, Myanmar

News Credit : Kasinath R.  - Tanjore

New Stamps from Sri Lanka

Vesak 2014

Date of Issue : 12 May 2014

 

: Pradip Jain – Patna

email : philapradip@gmail.com

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

 

 

26 June : International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed all over the world y’day !!

By resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. This resolution recommended further action with regard to the report and conclusions of the 1987 International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

 

    

Malaysia Post issued a set of 3 stamps on 26 June 1996 for this special day observed all over the world. Here are some more philatelic items issued on this theme .

Say No to Drugs  ! !

2014 Theme : A message of hope: Drug use disorders are preventable and treatable

Club News

TAIPEI 2015

Asian International stamp Exhibition TAIPEI 2015  will be held under FIAP Patronage  from 24-28 April at Taipei, Chinese Taipei.

Mr Umesh Kakkeri of Mumbai has been appointed as National Commissioner from India. He may be contacted at Email : umesh_kakkeri@hotmail.com Ph. No. 9969571767

HIMPEX 2014 : First H. P. State level stamp exhibition

For the first time the State Postal Department organized a three day, State Level Philatelic Exhibition from 9th June to 11th June, 2014 in Gaiety Theatre, Shimla. Passionate enthusiast and stamp collectors from all around the city and state participated and on 11th June the event culminated with the prize distribution. The Chief Guest for the occasion was the Chief Post Master General, AN Nanda and among others present were the R S Mishra, DSP, (HQ) HP, Dr S P Gupta, Accredited Jury, Dinesh Chandra Sharma, Apprentice Jury and M R Chaudhary, SSPO, Hamirpur.

The event began with the welcome address by Mr Chaudhary followed by the jury report by Dr Gupta. He informed that the exhibits were judged as per Rules India Post Handbook on Philately, which were appropriately modified for zonal and regional competitions. He said, “There was one seven frame exhibit, three five frame exhibits, 3 four frame exhibits, 18 two frame exhibits, and 35 one frame exhibits. Minimum 2 to 8 size frames were allotted to classes 5 to 10 after relaxation of the rules for the participants. There were quite a number of exhibits in each category”.

 

 

 

The award ceremony began first with the Youth Activity prizes followed by the Exhibition prizes. Most number of prizes in the former category were bagged by Major Dr Ritu Kalra, Anil Kapoor, Bhumika Sharma, Rajiv Khera, who all received Gold Medals. Jintendra Arora, NK Khera, Dhiraj Gupta, Neha Arora, Neru Arora, Snehlata, Guninder Singh Narang, Rakesh Walia, Kritika Kheda received the silver medal.

School students who were winners in the Letter Writing Competition held on 1st June were as follows:
Postman of My Street (Classes I to V)
1st Smriti Kaith, Class V, Auckland House School, Shimla
2nd Gopal Kumar, Class V, SD Sr Sec School, Shimla
3rd Prajjawal Sharma, Class V, DAV Public School, New Shimla

Environment (Class VI to VIII)
1st Akrit Sharma, Class VIII, DAV Public School, New Shimla
2nd Jayendra sing, Class VIII, DAV Public School, New Shimla
3rd Prachi, Class VIII, Government Girls SSS Portmore Shimla

Modernization of Post Offices (Classes IX to XIII)
1st Vaibhav Sharma, Class XII, DAV Public School, New Shimla
2nd Taniya Bhardwaj, Class XII, DAV Public School, New Shimla
3rd Chavi Sharma, Class X, DAV Public School, New Shimla

Bhumika Sharma of Solan receiving award from CPMG

Read More ….

Year Book of Indian Philately : 2013

 

Book Review

Year Book of Indian Philately : 2013 By Madan Middha

Year Book of Indian Philately: 2013  by Madan Middha : Pages 271- Published by Vishesh Prakashan, Topi Bazar, Gwalior : Price Rs 300

Year Book of Indian Philately: 2013  by Mr Madan Middha has just been released. The book features every aspect of Indian Philately like articles on Indian Philately related subjects, listings of special covers, stamps, postal stationery, exhibitions, award winners etc. In this edition articles by renowned philatelists  have also been published. The list of important articles is given below :

• Indian Telegraphs – A tribute by  Ilyas Patel,
• Indo-Pak Mails – Arrangements after partition of 1947 by Ashok Kumar Bayanwala,
• Azad Hind Stamps by  Naresh Agarwal,
• Mahatma Gandhi, 1948 issues by  Sudhir Jain,
• Indian Watermarks by  Madan Middha,
• Window Delivery by  Rajesh Paharia,
• Smart Money Order by  Prashant Pandya,
• Unusual Stamps : Cloth Stamps by Ramarathnam K.
• Special article on  “My Stamp” and “R.M.F.M. Metermarks”.
• Terms Unexplained by Year Book Editorial Team
• Rejoinders – Ungummed Definitives of India by P.G. Heda ; My Stamp by Editorial Team ; R.M.F.M. Meter Marks by Editorial Team

The book covers information on philatelic events of year 2013. Award List of international exhibitions, forthcoming international exhibitions, Indian stamps, postal stationery, Army covers, Special covers and postmarks issued during the year 2013 have been listed in the book. Information on Postal History events, exhibitions, society news has also been included in the year book.

Philatelic Tid – Bits is a very interesting section of this book. This section covers some very interesting news of the year 2013 of the philatelic world. One can find many uncommon and eye catching subjects in this section like SMS postage stamps, First Underground Post Office, news on academic recognition to philately, New Methods to check Rare Postage stamps and many more news items. It is a perfect book for all stamp lovers especially those who wish to get complete information about 2013 events of the Indian Philately. As the book covers each and every aspect it will prove very useful to every stamp collector from beginner to specialized collector. The paper, printing and layout of the book is very nice. I am sure the book will be an asset for all stamp collectors. This book is recommended to all philatelic libraries of philatelic societies and stamp clubs as well as to the libraries of schools and colleges for students.

The preface of this edition highlights the “Frustrations of a Philatelist” who are concerned with the future of their philatelic belongings and the hobby in general. Some important and thought provoking issues are taken by the editor.

2013 edition of the “Year Book of Indian Philately” is  available with Mr Madan Middha The price of the year book is Rs. 300 inclusive of postage in India.Readers may contact : Mr Madan Middha, Saket Vihar, Phalka Bazar, GWALIOR - 474 001. email : madan_middha@yahoo.co.in

Earlier editions of the Year Book have won a number of Regional, National & International Awards  It has won a Silver Medal at the IPhLA 2012 at Mainz, Germany; also a number of other awards at FIP & FIAP  philatelic exhibitions held in last few years.

New Special Covers..

 

Himachal Pradesh University, Summerhill, Gyanpath, Shimla - 9.06.2014 

First State level philatelic exhibition of Himachal Pradesh was held at Gaiety Theater, Shimla from 9th June 2014 to 11th June 2014.  During this exhibition 5 special covers were released .

 

 

2.  Shankar Kedar Temple Chakkar, Shimla  - 9.06.2014 

3. Shree Markandaye Temple, Markand, Distt. Bilaspur  - 10.06.2014  

 

 

4.  Dera Baba Rudra Nand Ashram, Yagna Nagar, Una  - 10.06.2014  

5.  World's Highest Post Office, Hikkim  - 11.06.2014   

- Ravindra Wamanacharya – Nashik

email : r_wamanacharya@yahoo.co.in

 

First underground Post Office of the world

 

Date of Issue : 22 March 2013

Slovenia Post issued a souvenir sheet on 22 March  2013 featuring world’s first underground Post Office  of the world.

The first underground Post Office

Postojna Cave is the most famous cave in Europe, welcoming half a million visitors each year. In its 200-year tradition of tourism, the cave’s beautiful dripstone formations have been admired by 35 million people, including 150 monarchs. The cave extends for 21 kilometres. Tours of the cave have been possible for 141 years via the cave railway. It is a cradle of bio speleology, and an area with the greatest diversity of cave fauna in the world, since in addition to the proteus or “human fish”, it is home to the first cave beetle, Leptodirus hochenwartii, and 100 other species of cave fauna. Prior to the appearance of postcards, the cave had already
enjoyed a long tradition of tourism.

The number of postcards sent from Postojna grew markedly at Whitsuntide and the Feast of the Assumption, when mass events and dances were held. For this reason the cave management sent a request to the Austrian trade ministry in Vienna for the opening of a post office in the cave.

Postojna Cave – Underground Post Office

Date of Issue : 22 March 2013

On 15 August 1899, next to the Dance Hall, 500 metres from the entrance to the cave, the first underground post office in the world was opened. It used the postmark “ADELSBERGER GROTTE – POSTOJNSKA JAMA”. At first the post office was open only on special occasions, but after 1911 it operated regularly, with a record 75,000 postcards being sent at that time on Whitsun Monday, and thereafter 6,000 to 11,000 were posted each day. Even during the First World War, when Postojna hosted the General Staff of the Austro-Hungarian forces for the Soča (Isonzo) Front, the underground post office stayed open, and continued to operate between 1922 and 1927, after the annexation of Postojna to the Kingdom of Italy. At that time the post office used the postmark “POSTUMIA (GROTTE)”. In May 1927 a second underground post office was constructed in the Concert Hall, 1400 metres from the cave entrance, and this operated up until 1945.

New stamp on Red Cross..

 

 

Date of Issue : 6 May 2014

Australia Post issued a stamp to commemorate 100 years of Red Cross in Australia. A Maxi Card was also issued ffor this issue.

100 Years People Helping people

Australian Red Cross was established in 1914, nine days after the commencement of World War I. The organisation grew at a rapid rate – by November 1914, New South Wales had 88 city or suburban branches and 249 country branches. The Society was accepted by the community from the beginning. Much of the World War I home front activities such as knitting socks and rolling bandages was done by local Red Cross branches.

Australian Red Cross supports and runs important projects whilst raising awareness about issues or problems. These include First Aid projects, Disaster and Emergency Services, Youth and Education. The Mission of Australian Red Cross is: "To be a leading humanitarian organisation in Australia, improving the lives of vulnerable people through services delivered and promotion of humanitarian laws and values."

Club News

Forthcoming Philatelic Exhibitions in Karnataka

Bagalkot (Divisions covered Bagalkot, Chikodi, Gokak and Belgaum) - 19th - 20th July 2014.

Gadag (Divisions covered Gadag, Dharwad, Bellary, Sirsi, Karwar and Haveri) - 9th - 10th August 2014.

Gulbarga (Divisions covered Gulbarga, Bidar, Bijapur and Raichur) - 23rd - 24th August 2014.

It is also proposed to organize district level philatelic exhibition at Bangalore in 1st week of August 2014. The date is not announced yet. More information is awaited.

- Jagannath Mani - Bangalore

FIFA World Cup 2014 stamp from Croatia

 

Date of Issue : 12 June 20014

To commemorate FIFA World Cup 2014  Croatian Post issued a beautiful stamp on 12 June 2014. Football ball Stamp has been issued in 9-stamp sheetlet with one label .

It was in England that the football was born but in Brazil where it lives in its richest and most natural form. Brazil is the host country of the 20th FIFA World Cup, for the second time in history, once again after 64 years. The Football World Cup 1950 in Brazil was remembered after thrilling and dramatic ending with tragic consequences. In the last game of the tournament Uruguay won against the absolute favourite 2: 1 (0: 1) in front of 200,000 spectators!

The defeat created despair for the whole nation – even about thirty self-murders were committed! Since that time the Brazilians are the only ones who have won five titles (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002) – and once again all roads take us to Maracana, that cult place of this populous country and the world’s football.

Israel - Thailand Joint Issue

 

Date of Issue : 5 June 2014

Here is a new joint issue   from Israel and Thailand. It has been issued to commemorate 60 years of Diplomatic relations between Israel and Thailand. The stamp of Israel and Thailand  feature native fruits of the two countries.

The State of Israel and the Kingdom of Thailand have enjoyed friendly diplomatic relations for 60 years, since their establishment in 1954.These friendly relations include successful cooperation in many areas such as agriculture, water management, advanced technology, education and medicine.The versatile relations between these two countries have been demonstrated through a number of historical visits by members of the Thai royal family to Israel and by Israeli dignitaries to Thailand.

Every year Israel welcomes hundreds of Thai students and professionals who come to attend various training programs, mainly in the fields of agriculture, technology and education.

The stamp features two types of fruit that are characteristic of their countries – a pomegranate from Israel and a mangosteen fruit from Thailand. In addition to their tastiness, each of these fruits has symbolic significance in the traditions of its people and its country.In Jewish tradition, the pomegranate symbolizes beauty, fertility and abundance.It is also one of the seven species mentionedin the Bible as being special agricultural products of Eretz Israel.

The mangosteen fruit, a very popular tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia, is known as the “Queen of Thai Fruit” probably because of its beautiful appearance and pleasant taste. Each of these fruits is known to possess its own medicinal properties and they are also combined in food supplements, health drink sand beauty creams

Club News

New Meghdoot Post Card by India Post

 

Another issue of Meghdoot Postcard of year 2014 ( 25p Home Jahangir Bhabha SPP/ HYD 2014) has been reported carrying advertisement on Noorul Islam University in English on the occasion of Silver Jubilee of the university. Advertisement carries various information about the university, courses offered by university and their contact information. The Meghdoot card was issued on 12 June 2014.

Picture Postcard on 2014 FIFA World Cup issued at Chennai

Tamilnadu Postal Circle has issued Picture Postcard on 2014 FIFA World Cup on 12th June 2014. Picture Postcard is priced at Rs. 25 each and available at Philatelic Bureau, Anna Road, Chennai.

Courtesy : Indian Philately Digest