Club News

 

Rainbow Stamp News January 2015

 

Hi ! I have just uploaded January 2015 Issue of Rainbow Stamp News on Blog. It is available at following links :

http://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.in/2014/12/rainbow-january-2015.html

http://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.in/  ( For Indian Readers )

http://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.com  (  For Overseas Readers )

This is the last post of this year.

Wishing all my Readers a very Happy New Year  !

New Stamp from India

Commemorative Stamp on Baba Amte

Date of Issue : 30 December 2014

India Post issued a commemorative stamp in honour of Baba Amte on 30th December 2014.

Murlidhar Devidas Amte (b. 26 December 1914, d. 9 February 2008) popularly known as Baba Amte, was a social worker and social activist known particularly for his work for the rehabilitation and empowerment of poor people suffering from leprosy. Baba Amte was awarded Padma Shri in 1971, Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1985, Padma Vibhushan in 1986, United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights in 1988 and Gandhi Peace Prize in 1999.

Courtesy – Indian Philately Digest

Bhutan – Thailand Joint Issue

 

Bhutan Post released a series of stamps celebrating the 25^th anniversary the Establishment of Diplomatic Relation between Bhutan and Thailand. The issue consists of six stamps that were put into circulation in the end of November.

Established in 1989, the diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Thailand have grown stronger over the years. Both nations have many features in common. Located in Southeast Asia, both nations have a monarchy system.

Both Bhutan and Thailand have Buddhist-majority populations, with a strong Buddhist heritage and culture. Thailand has established a consulate in Bhutan, but also uses its embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh to coordinate its relations with Bhutan and its activities there.

Press Clippings

Announcing it differently

The envelope and the printed sheet of personalised stamps

I recently seem to be getting invited to weddings where arrangements are being done a bit differently. In this instance, the wedding invitation that arrived by post bore a stamp of the couple, their names, Jai and Pallavi, printed below the picture of them together. Asking Pallavi’s mother what that was all about, Chitra told me that the Postal Department was offering personalised stamps and wondered how come I had not heard of it. Well, I’m usually behind the times, I told her, but so seem to be the circles I generally move in; no one had heard of these stamps. Whereupon Chitra proceeded to enlighten me.

But first she “just” had to tell me that the Philatelic Bureau on Mount Road had once been the city’s first custom-built cinema theatre, the Electric Theatre, before the Postal Department took it over. For many years, little attention had been paid to it by the Department till one fine day they decided to renovate the building and make it the Philatelic Bureau. Now, not only is the main part of the building well-kept, but its nearly all-woman services are offered not only efficiently but in a friendly manner. “It’s nice to see smiling faces in a Government Department when you seek help,” says Chitra. Former Postmaster-General Theodore Baskaran would be delighted with all she had to say; a heritage buff, he had been responsible for the restoration and the re-use of the building in an imaginative manner.

At the personalised stamp counter in the Bureau one morning, she was offered several options of regular post office Rs. 5 issues to choose from and she chose the Taj Mahal. Then she produced the photograph she wanted used and this was scanned and sent for printing. Rs. 15 was the charge per stamp set for a bulk order, including the Rs. 5 for the Postal Department’s sister stamp, in this case the Taj Mahal stamp. Including choosing, scanning, paying, receipting and a “Please come back at four in the evening, Madam,” the whole transaction took just half an hour, the efficiency impressive, and the chat, including cooing over the picture, a rare pleasantry in a Government institution. When Chitra went back in the evening, the greetings were warm, and the stamps were ready as promised. They came in sets of 12, the personalised stamps having been printed on a perforated sheet of Rs. 5 Taj Mahal stamps that had a blank space left next to each official stamp to accommodate “My Stamp”. Chitra may have been poorer by the cost but richer by the experience of friendly service and happier by the delighted reaction of numerous friends who called in to say “What a nice idea!”

The service has been around for a while now, I was later told, but so few seem to have heard of it. Perhaps the Postal Department should improve its marketing, especially when it has a good idea.

Not ‘rocket science’ for an idea, but a way to get customers to know that there’s at least one corner in a Government institution where there’s something customer-friendly going on.

The Hindu – 29 December 2014

- Mahaes Parekh - Chennai

Stamp Design Competition by India Post

 

Theme : Women Empowerment

“Independence Day 2015” - Stamp Design Competition by India Post

Department of Posts is holding a “Independence Day 2015 – Stamp Design Competition”. The theme of the competition is Women Empowerment.The Terms and Conditions to participate in the competition are as follows:

i. Entries are invited for ‘Independence Day 2015 – Stamp Design Competition’ . The participants are to make an original design on this subject (should not be copy of picture painted by someone else).

ii. Any citizen of India can participate in this contest. The design could be in ink, water colour, oil colour or any other medium (computer printed/printout will not be allowed). The design submitted should be such that can be depicted on the stamps in a visually appealing manner so as to be of interest to philatelic collectors.

iii. Participants are free to use drawing paper, art paper or any other type of white paper of A4 Size.

iv. The following particulars should be written legibly on the reverse of the design:

1. Name of the participant*
2. Age*
3. Gender*
4. Nationality*
5. Full and complete residential address with Pin code
6. Phone/Mobile Number*
7. E-Mail ID (if available)
* It is compulsory to provide the information.

v. An undertaking stating that ‘The artwork submitted is original and no copyright issues are involved’ should be sent along with the entry. In case of any legal dispute related to copyright issue, Department of Posts will not be liable for the same.

vi. The design should be sent without being folded, through “Speed Post” only, in A4 size envelope. The participants should mention “Independence Day 2015 – Stamp Design Contest” on the envelope in which the drawing is sent.

vii. The prize winning designs will be considered for use on stamps and other philatelic material. The prize money will be as follows:

First prize: Rs. 10,000/-
Second prize: Rs. 6,000/-
Third prize: Rs. 4,000/-

viii. The entries should reach on the following address by 31.03.2015.The entries received after the last date of receipt will not be entertained.

ADG (Philately)

Room No. 108(B),

Dak Bhawan, Parliament Street,

New Delhi - 110001.

2015 - Chinese Year of the Sheep

Isle of Man

 

 

The new stamps from Isle of Man celebrate the Chinese Year of the Sheep and in recognition of Isle of Man presence at the 2015 China International Collection Expo (CICE) in Beijing.The Post Office is proud to have worked in cooperation with the Isle of Man Chinese Association to present the first miniature sheet of 2015, a celebration of the Chinese Year of the Sheep.

The year 2015 is going to be an exciting time. The sheep is the eighth sign in the Chinese astrological calendar, and “eight” is traditionally believed to be a lucky number. The number is also considered to attribute peace and prosperity.

Those under the sheep in the Chinese zodiac could be born in 1955, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 and 2027. It is believed that people, who fall under this sign experience happiness in other people’s happiness, are pure in nature, fashionable, well-mannered and sophisticated. The Year of the Sheep dates are between February 19, 2015 and February 7, 2016.

This unique collectible miniature sheet has been designed by artists Ms Du Xiaoxiao and Mr Guo Zhenshan. The design strikes a balance between traditional and modern art and includes bold, vibrant coloured images of sheep with floral patterns, in addition to Chinese lanterns and calligraphy. The sheet also incorporates the lucky colours of this horoscope red, green and purple.

Stamps from Philippines

Date of Issue : 24 November 2014

MANILA - The Philippine Postal Corp. (Philpost) has launched its 2015 Year of the Goat special stamp to welcome the New Year.

Although the official start of the Year of the Goat coincides with the Chinese New Year, Philpost In a news release said it released the stamps as early as November 24, 2014.The two-design stamp features the colorful image of the goat’s head sold at P10 per piece and the whole image of the goat worth P30 each.

Philpost circulated 55,000 copies of the stamp and are now available in post offices and shops across the country.The New Year Stamps comes with a greeting “Manigong Bagong Taon” while the P30 stamp bears the English translation “Happy New Year.” At the bottom of the stamps are Chinese characters and the words “2015 Year of the Goat.”

The special stamps measures 40mm x 30 mm, and will be sold until supply runs out.  Jose Antonio Jayme is the layout artist and the stamp was printed in imported unwatermarked paper by security printer Amstar Co. Inc.

According to the Chinese zodiac, 2015 is the year of the green wooden goat. The goat or sheep is the eighth animal to heed Buddha’s call. It is believed that those born in a goat year are creative, intelligent, dependable, and calm.

New Special Covers..

 

Special Cover :  Andpex-2014 – 26 December 2014

 

Andpex-2014, Anand District Philatelic Exhibition held at V.V. Nagar from 26th - 28th December 2014.

A Special Cover on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was released by Shri Vineet Mathur, Postmaster General, Vadodara Region and was presented to Dr. Punit Dixit. Special Cover depicts the house of Karamsad where he grew up and the Cancellation depicts Sardar memorial of Karamsad.

Andpex-2014, Anand District Philatelic Exhibition organised by Anand Philatelic Association has organized ‘Andpex-2014’, district level philatelic exhibition at Ipcowala - Santram College of Fine Arts, Vallabh Vidyanagar (Gujarat) from 26th - 28th December 2014. The exhibition was inaugurated by Shri Vineet Mathur, Postmaster General, Vadodara Region on 26^th December. Dr. Punit Dixit, Senior Philatelist and Retire ISRO Space Scientist, Shri Mainak Kathiara, Past President, Gujarat Philatelists' Association, Shri Rakesh M. Shah, Superintendent of Post Offices, Anand Division, Anand were also present on dais at the inaugural function. Function was well attended by local philatelists, students, staff members of India Post and Philatelists of Ahmedabad and Vadodara.

About 20 frames were exhibited in Competitive and non competitive class. Also there was a display of bank notes and coins in non competitive class. My stamp facility and philatelic counter were made available at the exhibition venue by India Post.

On the occasion a Special Cover on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was released by Shri Vineet Mathur, Postmaster General, Vadodara Region and was presented to Dr. Punit Dixit. Special Cover depicts the house of Karamsad where he grew up and the Cancellation depicts Sardar memorial of Karamsad.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of India's greatest leaders in the Indian Independence Movement grew up in Karamsad. It was also the home of his elder brother Vithalbhai Patel, who was also an important political leader. The Patel brothers lived with their two elder brothers and one younger brother and sister, and parents Jhaverbhai and Ladba Patel in a mud-brick house adjacent to his family's farm holdings. This house is preserved to date as a memorial to Patel. With the ideals of Sardar Patel and Vithalbhai Patel as its nucleus, a magnificent Memorial is developed on Anand-Sojitra Road at Karamasad which is spread across seven acres of land. The site also includes a library and a garden. Regular cultural programs are held in the Bhavan of the Memorial. There is also a photo gallery featuring paintings, photographs and banners on the lives of Sardar Patel and Veer Vithalbhai.

Special Cover on 25 Years of Mothers Milk Bank - 27th November 2014.

An estimated 1.3 - 4.5 million childhood deaths every year are attributed to suboptimal breast feeding practices. In India, death rate of newborns in the first month is among the world’s worst-43 per 1000 live births. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for the babies. Many women are not able to breastfeed because of a lack of awareness about proper breastfeeding methods, complications during pregnancy or malnutrition.

WHO and UNICEF, made a joint statement in 1980: "Where it is not possible for the biological mother to breast feed, the first alternative, if available, should be the use of human milk from other sources. Human milk banks should be made available in appropriate situations." A human milk bank is vital for premature babies who require temporary intervention in cases of delayed lactation, illness of the mother or even abandonment. Donation of breast milk from one woman to an unrelated infant has a long history. Before this century, the infant would have been directly breastfed by the woman who was referred to as a "wet nurse". Rules governing wet nursing have been around since 1800 BC. For example, Devki for Lord Krishna, Dharavu for Sambhaji Maharaj, and the well known incidence of Hirkani from Raigad fort. A mother's milk is tailor-made for a human baby. No other source of milk has such anti-infective properties.

A human milk bank is a service established for collecting, screening, processing, storing and distributing donated human milk. There are 517 human milk banks functioning across the world. Asia’s first human milk bank was established in Sion Hospital Mumbai on 27 Nov. 1989, under the eminent guidance of Dr Armeida Fernandez, who is a pioneer in the human milk banking in India. Since then, some 25 human milk banks have been established across India. The milk collected (with the help of breast pumps) from donor mothers, who are pre-screened for various diseases such as HIV and hepatitis, is pooled, cultured and then pasteurized for half an hour and then frozen at minus 20°C. It can last six months and proves a boon for sick and abandoned babies.

On 27th November 2014, Sion Hospital (Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital & Medical College) celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the First Human Breast Milk bank in India by felicitating its founder Dr. Armida Fernandez. A Special Cover was released by Maharashtra Postal Circle to commemorate 25 Years of Mothers Milk Bank on 27th November 2014 at Mumbai. (Special Cover approval no. MH/29/2014)

Courtesy : Indian Philately Digest

Malaysia 2014 – A report

 

Malaysia 2014

- A report by Prof. Sahadeva Sahoo, Commissioner for India

Malaysia 2014 was a composite exhibition of two divisions -‘World Youth Stamp Exhibition’ and ‘29^th Asian International Stamp Exhibition’- held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Hall 1 & 2 from 1 December to 6 December 2014, the first was under auspices of FIP and the second with patronage of FIAP. There were 455 frames in World Youth and 238 frames in FIAP divisions. World Youth division included general i.e., open classes on three categories of Thematic Philately viz.,Nature (92), Culture (96 frames) and Technology (87 frames) as well as Modern Philately (26 frames). Thus the World Youth exhibition was partly General World Exhibition. Taken together the whole exhibition was comparable to a larger Indian State level exhibition. Another aspect was conspicuous that there was no involvement of the customs authorities in receipt and return of exhibits – a fact which made Malaysia 2014 unique and it remains to be seen if any other country follows this system and if any other government closes its eyes to the system of temporary export of collections having items requiring items more than 100 years old.

As the national commissioner I had difficulties in getting higher medal winning entries as the expenditure in obtaining ASI clearance and subsequent Insurance charges were prohibitive. Nevertheless I could get application for 22 entries in time but the organizers for reasons of paucity of space reduced to 11 entries besides not accepting one vermeil medal winning entry on ground of Malaysian law. No entries went without any award. Trouble was greater as the Organisers depended on paperless internet correspondences which restricted entries to computer-savvy candidates.

 

 

World Youth Stamp Exhibition 2014

Participant -  Exhibit – Frames – Marks - Medal

Aditya Kiran Das – Bangladesh - 3 frames -  65 points -  Silver Bronze

Raghav Jhunjhunwalla - The different aspects of the world of cricket  - 70 points - Silver

Mrinal Mathur - From Wheel to Car  - 4 frames - 61points -  Bronze

Biraj Laxmi Mohanty - Raptors of the World -  5 frames -  65 - Silver Bronze

29^th FIAP Asian International Stamp Exhibition 

Narendra Kumar Saboo - Portuguese India – 5 Frames – 75 points - Large Silver

Pradip Mohanty Early -  Indian Cancellations 1854-99 – 5 Frames - 83points -  Vermeil

Praful Thakkar - Collector’s Guide to FDCs & Folders of India with set of stamps, se-tenant stamps & Miniature Sheets - 68 points - Silver Bronze

Praful Thakkar -  Collector’s Guide to FDCs & Folders of India 1947-64 - 67 points - Silver Bronze

Satyendra Kumar Agrawal -  History of Indian Miniature Paintings Through Philately -  61points -  Bronze

Rajesh Jhunjhunwalla - The Great Quetta Earthquake - ONE frame - 71 Points

Biraj Laxmi Mohanty - Indian Languages in Fiscals of India - ONE frame - 66 points

The certificates are yet to be distributed as they could not got signed by the Chairman of the Jury as he went home before the time for personal reasons.

The weather in Kuala Lumpur was salubrious though it was drizzling sometimes. The clean air and bright sunshine made up the mood for the exhibition. Coming after almost 20 years gap in the country the Malaysia 2014 was a grand success.

 

Greetings on Christmas….

 

Merry Christmas to all the Readers !!

 

  

Fun with some most beautiful Christmas stamps

Club News

ANDPEX 2014 – 26-28 December 2014

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- ANAND PHILATELIC ASSOCIATION – email - anandphila@gmail.com

New stamp from India

 

 

150 Years of Kuka Movement -  1st War of Independence

Date of Issue : 24 December 2014

Stamp commemorating 'Kuka Movement' of Namdhari Sikhs released

New Delhi, Dec. 24 (ANI): Union minister for Communication and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday released a commemorative stamp to highlight heroic deeds of those engaged in 1857 Kuka movement of the Namdhari Sikhs against the British.

The Kuka Movement marked the first major reaction of the people in the Punjab to the new political order initiated by the British after 1849. The Namdhari Movement, of which the Kuka Movement was the most important phase, aimed at overthrowing the British rule.

Speaking at the occasion, Prasad said that the sacrifices made by people of Punjab will be always remembered. He also said that members of the Kuka Movement raised voice against foreign rule at a time when most people feared barbaric approach of the rulers.

The Kuka Movement evoked the feelings of self respect and sacrifice for the country. They called for boycott of educational institutions of British and argued against laws established by them. They were rigid in their clothing and wore only hand-spun white attire. The Kuka followers actively propagated the civil disobedience. (ANI)

Club News

New Special Covers

Goa Pex 2014

Goa Pex 2014, District Level Philatelic exhibition was held at the Maquinez Palace, ESG Complex, Campal, Panaji from 18th to 21st December 2014. The exhibition was inaugurated by Shri Surendra Furtado, Mayor of Panaji in presence of Shri Pundalik Naik, President of Goa Konkani Academy who was the guest of honour of the function and Shri Charles Lobo, Postmaster General, Goa Postal Region and Ms. Archana Gopinath, Senior Superintendent of Post Office, Goa Division.

18 December 2014 - Special Cover :The feast of Sao Joao

19 December 2014 - Special Cover :  Goan Tiatr (Also known as Konkani Theatre)

20 December 2014 - Special Cover :  Dekhni Dance of Goa

21 December 2014 -  Special Cover : Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier

Courtesy – Umesh Kakkeri – Mumbai,  Indian Philately Digest

Merry Christmas !!

 

Wishing you all  Merry Christmas

and

Very Happy New Year !!

Christmas with Christmas Island stamps

The postage stamps and postal history of Christmas Island, in the Indian Ocean, was linked to its original economic situation until 1993. Mainly ruled by a phosphate production commission, the island was part of the British Strait Settlements colony from 1901 to 1942, then of Singapore from 1946 to 1958. Although it was placed under Australian control in 1958, the island remained postally and philatelically independent until 1993 when Australia Post became the island's postal operator.

The island issued  its own postage stamps from 1958. Those issued by Australia Post since 1993 are also valid in Australia, as are Australian stamps in Christmas Island. Christmas Island issues every year most colorful special stamps for Christmas. I am sharing here some most beautiful Christmas stamps from this Island !!

 

Indian Winners at Malaysia 2014

 

29th Asian International Stamp exhibition  and World Youth Stamp Exhibition was  held in  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 1- 6 December 2014. Malaysia 2014 was the joint event of World Youth Stamp Exhibition and Asian International Exhibition. This event was organized by Philatelic Society Malaysia (PSM), sponsored by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and supported by Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, Malaysia. I am pleased to share here the results of Indian Winners. Rainbow Stamp Club congratulates all the participants and winners of Malaysia 2014.

Heartiest Congratulations to all Indian Winners

Praful Thakkar, Pradeep Mohanty, Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

Result : MALAYSIA 2014 (29TH ASIAN INTERNATIONAL STAMP EXHIBITION)

View complete   : Award List  country wise

 

WORLD YOUTH STAMP EXHIBITION 2014

Result : MALAYSIA 2014 WORLD YOUTH STAMP EXHIBITION

View Complete : Award List country wise

New stamp on Winter Sport

 

Date of Issue : 15 December 2014

Armenia Post has released  stamp on the theme “Winter Sports”. It was issued on December 15th, 2014 .The stamp with the logo of Regional Commonwealth in the field of Communications (RCC) depicts the alpine skiing as the most common winter sport in Armenia. The mentioned theme was adopted by the RCC member-countries as the common theme to be issued in 2014.

 

Stamp on International year of solidarity with Palestinian people

 

 

Algerian Post issued a special stamp to celebrate the International year of solidarity with Palestinian people. The item was released on the 15^th of December. In Algeria on occasion of this year a special festival is held annually. The Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika called on his people to extend their hands to help the Palestinian people as a “moral and human duty”.

The date of 29 November was chosen as the day of solidarity with Palestinian people because of its meaning and significance. On that day in 1947, the General Assembly adopted resolution 181 (II), which came to be known as the Partition Resolution. That resolution provided for the establishment in Palestine of a “Jewish State” and an “Arab State”, with Jerusalem as a corpus separatum under a special international regime. Of the two States to be created under this resolution, only one, Israel, has so far come into being as an independent and sovereign State.

The Solidarity Day has traditionally provided an opportunity for the international community to focus its attention on the fact that the question of Palestine is still unresolved and that the Palestinian people is yet to attain their inalienable rights as defined by the General Assembly, namely, the right to self-determination without external interference, the right to national independence and sovereignty, and the right to return to their homes and property from which they had been displaced.

 

Press Clippings

Divyabhaskar - City Bhaskar edition  covered Timir Shah’s  Interview  on collection of BRL fee stamps & various types of TV & radio Licenses. Mr Timir Shah is noted philatelist of Vadodara.

New stamps from Monaco

 

Date of Issue : 21 January

Monaco Post will issue a special stamp on occasion of centenary of the Kiwanis International organization. The stamp has been already designed and will be released on the 21^st of January 2015.

The Kiwanis International organization was established in Detroit, USA in 1915. Its headquarters are now in Indianapolis. Although it was originally created as a business network, its members’ philosophy rapidly turned to focus on helping children in need.

Kiwanis began to expand throughout the world in 1963 and now has more than 600,000 volunteer members in 100 countries.

New stamp on Aquatic Plant from Monaco

Date of Issue : 21 January 2015

Another stamp from  Monaco Post dedicated to the flora of this country. The item depicts Posidonia meadow – national species of Monaco. The issue  is scheduled to be released on the 21^st of January 2015.

This marine plant species is not seaweed, but an aquatic plant which plays a vital role in the coastal marine environment. The meadows that it forms serve as spawning grounds and nurseries for a multitude of animal species, and a source of food for still more. Its role in the environment also includes protecting the coastline from erosion, storing atmospheric carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.

Club News

Lupex-2014, District Level Philatelic Exhibition was held at Ludhiana Post Office, Bharat Nagar Chowk, Ludhiana on 19th and 20th December 2014. Exhibits on variety of subjects were on display at the exhibition. During the exhibition ‘My Stamp’ facility was also launched at Ludhiana.

Shri Yash Pal Bangia, President of Ludhiana Philatelic Club displayed his scooter decorated with images of postage stamps at the exhibition.

In Senior category first prize was won by Bhuvan Mehta for his collection “Sheetlets of India”, while Narinder Pal Singh and Dr Kanwar won the second prize for their respective collections on Extraordinary Stamps and Birds. The third prize was given to Rajpal Oswal for his collection on Braille. In the junior category, which was for the participants till the age of 14, the joint first prize was awarded to Kultaran Singh and Sandli Battra for their respective collections on Sikhism and Discover India.

Courtesy : Indian Philately Digest

New Special Cover

 

‘My stamp’ and  ‘Special cover’  on Rotary  issued by India Post, Bihar Circle on 5^th Dec.

A special Cover was released on  Rotary day Celebration by Bihar Postal Circle on 5th December 2014 with the release of My Stamp . The cover is based on Buddhism theme and was released by RI President Gary CK Huang.

 

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

 

Article on 1948 Gandhi Memorial Issue

An article on 1948 Gandhi Memorial Issue  by noted professional philatelist of Patna Mr Pradip Jain  was recently published in  popular International stamp magazine Gibbons Stamp Monthly. The whole story is being published into three series Nov. 14 , Dec 14 and Jan 15 issue.