Greetings on Raksha Bandhan

 

Festivals of India – Raksha Bandhan

Today is Raksha Bandhan Greetings to all brothers and sister on this festive occasion !!

The chaste bond of love between a brother and a sister is one of the deepest and noblest of human emotions. 'Raksha Bandhan'  is a special occasion to celebrate this emotional bonding by tying a holy thread around the wrist. This thread, of love between a brother and sister is called the ‘Rakhi’. It means 'a bond of protection', and Raksha Bandhan signifies that the strong must protect the weak from all that’s evil.

 

The ritual is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month  of Shravan, on which sisters tie the sacred Rakhi string on their brothers' right wrists, and pray for their long life. Rakhis are ideally made of silk with gold and silver threads, beautifully crafted embroidered sequins, and studded with semi precious stones.

 

Rakhi: The Thread of Love

Club News

New Special Cover from Chandigarh

Special Covers commemorating Legacy of Le Corbusier – 27th August 2015

To mark the 50th death anniversary of legendary architect Le Corbusier and to commemorate legacy of Le Corbusier, who planned Chandigarh, Punjab Postal Circle in association with Chandigarh Administration released two special covers on 27th August 2015 at Chandigarh (Special Cover approval nos. PB/02/2015 and PB/03/2015). Special covers were released by Ms. Achla Bhatnagar, Chief Postmaster General, Punjab Postal Circle and the Adviser to the Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, Mr. Vijay Dev in presence of UT Home Secretary, Mr. Anurag Agarwal and other officers at the function held at Govt. Museum and Art Gallery Sector-10, Chandigarh.

Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, who was better known as Le Corbusier (b. October 6, 1887 – d. August 27, 1965), was a Swiss-French architect, designer, painter, urban planner, writer, and one of the pioneers of what is now called modern architecture. He was born in Switzerland and became a French citizen in 1930. His career spanned five decades, with his buildings constructed throughout Europe, India, and the Americas. Dedicated to providing better living conditions for the residents of crowded cities, Le Corbusier was influential in urban planning, and was a founding member of the Congrès international d'architecture moderne (CIAM).

In the 1950s, a unique opportunity to translate the Radiant City on a grand scale presented itself in the construction of the Union Territory Chandigarh, the new capital for the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana and India's first planned city. Le Corbusier designed many administration buildings, including a courthouse, parliament building, and a university. He also designed the general layout of the city, dividing it into sectors.

These two special covers are available at Chandigarh GPO at Rs. 10 each. Postage Extra.

 Courtesy – Rakesh Walia – Chandigarh, Indian Philately Digest

Extraordinary stamp with real fabric from Adidas

 

2015 All Blacks

Date of Issue : 2 September 2015

Here is a new unique and extraordinary stamp to be issued by New Zealand Post on 2nd September 2015 featuring iconic jersey  of All Blacks. The New Zealand national men's rugby union team, officially nicknamed the All Blacks, represents New Zealand in men's rugby union, which is regarded as the country's national sport. The All Blacks are the holders of the Rugby World Cup and are the 2014 World Rugby Team of the Year.

New Zealand Post has designed a special edition of All Blacks stamp. There’s a certain mana and prestige that comes with being part of the All Blacks ‒ it’s an honour reserved only for New Zealand’s very best rugby players. The ultimate symbol of the All Blacks is their iconic jersey, to which the Post Office pays tribute in this official All Blacks stamp and coin issue that will become available for purchasing on the 2nd of September.

This exciting, innovative stamp contains real fabric supplied by adidas from the All Blacks 2015 Home Replica Jersey. The fabric has been printed on with precision to include the All Blacks logo, the adidas logo and the AIG logo, and then die-cut to replicate the real jersey worn on the field. The jersey is applied to gummed stamp paper, with the complete design replicating a framed jersey.

2015 is the year in which the All Blacks will attempt to reclaim the title of Rugby World Cup champions. To recognize this significant moment in New Zealand’s sporting history, New Zealand Post worked with New Zealand Rugby and its partner, Adidas, to bring the philatelists a special stamp and coin that epitomizes the very essence of being part of the All Blacks – the jersey.

Worn with pride for generations, the jersey has been some variation of a black uniform with a silver fern since 1893, and in 1905 the team became habitually referred to as the ‘All Blacks’. Although the jersey has changed many times over the years to keep up with the intense pace of New Zealand’s national game, the mana of the jersey continues to this day.

Special All Blacks collectables

Also included in this issue is a special first day cover. The premium stamp is mounted on the envelope, which features an image of the All Blacks performing the haka in Wales in 2014 as well as historical imagery of this iconic team.

 

2015 All Blacks Silver Proof Coin

 

This striking and intricately designed coin replicates the All Blacks jersey in more ways than one - not only is it printed black with the All Blacks, adidas and AIG logos shining through in silver, it’s shaped like the All Blacks jersey, complete with subtle contours that reflect the shape it takes when worn.

Bird of the year 2015 in Germany

 

NEW PICTORIAL CANCELLATION IN GERMANY

On November 8th a new pictorial postmark will be issued at 74405 GAILDORF. The postmark is featuring a flying goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), bird of the year 2015 in Germany.

Interested philatelists may please contact Wolfgang Beyer, Vice Chairman of the German Collector Group ArGe ZOOLOGIE. Mail:

Wolfgang.beyer1@aol.de. Postage Rates: 0,80 Euro AIRMAIL and 2,95 Euro Registered AIRMAIL.

Courtesy: Wolfgang Beyer and Axel Brockmann( STAMP COLLECTOR CLUB GAILDORF)

 

NEW POSTCARD , SPECIAL CARD  AND PICTORIAL POSTMARK ABOUT THE BIRD OF THE YEAR 2015 IN GERMANY

During a philatelic exhibition from November 28th to November 29th 2015 at the Region Rhoen in Thuringia (Germany) will  issue    a postcard (stationery , a special card and a pictorial postmark on November 28th at 98617 RHÖNBLICK-HELMERSHAIUSEN. All items are featuring the BIRD OF THE YEAR 2015 in Germany. It´s a Gosh hawk (Accipiter gentilis).

Interested philatelists may please contact: Wolfgang Beyer, Vice Chairman of the German Collector Group
ArGe ZOOLOGIE. Mail: Wolfgang.beyer1@aol.de. Postage rates for envelopes with pictorial postmark: 0,80 Euro AIRMAIL and 2,95 Euro Registered
AIRMAIL.

Courtesy: Wolfgang Beyer and Matthias Reichel (STAMP COLLECTOR CLUB MEININGEN)

Stamp on Samrat Ashok

 

 

Date of Issue : 24 August 2015

India Post released a commemorative stamp on Samrat Ashok on 24 August 2015.

Club News

Thanjaipex 2015, Thanjavur District Level Philatelic Exhibition –Thanjavur

Thanjaipex 2015, Thanjavur District Level Philatelic Exhibition is organized on 3rd and 4th September 2015 at Thanjavur by Thanjavur Postal Division. Entries to the competitive group will be limited to the Philatelists of Thanjavur District. Entries from Philatelists of Central Region will also be entertained subject to availability of frames, space etc. Dealer’s booth is available at a nominal rent of Rs. 2000/- for both days of the Exhibition. Philatelic Workshop and Quiz will also be organized during the exhibition.

Dates: 3rd and 4th September 2015.
Venue: Perarignar Anna Nootrandu Kalaiarangam (Near Old bus stand and opposite to RM Hospital), Thanjavur, Tamilnadu.

Contact for more information:

Secretary, Thanjaipex 2015
O/o Senior Superintendent of Post Offices,
Thanjavur Division,
MKM Mooppanar Road,
THANJAVUR – 613 001

Phone No.: +91-4362-237 055
Email: tnjdiv.cr@gmail.com
Blog: www.thanjaipex2015.blogspot.in

Exhibition on Freedom fighters of India and Mahatma Gandhi through Postage Stamps and First Day Covers – 14th – 16th August 2015

On the occasion of 68th Independence Day of India, an Exhibition on Freedom fighters of India and Mahatma Gandhi through Postage Stamps and First Day Covers was organized by Shri Ramakant Dave, Philatelist of Vadodara from 14th – 16th August 2015 at Akruti Art Gallery, Nr. Kirti Mandir, Opp. S. S. G. Hospital, Vadodara. The exhibition was inaugurated by Shri E. Radhakrishna IPS, Commissioner of Police, Vadodara.

Philatelic Bureau, Vadodara has opened counter at the exhibition and ‘My Stamp’ facility was also made available at the venue.

Courtesy – Sreejesh Krishnan – Trivandrum, Indian Philately Digest

Stamp on Samrat Ashok to be released today…

 

Commemorative Stamp on Priyadarshi Samrat Ashok

 

 

The release of the commemorative stamp on Samrat Ashoka was scheduled on 2^nd August 2015, but owing to the National mourning followed by the sad demise of former President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, it was postponed. This stamp will now be released today on 24^th August 2015 in a function to be held at Vidyapati Bhavan Patna.

- Pradeep Kumar Malik – Patna

Ashoka Maurya ( 304–232 BCE), commonly known as Ashoka and Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from circa 269 BCE to 232 BCE. One of India's greatest emperors, Ashoka reigned over a realm that stretched from the Hindu Kush mountains in the west to Bengal in the East and covered the entire Indian subcontinent except parts of present-day Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The empire's capital was Pataliputra (in Magadha, present-day Bihar), with provincial capitals at Taxila and Ujjain.

In about 260 BCE Ashoka waged a bitterly destructive war against the state of Kalinga (modern Odisha). He conquered Kalinga, which none of his ancestors had done. He embraced Buddhism after witnessing the mass deaths of the Kalinga War, which he himself had waged out of a desire for conquest. "Ashoka reflected on the war in Kalinga, which reportedly had resulted in more than 100,000 deaths and 150,000 deportations." Ashoka converted gradually to Buddhism beginning about 263 BCE. He was later dedicated to the propagation of Buddhism across Asia, and established monuments marking several significant sites in the life of Gautama Buddha. "Ashoka regarded Buddhism as a doctrine that could serve as a cultural foundation for political unity."Ashoka is now remembered as a philanthropic administrator. In the Kalinga edicts, he addresses his people as his "children", and mentions that as a father he desires their good.

Ashoka's name "Aśoka" means "painless, without sorrow" in Sanskrit (the a privativum and śoka "pain, distress"). In his edicts, he is referred to as Devānāmpriya (Pali Devānaṃpiya or "The Beloved of the Gods"), and Priyadarśin (Pali Piyadasī or "He who regards everyone with affection"). His fondness for his name's connection to the Saraca asoca tree, or the "Ashoka tree" is also referenced in the Ashokavadana.

H.G. Wells wrote of Ashoka in his book The Outline of History: "Amidst the tens of thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, their majesties and graciousnesses and serenities and royal highnesses and the like, the name of Ashoka shines, and shines, almost alone, a star." Along with the Edicts of Ashoka, his legend is related in the 2nd-century Ashokavadana ("Narrative of Ashoka", a part of Divyavadana), and in the Sri Lankan text Mahavamsa ("Great Chronicle"). The emblem of the modern Republic of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka.

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New Special Cover

Special Cover : Nagri Pracharini Sabha Deoria Centenary Year - 1915 - 2015

A special cover was issued on 21st August 2015 at Deoria ( U.P.) to celebrate Centenary Year of   Nagri Pracharini Sabha Deoria.

For covers please contact : Sri.Himanshu Singh.Deoria Phone: 9450676342.

- Sandeep Chaurasia - Gorakhpur

New stamps from Nepal

Prehistoric Elephants of Nepal

Date of Issue : 7July 2015

Maxicards on Elephant  from Nepal

 

The Maxi cards of the Prehistoric Elephants of Nepal have recently been brought out . Thee are available with Mr. Shankar Shrestha - email : shankar765@yahoo.com

New Special Cover

 

Special Cover – Madhubani Paintings

On 17^th August 2015, Special Cover featuring “Madhubani Paintings” was released at Sitamarhi, Bihar. The release of this Special Cover was approved by Chief Postmaster General, Bihar Circle.

The Cover depicts the image of ‘Sita Swayamvar” in Madhubani style of paintings. The top and bottom border of the cover also shows  Madhubani Painting . The Special Postmark features  images of Ram & Sita.

 

- Pradeep Kumar Mallik – PATNA : email : mallikphila@gmail.com

Set of 48 Picture Postcards released by North Karnataka Postal Region - 15th August 2015

Postcrossing Team, North Karnataka Postal Region has released a set of 48 picture postcards titled ‘Incredible India’ on 15th August 2015. The set is available in an attractive box and is priced Rs. 150 per set. This is 10th set of picture postcards issued by North Karnataka Postal Region. After its launch 10 sets of picture postcards were given away free of cost to first 10 persons who sent request on Facebook page of Postcrossing India.

On the address side of picture postcards text ‘IN’ and 6 boxes has been provided for the use of Postcrossing (a postcard exchange project) members to mention the POSTCARD ID.

Contact for more information: nkrpostcrossing@gmail.com

Courtesy – Indian Philately Digest

My Recent Covers

 

 

Germany

Cover with Special cancellation on Monkey

Post card on Monkey

Thanks to Mr Wolfgang Beyer from Germany for this nice cover and Postcard !

 

Russia

Thanks to EN Limanski from Moscow

Mourning Cover of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

Thanks to Mr K. Venkata  Rao from Berhampur ( Orissa)

New Special Cover on Don Bosco

 

Special Cover on the occasion Bi-Centenary Birth Celebration of St. Don Bosco released on 16th August 2015

The 200th birth anniversary of St Don Bosco was celebrated at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on 16th August 2015 with fervour and joy. To celebrate the occasion, the Don Bosco community had organized the programme. A special cover was released on the occasion at the hands of Chief Minister of Goa Shri Laxmikant Parsekar by Postmaster General, Goa Region Shri Vinod kumar Verma (Special Cover approval no. MH/25/2015). Fr Ian Figuerado, provincial of Panjim and Konkan Region, Fr Savio Gomes, principal of Don Bosco College, Panjim; Sister Agatha, Dias vice-Province and Dias vice-Province were also present at the celebration.

St. John Bosco (b. 16 August 1815 – d. 31 January 1888), popularly known as Don Bosco, was an Italian Roman Catholic priest of the Latin Church, educator and writer of the 19th century. While working in Turin, where the population suffered many of the effects of industrialization and urbanization, he dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth. He developed teaching methods based on love rather than punishment, a method that became known as the Salesian Preventive System. A follower of the spirituality and philosophy of Saint Francis de Sales, Bosco dedicated his works to him when he founded the Salesians of Don Bosco, based in Turin. Together with Maria Domenica Mazzarello, he founded the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, a religious congregation of nuns dedicated to the care and education of poor girls. In 1876 Bosco founded a movement of laity, the Association of Salesian Cooperators, with the same educational mission to the poor. Don Bosco established a network of organizations and centres to carry on his work. Following his beatification in 1929, he was canonized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Pius XI in 1934.

Courtesy – Indian Philately Digest

Indian Winners at Singapore 2015

 

Singapore 2015

Singapore 2015 World Stamp exhibition is being held in conjunction with Singapore’s 50th Year of Independence from 14 – 19 August 2015 at Sands Expo® & Convention Center, Singapore. The results have just  been declared.

Results of Indian Participants 

 

Congratulations to all the winners !!

  Damyanti Pittie - Nominated for International Grand Prix Award -  Pre Stamp covers

  Anil Suri – Large Gold - Cochin Fiscal

   Pragya Kothari – Large Vermeil - Indian Classic issue 1851 – 1855 , - Traditional class 

                 Pragya Kothari - Vermeil - Archery title ‘I am the Bow and this is my story’ – Thematic

 
                    E P JAMES - Large Vermeil – Cochin Postal History 

  Pradip Jain – 92 Points - 1929 India Airmail Stamp - One Frame 

                    Pradip Jain - Special Prize

 Vijay Seth - Large Silver  - Centenary of Indian Airmails 1911-2014

 

  Dinesh Sharma – Silver Bronze - History of Olympic Games, 2nd Ed.

 

Courtesy – Ajay Mittal – New Delhi

Happy Independence Day !

 

 

Today we celebrate our 69th Independence Day, Greetings to all Indians living in every corner of the world on this very auspicious Day !! Vanade Matram !!

Three INA Stalwarts - Shah Nawaz Khan, G.S.Dhillon & P.K.Sahgal and Red Fort

Stamp on India's Struggle for Freedom – 15 August 1997

 

Google Doodle Celebrates India’s Independence Day

Illustration on Google India shows Gandhi leading the Dandi March of 1930

In honor of the 69th Anniversary of India’s Independence on Aug. 15,Google India’s Doodle features Mahatma Gandhi leading the Dandi March of 1930.

The scene depicts a significant moment in India’s push for freedom from the rule of the British Raj and the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement. Seventy-eight Congress volunteers participated in the 240-mile march in protest of unfair salt laws.Leon Hong illustrated the Doodle for Google users in India as they celebrate the Indian Independence Act of 1947 on Saturday.

World Stamp Show-NY 2016

 

To be issued on 20th August 2015

New stamp issue by USPS that celebrates the upcoming philatelic event World Stamp Show-NY 2016.

With these elegant set of two stamps reminiscent of classic engraved 19th-century stamps and banknotes, the U.S. Postal Service® heralds this event and invites philatelists and amateur stamp enthusiasts alike to attend. From May 28 to June 4, 2016, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, more than 250,000 visitors are expected to enjoy eight days of amazing philatelic events and displays.Recently unveiled stamps are scheduled to be put into circulation on the 20^th of August.

The design of the twenty self-adhesive stamps features intricate patterns of lines and ornamentation inspired by the U.S. Newspaper and Periodical stamps of 1865. A touch of patriotic color ‒ ten stamps are blue and ten are red ‒ emphasizes the location of this international exhibition: the United States. The circle in the center of the stamp design displays a five-pointed star. Text surrounding the circle reads “2016 World Stamp Show” and “New York City”. The header on the pane reads: “JOIN US FOR A WONDERFUL WEEK AT WORLD STAMP SHOW-NY 2016″. Verso text provides details about the show.

World Stamp Show-NY 2016 continues a 100-year tradition of once-a-decade international philatelic exhibitions held in the United States. The 300,000-square-foot bourse, the philatelic word for marketplace, will be jam-packed with more than 200 dealers selling and buying stamps and other philatelic products. The U.S. Postal Service and some 50 international postal bureaus will be selling their latest stamps.

Exhibitions of enthralling stamp rarities on loan to the show will share space with competitive exhibits vying for medals and prizes. First Day of Issue events will take place daily.

From India Shri Dhananjay Desai of Ahmedabad  is Commissioner  for this exhibition. He may be contacted for participation at email : dhananjay_47@yahoo.co.in

Website of exhibition : http://www.ny2016.org/

Bulletin of exhibition can be downloaded from :

http://www.ny2016.org/SubMenu/Official_Bulletin.aspx?id=517

Application form is available at : http://www.ny2016.org/SubMenu/Exhibit_Application.aspx?id=515

Date :  May 28-June 4, 2016

Venue : Jacob Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001 on Level 3 taking up 294,000 square feet.