New special Covers from Himachal Pradesh

TABO MONASTRY, LAHAUL AND SPITI (H.P.)

Tabo Monastry is situated at Tabo of Split Valley, district Lahaul & Spiti (HP) of 3200 meters altitude near the Tibet border.  The Monastry was founded in 006 AD by thw King of Guge Kingdom of Western Tibet Yeshe Od and great translator Ronchen Zengopo.  This has nine
halls  where besides stucco images of Budha, there are well paintings depicting Bhuda's life and stories from the Jataka tales.  The Monastry because of its is known as the Ajanta of Himalayas.  Since its establishments Tabo Monastry has been a centre of Budhist philosophy and learning education .  In 1996 Tabo Monastry celebrate its Millennium celebration at International level.  In the year 2009 Kalachakra Stupe was consecrated for global peace by his holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.

GOLDEN JUBILEE OF INDIA GANDHI MEDICAL COLLEGE, SHIMLA

Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla earlier known as Himachal Pradesh Medical College started functioning in August, 1966 with intake capacity of 50 students for MBBS course.  This intake has now been increased to 100 students since 2010.  The snowdon building now housing Indira Gandhi Medical College, was earlier the official residence of Lord Kitchener, Commander in Chief of British Army in India.

The forma opening and foundation laying stone of the college was done by Smt Sushila Nayar the then Union Health Minister on 13.10.1966. The college now also runs MD/MS courses in 20 disciplines alongwith DM/MCH  courses  in cardiology and Cardiac - thoracic Surgery, it has so far produced 2704 MBBS Graduates 923 Post Graduates and 377 Diploma students.  The college is the biggest health institution in the State.

DHARMASALA CRICKET STADIUM, HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

PRIDE OF KULLU - DUSSEHRA   - BETI HAI ANMOL 

On 7th October 2014, during Kullu Dussehra 8640 women and men of Kullu performed historic "Natti Dance" which got successfully registered in LIMCA BOOK OF RECORDS as largest folk dance ever.  The event was name as PRIDE OF KULLU based on theme BETI HAI ANMOL

Courtesy - Sreejesh Krishnan , Trivandrum

New stamps from India

Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis

Date of Issue : 30 December 2015

Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA), New Delhi, India is an Indian think tank for advanced research in international relations, especially strategic and security issues, and also trains civilian and military officers of the Government of India. It is a non-partisan and autonomous body. It deals with objective research and policy relating to all aspects of defense and security. Its primary goal is creation and distribution of defence and security-related knowledge, thereby promoting both national and international security.

Alagumuthu Kone 

Date of Issue : 26 December 2015

A Commemorative Stamp on freedom fighter Alagumuthu Kone was released by Hon'ble Minister for Communications and IT Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad at Madurai on 26th December 2015.

Veeran Azhagu Muthu Kone (1681-1739), also known as Alagumuthu Konar, was a Tamil Konar warrior and one of the early freedom fighters to arouse public consciousness against foreign rule in Tiruneveli region. He is regarded for having raised one of the first revolts against the British in India. 

Sumitranandan Pant

Date of Issue : 23 December 2015

A Commemorative stamp was released in memory of renowned Hindi Poet Sumitranandan Pant by Uttarakhand Governor Shri Krishna Kant Paul at a function held at Raj Bhawan, Dehradun on 23rd December 2015 in presence of Uttarakhand Chief Post Master General Shri Uday Krishna.

Sumitranandan Pant (b. May 20, 1900 – d. December 28, 1977) was born in Kausani village of Almora District, Uttarakhand, was one of the most famous modern Hindi poets and considered one of the major poets of the Chhayavaadi school of Hindi literature.

Sumitranandan Pant was the first Hindi poet to receive the Jnanpith Award, in 1968. He did so for a collection of his most famous poems, titled Chidambara. He was awarded the Nehru Peace Prize by the Soviet Union for Lokayatan. Pant received "Sahitya Kala Academy" award for "Kala Aur Budhdha Chand". The Indian Government honored him with Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. Sumitranandan Pant composed the Kulgeet of IIT Roorkee, "Jayati Jayati Vidya Sansthan". He died on December 28, 1977, at Rajamundry, Andhra Pradesh.

Courtesy - Stamps of India, Indian Philately Digest

Philatelic Congress of India

The Philatelic Congress of India

Registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860

The Philatelic Congress of India (PCI) is the Indian National Federation of Philatelic Societies. It was formed in a Preparatory General Body meeting held in Calcutta (Kolkata) on 29th December 1975 during the National Philatelic Exhibition INPEX-1975. The Philatelic Congress of India also accepts individual Life and Associate members.

Website :  http://www.philateliccongressofindia.com/index.html

Created by Mr Prashant Pandya

Annual General Body Meeting of Philatelic Congress of India

Annual General Body Meeting of Philatelic Congress of India was held on 13th December 2015 at Auditorium, 2nd Floor, G.P.O. Annexe Building, Behind Mumbai G. P. O. Building, Mumbai - 400 001.

Governing Council of PCI (2016 -2017)

President: Mr. Ajeet Singhee
President Elect: Mr. Yogesh Kumar
Vice President: Mrs. Damyanti Pittie
Vice President: Mr. Sunder Bahirwani
Vice President: Mr. Madhukar Jhingan
Vice President: Mr. Madhukar Deogawanka
Secretary General: Mr. Rajesh Kumar Bagri
Secretary: Mr. Prashant H. Pandya
Treasurer: Mr. Suketu S. Jhaveri
Joint Treasurer: Mr. Kaizad Todywalla

Immediate Past President: Mr. Dilip Shah

Members:

Professor V. K. Gupta
Mr. Dhananjay S. Desai
Mr. Ajay Kumar Mittal
Mr. K. Chaitanya Dev
Mr. K. S. Mohan
Mr. Sudhir Jain
Mr. Shakil Ahmed
Mr. Mukesh K. Malhotra
Mr. C. G. Bhaskar
Mr. P. G. Bhargave
Mr. Rajesh Paharia
Mr. Sanjay Jain
Mr. Binod Jain

Past Presidents:
Mr. Dhirubhai Mehta
Mr. Vispi S. Dastur
Mr. Sahadeva Sahoo

Address for Correspondence :

Rajesh Kumar Bagri, 

    Secretary-General, Philatelic Congress of India

        C/o Computer Management Centre,

        33A, Jawaharlal NehruRoad,                            

        Chatterjee International Centre, 5^th Floor, Room No.13,

        KOLKATA – 700 071. INDIA                                                                                                           

         Phone : +91 33 22265722

         Mobile : +919830275515

         Email :   bagri@iname.com

Merry Christmas !!

Merry Christmas !!

Since the 1870s, Christmas post and Christmas cards have been an important part of the  Christmas tradition. Letters and cards to family and friends are part of the preparations during Advent, and Christmas cards are treated like important memories.

In Europe Christmas cards had been a common method for greeting family and friends for a while before it reached us. At first, European cards were simply copied and given a Norwegian text. The first Norwegian-produced cards had winter motifs, and there were often skiers in the motif as well. In addition to birds in a sheaf of wheat, the pig was a frequent Christmas card motif.

When “Der Weihnachtsmann” and “Santa Claus” made their entrance into European Christmas celebrations, and Santa Claus became a very popular motif. After a while many of the cards had humorous motifs. Many of the Santa cards to Kjell Aukrust are very popular collector’s items and draw high prices at auctions, and Aukrust himself was particularly gifted at giving his cards a humorous touch.

Christmas stamps are more recent. Austria issued the first Christmas stamp in 1948, which was a commemorative stamp for the hymn, “Merry Christmas”. The first Norwegian stamp for Christmas post was issued in 1971.

New Special Cover on Gandhi theme

A Special cover  on DHARASANA SALT SATYAGRAH SMARAK was released on 17th December 2015, first day of VALPEX 2015, Valsad.

DHARASANA SATYAGRAH was a protest against the British salt tax in May 1930. Following  the conclusion of the Salt March to Dandi, Mahatma Gandhi chose a non- violence raid of the Dharasana Salt Works in South Gujarat as the next protest against British rule.

- M.Gulrez

New Special Cover

 A special cover on ZOROASTRAIN ATASH BRHAM-UDVADA was released during  VELPEX-2015 at VALSAD PHILATELIC EXHIBITION.
Udvada is a town in South Gujarat, known for it's ZOROASTRAIN ATASH BEHRAM (IRANSHAH FIRE TEMPLE). This place of worship is the oldest still functioning example of it's kind, has established Udvada as a pilgrimage center for Zoroastrian the world over.

- M. Gulrez 

Club News

New Pictorial Cancellations from  Geremany

On 2nd January  2016  a new pictorial postmark will be issued  in 10117 Berlin. The postmark is featuring   Alpine snowbell ( Soldanella montana).

On 2nd  January  2016  a new pictorial postmark will be issued  in 53113 Bonn. The postmark features a Eurasian Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus).

Interested philatelists may please contact Wolfgang Beyer, Vice Chairman of the German Collector

Group ArGe Zoologie. Mail: Wolfgang.beyer1@aol.de. Postage rates: 0,90 Euro AIRMAIL and 3,40 Euro Registered AIRMAL.

3rd CG International Philatelic Promotion Award.

Winners 2015

Overall prize: Collectors Club of Chicago

Special prize digital: American Philatelic Research Library

Special prize youthPROMOTION: Junge Briefmarkenfreunde Simeon-Hamm

Results ->

The CG international philatelic promotion award, sponsored by German auctioneer Christoph Gärtner, encourages philatelic studies and the preservation of philatelic knowledge via published articles, including printed and digital media. Each year the award is given to the best submission by a study group, society, club, association or publisher of a philatelic magazine or newsletter.

3rd CG International Philatelic Promotion Award Ceremony was held on 3rd December 2015 on the occasion of the Monacophil 2015 stamp show and exhibition in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The CG award was first given in 2013, making this the third annual ceremony. The jury considered 65 submissions (52 in overall category, 11 in digital only category and 2 in Youth category) from 19 countries: Switzerland, Austria, Great Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Israel, the United States, Brazil, Costa Rica, India, Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Africa, and Germany. This year’s jury members were Rainer von Scharpen, secretary general of the AIJP (the International Association of Philatelic Journalists); Damian Laege, former chairman of the International Federation of Philately thematics committee; Patrick Maselis, president of the Club of Monte-Carlo and president of the Belgian Academy of Philately; and Richard Johnson, president of the International Federation of Stamp Dealers Associations. First three rankers in overall category were awarded a trophy, certificate and cash prize.

- The Collectors Club of Chicago was awarded first place with €2,000 cash prize money (Score 83.83) for the best performance - Print, digital media and promotion of youth philately.
- The Bund Deutscher Philatelisten of Germany was awarded second place, with €1,000 cash prize money (Score 82.5).
- American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors was awarded third place with €800 cash prize money (Score 82.33).

Fourth to tenth rankers were awarded €700, €600, €500, €400, €300, €200 and €100 cash prize money and a certificate.

The American Philatelic Research Library was awarded a special award for the best “Multimedia Performance, Websites and Internet Presentation” with €1,000 cash prize money, a trophy and a certificate (Score 68.66).

Germany’s Junge Briefmarkenfreunde Simeon-Hamm was awarded the special award for the best “Youth Work” with €750, a trophy and a certificate.

From India there were four participants.

In worldwide overall category Baroda Philatelic Society ranked 35th position with the score of 59.5 in for its publication ‘Vadophil’ and Indian Thematic Society ranked 40th position with the score of 56.5 in for its publication ‘ITS News’.

In worldwide digital category Indian Philatelists’ Forum ranked 59th position with the score of 18 for its websitewww.indianphilately.net and ‘Indian Philately Digest’ digital newsletter and Rainbow Stamp News ranked 63rd position with the score of 16.25.

Jainism Philately Group National Meet at Udaipur 

Jainism Philately Group (JPG)  is an organisation of collectors of Jainism and allied themes like Vegetarianism, Non Violence,  Peace etc. It has about three hundred members all around India as well as USA,  Canada and Germany.

After the grand success of last year's JPG Khajuraho Meet, this year National Meet is organised at Udaipur on 19th & 20th December 2015 at Udaipur. 

Philatelic Exhibition, workshop, lectures, exchange, excursion etc. are main attractions of this event.

JPG National Chairman Mr. Sudhir Jain will preside the Meet.India Post has given permission for release of Booklet and Mystamp on this occasion. 

- Sudhir Jain

Note - Due to software problem the Post is not published uniformly. The inconvenience caused to the readers is highly regretted. 

New Special Cover

VALPEX 2015, Valsad

Special Cover - Jain Temple, Bagwada, 18 December 2015

A special Cover on 200 Year old Jain Temple was issued on 18th December during VALPEX 2015 at Valsad.

Courtesy- M. Gulrez

Club News

Newly elected Governing Council of Philatelic Congress of India

Philatelic Congress of India (PCI) is the apex national body of all the Philatelic associations of India. After a long gap, election of Governing Council of PCI conducted at Mumbai on 13th Dec. 2015. Following are the results -

PHILATELIC CONGRESS OF INDIA GOVERNING COUNCIL 2016-17

President: Ajeet Singhee
President Elect: Yogesh Kumar

Vice President: Damyanti Pittie
Vice President: Sunder Bahirvani
Vice President: Madhukar Jhingan
Vice President: Madhukar Deogawanka

Secretary General: Rajesh Bagri..

Secretary: Prashant Pandya

Treasurer: Suketu Jhaveri
Joint Treasurer: Kaizad Todywalla

Immediate Past President: Dilip Shah

MEMBERS: 
Sudhir Jain 
Sanjay Jain
PRO. V K Gupta
Dhananjay S Desai
K Chaitanya Dev
K S Mohan
Shakil Ahmed
Mukesh K Malhotra
C G Bhaskar
P G Bhargave
Rajesh Paharia
Ajay Kumar Mittal
Binod Jain


PAST PRESIDENTS:
Dhirubhai Mehta
Vispi Dastur
Sahdeva Sahoo


Courtesy - Prashant Pandya, Sudhir Jain

Real artworks by autists !!

 

PASCO 2015

Date of Issue : 25 November 2015

Autism is considered to be an illness that characterizes low mental development. PHLPost decided to disapprove this stereotype and show that autists can create real artworks. I am happy to share these small philatelic pieces of art created by special people who have broad imagination and great heart. These are “Pasko 2015″ special stamps that attract attention by their brightness and originality.

PHLPost launched the stamps to coincide with the program called “Kapihan with stamp collectors” held at the historic walled city of Intramuros, Manila.

“We would like to give emphasis to the artistic ability or the talent of persons with developmental disabilities and make it a point that their artworks will be featured in our Christmas stamp designs”, Postmaster General Josie Dela Cruz said.

The block of four (4) stamps and souvenir sheets illustrates the spirit of the season characterized by the Christmas trees with colorful decorations and Filipino lanterns displayed at every home during the holidays which were hand drawn by Javee Fua, Kobie Trambulo, Vernice Prado, Lomi Capili, Cedric Chua, Julius Cabuang and Thirdy Cabading which are imprinted in the stamps. PHLPost printed 104,000 copies of the four designs of the Christmas stamps, with P10 denomination.

PHLPost is hoping that through the stamps, they will be able to make the public aware of their responsibility in building a nurturing environment to hone the skills of these special children and become members of a productive community.

New special covers

 

JODHAPEX 2015

Rajasthan's State tree - Khejri

Jodhapex-2015, 7th District Level Philatelic Exhibition was organized by Jodhpur Postal Region from 7th to 8th December 2015 at Shri Sohanlal Manihar Girls Senior Secondary School, Siwanchi Gate, Jodhpur. Exhibition was jointly inaugurated by Mrs. Sheuli Berman, Postmaster General, Western Region, Jodhpur and Shri K. K. Yadav, Director Postal Service, Jodhpur on 7th December 2015. Exhibits are showcased in 40 frames on various subjects by philatelists and school children of region. “My Stamps” scheme was also made available at the venue. Stamp Design contest and Letter Writing Competition were also organized for the school children.

A Special Cover on Rajasthan's State tree - Khejri was released jointly by Mrs. Sheuli Berman, Postmaster General, Western Region, Jodhpur and Shri K. K. Yadav, Director Postal Service, Jodhpur and other dignitaries in dais at inaugural function of the exhibition on 7th December 2015.

Khejri or Loong tree or Prosopis cineraria is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is native to arid portions of Western Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, including Afghanistan, Iran, India, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Other common names include Jund, Kandi, Banni / Shami or Sami, Vanni, Jammi, Khejra, Khijdo etc. It is the state tree of Rajasthan and Telangana States. It is also the national tree of the United Arab Emirates. Khejri, the desert tree as it is also known was the lifeline of the people in Western Rajasthan in the earlier times. It provided firewood and even acted as a cash crop. Khejri covers about two-thirds of the total geographical area of the State and is of immense significance culturally and economically.

Blue City, Jodhpur

A Special Cover on Blue City, Jodhpur was released on 8th December 2015 by Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav, Director Postal Services, Rajasthan Western Region, Jodhpur. The special cover is having marvelous scene of blue coloured houses from the internal vellum of Jodhpur City and its special cancellation depicts logo of skylight of Jodhpur Fort.

Jodhpur is second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan and has long been a popular destination among international tourists. The old town is a wonderful example of vivid colours providing a photogenic backdrop to everyday life. It is also known as the blue city because the color gives an indigo aura to it with blue colored houses surrounding the Mehrangarh Fort.

 

Special Cover on ‘The Kangla’ released at Sangai Festival 2015 – 30th November 2015

The closing ceremony of 10-day annual Manipur Sangai Festival 2015 was held at the Bhagyachandra open air theatre, Imphal. On the occasion a Special Cover was released on “The Kangla” by Chief Minister of Manipur Shri Okram Ibobi Singh in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and Shri Vinod Kumar, Director Postal Services, Manipur Division.

Kangla is the most important historical and archeological site of Manipur. Kangla was the ancient capital of Manipur from the ancient times down to the year 1891 AD. It is located at the heart of the Imphal city. It is situated on the western bank of the Imphal River. In ancient times, 'Kangla' was the royal palace since the reign of Pakhangba who ascended the throne in 33 AD, according to "Cheitharol Kummaba", the royal Chronicle of Manipur. According to the legend believed that the area was ruled by Khaba before the reign of Pakhangba. In pre-Pakhangba period, a ruling clan named Khaba ruled from 'Kangla'. 'Kangla' is not only the seat of political power but also a holy place for religious worship and ceremonies.

Courtesy – Indian Philately Digest

Salvatore Ferragamo - the most exclusive brand of shoes!

 

Date of Issue : 30 November 2015

Here is a beautiful stamp from the women’s world featuring the leather shoes. The shoes featured on the stamp was designed for Marilyn Monroe by the famous Italian  brand of shoes Salvatore Ferragamo. The FDC cancellation of the stamp features the same beautiful design, a wonderful collective item !!

Salvatore Ferragamo is one of the most luxurious Italian brands that are popular around the worlds by exclusive shoes and leather wares. The achievements of this brand one cannot doubt that is why Salvatore Ferragamo was honored in Florence with the issuance of a stamp on the 100th anniversary of its collaboration with Hollywood and in recognition of its work.

The stamp features an image from the brand’s archive of a shoe design realized for Marilyn Monroe in 1958, and a pendulum suspended on the plantar arch in recognition of Salvatore Ferragamo’s studies of the foot’s anatomy, which were fundamental for the construction of his designs.

The brand has tapped Colombian designer Edgardo Osorio, founder and creative director of Aquazzura, for a footwear capsule collection to celebrate the centennial.

40 Years of Karnataka Philatelic Society

 

Dr Sita Bhateja was honoured with lifetime achievement award at 40th anniversary celebration of Karnataka Philatelic Society on 6th December 2015.

To celebrate its 40th Anniversary Karnataka Philatelic Society organized a function at Meghdoot Auditorium, General Post Office Building, Rajbhavan Road, Bengaluru on 6th December 2015. On the occasion a Special Cover on 40 years of Karnataka Philatelic Society was released by Smt. Usha Chandrasekhar, Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Postal Circle in presence of Shri Chaitanya Dev, President, Karnataka Philatelic Society and Shri Markand Dave, India Representative of Royal Philatelic Society (Special Cover approval no. KTK/52/2015).

On the occasion renowned philatelist Dr. Sita Bhateja was awarded lifetime achievement award. Special edition of KarPhila Magazine was also released at the function. After the function a joint meeting with Royal Philatelic Society of London was also organized. Function was well attended by a large number of members and philatelists.

 

 

Karnataka Philatelic Society (KPS) was founded in 1975 in Bangalore by late Col. L. G. Shenoy and like minded senior philatelists and was registered with Government of Karnataka on 22nd March, 1976. Col. L.G. Shenoi was the first President and Sri Fredun P. Seervai was the first General Secretary of KPS. The KPS acts as a platform for philately in Karnataka especially in Bangalore. The key charter of the society is to promote philately as hobby starting from young kids to senior citizens.

Many Many Congratulations to KPS on completing 40 years !!

Best wishes to all  the members of the present committee of KPS to continue their great work to promote philately all over India !!

Courtesy – Jagannath Mani & Suresh Rao - Bangalore

 

The Special cover of World Soil Day released at Thiruvananthapuram on 5th Dec 2015

World Soil Day celebrations was organised by the departments of Agriculture and Soil Conservation at Thiruvananthapuram on 5th December 2015. On the occasion a Special Cover was released by Chief Postmaster General Sri A. N. Nanda in a function held at Senate Hall, Thiruvananthapuram. The cover was accepted by the Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture Sri. K. P. Mohanan from Chief PMG Shri A. N. Nanda (Special Cover approval no. KL-12/2015).

United Nations had declared 2015 as International Year of Soils and the United Nations theme for this year's World Soil Day is "Soils a solid ground for life". Soils have been neglected for too long. We fail to connect soil with our food, water, climate, biodiversity and life. We must invert this tendency and take up some preserving and restoring actions. The World Soil Day campaign aims to connect people with soils and raise awareness on their critical importance in our lives. The World Soil Day campaign aims to connect people with soils and raise awareness on their critical importance in our lives.

Courtesy - Suresh Rao , Bengalore : email : suresh.hobbies@gmail.com ;  Indian Philately Digest