Wild Buffalo : State Animal of Chhattisgarh

Special covers on Wild Buffalo  

The Asiatic Wild Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is a globally endangered species and is accorded the highest level of protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 of India. The current wild buffalo population in Chhattisgarh is restricted to Indravati National Park and Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary with fewer than 50 individuals recorded. Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has been working for the last 14 years with the Chhattisgarh Forest Department to recover the population of the state animal of Chhattisgarh and the above special cover was released on the occasion of the 67th Wildlife Week 2019  to sensitize the local populace and  instill pride in their state animal. This scheme is supported by ORACLE (2016- till date). more info at : https://www.wti.org.in/projects/central-india-wild-buffalo-conservation-project/

- Suresh R. - Bangalore

New Stamps from India

100 Years of International Labour Organization

Date of Issue : 22 January 2020

Constitution of India 

Date of Issue : 26 January 2020

Happy Republic Day !

Greetings to all Indians on 71st Republic Day of India

Let's remember the Golden Heritage of our country and feel proud to be Indian !

Happy Republic Day !

Lunar Year of the Rat

Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) is celebrating Chinese New Year with the launch of a set of stamps depicting the rat, to welcome the Year of the Rat, on 8 January 2020.

The collection marks a new cycle of SingPost’s Zodiac stamp series, featuring two graphical illustrations of the rat, the first sign in the Chinese Zodiac cycle. The Zodiac Rat stamps are the first in a series that will span the next 12 years, all of which are designed in a similar artistic style. The rest of the Chinese Zodiac stamps will be released in the next subsequent years until the 12-year cycle completes in 2031.

The Chinese Zodiac is a repeating cycle of 12 years. Each year of the Chinese lunar calendar is represented by an animal, each with its own reputed attributes. In order, the animals are: Rat (2020), Ox (2021), Tiger (2022), Rabbit (2023), Dragon (2024), Snake (2025), Horse (2026), Goat (2027), Monkey (2028), Rooster (2029), Dog (2030), and Pig (2031).

According to tradition, people born in the years of the Rat are known to be hardworking, thrifty and easy to get along with. They take pride in their neat work in all areas of life and have a deep sense of self-respect. Fair-tempered and pleasant, they are conservative and diligent, happy to set aside funds for a rainy day. Famous personalities born in the year of the Rat include footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, former US president George H.W. Bush, British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Singaporean singer Kit Chan.

Chinese New Year Reunion Stamp Miniature Sheet

Apart from the rat-themed stamps and products, SingPost will also be printing a limited edition stamp miniature sheet, in celebration of the Chinese New Year festivities. The stamp features the Chinese tradition of the reunion dinner, a meal traditionally taken on the eve of Chinese New Year by the entire family together and often considered the most important meal of the entire year by the Chinese.

The miniature sheet will go on sale on 24 January 2020, the eve of Chinese New Year.

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) releases “Year of the Rat” special stamps to welcome the Lunar Year. Occupying the first and prominent position in the Chinese Zodiac, people born under the year of the Rat are known to be flexible, smart and alert. The rat is also associated with fertility and financial abundance. This 2020 is the year of the Metal Rat.

Lunar New Year — Year of the Rat Stamps from Macau

Date of Issue  : 5 January 2020

New Stamps from India - Indian Fashion

Indian Fashion - Designers' Creations: Series 4

Date of Issue : 14 October 2020

India Post issued a set of 9 stamps and a miniature sheet on 14 January 2020 featuring  Indian Fashion - Designers' Creations: Series 4.

COVERPEX 2020, Chennai

National Level Philatelic Exhibition COVERPEX 2020 was unique and innovative  was organized by South Indian Philatelic  Association  (SIPA), with the active support of Department of Post Tamil Nadu Circle, Govt. of India.  It was held  at  Sanandaa Kalyana Mandapam, Madambakkam Main Road, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600073   from January  11 – 13, 2020.

Participants from all over the country  participated in this national competitive philatelic exhibition where 326 frames were on display.

Separate Class exhibits like First day covers, Special covers, Private covers, Thematic covers were on display.  Special awards were given for  Youth Exhibits and School Exhibits.

There was good footfalls on all days, as no one has attempted to have an Philatelic Exhibition in this part of the city, which is one of the outskirts hub. Everyone enjoyed the Exhibits.

Seven Dealers have set booths to cater to the Philatelists and there was brisk business.Philatelic counter was set up by the Tambaram Division of India Post and they also sold stamps and philatelic auxiliaries.

Award List 

Jury

Mr Ghouse Ali Zameer & Mr. S K Lakshmanan 

276 Frames for Seniors, 34 for Youth and 13 for School, total 323 frames on Display

10 Vermeil, 30 Silver and 24 Bronze Medals . Awarded

First, Second and Third Prizes for Youth and School apart from Cups for all Youth Exhibitors

- Jagannath Mani, Bangalore

Collectors Guide to Special Covers on Karnataka

Collectors Guide to Special Covers on Karnataka Vol II 2015-2018

By Sushil Mehra

Great Moment : During INPEX 2019, met philatelists from different parts of the country. Noted philatelists from Bangalore, Shri Sushil Mehra presented me his book "  Special Covers of Karnataka".

Collectors Guide to Special Covers on Karnataka Vol II 2015-2018 By Sushil Mehra published by Karnataka Postal Circle : Pages 125 : Hard Bound : Price Rs 350 : Available at Bangalore GPO

 “ Collectors Guide to Special Covers on Karnataka Vol II ” Book compiled by  by noted philatelist of Bangalore Shri Sushil Mehra is a wonderful book for collectors of Special Covers. The book has been published by Karnataka Postal Circle. Now collection of Special Covers has become favourite interest of many philatelists. Today in stamp exhibitions there is a special class for display of Special Covers. The book  features all special covers issued  from the period 2015-2018 including supplements of 1960-2014. It is beautifully designed with high class printing quality. It is an essential book for all stamp lovers as well as for Philatelic and  school libraries. I recommend this book as a reference book to all philatelists, specially the  Thematic collectors . Thematic collectors will find several themes of their interest in this book ! The Glossary given in the book is quite useful for ready reference of any special cover issued by Karnataka during the period 2015-2018.

Shri Sushil Mehra may be contacted at email :  gaureshmehra@gmail.com

Club News

Rainbow Stamp News January 2020

Dear Reader,

I am pleased to release January 2020 issue of Rainbow Stamp News. With this issue Rainbow completes 12 years of sucessful publication. Thanks to all its Readers and Contributors. It is available on following link :

https://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.com/2020/01/rainbow-january-2020.html

2020 - The Year of the Rat

Lunar New Year of Rat

Date of Issue : 11 January 2020

Year of the Rat. 2020 is the Year of the Rat according to Chinese zodiac. This is a Year of Metal Rat, starting from the 2020 Chinese New Year on Jan. 25 and lasting to 2021 Lunar New Year's Eve on Feb. 11. Rat is the first in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac.  USPS will issue a stamp, celebrating Lunar New Year of Rat on 11 January 2020.

SINGAPORE: A new stamp set featuring the Chinese zodiac sign for the year, the rat, will go on sale next Wednesday (Jan 8), Singapore Post (SingPost) said on Thursday.The zodiac stamp series features two graphical illustrations of the rat and comes in two denominations: 1st local (S$0.30) and S$1.40. 

Date of Issue : 4 December 2019

The lunar calendar is 12 months long, with each month corresponding roughly to one cycle of the Moon’s movement from a new Moon, through to a full Moon, and back to a new Moon. The lunar calendar is also known as the agricultural calendar as it divides the year into seasons. Agriculture was the principal economy of ancient China. Today, the lunar calendar still has great significance for many Chinese people, who use it to set the luckiest dates for traditional events and activities such as weddings, funerals, launching new ventures and moving to a new house.

People born in the Year of the Rat are clever and adapt quickly to new environments. They prefer to live quiet and peaceful lives.

Optimism and energy are key traits for those born in the Year of the Rat. They tend to be sensitive to others’ emotions and comments but are known to be stubborn with their own opinions. While the Rat personality is kind, their words may seem impolite or rude due to a lack of communication skills.

Rats are great at seizing opportunities that present themselves but can sometimes lack courage. They love to be organised and place great value on family. They like saving money and can be known to be a bit ungenerous. Their love of hoarding will sometimes cause them to waste money on unnecessary things.

The most outstanding characteristics of people born in the Year of the Rat are alertness, resourcefulness and intelligence. Owing to their positive contributions and strong flexibility at work, Rats are popular with their leaders. They are vigilant, well organised and full of ideas.