Tributes to Legendary Dr Sita Bhateja

We deeply mourn and pay our tribute to the great lady of Indian Philately Dr. Sita Bhateja.  She will always remain immortal in our hearts. Her life & work, passion to profession and her achievements shall keep her alive.

My pleasant relation goes with her since I first visited / met her in Bangalore during Asiana 1977. We travelled together to many world stamp shows like Ameripex 1986 Chicago, Singapore – 95,  Pacific- 97 USA (San Francisco),  China – 99 world stamp exhibitions.

We both for the first time participated / visited in world stamp exhibition Ameripex - 1986 Chicago where we exhibited our collections.  What a coincidence we both last exhibited at the Indipex 2011 World stamp exhibition, then President of India Smt. Pratibha Patil inaugurated and came to see Dr. Sita Bhateja and my exhibit which were invited under 'Court of Honour' invitee class.

Her great India classic exhibit was nominated for National Grand Prix in India 89 World Stamp exhibition, nominated for the Grand Prix D Honour in Indipex - 97 World stamp exhibition at New Delhi and China - 99 World stamp exhibition. In all there three occasions I was present.

She was a Doyen of Indian Philately.  David Feldman - SA (Swiss) brought out a Luxury book edition on her great India exhibit. She was also the pillar to the Karnataka philatelic society. Always stood behind to support all promotional activities, stamp exhibitions. Remained Jury on several stamp exhibitions.

We spent together memorable time and remained in constant touch all these years.  Her spirit and smile on her face shall always remain fresh in our memories.

-Pradip Jain, FRPSL

Pragya & family, Patna,

email : philapradip@gmail.com

‘Dr Sita Bhateja was a role model, generation ahead of her times’

I was lucky to be closely associated with Dr Sita Bhateja during my growing years.

By Kamini Rao

Express News Service

BENGALURU: I was lucky to be closely associated with Dr Sita Bhateja during my growing years. During those wonderful years, she listened, encouraged, and most of all guided a lot of youngsters in their careers. I will eternally be grateful for our friendship, and her guidance.

The untimely death of her daughter Vaijayanthi was a terrible blow to her but she picked herself up. She looked on me almost as the daughter she lost and took pride in every little achievement of mine. Her’s was always the first call or message of congratulations that I received at any momentous occasion. And what was most surprising was that this would come via telephone, mobile, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook or any other social media. Not only was she truly tech-savvy, she was a generation ahead of her times.

She was a woman of varied interests. She loved horse riding; she was a philatelist; and she was extremely fashionable. But she always remained committed to social service. This was the reason behind her starting an adoption agency. What really stood out about her was her ultimate interest and zest for life.

She was one of the founding members of the Bangalore Society for Obstetrics & Gynecology, and her commitment was a benchmark in the Society’s history. Her intelligence, vision, organisation and leadership qualities were exemplary.

Not only was she an extremely active member in her younger days, until her last days and twilight years she made it a point to attend all meetings and programmes organised by the BSOG. She will always be an icon for future generations. A friend, mentor and role model to us all, she was truly the grand old Iron Lady of Karnataka, who will be missed.Bengaluru loses ‘full of life’ gynaecologist.

Noted doctor Sita Bhateja passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 90. Admitted at the Sita Bhateja super specialty hospital in the city – of which she was the founder and managing trustee – Dr Bhateja was undergoing treatment for leukaemia. She is survived by three sons, including Dr Arvind Bhateja, a leading spinal and neurosurgeon. Here, prominent Bengalureans pay tribute to the renowned gynaecologist.

Read More... Published: 19th December 2018 The Indian Express

Club News

New Special Covers

 9th Indian Organ Donation Day

 Organ donation is the gift of an organ to a person with end stage organ disease and who needs a transplant. The organs that can be donated are: Liver, Kidney, Pancreas, Heart, Lung, Intestine. The tissues that can be donated are: Cornea, Bone, Skin, Heart Valve, Blood Vessels, Nerves and Tendon, etc. 

The Chief guests on the dais Dr. Kishore Phadke, Dr. Pushparaj and Dr. Prabhakar shared information about the organ donation and as presently India is lacking in donors , a need for creating awareness is cruciall . they explained  about the organs going waste by cremating or burying the body can give life to as many as seven people. The Doctors on the Dias also clarified many doubts of the audience like critical organs like Liver, Kidney, Pancreas, Heart, lungs etc. can be used from a brain-dead person, after many teams of doctors certify that the person is brain-dead and that the patient cannot survive without ventilators and after consent of the family members. Doctors also explained that only organs like cornea can be taken from a dead person. Members of the donor’s family and organ recipients who attended the function shared their motivating experiences. Shri G. Natarajan IPoS – Director Postal services along with the chief guests released the special cover. 

 For more information visit http://www.jeevasarthakathe.karnataka.gov.in/Website/English/Home.aspx

25 November 2018: Charkha is an insurance against drought, Bagalkot, Navanagar

Recent Indian Issues

27 November 2018 : Utkal University – Rs 5

28 November 2018: Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup – 5 x Rs 5 + MS

Courtesy :  Suresh R & Ghouse Ali Zameer Bangalore; Mahadev M. Mumbai

New stamps from India

14 November - Children's Day

Theme - Communal Harmony

Date of Issue : 14 November 2018

3rd Battalion The Rajputana Rifles

Date of issue : 3 November 2018

New Pictorial Cancellation from Croatia

Croatia Post will issue a two new pictorial cancellations on 5th and 7th December 2018 featuring birds and light houses from Croatia.

: Wolfgang Beyer- Germany

Press Clippings

Indian Express, Mumbai Edition 5 November 18 

Contributed By : M. Mahadev - Kharghar, Navi Mumbai

New Stamps on Greetings

Dream - Smile

I Love You - We'll meet again

Date of Issue : 2 January : 2018

Here is a beautiful Miniature Sheet issued by Danish Post . This Mini sheet has been designed by noted artist, singer, song writer and  Peace Activist Yoko Ono. She is also known for her work in performance art and film making.  The sheet features two stamps with symbolic messages on a moon and Sun. The Moon says 'Dream' and the Sun says 'Smile'. In the background the phrases "I Love You "n We"ll meet again appears. This is a global message for one and all.

Yoko Ono 

Yoko Ono has devoted her life to battling for a world of peace and understanding, and to making people more aware of their surroundings. From October 2017 through February 2018, the Kunsthal Charlottenborg art gallery in Copenhagen is hosting a special exhibition entitled YOKO ONO: TRANSMISSION. It is an exhibition that explores the famous artist’s unique methods of transmitting her insightful messages about artistic philosophy and peace in diverse ways to people all over the world. The minisheet of two stamps has been created specifically for this exhibition.

Press Clippings

Jagannath Mani is a regular contributor to Rainbow Stamp Club and Rainbow Stamp News. I am pleased to share this clipping about him from Indian Express Bangalore edition published on 15 January 2016.

Please view : http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2016/jan/16/Once-an-Athlete-Mani-now-Owns-Olympian-Stamp-Collection-869380.html

New Special Covers

Golden Jubilee of SBR Public School, Kalaburgi 

Poojya Dr. Sharnbaswappa Appa, President, Sharnbasveshwar Vidya Vardhak Sangha and Chancellor, Sharnbasva University was born.on November 14, 1935. He is the 8th Peethadhipati of Sharnbasveshwar Samsthana. His contribution to the field of education is outstanding. His first priority for women's education has empowered the position of the women in the society. Poojya Dr. Appa has written 21 Dasoha Sutras which focus on Dasoha Philosophy. Gulbarqa University has conferred him with Honorable Doctorate for his contributions to education. Govt. of Karnataka having recognized his contributions to the field of education has awarded him with Rajyotsava Prashasti. Under the auspices of Sharnbasveshwar Vidya Vardhak Sangha, Kalaburagi, the Sharnbasva University is established in 2017. This special cover is released on the occasion of Golden Jubilee celebration of Sharnbasveshwar Residential Public School, Silver Jubilee celebration of Sharnbasveshwar Residential Composite Pre University College and the 83rd birthday of Dr. Sharnbaswappa Appa.

14 November - World Diabetes Day 

14 November 2017, Bangalore

In India, there are around 6 to 7 crore Diabetic patients. Diabetes can be controlled in many ways. Foods which are rich in fibres like Brown Rice, Vegetables, Dry fruits, Oats may be consumed to control Diabetes. Consumption of sugar/artificial sugar and excess food may be avoided. Light food may be consumed at dinner. Limited and light food, disciplined lifestyle, and exercise will help in controlling Diabetes.

Suresh R. - Bangalore

Press Clippings

Dainik Jagran : 6 December 2017

Courtesy - Atul Agrawal, Aligarh

New Special Covers

PUNPEX 2016 : Day 4 : Special Covers

Thapar University, Patiala

Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports, Patiala

: Vipan Kumar Thakur - Chandigarh Email : secretarycpc2011@gmail.com


Press Clippings

Future of Indian Philately : Indian Express (Mumbai Edition) - 23 January 2016 Contributed by : Swamynathan R. Views and Opinions  Philately in Modern and fast changing times Philately originates from postal system. Traditionally Postal system is all about communication through physical methods which involved variety of stamps, postal stationeries and postal markings etc. These varieties gave the philatelists a wide range of philatelic subjects to pursue as a hobby. Today, its a technological world where communication is instant without any physical methods. In such a high technological scenario, philately as a hobby is now getting highly restricted, to be specific, restricted to just collecting mint commemorative stamps. Letter writings / postal communications have decreased drastically with emails, mobiles and instant messaging gaining popularity. Though modern communication is instant but they are impersonal. Considering the importance of letter writing / postal communications and to promote it, US Postal Services have released in 2015 a stamp titled "FROM ME TO YOU". Australia Post have a separate web page on their website(www.auspost.com.au) dedicated to letter writing. Nowdays, world over the postal organisations are becoming  more and more corporate / business oriented with little focus on Philately. In such a scenario, Philately organisations must aggressively take over the responsibility of Philately activities and secondly closely work with the respective Postal organisations to bring various basic philately products like stamps, postal stationery etc.. Such a scenario is already happening in various countries. For e.g. American Philatelic Society, British Postal museum etc who are driving force to the modern philately. The apex body philately body of every country must function professionally having a website, physical office, library & archives and a professional philately team with proper documented and transparent working rules. The apex body must ensure that the various other philately clubs in their respective countries function properly and get the desired support. Lastly, in modern times the philately must try to embrace new or different aspects to enhance the Philatelic activities, for e.g origami envelopes, personalised postal cancellations etc. This is an ongoing activity to keep pace with the fast changing circumstances.  Conclusion Lets not restrict Philately to just collecting mint/unused stamps and exhibit it, rather make philately with a wide range of subjects so that it encourages the young generations to pursue philately as a hobby. - Swamynathan R. : email : swamyxyz@yahoo.com

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

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.

Old Toys – Europa2015 Theme

 

 

Date of Issue : 8 May 2015

I am sharing here few stamps to be released by European Countries in 2015 on “old traditional” Toys. The theme of Europa 2015 is old Toys. Europa stamps will feature popular traditional old toys of the respective countries.  Stamp from Aland features  “Monkey with drum”. This toy was very popular few decades ago all over the world . Pulling toys were also favorites of little children and will be featured on stamps from Denmark. Building Blocks have  always been  very popular among children and these will appear on stamps from Denmark.

Denmark

Date of Issue : 2 January 2015

Finland

Date of Issue : 4 May 2015

Iceland

Date of Issue : 30th April 2015

View : Complete list of Europa 2015 stamps

Toys

The meaning of toys as we know it today being exclusively playthings for children was not commonly used until the nineteenth century. Before then and even into the early 1800’s the word toy was used to describe anything from an adult bauble of little or no value to a very expensive miniature (like handcrafted pieces of silver furniture handmade by the best craftsmen). The word toy comes from an old English world meaning tool.

Ancient toys from excavations of Egyptian ruins show that children had a variety: painted wood balls or glazed papyrus and reeds; spinning tops of wood, papyrus, or stone; pull toys and dolls crafts of wood, ivory, gold, bronze and clay. Some wooden animals had moveable parts, like the jaws of tigers and crocodiles.

Both in Greek and Roman times there were lots of different children’s playthings. They played with clay spinning tops (some propelled with a piece of thread on the end of a stick), balls, terracotta animals and dolls with moving arms and legs, baby toys including animal shaped rattles. Roman children had dolls, wooden toy hoops, spinning tops, drums, draughts, and wooden animals.  Children's games like naughts and crosses, knucklebones and blind man's bluff existed. Wood horses for both these eras were also favourites, including models of the Trojan horse. Many in this period were designed to develop physical fitness. Some, like the hoop, were used by both children and adults. Kites were another old plaything enjoyed by young and old. The Chinese, who invented kites over 3000 years ago, developed many variations and also used them to send signals. The Chinese or Japanese invented the whipped top at an early date. These became so popular and all different types spread throughout Asia and the Middle East. In the English 1500’s toys were popular. For example a Tudor Christmas was a special celebration full of fun and also pomp. The celebrations took place in halls and a Lord of Misrule rode in on a hobby horse, Mummers were actors, Jesters kept everyone happy and Merrymakers (ordinary people) wore costumes and heads of strange monsters! The musicians would have played with pipes, drums, lutes and whistles from a gallery.

As long as toys have existed they have reflected the cultures that produced them. They reflect popular styles of clothing, activities, occupations, social standards and conditions. For example boats, wheeled vehicles and planes of transportation all show the styles of the period in which they were made. Doll makers and craft toys often reflect period styles and clothing.

The Europa 2015 stamps will feature old traditional toys .

Club News

"ITS Stamp News"and completes 17 years of publication

The Indian Thematic Society has issued a new issue no.68 December 2014 of its quarterly magazine "ITS Stamp News" ( Editor – Suraj Jaitly ) and completed 17 years of its regular publication without any break or combined issue. Many many congratulations to Mr Suraj Jaitly.The issue has been despatched to its regular subscribers if you are not its subscriber Please contact :

Suraj Jaitly  email :   indianthematicsociety@gmail.com

Mobile: +91 98728 51244
MIG # 3464, Phase Two, Dugri Road, Ludhiana - 141 013 INDIA

Press Clippings

Finding music in stamps and coins

Gandikota Sriramarao has 250 coins and 93 musical currency notes, apart from over 4,000 stamps from around the world, collected over 24 years. Photo: R. Ravindran – The Hindu

There is music in these postage stamps. They are not just pieces of paper with images on them but contain music that you can listen to,’ says retired Commander Gandikota Sriramarao, as he shows off his collection of gramophone record/CD/DVD stamps from Bhutan and North Korea that can actually be played.

The Visakhapatnam-based philatelist is exhibiting his collection of currency notes, coins and pictorial cancellations related to music at the Tag Listening and Viewing Archives at The Music Academy.

An avid interest in music and singing led Mr. Sriramarao to learn music after he retired from the Indian Navy.

“Collecting stamps, coins and currency have been my passion from childhood. But when I started learning music, I decided to collect things connected to music. I have been doing it for 24 years now and have 250 coins and 93 musical currency notes apart from over 4,000 stamps from around the world,” says the 74-year-old who spends half his pension on this.

A walking encyclopaedia on stamps and currency, he says, “There are 76 musical post offices in 13 countries. They are named after musicians.”

At the exhibition, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. till Saturday, one can see coins shaped like guitars and those embedded with Swarovski crystals, or even gold and silver.

Mr. Sriramarao’s wife, Ramalakshmi Gandikota, herself a musician, and son Vijai Gandikota too share his passion for stamps and are at hand to explain the significance of the collection to visitors at the exhibition.

The Hindu  - 17 December 2014

- Mahesh Parekh - Chennai

New stamps from Sri Lanka

 

Christmas 2014

Date of Issue : 30 November 2014

Here are new stamps issued by Sri Lanka Post. Two stamps and a Miniature sheet was issued for this year’s Christmas on 30th November 2014. A beautiful stamp was issued on World Children’s day with a theme “ We have right to Leisure ”.On World Post Day a special stamp was also issued  featuring different services of Sri Lanka Post.

World Children’s day

Date of Issue : 1 October 2014

World Post Day

Date of Issue : 9 October 2014

- Pradip Jain – Patna

Club News

Teacher joins crusade with a stamp

Prakash Vaithyanathan, a science teacher, is attempting to create awareness of the 'Swachh Bharat' campaign with a stamp

The message behind the ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign may be huge, but Prakash Vaithyanathan, a science teacher, is attempting to capture it all in a stamp. This Adyar resident, who has been a cleanliness crusader for some years, has decided to design a stamp to reach out to more people.

“I chose to design the stamp with the charming Taj Mahal and ‘Swachh Bharat’ written in the tri-colour backdrop. Stamps are an easy way to constantly remind people of their duty towards keeping the environment clean,” said Mr. Vaithyanathan. He had a small collection published under the ‘My Stamp’ scheme.“I have requested postal officials and the Central government to bring out stamps to carry the campaign forward,” he said.

Meanwhile, the department of posts too is considering introducing slogans in electronic franking impressions of stamps. Mervin Alexander, postmaster general (Chennai city region), said, “Electronic franking is used for bulk dispatch of letters. We are considering printing slogans on clean environment.”

On suggestions to release stamps with social messages, he said, every year, 40 commemorative stamps are released. A philatelic advisory committee decides the themes for postage stamps of various denominations. “We will scrutinise the requests,” he said.

Read More ….. The Hindu  - 15 December 2014

- Mahesh Parekh , Chennai

Stamp on International Year of Family

 

Date of Issue : 15 May 2014

Poczta Polska issued a stamp on 15th May 2014 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family. A special observance of the International Day of Families was held on 15th May in UN Headquarters. This event commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family and featured a panel discussion on “Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals.”

The twentieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family (2014) offers an opportunity to refocus on the role of families in development; take stock of recent trends in family policy development; share good practices in family policy making; review challenges faced by families worldwide and recommend solutions. The preparations for the this anniversary will include:

- International and regional expert group meetings gathering family experts and practitioners.

- Research activities, including background papers.

- Exchange of good practices in family policy.

- Observances of the International Days of Families focusing on the themes for the twentieth anniversary.

- Side events at the Commission for Social Development. - Government, civil society, academic and private sector initiatives at the national level. Findings and recommendations from these activities are to guide future action in effective family policy design, monitoring and implementation.

Press Clippings

An interview of Mr Timir Shah of Baroda Philatelic Society was published in Vadodara edition of Divya Bhaskar today, 18th May 2014. Read more…

 

-  Divya Bhaskar , 18 May 2014