A special pack consisting of first day cover, block of 4 stamps and a brochure was also released by Department of Posts. The Department of Posts had established two stalls, one at slipway jetty and another at IFR 2016 village in Visakhapatnam.
President’s international Fleet
Review
A Naval Fleet Review is a
long-standing tradition followed by Navies all over the world. It is a grand
occasion when every operational ship is spruced up, proudly displaying its
crest and its company in spirit of loyalty and allegiance to the country. The
idea of a Review was perhaps conceived as a show of naval might or an
inspection of readiness for battle at sea. It still has the same connotation,
but assembling the warships for peaceful purposes is now the norm of modern
times. Later reviews were used as a celebratory demonstration for victories in
battle or for other special occasions. Sometimes ships have sailed across seas
to participate in fleet reviews of friendly nations. These reviews inspired the
sailors to avow their allegiance to their country and preserve it sovereignty.
It is indeed a strong bond which links seafarers of the world and often follows
exactly the same drill even on different continents.
Post independence, traditionally, the
President, as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces reviews the
Fleet once during his tenure. In this most formal of naval ceremonies, ships,
submarines and aircrafts from all the Naval Commands, ships from the Indian
Coast Guard and vessels from the Merchant Navy(during war /adversities some of
the merchant ships also join to support the Naval effort in fighting the
enemy), are ceremonially dressed up with families embarked, and anchored in
lines at the precise spot allotted to them. Where International Fleet Review’s
are conducted even Foreign War ships from friendly countries take part in the
ceremonial event.
After
a 21 gun salute, the President embarks on the Presidential Yacht, distinguished
by the Ashoka Emblem on her side and reviews all the ships by cruising past
them. Each ship is manned by her ship’s company, dressed sparkling white
ceremonial uniforms. In a moment that stands still in time, white caps are
doffed in unison in a grand salutation. The resounding sound of three “jais”
echoes over the waves, carrying the promise of the allegiance of each and every
sailor and officer to the Nation and the President, their Supreme Commander. It
is this bond that will carry them through the adversity of war and make the
supreme sacrifice, if needed.
The present Fleet Review, which is the
11th review, was held on the East Coast for the second time. The
First Fleet review in the East coast was held in 2006 and reviewed by President
APJ Abdul Kalam. Incidentally this is the second International Fleet Review held in India and the first in East Coast. The
last international Fleet review was held in Mumbai in 2001 reviewed by then
President Dr K.R.Narayanan. For the present International Fleet Review, all the
Indian Naval ships and war ships from friendly countries submarines, coast
Guard and Merchant ships and vessels will be anchored in Bay of Bengal off
Visakhapatnam harbour and will be reviewed by President
Pranab Mukherjee on 6 February, 2016
4
Stamps and First Day Cover issued for Fleet Review 1984
Stamp and First Day cover issued in Fleet review 1989
Stamps and First Day cover issued during International Fleet Review Mumbai 2001
President’s Fleet Review 2006 Visakhapatnam
Stamps and First Day cover of President’s Fleet review 2011 , Mumbai
Cdr
G.Sriramarao,I.N(retd) is a philatelist, and Numismatist of National Repute,exhibited his collection
on the theme of Music and the Indian Navy in the Naval section of
Visakha Museum from 4 to 8 Feb 2016.
Philatelic Notes from Cdr G.Sriramarao,I.N(retd)
Here is 'My stamp' issued by postal department during 'President's Review'. The entire 5000 sheets produced were booked by Indian Navy and we had to approach them and register with them to get my stamp. This was sold for Rs.240 compared to the normal 300 Rs charged for my stamp.
In the my stamp I am in the typical Modi Jaket and head gear which we wore during the International city parade. I was one of the 8 retired officers selected to take part in the parade. As a souvenir I made this my stamp for me.
Secondly the First day cover of PFR with a stamp of Rs.5 was sold for Rs.16. This to my knowledge is the first time in the history of India post that a first day cover was sold for Rs.16 with a stamp of Rs.5.. Further they issued another cover with cancellations of both IFR and Naval base Visakhapatnam sold for Rs.21.
The stamp used in the My stamp is different from the stamp released on 6 Feb by President of India.
This stamp in my stamp is different and has the submarine at the rear of the Air craft carrier and the aircraft in the right hand just on top of air craft carrier where as in the original stamp submarine is in front of air craft carrier and the the aircraft is on the right hand corner. The stamp used in my stamp also has My stamp and Indian Navy inscribed in it and where as in the original stamp International fleet review is mentioned.
The postal dept in addition to the special Commemorative folder issued on IFR and sold for Rs.320 also put up on sale the same folder with all the stamps issued so far on President's fleet reviews totaling 21 stamps for Rs.3000(though none went for it due to the exorbitant cost).
The special Folder with FDC & four stamps and information folder was sold for Rs.200 . It contains 4 stamps of Rs.5 each one FDC and one information folder(total cost 41).
