Dear Reader,
I am pleased to release February 2026 issue of Rainbow Stamp News. It is available at the following link :
https://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.com/2026/02/rainbow-february-2026.html
14 hours ago
05 February 2026
30 January 2026
My Recent Cover
Magh Mela 2026 - Basant Panchami : 23 January 2026 : Prayagraj
Basanta Panchami and Saraswati Puja in honour of the Hindu goddess Saraswati, is a festival that marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. The festival is celebrated in Indian religions in different ways depending on the region. Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holi, which take place forty days later. The Vasant Utsava (festival) on Panchami is celebrated forty days before spring, because any season's transition period is 40 days, and after that, the season comes into full bloom.
Magh Mela is one of the most sacred annual religious gatherings in India, held on the holy banks of the Sangam in Prayagraj, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet. Rooted deeply in Hindu tradition, Magh Mela draws millions of devotees, saints, and pilgrims who gather to take ritual dips and perform spiritual practices during the auspicious month of Magh.
Thanks to Mr Rahul Ganguli, Prayagraj Philatelic Society for this special cover and desk calendar of the society.
26 January 2026
Happy Republic Day
Greetings on 77th Republic Day
“Freedom, unity, and equality are the pillars of our Republic.”
26 January, celebrated as India’s Republic Day, marks the historic day when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950. This proud occasion symbolises democracy, freedom, equality, and the unity of the nation. Republic Day is observed with grand parades, flag hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes, and heartfelt tributes to the leaders and freedom fighters who shaped modern India.
Happy Republic Day !!
to all Indians living in different corners of the world !
19 January 2026
Club News
News from Philatelic Societies
Eastern India Philatelists' Association
The Annual General Meeting of the Eastern India Philatelic Association (EIPA) was held at The SAAJ Hotel, Bhubaneswar on 18th January 2026.
EIPA had made great strides in the preceding years and now stands as a premier national level Philatelic Body. Its members have won laurels both in India and abroad and the membership now stands at more than 200 with a pan India spread.
Durgadutta Routray was appointed as the President. Mr Anil Dhir was appointed as the Vice President of EIPA for another term. Mr C.R. Das as Vice President, Shanti Swarup Rath as Secretary , K. Chandrasekhar as Joint Secretary and Kashinath Sahoo as organising secretary. Dr. Bibhudutta Mishra was the unanimous choice for Treasurer.
Newly elected office bearers
Durgadutta Routray - President
Anil Dhir- Vice President
CR Das - Vice President
SS Rath - Secretary
K. Chandrasekhar - Joint Secretary
Kashinath Sahoo - Organising Secretary
Dr. Bibhudutta Mishra - Treasurer
The General Body Council Members :
1. Ajit Dash
2. Biswanath
Mishra
3. Anup Rout
4. Kamal
Chakravarty
5. Chandrasekhar
Baishak
6. Ajit Rout
7. Prasant Das
8. Haripada Panda
AIR Mail Society India Foundation
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Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/
Meeting ID: 921 3527 4549
Passcode: 125235
This event is open to all and is free of charge.
Share this invitation with others.
Jainism Philatelic Society (JPS)
27 Picture Postcards and One Special Cover Released at ADIPEX 2026,Creating a World Record
On the occasion of the 6th National Convention of the Jainism Philatelic Society (JPS), a remarkable philatelic milestone was achieved during the ADIPEX 2026 Exhibition, held at Kumhari (Chhattisgarh) on 17 January 2026.A total of 27 different picture postcards, each bearing a distinct and unique special cancellation, were officially released. All the postcards were ceremonially carried from Kumhari to Raipur GPO by e-rickshaw, adding a distinctive and symbolic dimension to the event.
Informing about the achievement, Mr. Sudhir Jain, Founder Patron of JPS, stated that members from 14 states across India assembled at Kaivalyadham Tirth for the two-day National Convention. To commemorate this historic event, 24 picture postcards were issued, each featuring one of the 24 Jain Tirthankars along with 24 different special cancellations. In addition, three picture postcards were released depicting the prominent Jain pilgrimage centers of Chhattisgarh—Kaivalyadham, Nagpura, and Chandragiri, each accompanied by related special cancellations.
Along with the postcards, one special cover featuring Kaivalyadham Tirth and bearing a special cancellation was also released. All these philatelic items were issued by the SSP, Raipur Circle, in the august presence of JPS Founder Mr. Sudhir Jain (Satna), National President Dr. Pradip Jain (Balod), Vice Presidents Mr. Mahaveer Kundur (Hubballi) and Mr. Pramod Kumar Jain (Pondicherry), Secretary Mr. Meethalal Jain (Pune), Coordinator Mr. Tejkaran Jain (Rajnandgaon) and Exhibition Convenors Mr. Atul Jain (Bilaspur) and Mr. Ankit Agrawal (Raipur).
According to Mr. Sudhir Jain, who is also a Governing Council Member of the Philatelic Congress of India and President of the Central India Philatelic Society, this achievement is probably a world record, as 27 different picture postcards with 27 unique special cancellations, along with one special cover, were issued on a single day at a single venue and carried by e-rickshaw—an unprecedented event in philatelic history.
18 January 2026
Book Review
Discover Incredible Madhya Pradesh
Through Stamps and Covers
DISCOVER INCREDIBLE MADHYA PRADESH through STAMPS and COVERS 2025: Author: Om Prakash Kedia : Pages 180: Hard Bound Coffee Table Book: Published By: Om Prakash Kedia : ISBN No. 978-93-344-3352-4 “: Price: 2000 INR Contact: email: opkedia52@hotmail.com Mob. 9302108873
The Book DISCOVER INCREDIBLE MADHYA PRADESH through STAMPS and COVERS 2025 by Omprakash Kedia is a tribute to Madhya Pradesh’s rich heritage, capturing its prehistoric art, iconic monuments, and the legacy of its freedom fighters, including Maharani Ahilyabai, Rani Avantibai, Rani Durgawati, and Saadat Khan Mewati etc.
The book showcases the region’s cultural, religious, and natural treasures through stamps, First Day Covers Special & Commemorative covers, picture postcards, special cancellations and stamp booklets. The book gives a special section on the philatelic legacy of Central India’s princely states.
The book gives 16 chapters on stamps issued by Princely States of Central India, Cancellations, covers issued by different regions, covers on different themes like Jainism, Sanatan, Nature, Lions club & Rotary Club, Philatelic exhibitions in Madhya Pradesh, My stamps and Stamp Booklets issued in Madhya Pradesh. The author has given a special section showing index of covers shown in the book.
The layout and printing quality of the book is excellent. It is very useful for the thematic philatelists and general collectors. The book features glorious heritage and of Madhya Pradesh through a variety of philatelic items. It is an excellent coffee table book not only for stamp lovers but for everyone. As the book gives a glimpse of incredible state Madhya Pradesh through philately. This book is recommended for one and all.
About the Author
Om Praksh Kedia is a renowned philatelist from Madhya Pradesh. He is the founder of Malwa Philatelic Society, Indore and Bhopal. He has participated in several national and international philatelic exhibitions and have won many awards. He is associated with different philatelic clubs and work for the promotion of Philately.
- Jeevan Jyoti
My Recent Cover
Mirzapur Handmade Dari
2 January 2026 : Mirzapur Handmade Dari : Mirzapur
Thanks to Rahul Ganguli, Prayag Philateli Society
Release of Special Cover and Cancellation on Mirzapur Handmade Dari
A special cover with a cancellation was released from Mirzapur HO on Mirzapur
Handmade Dari on 2 January2026 to commemorate
the handmade durries made by the artisans of
Mirzapur and its adjoining areas. It is a GI
tagged product. The cover was proposed by
Prayag Philatelic Society.
It was released by
the SPO Mirzapur Division Shri. Ashok
Kumar Tripathi in the presence of Mr. Ajit
Prasad Semwal, ASP(Hq), Mr.B.D. Pandey
ASP(W), Shri. Rituraj, Postmaster Mirzapur
HO and Shri. Pramod Kumar Bansal, President
Prayag Philatelic Society.
In his speech Mr. Tripathi expressed his
happiness that the handicraft of Mirzapur has been
commemorated through a special cover and he
hoped that more such events will be held in the
future to recognize the heritage monuments and
cultural events of Mirzapur. While thanking the
philatelic society to propose for this special cover,
he said that with the release of this special cover on
handmade durries of Mirzapur will spread
awareness among people far and wide throughout
the world and help the artisans in getting recognition for this age old handicraft.
Four students of different schools were felicitated as their handwritten letters were
recognised by the Department under the Deendayal Upadhya Letter Writing Competition. The
students were encouraged and motivated as their letters met good quality writing and were
given prizes by the SPO. He congratulated the students for their excellence in writing letters
and expressed his gratitude towards the parents who encouraged their children to participate in
the event. He appealed to audience to write letters to their dear ones atleast once a month which
will keep this habit alive. The philatelic society presented a pack of miniature sheets of stamps
to the four students to motivate them to become stamp collectors.
The programme was conducted by Shri. Rajeev Singh of the Post Office. Staff members
of the PO, parents and visitors were present for the event.
The event came to an end with the vote of thanks by the Secretary of the philatelic
society, followed by the National Anthem.
The special cover is available for purchase through our website –
www.prayagphilatelicsociety.org
-Rahul Ganguli, Secretary : Prayag Philatelic Society
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