29 November 2015

Indian Winners at Hong Kong 2015

 

Hong Kong 2015
 

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Indian Jury Member: Mr. Vispi S. Dastur & Indian Commissioner: Mr. Ajay Kumar Mittal

 
Indian Winners at Hong Kong 2015

31st Asian International Stamp Exhibition organised by Hong Kong Philatelic Society and Hong Kong Post was held at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai, Hong Kong, from  20th to 23rd November 2015.

Hong Kong 2015 Medal

Hong Kong 2015 Gold Medal Winner Mr. K. S. Mohan from Indian and Indian Jury Vispi Dastur

Dr. K. S. Mohan with Mr. Vispi Dastur (Indian Jury)

1.Dr. K. S. Mohan - Postal History of Cochin - Postal History - Gold

2.imageAjay Kumar Mittal - Revenues of Indore – Revenue - Large Vermeil

3.O. K. Prakash - Cochin State Postal History (18th Century to 1949) - Postal History - Vermeil

4.Virendra Sharma - Indian Conventional States Queen Victoria Postal Stationery - Postal Stationery - Vermeil

5. imageDinesh Chandra Sharma - Summer Olympic Games – Thematic - Vermeil

6.Parvesh Kumar Gupta - The Imperial Durbars of Delhi - Postal History - Large Silver

7.Dipak Dave - The 1929 Airmail Stamps of India - Philatelic Literature - Large Silver

8.Rajesh Bhura - Mahatma Gandhi "The Man of The Millineum – Thematic – Silver

9.imageNidhi Mittal - History of Architecture – Maximaphily - Silver

10. Ms. Paritri Upadhyay - Wild Life on Maxim Cards - Youth Class - Silver Bronze

11. Master S. Abhishek - Winged Beauties - Youth Class - Bronze

12.Muskan Malhotra  - The Elephant World - Youth Class - Bronze

13.Pradip Jain - Gandhi Travels Around The World - One Frame - 85 Marks


Courtesy : Indian Philately Digest

27 November 2015

My Recent covers

 

Autumn Greetings from Finland

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Received this nice card from Kristina with recent beautiful Fashion Art stamps from Finland. Thanks Kristina for this lovely Postcard. Please send your  mailing address so that I can send you  covers from India !!

Covers from Germany

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Thanks to Mr Wolfgang Beyer of Limbach-Oberfrohna, Germany for these nice covers with  pictorial cancellations on wildlife

26 November 2015

New Special Cover

 

 Befrienders India Suicide Prevention Conference - 20th November 2015

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THANAL : The Calicut Chapter of Befrienders India is the national unit of Befrienders Worldwide, an international organisation engaged in suicide prevention activities globally. Any caller can avail free service through direct visit / over phone or email during working hours.

Suicide is the tragic and untimely loss of human life, all the more devastating and perplexing because it is a conscious and volitional act. Death is a tragedy and suicide is the ultimate tragedy. There is no reason why a person commits suicide. For many it is a response to loss, separation and despair. Suicide can be response to disordered thinking, a toxic state or cognitive distortion. It is also difficult to explain why certain people take this decision while other in similar or even worse situations do not. Suicidal behavior is considered as a major public health problem in all countries.

As a part of a movement against suicide various organizations are formed under the broad umbrella of Befrienders India in Kerala. Thanal Foundation Trust - Suicide prevention Center, Calicut a project of IMA, Kozhikode is the Calicut Chapter of Befrienders India the national unit of Befrienders Worldwide, an international organisation engaged in suicide prevention activities globally.

17th Annual Conference of Befrienders’ India and South Asia Training workshop on suicide prevention was held at Hotel Marina Residency, YMCA Cross Road, Calicut from 20th to 22nd November 2015. Minister for Social Welfare and Panchayat Mr M K Muneer inaugurated the event. On the occasion a Special Cover was released by Shri P. Jayadevan, Superintendent of Post Offices, Kozhikode Division in the presence of other dignitaries present at the function on 20th November 2015 at Calicut.

Courtesy – Sreejesh Krishnan, Trivandrum ;  Indian Philately Digest

Advent season is coming ….

 

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Date of Issue : 5th November 2015

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Hi !

The winter festive time is coming.Here are 3 beautiful stamps issued by Iceland Post . The design of the stamps is wonderful and suits to  today’s time. The stamp featuring a Christmas cat relaxing cozily in bed listening to  music on the laptop is just wonderful ….One can see the music in the air….Superb design !! The design of other two stamps is simply great.   Kudos to the Iceland Post and the designers of the stamps Hörður Lárusson and Rán Flygenring / Sebastian Ziegler (photos) !

It’s Festive Time !!

Advent season is coming and Iceland Post decided to underline the importance of this festive time with a special stamp issue. The Christmas season not only includes the days associated with the holidays but all the days spent in preparation, joy and togetherness from the beginning of the Advent until the Epiphany on January 6th.

The Christmas Stamps illustrate the warm and delightful midwinter and Christmas moods created by the Advent season. A mixture of drawings and photography generate an impression of joyful hope and anticipation leading up to the Christmas season in spite of the darkness of winter.

This is precisely the time when so many send and receive Christmas and New Year’s greetings from friends and relatives. The stamps depict an evening stroll on a calm quiet icy surface, snug togetherness of friends and family over a hot drink and gingerbread and a humorous picture of the famed Christmas cat relaxing cozily in bed listening to Christmas music on the computer.

25 November 2015

New Stamps from India

 

Singapore – India Joint Stamp Issue

Official Residence of the President

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Date of Issue : 24 November 2014

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The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong jointly releasing the India Singapore stamps, in Istana, Singapore on November 24, 2015.

 

Engineering Export Promotion Council of India  

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Date of Issue : 24 November  2015

A commemorative Stamp on Engineering Export Promotion Council of India (EEPC India) was released on 24th November 2015.

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EEPC India is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. To mark the Diamond Jubilee of Engineering Export Promotion Council of India, a commemorative stamp was released by Shri Ravi Capoor, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry at India Engineering Sourcing Show – 2015 held at Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai on 24th November 2015. India Engineering Sourcing Show – 2015 (IESS15) is India’s largest international engineering sourcing show organised by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, with EEPC India as the lead agency.

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Courtesy : Madhukar Jhingan, Prashant Pandya

New Special Cover

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Boudhpex-2015, Boudh District Level Philatelic Exhibition at Boudh, Odisha – 18th – 19th November 2015.

The first District level Philatelic Exhibition of Boudh District was held on 18-19, November, 2015 in the name of BOUDHPEX-2015. The exhibition was inaugurated by Shri Jaleswar Kanhar, PMG, Sambalpur on 18.11.2015. Shri Madhusudan Mishra, Collector, Boudh and Smt. Kalpana Rajsinghot, PMG, Berhampr were among the other distinguished guests present. One special cover on ‘Chari Sambhu’ Temple along with two Booklets on Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam and Women Empowerment were released during the inaugural function. In the concluding day (19.11.2015) one special cover on Traditional Art and Culture of Kandhamal was released by the CPMG, Odisha Circle Shri Tilak De. One more Booklet on Valour of Sacrifice-1965 War and a Picture Postcard on Konark Temple were also released on 19.11.2015. Smt. Kalpana Rajsinhot, PMG, Berhampur was also presen during the concluding function.

“Chari Sambhu Temple is located at the bank of river Mahanadi in Gandharadi village of Boudh District. It is famous for twin temples of Nilamadhab and Sidheswar. These temple were constructed under the patronage of Bhanja Rulers of Khinjali Mandala in 9th century A.D. These two temples were built on one platform which are exactly similar to each other.The one on the left hand is dedicated to Lord Siva and named as Siddheswar. The second one is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and named as Nilamadhab.”

“ The dances, fairs, festivals, traditional costumes of Kandhamal district has the imprint of rich cultural heritage. ‘Dangda-Dhangedi’ dance of Kndhmal is otherwise known as Loar-Enda and is performed by the ‘Kutia and ‘Kandha’ Tribes. ‘Dadra’ is the ‘tal’ of the song’ where as Drums and flutes are the major musical instrument used in the dance.”

- Ajit Dash, Bhubaneshwar

24 November 2015

New Special Cover

 

First Electric Train from Gorakhpur Railway Station : 22 November 2015

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First Electric train inaugurated on 22nd November 2015 at Gorakhpur.Train was flagged off by Sri Suresh Prabhu Minister Railway ,Sri.Manoj Sinha Minister of states Railway.A special cover was  issued to commemorate this occasion.

This cover does not have  PIN of the Post Office .It is against the rule issued by India Post for the special covers.

As per instructions and rules mentioned in Hand Book of Philately, Special Cancellation should incorporate the name and the PIN of the post office where the special cancellation is to be provided or in case of the special cancellation provided at venue, it should incorporate the Name and PIN of the post office in whose delivery jurisdiction the venue is located. In the special cancellation provided on above special cover, name and PIN of the post office is not included.

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: Sandeep Chaurasia & Ashwani Dubey – Gorakhpur

23 November 2015

Roake Trophy for Indian philatelist couple

 

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Col ( Dr) Jayant Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta, noted Indian philatelists   have been awarded the Roake Trophy for philatelic research by the India Study Circle for Philately UK

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Col ( Dr) Jayant Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta, renowned Indian philatelists   have been awarded the Roake Trophy for philatelic research by the India Study Circle for Philately UK. In the last 45 years,they are the eighth and ninth Indians to be awarded the same and they are the first ever to be so honoured for Fiscal Philately.This is  the highest award in philatelic research.

Col ( Dr) Jayant Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta have several international awards to their credit for their philatelic exhibits on Fiscal Philately. They are the regular contributors to Rainbow Stamp News.

Heartiest Congratulations to the philatelist couple from Rainbow Stamp Club !!

22 November 2015

Charity Stamp 2015 – World Wildlife Fund WWF

 

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Here are beautiful recent Charity stamps from Sweden. The motifs on the stamps are living landscape and attention WWF's work for a sustainable environment. SEK 10 for each purchased booklet goes to WWF. Charity Stamp 2015 will be issued simultaneously in Sweden and Denmark, with the same motif.

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On the FDC, the motif is the WWF symbol, a panda bear. Joint Danish-Swedish First Day Cover. Design: Ditte Rosenørn Holm and Gustav Mårtensson. Final day for purchase was : November 7, 2015.

 

21 November 2015

Presentation of Indian Philately at 2. ABIBRIA, Germany

 

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PRESENTATION OF INDIAN PHILATELY DURING THE PHILATELIC EXHIBITION II.AIBIRIA

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A philatelic exhibition was held from November 14th to November 15th  at  Zörbig , Germany.Zörbig is located in the German county Sachsen-Anhalt. The exhibition was organized by five philatelic collector clubs of this region  . The exhibition presented 35 exhibits in all classes, two exhibits about philatelic literature, ten exhibits in the open class and nine exhibits in the class of honor (including  FIP-exhibit ROLLERBIRDS of Mr Wolfgang Beyer).

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Mr Wolfgang Beyer   organized a presentation about Indian Philately with books, publications, covers and stamps.It was a  Centre of attraction for some visitors of the Exhibition.The exhibition was a great philatelic event in this rural region of Germany.

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Many thanks to Mr.Benny Berger ,Chairman of the organizing committee , and Mrs. Maria Witters  for the nice pics of this presentation.

- Wolfgang Beyer, email : wolfgang.beyer1@aol.de

Vice Chairman of the German Collector Group ArGe ZOOLOGIE, Member AIJP

20 November 2015

20 November - Universal Children's Day

 

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20th November is celebrated as Universal Children’s Day.

Greetings to all Children of the World on this very Special Day !

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By resolution 836(IX) of 14 December 1954, the General Assembly of United Nations recommended that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. It recommended that the Day was to be observed also as a day of activity devoted to promoting the ideals and objectives of the Charter and the welfare of the children of the world. The Assembly suggested to governments that the Day be observed on the date and in the way which each considers appropriate. The date 20 November marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.

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Children's Day, Chacha Nehru, Dehradun and Philately

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Children's Day is celebrated worldwide to promote the welfare of the children. On 14 December 1954, the United Nations General Assembly, through resolution 836(IX) recommended that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. The Assembly suggested to governments that the day be observed on the date and in the way which each considers appropriate. Different countries celebrate it on various dates. Universal Children's Day is celebrated on 20th November because it marks the day on which the U.N assembly adopted the the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru fondly known as 'Chacha Nehru' among kids, had a keen attachment with children and strongly advocated for their rights and well being. He was also fond of roses and said that children are like the buds in a garden. He believed that they are to be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they are the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow. Befittingly, his birthday i.e. 14th November is celebrated as Children's Day in India.

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First Children's Day stamp of India issued in 1957

India Post also celebrates this special day by issuing commemorating postage stamp on 14th November. For the first time on 14th November 1957 a set of three stamps was issued on Children's Day.

Till 1970 photographs were used in these stamp design. Interestingly, since 1971, these stamps are not designed by professional artists; rather they are designed by children themselves. India Post organizes painting competition throughout the country for children at different level. The best entries selected are depicted in the children's day stamp. In the year 1964 and 1997, 'Chacha Nehru’ also featured in the children's day stamp.

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In the year 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1988, 1989, 2003 and 2014, stamps were not issued on children's day but today i.e. on 14th November 2015 we are going to have a set of two stamps and a miniature sheet issued on this occasion.

Pandit Nehru had deep association with Mussoorie and Dehradun. Just before his death in New Delhi on 27th May 1964, he visited Dehradun from 23rd to 26th May. Since childhood he often used to spend his summer holidays along with his family at Mussoorie, mostly staying at Savoy Hotel. Doon valley was very close to his heart. During the freedom movement, thrice he was imprisoned at Dehradun District Jail. In Dehradun jail he stayed during 6-6-1932 to 23-8-1933, 8-5-1934 to 11-8-1934 and 17-11-1940 to 3-12-1941. During his stay at Dehradun jail he started to write his biography. His intimate relationship with the Himalayan Mountains was something which he cherished throughout his life. I have in my collection a cover which was sent by Pandit Nehru to her friend Mrs. Frances Gunther in New York dated 13th June 1941 while he was imprisoned in Dehradun District Jail. As it was during World War -2, the letter was censored at Bombay censor office. She was the wife of John Gunther, the author of ‘Inside Asia’ and greatly treasured the warm and intimate letters of Pandit Nehru. During World War II, she wrote articles and made speeches critical of British imperialism and advocating independence for India. Among other organizations, she spoke before the Washington Press Club, the Quaker Institute of International Relations, and the Post War Council in New York. Her speeches were collected in a book, Revolution in India (1944). This cover is one of my prized possessions which relates to the history of Doon Valley. Philately is absolutely fantastic, providing you a valuable tool to dig into the city’s history.

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After, Independence when he became Prime Minister he never missed any opportunity to visit the valley and Mussoorie. Dehradun circuit house had been mute witness to those innumerable moments when Pandit Nehru ventured its corridor or sat in its garden.

Dehradun is bestowed with rich heritage of colonial as well as independence movement era. We need to preserve those things. Today there is an ugly generator obstructing the view and threatening the very existence of the Pandit Nehru bust and WW-I memorial right in front of Asley Hall. The authorities should re-locate that generator immediately. Similarly the Nehru ward in the Dehradun district jail need to be restored aesthetically. The heritage provides a valuable bridge to our past and we must leave no stone unturned to preserve them so that it can be passed to our future generations.

New Special Cover

Special Cover on  150 years of  Government College of Art and Craft, Calcutta  - 29 September 2015 

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Date of release : 29 September 2015

The journey of the Government College of Art and Craft, Calcutta began in the year 1864. Under the aegis of stalwarts likeH.H.Locke, B Havel, Abanindranath Tagore and Percy Brown, it emerged within the course of a few decades as the epicentre of the Indian Art Movement. Under their guidance and able leadership many Indian artists bloomed and they started ruling the art world of India and South East Asia. In later years celebrated artists like Ganesh Pyne, Jogen Choudhuri, Ganesh Haloi, Sunil Das, Sakti Burman and Somnath Hore have succeeded in consolidating the Indian modern art movement in the world on a firm footing. Rich with its legacy of a hundred and fifty years, the Government College of Art and Craft today occupies a pride of place as a heritage institution, a temple of learning committed to the cause of art and art education.

- Suresh Rao, Bengaluru