Adventure in snow !......

Hi ! It's winter time in most parts of the world. The snow fall makes the winter fabulous with lot of fun and merriment. Today I spent whole day in Manali where tourists could be seen enjoying Snow adventure sports like skiing, Paragliding and snow sliding. My kids also did skiing there.The huge yaks in this area attract visitors very much. Tourists take a ride on these yaks for fun and thrill. Here are some photos of Manali. To make this day special and thrilling I am giving here stamps issued by Norway on 14 March 2008 to commemorate Norwegian Ski Association Centenary.These stamps portray some of Norway’s many skiing activities, with fantastic glimpses of children and elite skiers. In second part of the Post our new series on Braille Incriptions prepared by our distinguished member Mr. Abhai Mishra of Dehradun. This is all for today !.....Till Next Post .....Have a Nice time!.....

Norwegian Ski Association Centenary

Skiing as a sport has existed for hundreds of years. Organised skiing in Norway, starting with small skiing competitions here and there, dates back to the 1840s and 50s. Clubs were formed and by the beginning of the 20th century more than 200 skiing clubs were registered.

As skiing techniques developed and the sport grew in scope, conflicts arose about the form of competitions and their rules and organi-sation. There was also a need for a Norwegian spokesman on international issues. Attempts to establish a national organisation were unsuccessful until 21 February 1908, when a meeting arranged in Kristiania (Oslo) by the Association for the Promotion of Skiing resulted in the founding of the Norwegian Ski Federation.

Initially only 19 clubs and one district joined, but membership grew quickly and soon included all of Norway’s skiing clubs and districts. Captain Karl Roll, commander of the King’s Guard, was elected first president of the federation. The Norwegian Ski Federation is divided into 19 districts. It has around 1150 member clubs with a total of 152,000 members, making it Norway’s second largest sports federation after football.

The Federation organises cross-country, Nordic combined, alpine, freestyle and Telemark skiing and ski jumping. Over the past hundred years, the Norwegian Ski Federation has done a great deal to promote interest in a healthy outdoor life and in the importance of keeping in good physical shape. Activities such as national school championships, merit badge tests and popular cross-country competitions are good examples of this. At elite level, skiing has given Norway many a proud moment and has enormous entertainment value.

Worldwide Stamps issued with Braille Incricptions

Compiled by Abhai Mishra

1981, 12th Feb Venezuela. 100th anniversary of the birth of Helen Keller. The stamp depicts her initials both written and embossed in Braille

1986 Denmark. 75th anniversary of the Institute for the Blind, Denmark

1989 France.

1990 Denmark.

Philatelic Tributes to Hero of the Nation - Subhash Chandra Bose

Subhash Chandra Bose - Hero of the Freedom Struggle Movement
23 January -Birth Anniversary (Stamp issued on 23 January 1967)

'‘..It is our duty to pay for our liberty with our own blood. The freedom that we shall win through our sacrifice and exertions, we shall be able to preserve with our own strength.... Freedom is not given, it is taken.. One individual may die for an idea; but that idea will, after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives. That is how the wheel of evolution moves on and the ideas and dreams of one nation are bequeathed to the next...... -Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

Bose reading proclamation in Singapore

(Stamp issued on 25th Ann. of Azad Hind Government)

21 October 1968

Subhash Chandra Bose was popularly known as Netaji , is one of the most respected politicians of modern India. Subhash Chandra Bose was born on January 23rd 1897 in Cuttack.. A brilliant student, he attended a private school for European and Anglo-Indian boys run by the Baptist Mission and later a preparatory school. Bose topped the matriculation examination of Calcutta province and passed his B.A. in Philosophy from the Scottish Church College in Calcutta. Bose went to study in Cambridge, and his high score on civil service exams meant an almost automatic appointment. He then took his first conscious step as a revolutionary and resigned the appointment on the premise that the "best way to end a government is to withdraw from it." At the time, Indian nationalists were shock and outraged because of the Amritsar massacre and the repressive Rowlatt legislation of 1919. Returning to India, Bose wrote for the newspaper Swaraj and took charge of publicity for the Bengal Provincial Congress Committee. He was strongly influenced by Swami Vivekananda's teachings and was known for his patriotic zeal as a student.

Bose was elected president of the Indian National Congress for two consecutive terms but resigned from the post following ideological conflicts with Mahatma Gandhi. Bose believed that Mahatma Gandhi's tactics of non-violence would never be sufficient to secure India's independence, and advocated violent resistance. He established a separate political party, the All India Forward Bloc and continued to call for the full and immediate independence of India from British rule. He was imprisoned by the British authorities eleven times.

His stance did not change with the outbreak of the Second World War, which he saw as an opportunity to take advantage of British weakness. At the outset of the war, he fled from India and travelled to the Soviet Union, Germany and Japan, seeking an alliance with the aim of attacking the British in India. With Japanese assistance, he re-organised and later led the Indian National Army, formed from Indian prisoners-of-war and plantation workers from Malaya, Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia, against British forces. With Japanese monetary, political, diplomatic and military assistance, he formed the Azad Hind Government in exile and regrouped and led the Indian National Army in battle against the allies at Imphal and in Burma.

His political views and the alliances he made with Nazi and other militarist regimes at war with Britain have been the cause of arguments among historians and politicians, with some accusing him of Fascist sympathies, while others in India have been more sympathetic towards the inculcation of realpolitik as a manifesto that guided his social and political choices. He is believed to have died on 18 August 1945 in a plane crash over Taiwan. However, contradictory evidence exists regarding his death in the accident.

Embroidered Stamp

Hi ! Today I came across a beautiful embroidered stamp through net surfing, issued by Austria Post. I wonder how I missed it as it was issued on 19 September 2008 during WIPA 2008.It was manufactured by The renowned company "Hämmerle & Vogel", which also produced the "Edelweiss" stamp, in an elaborate production process. The stamp looks very fine in design giving a full embroidery touch.The flower featured on the stamp is Clusius gentian (gentiana clusii). Its a nice item for those who collect unique stamps. In the second part some contribution by our distinguised members.The Bicentennial of Birth of Louis Braille was celebrated on 4 January 2008.Many countries have issued stamps in memory of Louis Braille. A speical Maxim Card was released by Orissa Philatelic Association on 4 January 2009.Our distinguised member Mr. Abhai Mishra of Dehradun has compiled a list of 'Worldwide stamps issued with Braille Inscriptions' . Here are some issues from the list and rest will appear in forthcoming posts. This is all for today !......Till Next post.....Have a Nice Time !....

Maxim Card on Louis Braille

Orissa Philatelic Association released a Maxim Card on 4-1-2009 to commemorate Louis Braille'sBirth bicentenary year. The card depicts the sculpture of Louis Braille with a blind boy. "Braille: A Boon for blinds" has been written on the card in braille transcription by the blind boys at the transcription unit of Orissa Association for blinds.The design and concept of the card was given by Mr. Pradip Mohanty.

The sale proceed of this card will be donated for the cause of blinds.Let our hobby serves for the noble cause.The cost of maxim card is Rs.50.00 + postage.

For details contact:
Mr.Pradip Mohanty, Hon.Secretary, Orissa Philatelic Association
Keonjhar Colony, Kanikachhak, Cuttack-753008
e-mail: http://www.blogger.com/ & mohantypradip@hotmail.com Cell : 09861032965

World Wide Stamps Issued With Braille Inscriptions

Compiled by Abhai Mishra

1974 Brazil 5th World Council for the Welfare of the Blind held in Sao Paulo

1975 Belgium 150th anniversary of Braille-script

1975 Netherlands 150th anniversary of Braille script

1981 South Africa

700th Anniversary of the Devotion to Our Lady of Europe

700th Anniversary of the Devotion to Our Lady of Europe - FDC with Gibraltar M.S.

Date of Issue : 10 February 2009

This truly historic joint stamp issue between Gibraltar and Vatican City commemorates the 700 years of devotion to our Lady of Europe on the Rock. The set is composed of two sheetlets with four stamps depicting the priceless, hand-carved ancient statue that resides in the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe at Europa Point, the most southern area of the Rock, looking out to the Straits of Gibraltar and the continent of Africa.

Special Folder

Gibraltar was under Moorish occupancy when the Spaniards recaptured the Rock in 1462. They converted a small mosque into a Christian shrine in honour of Our Lady as Patroness of Europe, with devout intention of consecrating to God, through Mary, the whole continent, from a place of prayer and worship at its southernmost point. The Spaniards built a large chapel at right angles to the mosque’s east wall and the whole area became the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe.

Special Miniature sheet pack

A statue of the Virgin and Child was installed in this shrine. The statue is only two feet in height, carved in wood and polychromed in royal red, blue and gold. The Virgin was seated in a simple chair, with the Child Jesus on her lap. Both were crowned and the Virgin held a sceptre in her right hand with three flowers denoting Love, Truth and Justice. The shrine prospered in fame and popularity, for well over two centuries until the British captured the Rock in 1704. The shrine was stripped of all its valuables by the marines and the statue of the Virgin and Child was mutilated and flung onto the rocks below.

Being made of wood it floated out to sea and its pieces were found by a fisherman, who took them to father Juan Romero de Figueroa, the priest in charge at the Cathedral. This priest took the pieces of the statue to Algeciras for safekeeping. It remained in Algeciras until May 1864, when Bishop Scandella, with the help of Pope Pius IX, received permission to recover the image to Gibraltar. On the day it was brought back the army lined the route of the procession from Waterport to the Franciscan Convent, opposite the present Government House. A copy of the statue was left in Algeciras.During the First Vatican Council, Bishop Scandella succeeded in winning the Pope’s enthusiastic interest for the shrine of Our Lady of Europe and he offered to help build a temporary chapel. This was completed by May 1866. It stood in what is now Mount Alvernia, (the old people’s home), in St Bernard’s Road. The Pope donated the marble for the altar. The front piece of the altar depicted the coat of arms of Pope Pius IX and Bishop Scandella’s, together with a monogram of Our Lady. During the war in 1939 the image was transferred to the Cathedral for safekeeping.

Meanwhile the shrine had been used as an army storehouse for oil and packing cases. There are records that in 1928 it was used as a library for the garrison stationed in Gibraltar. In 1939 during the Second World War it again became a store. By 1959 the military authorities had no use for the building and they decided to demolish it. However it was saved from demolition and was declared an ancient monument and so preserved. From then on the Church authorities worked to promote devotion to Our Lady of Europe and so prepare the way for installing the statue again at the shrine.The work of restoration began in 1962. On the 7th October 1968 came the triumphant moment when Bishop Healy was able to restore the statue of Our Lady to the shrine. It was brought in public procession from St Joseph’s Church where she stands today.

Courtesy - Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau

Joint Issue by Gibraltar and Vatican City

Hi ! In today's Post a joint issue by Gibraltar and Vatican City which will be issued on 10th February 2009 to commemorate the 700th Anniversary of the Devotion to Our Lady of Europe. The design features the priceless, hand-carved ancient statue that resides in the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe in Gibraltar. The Gibraltar sheet features St. Peter's Square and the Vatican sheet features the Rock of Gibraltar. The issues by both the countries are really beautiful. In the second part of the post a request to India Post sent by our readers from Indore for a postage stamp to be issued in honour of a famous personality of Madhya Pradesh. This is all for Today !.....Till Next Post.....Have a Nice Time !........

To be issued on 10 February 2009

Request to India Post & Members of Philatelic Advisory Committee

Sub.: Release of a Postal Stamp commemorating the senior most journalist of Madhya Pradesh and Freedom Fighter, Late Shree Hukum Chand Narad of Jabalpur .

Late Shri Hukum Chand Narad was an eminent journalist famous for his fearless pen. His whole life was devoted towards relentless fight for Indian freedom. Mahatama Gandhi had praised Naradji ‘s fearlessness in Freedom struggle. He was known to the former Prime Minister Shri Jawahar Lal Nehru as a fellow congress worker and was counted amongst the top rungs of the then C.P. and Barar leadership. After almost half century of his sudden death , MP Government installed his life size Bronze statue in Jabalpur in 1999 commemorating his services to the nation. In 2008, falls the 105th birth anniversary of Shri Hukum Chand Narad , the doyen of the working journalists. It would most be fitting for Department of Posts to release a postal stamp in his memory which would serve as an inspiring tribute to patriotism and fearless journalism.

Dr. Sandeep Narad, Indore (M.P.)

It's Obama's Day....

To be issued on 9 February 2009

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us survive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.
- (Quote from Abraham Lincoln's inaugural speech)



Hi ! The world's eyes are on Obama's Coronation ceremony which is going to be held tomorrow, the D - Day of Barrack Obama. Here is the first stamp issued by Liberia to honour new President of United States. Collectors are also looking forward to new stamps honoring the upcoming 200th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's birth. A set of four Lincoln stamps is among the new issues from the United States to be issued on February 9, 2009. Each stamp depicts Lincoln at a different stage of his life: as a rail-splitter, lawyer, politician and president. The stamp honoring him as president is shown here. The stamp also shows the autograph of Abraham Lincoln. A very nice stamp for those who collect autographs on stamps.The set will be issued in a pane of 20, with the four stamps repeated five times in horizontal strips of four. As 20th January is a special day in the history of USA, this special post is dedicated to all American people ! ..............Have a Nice Time !.....

When Barack Obama takes the oath of office on January 20, he will do so upon the Bible that his personal political hero, Abraham Lincoln, used for his own swearing in, in 1861. Lincoln, America's 16th president, served from 1861 until his assassination in 1865 and is widely revered for having preserved national unity by winning the Civil War and ending the practice of slavery. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, who, like Obama, was an Illinois legislator before he rose to the presidency. Using Lincoln's Bible is one of a few personal touches that Obama has put on the inaugural ceremony. Others include the inclusion of soul singer Aretha Franklin, evangelical megachurch leader Rick Warren, and a young poet to deliver the traditional inaugural poem.Even without those details, the country's 56th presidential inauguration would be anything but traditional: Obama is the first black president elected in the country's history -- a milestone many Americans considered impossible not long ago. Obama will be sworn into office one day after the country observes Martin Luther King Day, a holiday that honors the inspirational black civil rights leader.