Issued by India

Issued on Apr 14, 2017

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps on Deekshabhoomi.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Se–tenant set of 2 Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise each

Stamps Printed : 3.10 lakh each

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Deekshabhoomi is regarded as one of the most revered monuments of Buddhism. It is at this place, the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, embraced Buddhism with nearly 4 lakhs of his followers on 14 October 1956.
• Deekshabhoomi is spread across 22 acres of land in the heart of Nagpur. Deekshabhoomi Stupa is the largest hollow stupa among all Buddhist stupas in India. The diameter is 36 meters and has a height of 22 meters. Height from ground level is 30 meters. Based on the theme of Ashok Chakra, the stupa rests on 24 pillars resembling 24 spokes. The stupa dome is constructed with concrete blocks and stands on a self-supporting concrete umbrella as a capstone. The dome is surrounded by a four meter wide veranda. Beneath the dome there is a 64 x 64 meter Prayer hall (Vihara). At the centre of stupa, Relics of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and an idol of Buddha is placed.
• The stupa has four doors opening in four directions. The doors lead to the large gates, which are replicas of Sanchi gate with Ashok Chakras, and statues of horses, elephants, and lions. Around the stupa, there is a garden and statues of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Gautam Buddha on the south-east side of the stupa. On the east side of the stupa are built, a monastery (Bhikkhu Niwas) and two pillars depicting 22 vows and preamble of Indian constitution. The historical Bodhi Tree (Bodhi vriksha) is also planted alongside.
• The ‘Bodhi Vriksha’ at Deekshabhoomi of Bodh Gaya is a sacred fig (Pipal) tree. This Bodhi Tree is a sapling of the same Bodhi tree under which Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. This sapling of the Bodhi Tree was brought from Anuradhapuram in Sri Lanka. The Bodhi tree at Anuradhapuram is said to be planted from the sapling of original Bodhi Tree by Sanghmitra, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka.
• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar selected Nagpur for his conversion ceremony, as he explained in his speech that Nagpur was homeland of “Nag” people who embraced Buddhism, supported it with great efforts in its early period and propagated it throughout India.
• The emperor Ashoka the Great embraced Buddhism on the Ashwin Shukla Vijaya Dashmi, then known as Ashok Vijaya Dashmi. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar also chose this day for embracing Buddhism. The year 1956 also coincided with 2,550^th Birth Anniversary of Bhagavan Gautam Buddha.
• On Ashoka Vijaya Dashmi, 14 October 1956, Ambedkar and his wife took the oath of three Jewels “Trisaran” and five Precepts ‘Panchsheel’ from the Burmese monk Mahasthavir Chandramani from Kushinagar. Ambedkar then gave the oath of three Jewels, five precepts, and 22 Vows ‘Pratigya’ to his thousands of followers. It was after this day, Nagpur became the birthplace of Neo Buddhist movement.
• Deekshabhoomi has gained the status of a pilgrimage center of Buddhism in India. On the Ashoka Vijaya Dashmi day, called as Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din, millions of pilgrims visit Deekshabhoomi.
• The Government of Maharashtra has declared Deekshabhoomi a status of ‘Grade-A’ pilgrimage center. Millions of people, architects and researchers visit Deekshabhoomi every year.
• Deekshabhoomi stupa was inaugurated by the then President of India Honorable Shri K. R. Narayanan on 18^th December 2001.
• Text : Based on the material received from proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Sep 30, 2015

Issued for : The Country is celebrating the 125^th Birth year of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on this occasion.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : Wet Offset

Printing Process : 500 Paise

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar

Born on Apr 14, 1891 at Mhow, Central Provinces, British India [now in Madhya Pradesh, India]

Died on Dec 6, 1956 at Delhi, India

About : 

• The life of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, born on 14^th April, 1891 in a Mahar family, was marked by struggles but he proved that every hurdle in life can be surmounted with talent and firm determination. The biggest barrier in his life was the caste system adopted by the Hindu society according to which the family he was born in was considered ‘untouchable’. After graduating from Elphinstone College Bombay in 1912, he did his higher studies at Columbia University, USA where he was awarded Ph.D. Later, he joined the London School of Economics and Political Science and obtained the degree of D.Sc. (Eco) and was eventually called to the Bar from Gray’s Inn.
  
• In 1927, Dr. Ambedkar led the Mahad March at the Chowdar Tank at Colaba, near Bombay, to give the untouchables the right to draw water from a public tank. This marked the beginning of his crusade against the practice of discrimination in the society. The temple entry movement launched by Dr. Ambedkar in 1930 at Kalaram temple Nasik is another landmark in his struggle for human rights and social justice.
  
• On 24^th September 1932, Dr. Ambedkar and Gandhiji reached an understanding, which came to be known as the Poona Pact. The Pact carved out a clear and definite position for the downtrodden on the political scene of the country. It opened up opportunities of education and government service for them and also gave them a right to vote.
  
• Dr. Ambedkar attended all the three Round Table Conferences in London and each time, forcefully projected his views in the interest of the ‘untouchables’.
  
• Dr. Ambedkar, organized the Independent Labour Party, participated in the provincial elections, and was elected to the Bombay Legislative Assembly.
  
• In 1947, when India became Independent, the first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, invited Dr. Ambedkar, who had been elected as a Member of Constituent Assembly from Bengal, to join his Cabinet as a Law Minister. However, Dr. Ambedkar had differences of opinion with the Government over the Hindu Code Bill, which led to his resignation as Law Minister.
  
• On August 29^th 1947 Dr. Ambedkar was appointed the Chairman of the Drafting Committee that was constituted by Constituent Assemble to draft a Constitution for Independent India. Dr. Ambedkar played a seminal role in the framing of the Indian Constitution. He used his vast experience and knowledge in drafting the Constitution. In his capacity as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, he hammered out a comprehensive workable Constitution. He gave free India its legal framework, and the people, the basis of their freedom.
  
• Ambedkar was a champion of fundamental rights, and Part III of the Indian Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights to the citizens. Some of the fundamental rights contained in Articles 15(2), 17, 23 and 24 are also enforceable against individuals as they are very significant rights relating to the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth etc. The text prepared by Ambedkar provided constitutional guarantees and protections for a wide range of civil liberties for individual citizens, including freedom of religion, the abolition of untouchability and outlawing all forms of discrimination. Dr. Ambedkar argued for extensive economic and social rights for women. Dr. Ambedkar‘s social democracy comprised politicians, political parties with high standards of political morality, honesty and integrity and strong and highly responsible Opposition party or parties committed to the cause of the downtrodden and depressed classes. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution echoes the principles of parliamentary democracy.
  
• In 1948, Dr. Ambedkar completed the draft of the Constitution and presented in the Constituent Assembly. In November 1949, this draft was adopted with very few amendments and came into force on January 26, 1950 marking the beginning of a new era in the history of India. Speaking after the completion of his work, Ambedkar said: “I feel the Constitution is workable; it is flexible and it is strong enough to hold the country together both in peace time and in war time“.
  
• On October 14, 1956 Baba Saheb Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with many of his followers. The same year he completed his last writing ‘Buddha and His Dharma‘. On 6^th December, 1956, Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar attained ‘Mahaparinirvan’.
  
• In 1990, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of our Constitution, was bestowed with Bharat Ratna.
  
• Text : Based on the material provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Apr 14, 2013

Issued for : Department of Posts is happy to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Chaitya Bhoomi.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.725 Million (0.115 million for the proponent)

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

About : 

• Chaitya Bhoomi is the tribute of a grateful nation to the memory of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb, who was born on 14^th April, 1891 in a Mahar family at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.
• After his early education in the then Bombay, he went abroad for higher studies. On returning to India in 1923, he started a campaign aimed at annihilation of caste and reconstruction of the Indian society on the basis of equality of human beings, He stood for a united self-governing community of Indians with special constitutional safeguards for the depressed classes. It is a tribute to his patriotism and erudition that independent India decided to make use of his talents to consolidate the gains of freedom. As Minister of Law and Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Dr. Ambedkar played a leading role in the framing of the Indian Constitution. As an authority on Constitutional Law, his influence on politics, social reform, education and religion has been enormous.
• On 14^th October, 1956, Babasaheb embraced Buddhism. He continued the crusade for the upliftment of the downtrodden till his death on 6^th December, 1956 at Delhi. His body was brought to Rajgriha at Dadar, Mumbai on the following day where his last rites were performed at a crematorium near the sea shore at Shivaji Park.
• Chaitya Bhoomi was erected in 1962 at the place where his last rites were performed. Lakhs of people from all parts of the country still visit this place every year to pay homage to this great son of India.
• Text : Based on the material furnished by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 15, 2000

Issued for : This year India celebrates 50 years of its Republic status. During the struggle for freedom, and in independent India leaders with rare insight and broad vision played catalystic roles in the process of national awakening, and building up of the nation as per the provisions of the Constitution of India, to expedite the process of socio-economic empowerment of the weaker and deprived sections of society. The Department of Post issues a set of stamps to honour the memory of four such personalities who have made notable contributions : Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, R. Srinivasan, Jaglal Choudhary and Radha Gobinda Baruah.

Type :  Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Four Colour

Denomination : 300 Paise

Overall size : 2.9 x 3.9 Cms.

Printing Size :  2.9 x 3.9 Cms.

Perforation : 13.5 x 13.5

Paper : Matt Chromo

Stamps Printed : 0.4 million each

Number per issue sheet : 40

Printing Process : Photo Offset

Printer : Calcutta Security Printers Ltd.

Name : Rettamalai Srinivasan

Born on Jul 7, 1859 at Madras Presidency, British India

Died on Sep 18, 1945 at Madras Presidency, British India

About : 

• Diwan Bahadur R. Srinivasan (1859-1945), a great leader of the depressed classes in the erstwhile province of Madras, did pioneering work for the eradication of untouchability. Having completed his higher education in Madras and Coimbatore, he also worked in government service in South Africa during 1904-1920. As early as 1891, he organised the ‘Adi-Dravida Mahajana Sabha‘, for safeguarding the claims of the so-called untouchables. He started a newspaper “Paraiyan” for the benefit of the depressed classes, and to spread social and political consciousness. He appealed through his journal to the leaders of society to encourage and help their less fortunate brethren to acquire education and to seek government service. During 1930-31, R. Srinivasan attended the first session of the Round Table Conference in London as a representative of the depressed classes.

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Issued by India

Issued on Apr 14, 1991

Issued for : The Deptt. of Posts feels privileged to issue a commemorative stamp to cherish his memory.

Description of Design : The commemorative stamp is based on the art work provided by Aks India Limited. First Day Cover is designed by Sh. Sankha Samanta. Cancellation is by Nenu Gupta. The stamp depicts the portrait of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his leading the satyagraha for liberation of Chowdar Tank.

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Two Colour

Denomination : 100 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Indigenous Un W/M Adhesive Gravure Coated Stamp Paper

Number Printed : 6,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printed : India Security Press

Name : Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar [popularly known as Babasaheb]

Born on Apr 14, 1891 at Mhow, Central Provinces, British India [now in Madhya Pradesh, India]

Died on Dec 6, 1956 at Delhi, India

About : 

• Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the chief architect of Indian Constitution and Champion of Human Rights was born on 14^th April, 1891 in a family belonging to the untouchable Mahar Community in Maharashtra. After graduating from Elphinstone College Bombay in 1912, he did his higher studies at Columbia University, USA where he was awarded Ph.D. Later, he joined the London School of Economics and Political Science and obtained the degree of D.Sc. (Eco) and was also called to the bar from Gray’s Inn.
  
• On return to India in 1923, he founded the “Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha” with the main objective of spreading education and improving economic conditions of the “Depressed Classes”. With the slogan of “Educate, Agitate and Organise”, the social movement led by Dr. Ambedkar aimed at annihilation of caste and the reconstruction of Indian Society on the basis of equality of human beings.
  
• In 1927, he led the Mahad march at the Chowdar Tank in Colaba, near Bombay to establish the right of the untouchables to take water from the public tank. This marked the beginning of the anti-caste and anti-priest movement. The temple entry movement launched by Dr. Ambedkar in 1930, at the Kalaram Temple, Nasik is another landmark in the struggle for human rights and social justice. Dr. Ambedkar held that “political power cannot be a panacea for the ills of the depressed classes. Their salvation lies in their social elevation.”
  
• As Labour Member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council from July 1942 he was instrumental in bringing about several legislative measures for protecting the rights of the workers.
  
• One of the greatest contributions of Dr. Ambedkar was in respect of Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Constitution. The Fundamental Rights provide for freedom, equality, abolition of untouchability and remedies for the enforcement of rights. The Directive Principles enshrine the broad guiding principles for securing fair distribution of wealth and better living conditions.
  
• On 14^th October, 1956 Baba Saheb Ambedkar embraced Buddhism. He continued the crusade for social revolution till the end of his life on 6^th December, 1956. He was honoured with the highest national honour, “Bharat Ratna” in April 1990.
  
• Text : Courtesy Ministry of Welfare.

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Issued by India

Issued on Apr 14, 1973

Issued for : His memory is cherished like an avatar by the whole of the Depressed community. Dr. Ambedkar, whom history will undoubtedly reckon amongst the great emancipators of humanity will be a source of inspiration to the nation in its march towards the goal of social equality. The P & T Department feels honoured to bring out a commemorative stamp of this great son of India during the 25^th year of the country’s Independence.

“Glory to those who would keep on their struggle for the Liberation of the enslaved in spite of heavy odds, carping humiliations, storms and dangers till the down-trodden secure their human rights.” – Dr. Ambedkar.

Description of Design : The design of the stamp is horizontal and depicts the portrait of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The Parliament House is seen in the background.

The design of the stamp is adapted from the original prepared by Shri Charanjitlal, Artist, Posts & Telegraphs Directorate, New Delhi.

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Raw Sienna and Red Purple

Denomination : 20 Paise

Overall size : 4.06 X 2.28 cms.

Printing size : 3.80 X 2.00 cms.

Perforation : 14 x 14½

Watermark : Coated unwatermarked P.G. Stamp Paper

Number Printed : 10,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 50

Printing Process : Photogravure

Designed and Printed at : India Security Press

Name : Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (Babasaheb)

Born on Apr 14, 1891 at Mhow, Indore, Madhya Pradesh [then Maharashtra], India

Died on Dec 6, 1956 at Delhi, India

About : 

• Dr. Ambedkar belonged to the tradition of progressive social thinkers in India – the tradition of Ram Mohan Roy, Mahatma Phule and others. Essentially a social thinker, having deep understanding of political and economic problems, he provided a philosophy to the social revolt in India. His social philosophy combines the rational and scientific attitude with a passion for the uplift of the depressed classes.
  
• Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on 14^th April 1891 in a poor Mahar family hailing from the state of Maharashtra. In the midst of the harsh and severe social disabilities of the untouchables during those times, that young Bhimrao should have elevated himself to be a barrister and a Ph.D. was in itself an out standing marvel. After his education, Dr. Ambedkar distinguished himself in many fields of public life until eventually he came to be reckoned amongst the foremost personalities of his time. Eminent constitutional lawyer, authority on economic and political issues, statesman, author, agitator, architect of the Indian Constitution, during his career of 30 years, Dr. Ambedkar adorned diverse fields.
  
• Yet, it is principally as the symbol of social revolt that Dr. Ambedkar‘s memory will be cherished by all the unprivileged and suppressed classes of our society. When he started his political career 50 years ago, the untouchables were dumb and downtrodden. By 1956 when he died, by the ceaseless hammer of his propaganda, and by his skilful political engineering, he had succeeded in raising his caste fellows from the dust to the dignity of an equal citizenship. This elevation of 10 crores of the down·trodden from the state of near slavery to manhood is in itself a glorious chapter in the history on human freedom. He advocated cleanliness and self respect to his people and enjoined them to send their children to school, to treat the womenfolk with respect. He constantly reminded them that it was only by self-elevation that they would be able to raise themselves and their community.
  
• The Chowdar Tank Struggle at Mahad in 1927 and the Nasik Kalaram Temple Entry Agitation in 1930 were two of the historic struggles led by Dr. Ambedkar. Dr. Ambedkar had been mentioning for about 30 years the possibility of the Depressed community abjuring Hindu religion if necessary, and eventually, just a little before his death, he embraced Buddhism followed by hundreds of his followers all over the country.
  
• Although he was the first revolutionary leader to emerge from the down-trodden untouchables in the last twenty five hundred years and even though his main role that of the Great Emancipator of the Oppressed, he was a fervent nationalist. It was the constant refrain of his preaching to his community that their wrongs would not be righted as long as the British power remained in India. After the advent of independence when the Constituent Assembly met, this “enfant terrible” of Indian politics was nominated to be the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution. On the 29^th April 1947 the Constituent Assembly declared to the world “Untouchability in any form is abolished and the imposition of any disability on that account shall be an offence.“ Dr. Ambedkar‘s outstanding capabilities were now being yoked to the monumental constructive purpose of drawing up the Constitution of a free India. In the words of the late Jawahar Lal Nehru :
  “Dr. Ambedkar will be remembered mostly as the symbol of revolt against all the oppressing features of Hindu society. His virulent opposition to these oppressive features had kept people’s mind awake. Although he was a highly controversial figure, he played a very constructive and very important role in making of the Constitution of India and Hindu Law Reform. He revolted against something which every body should revolt against.”
  
• Dr. Ambedkar‘s last important contribution to public life was the painstaking work that he did as Law Minister of the First Govt. of free India for enacting the Hindu Code.

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Issued by India

Issued on Apr 14, 1966

Issued for : His 75^th birth anniversary falls on the 14^th April 1966 and the P & T Department takes this opportunity to honour this great Indian by issuing a commemorative stamp.

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Plum

Denomination : 15 Paisa

Overall Size : 3.3 X 2.46 cms.

Printing Size : 2.99 X 2.1 cms.

Perforation : 13½ x 14

Watermark : Printed on unwatermarked paper

Number Printed : 20,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 54

Printing Process : Photogravure

Designed and Printed at : India Security Press

Name : Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar [popularly known as Babasaheb] 

Born on Apr 14, 1891 at Mhow, Central Provinces, British India [now in Madhya Pradesh]

Died on Dec 6, 1956 at Delhi, India

About : 

• The gifted mind of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar would have shone forth in any epoch and in any society. He came on the Indian scene when the tide of socio-political revolution was sweeping the land and he took it at the flood. The accident of his birth as an ‘untouchable’ gave a touch of poetic justice to the role he played during India‘s transition from a colony to a republic.
• Ambedkar was born in a Mahar family on April 14, 1891 at Mhow. His father was a Subedar in the Mahar Regiment. As a child he was vary studious and painstaking having realised at an early age that a sound education was the only means of bettering his lot. He said later, ‘nobody can remove our grievances, as well as we can‘. After graduation, he went on a scholarship to the Columbia University at the age of 22. A thesis on Provincial Finance in British India which earned him a Doctorate in Philosophy capped his academic career at Columbia. He pursued his studies in Economics and Law at London and was eventually called to the Bar from Gray’s Inn.
• He returned to India in 1923 and started a campaign to remove the disabilities from which the Harijans were suffering. Politically, he stood for a united self-governing community of Indians with special constitutional safeguards for the depressed classes. He was a socialist, but socialism meant little to him without religious and social equality.
• Though it might have often appeared that Dr. Ambedkar took extreme positions on social and political matters, it is a tribute to his patriotism and erudition that Independent India decided to make use of his talents to consolidate the gains of freedom. As Minister of Law and Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Dr. Ambedkar played a leading part in the framing of the Indian Constitution. An authority on Constitutional Law, his influence on politics, social reform, education and religion has been fundamental.

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