Issued by India

Issued on Oct 24, 2025

Issued for : The Department of Posts is proud to release a commemorative stamp celebrating 80 years of the United Nations. This stamp symbolises India’s commitment to global cooperation, peace, and the shared ideals of the United Nations over eight decades.

Design : To celebrate 80 Years of the United Nations, a nationwide stamp design competition was organized by the Department of Posts in collaboration with Ministry of External Affairs and MyGov. Approximately 7.4 lakh students participated, creatively expressing India’s vision of global leadership and multilateralism. The design by Ms. Shrestha Majumdar is featured on the commemorative stamp. Additionally, artworks by Ms. Anshika Jain and Ms. Rollie Sharma have been selected for the First Day Cover and Brochure. This initiative reflects young India’s commitment to peace, unity, and sustainable global progress.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Suresh Kumar

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 205686

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The United Nations (UN) has stood as a symbol of multilateralism and international cooperation. India’s deepening engagement with the UN is based on its steadfast commitment to multilateralism and dialogue as the key for achieving shared goals and addressing common challenges faced by the global community.
• Department of Posts has previously released commemorative postage stamps on the UN’s 9^th, 40^th, 50^th, and 75^th anniversaries in 1954, 1985, 1995, and 2020, respectively. Department of Posts and the United Nations Postal Administration jointly issued stamps for the UN Women HeForShe solidarity movement in 2016. United Nations Postal Administration released a commemorative Diwali stamp in 2018 and a definitive stamp on the occasion of the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019.
• India and the UN share a commitment to multilateralism and dialogue, viewing them as essential to meeting global challenges. As the world’s largest democracy and an active member of the UN, India has advanced UN goals in peacebuilding and peacekeeping, sustainable development, poverty alleviation, climate action, disarmament, human rights, health, migration, cybersecurity, space, and frontier technologies like Artificial Intelligence.
• Over recent years, India’s engagement with the UN has expanded in scope. In 2025, India hosted the “Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South” in New Delhi, bringing together women peacekeepers from 35 countries to address gender-inclusive peace operations. India remains one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping, with more than 290,000 Indian peacekeepers deployed on over 50 missions to date.
• Milestones in this relationship include :
  • 1945 : India became a signatory to the United Nations Charter
  • 1948 : India endorsed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  • 1950 : India was first elected to the UN Security Council
  • 1973 : India acceded to the Biological Weapons Convention
  • 1980 : India ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
  • 1993 : India joined the Chemical Weapons Convention
  • 2000 : India adopted the Millennium Declaration
  • 2007 : 2 October, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, was declared the International Day of Non-Violence
  • 2014 : 21 June was declared the International Day of Yoga
  • 2015 : India endorsed the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change
  • 2021-22 : India’s eighth term in the UN Security Council, as a rule-abiding democracy and a positive contributor to the security of the global commons.
• India’s global conduct, which is rooted in the fundamental principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ – which means ‘world is one family’ – resonates powerfully in the halls of the United Nations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, India upheld this principle by providing essential medicines and vaccines to more than 150 countries. At the 80^th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2025, India urged that every member state that can make this world a better place must have the opportunity to do its utmost.
  
• Text : Referenced from the content provided by the Ministry of External Affairs.

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 2, 2023

Issued for : Department of Posts is delighted to issue Joint Stamp on 75^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relationship between Indian and Mauritius and celebrates the rich and strong bond of the natural alliance between two nations.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Mr. Anuj Kumar
Cancellation Cachet : Mr. Anuj Kumar

Type : Souvenir Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 Paise

Souvenir Sheet Price : 2500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 1.11 Lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• India and Mauritius share a longstanding bilateral relationship that spans several decades. While formal diplomatic relations began 75 years ago in 1948, the arrival of Indians in Mauritius dates back to the early 18^th century, when Indian artisans and masons were brought to Mauritius under French Colonial rule.
• In the 19^th and early 20^th century, about half a million Indian indentured workers were brought to Mauritius under British rule, out of which, about two-thirds settled down in Mauritius. The first batch of 36 indentured workers arrived in Mauritius on 2^nd November 1834 and 2^nd November is now celebrated every year as ‘Aapravasi Diwas’.
• Mahatma Gandhi visited Mauritius in 1901 and exhorted Indian workers to educate themselves and become politically empowered. During the struggle for independence from British rule, Indian and Mauritian leaders were in regular contact. Soon after India became independent, India deputed Shri Dharam Yash Dev as the first Indian Commissioner to Mauritius in September 1948. The spirit of Indian nationalism became a source of inspiration for Mauritius and when Mauritius became independent 20 years later, India’s diplomatic representation was upgraded to a High Commission. There have been 27 Commissioners/High Commissioners of India to Mauritius in the last 75 years. In a lasting tribute to these close ties, 12^th March, the date on which Gandhiji began his Dandi March, was chosen as the Mauritian Independence Day.
• Since independence, both India and Mauritius have been walking hand-in-hand in their journey of nation building, economic growth and development. From being a low-income, monocrop economy, Mauritius has emerged as a beacon of democracy, pluralism and prosperity. The bonds between the two countries have grown stronger over the decades with close operation in maritime security, development partnership, capacity-building, culture, people-to-people ties, and cooperation in international fora.
• The close bonds between India and Mauritius are evident in the numerous India-assisted development projects that dot the Mauritian landscape, such as the Metro Express, the Social Housing Project, the Cyber Tower, the ENT Hospital, the new Supreme Court building, Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital, Rabindranath Tagore Institute, Upadhyay Training Centre, Swami Vivekananda Conference Centre, etc. New projects like Civil Services College, Police Academy, Forensic Sciences Laboratory, the National Library & Archives, the 8MW Solar Power Project, continue to contribute to Mauritius’ economic and social development. Mauritius is also one of the largest beneficiaries of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) capacity building programme, with more than 365 Mauritians trained every year in India.
• The two countries have traditionally enjoyed close economic ties. Mauritius has been a top source of Foreign Direct Investment into India, while India has been one of Mauritius’ top trade partners. To further boost economic exchanges, the two countries signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) in 2021, which is India’s first such trade agreement with any African country. With this, Mauritius stands uniquely poised to attract Indian investment and serve as a gateway for investments into Africa.
• Indian music, dance, and cuisine are an integral part of Mauritian culture. Hindi is also widely spoken in Mauritius, and Bollywood movies have a significant following. The enduring cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Mauritius are nurtured by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (India’s largest cultural center abroad) and the World Hindi Secretariat, a bilateral organization set up in Mauritius to promote Hindi globally. The Government of India has also helped set up the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in Mauritius, which is dedicated to promoting Indian culture and language as well as the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre to promote Science.
• People-to-people exchanges are at the heart of India–Mauritius bilateral relations. Several thousand Mauritians visit India every year for tourism, shopping and medical treatment. Likewise, Mauritius is a popular destination for Indian tourists, with its pristine beaches and luxury resorts. Over 500 scholarships were provided to Mauritian students to study in Indian universities last year, and there are several Indian educational institutions operating in Mauritius. Through initiatives such as the ‘Know India Programme’ and the ‘NCC Youth Exchange Programme’, there is an ongoing effort to establish a connect between the younger generations of both countries.
• Reflecting the special bilateral relationship between the two countries, Mauritius has been invited as a ‘Guest Country’ to participate in the G20 Summit during India’s G20 Presidency, starting from 01 December 2022. With several new partnership initiatives and development projects in the pipeline, Mauritius–India relations are set to further strengthen in the years to come. The joint issue of this postage stamp to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations is a testament to the strong ties between India and Mauritius and a symbol of their enduring friendship.
• The Mauritius Kestrel, Falco punctatus, was declared as the National Bird of Mauritius on the occasion of the 30^th Anniversary of the Republic of Mauritius on 12 March 2022. An endangered species, the Mauritius Kestrel is endemic to the island of Mauritius. It usually nests in natural cavities on cliffs, ravines and trees in the south-eastern and south western regions of the island. The upper part of the Kestrel’s plumage is brown with black barring, while the under part is white with dark spots.
• The ‘Mauritius Kestrel Recovery Programme’ being implemented since 1973, under which, Kestrel chicks have been hand reared and successfully translocated to endemic regions of Mauritius, is hailed today as one of the world’s most successful initiatives to save a bird species from extinction.
• The Indian peacock, Pavo cristatus, is a colourful, swan-sized bird, with a fan-shaped crest of feathers, a white patch under the eye and a long, slender neck. The male of the species is more vibrantly colourful than the female, with a glistening blue neck and chest, and a spectacular bronze-green tail comprising around 200 elongated feathers.
• In 1963, the Indian Peacock was declared the National Bird of India, since it embodies India’s rich fauna and is considered sacred in Indian mythology and culture. With its magnificent iridescent blue-green plumage, and attributes such as joy, beauty and grace, the Indian Peacock embodies the vibrant spirit of India.
• Text : Referenced from content provided by Ministry of External Affairs.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 30, 2017

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps on theme of National Birds of India and Papua New Guinea featuring ‘Peacock’ of India and ‘Raggiana bird-of-paradise’ of Papua New Guinea.

Credits :
Stamp/Miniature Sheet/First Day Cover/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 & 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 2.1 Lakh each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 1.1 Lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The Diplomatic relations between India and Papua New Guinea (PNG) were established when Indian resident Mission was opened in Port Moresby in 1996. PNG opened its resident Mission in New Delhi in 2006. India and PNG are commonwealth countries and enjoy warm and cordial relations.
• India and Papua New Guinea actively interact through different platforms that allow both countries to exchange views on many issues of common concerns. The cooperation covers multiple areas in economic, Industrial & commercial, science & Technology, Education and Cultural.
• With the significance of the bilateral relation between India and Papua New Guinea, the both Postal Administrations, in agreement, cooperated and jointly released this stamp issue featuring their respective national birds (The Peacock representing India and the Raggiana Bird of Paradise representing Papua New Guinea).
• Peacock:
  • The Peacock, Pavo cristatus (Linnaeus), is the National Bird of India. It is a symbol of grace, joy, beauty and love. Peacock is a large and majestic bird. Peacock is a colorful, swan-sized bird with a fan-shaped crest of feathers on its head, a white patch under the eye and a long-slender neck.
  • The male of the species is more colorful than the female with a glistening blue breast and neck and a spectacular bronze-green tail of around 200 elongated feathers. The female is called Peahen and it is brownish, slightly smaller than the male and lacks the tail. The peahen lays 3-5 eggs at a time in a hole of the trunk of a tree or in a bush. They sometimes dig small holes in the soil with their legs to lay eggs. Peacock occupies a respectable position in Indian culture and is protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • Peacock is a hard bird. It has unique adaptability to extreme climatic conditions. Thus, it can live in the hot, dry desert region of Rajasthan as well as it can adjust nicely with colder climates of Europe and America. Generally, peacock likes to live in the bushes or jungles near a permanent water source. They cannot fly much but can run fast on their strong legs. Their wings are not strong enough for flying.
  • Peacock, known as “Mayur” in Sanskrit and Hindi and also known as “Mor”, finds description in popular art forms, songs, drama, dance, murals, sculptures and other forms of folk and traditional art. Lord Krishna is known to have an affinity for peacock feather as he used it to adorn his head. Peacock is also shown as the “Vahana” or vehicle of Lord Murugan or Kartikeya, Lord Siva’s son. A dancing peacock is often associated with onset of monsoon and has been so depicted in miniature paintings and other music and art forms. The rich colors and beauteous form of the bird is a popular decorative motif in jewellery and costume making as well.
• The Raggiana Bird of Paradise:
  • The Raggiana bird of paradise, (Paradisaea raggiana) is a large bird in the bird-of-paradise family Paradisaeidae.
  • The Raggiana bird of paradise is known as the Kumul and in 1971 Raggiana bird of paradise was made the national emblem of Papua New Guinea, included on the national flag and is the name of Papua New Guinea’s national rugby league team, the Kumuls.
  • Raggiana bird of paradise is 34 cm long, maroon-brown with a greyish-blue bill, yellow iris and greyish-brown feet. The male has a yellow crown, dark emerald-green throat and yellow collar between the throat and its blackish upper breast feathers. It is adorned with a pair of long black tail wires and large flank plumes. The female is a maroonish-brown bird with no long tail feathers. The ornamental flank plumes vary from red to orange in color, depending on subspecies.
  • Its diet consists mainly of fruits and arthropods. The species is an important seed disperser of some fruiting trees in New Guinea, and is for some species of mahogany and nutmeg the main fruit disperser.
  • The breeding system of the Raggiana bird-of-paradise is polygamy. Males congregate in leks (display arenas for visiting females). Leks can be 30-100 meters in diameter. The nest is a bowl-shaped structure composed of leaves and leaf pieces, stems, ferns and other plant fibres. It is lined with horsehair-like material and is situated 2-11 m above the ground on tree branches.
• Text : Based on the material available on internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 14, 2017

Credits :
Stamp/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma, based on the Selected entries

Type : Miniature Sheets, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1500 Paise (2)

Stamps Printed : 0.5 million each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 0.11 million each

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Every year on the occasion of Republic Day, Independence Day and Children’s Day Department has been conducting stamp design competition at national level since 2015. The selected entries are awarded with the cash prizes and their entries are used in stamps and other philatelic items. This time Department has conducted stamp design competition on theme “Nest”. With support of 23 Circle offices across the country Department has got wide response of this competition. Department is also thankful to those school authorities who have encouraged their students for participating in this competition.
• Nest is a structure built by certain animals to hold eggs, offspring, and, occasionally, the animal itself. Birds, members of all classes of vertebrates and some invertebrates construct nests. This may be composed of organic material such as twigs, grass, and leaves, or may be a simple depression in the ground, or a hole in a rock, tree, or building. Human-made materials, such as string, plastic, cloth, or paper, may also be used. Nests can be found in all types of habitat.
• Nest building is driven by a biological urge known as the nesting instinct in birds and mammals. Generally each species has a distinctive style of nest. Nest building is considered a key adaptive advantage among birds, and they exhibit the most variation in their nests ranging from simple holes in the ground to elaborate communal nests hosting hundreds of individuals. Nests of prairie dogs and several social insects can host millions of individuals. Normally, nest building happens in the breeding reason among birds and other animals. Nests therefore represent the thriving of life forms and are vital for ecological sustenance.
• Small children always live under the parental care at their house, under school authorities during their school time and during the leisure time they are under the lookout of grand parents/ maternal parents/ other senior relative members. The word Nest is also closely associated with small children and that’s why the topic is chosen for inviting entries from children. Through their imagination the small children may illustrate nest in their paintings/drawings in a better way. The theme was selected with an objective that there is a need to enhance awareness of our natural surroundings, and any damage to the ecosystems threatens an entire life cycle of the associated fauna. Based on the selected entries depicting birds’ nests, two stamps, two miniature sheets, 10 maxim cards, a first day cover and a brochure are being released. The designs on the stamps, Miniature Sheets, Maxim Cards, First Day Covers & Brochure are based on the entries submitted by Mr. Somesh Kumar, Mr. Baibhab Saha, Mr. Syed Abid Husain, Ms. Kritica Thakur, Mr. Vikash Prasad, Mr. Tiyasha Saha, Ms. K. Bhoomika, Ms. Sanmista Paul, Ms. Sreeja Das Gupta, Mr. Anurag Sutradhar, Mr. Nilaya, Ms. Urmimala Swain, Ms. Srinidhi Shet U., Mr. Raj Gourab Debnath, Mr. Janvinson, Mr. Dikshant Kumar.
• Text : Based on the information available on internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Sep 18, 2017

Credits :
Stamp/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure : Shri Suresh Kumar
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (3)

Stamps Printed : 0.5 million each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 0.1 million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) which is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources has divided the Birds into Categories. The IUCN issues a Red List, in which IUCN categorizes species into nine different categories on the basis of rate of decline, population size, area of geographic distribution, and degree of population and distribution fragmentation. One such Category of Birds is “Vulnerable” (VU), wherein those Birds species comes which have high risk of endangerment in the wild.
• The Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of three stamps on the following three Vulnerable birds.
• Nilgiri Wood Pigeon / Columba elphinstonii (Sykes, 1833):
  • This pigeon qualifies as Vulnerable owing to its small, declining population; a consequence of the widespread destruction of its forest habitat. This Bird is thought to be endemic to the hill-ranges of the Western Ghats, south-west India, occurring from north-west Maharashtra, through Karnataka and Goa, to southern Kerala and western Tamil Nadu. This Bird is a large pigeon with mostly chestnut-maroon upperparts and greyish head and underparts. Prominent black-and-white patterned hindneck. Uniform dark slaty tail. Juveniles have less distinct neck pattern and are duller above with chestnut fringing on mantle and wing-coverts. The species does not necessarily occur across all suitable forest patches in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve – a part of Northern Western Ghats, which is suggestive of possible overestimation in the current projected range of the species in Western Ghats. It is virtually confined to moist evergreen, semi-evergreen forest, and moist deciduous forest including densely wooded ravines and hollows (“sholas”), chiefly in foothills and mountains up to 2,250 m, but there have been an increasing number of records in the lowlands down to 20 m. Historically, it was hunted for food and sport, which probably contributed to its decline. Currently, the loss, degradation and increasing fragmentation of forest are a greater concern. It is legally protected in India and occurs in several protected areas. A remote sensing project is planned to attempt to delimit the range and assess rates of forest loss.
• Broad Tailed Grass Warbler / Schoenicola platyurus (Jerdon, 1844):
  • This species has a small, fragmented, declining range and population as a result of the clearance and modification of grasslands. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable. This Bird is endemic to the Western Ghats, India, where it is known from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Large, plain warbler with whitish underparts and broad, rounded tail. Rufescent-brown upperparts when breeding, but colder and greyer when plumage worn. Faint, dark cross-bars on tail and narrow, pale supercilium that extends to just behind eye. It inhabits dense, tall grass and reeds, interspersed with patchy scrub and bushes on open hillsides, sometimes on steep slopes, but particularly marshy or damp depressions around hilltops, at 900-2,000 m. It also occurs in dense screw pine swamps, lemon grass and dwarf dates and at the edges of forest. This species is threatened by the mismanagement of native shola grasslands, as these habitats are little valued and many areas have been planted with exotic tree species. It is known to occur in several protected areas, including Bramhagiris Wildlife Sanctuary, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary and Silent Valley National Park.
• Nilgiri Pipit / Anthus nilghiriensis (Sharpe, 1885):
  • This species is listed as Vulnerable because it has a small range in which its habitat is severely fragmented and declining in extent and quality, which in turn is suspected to be driving a decline in its small population. This species is endemic to the Western Ghats of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, southern India. It is locally fairly common within its small range, particularly above 2,000 m. Surveys conducted in 2002-2004 found the species to be almost extinct at some former sites, suggesting that the population is in decline. It occurs on grassy upland slopes interspersed with bushes and trees, mainly above 1,500 m, and is commonest over 2,000 m, but sometimes descends to 1,000 m. The species has been observed to feed mostly on creeping grass in valleys, but to nest in marshy grasslands with slightly taller grasses and sedges, particularly near streams. Nilgiri pipit has broad deep buff to whitish supercilium, darker buff ear-coverts, sometimes some dark spots in malar region; crown and upperparts tawny-olive or warm grey-brown with greenish-yellow tinge; crown to mantle and scapulars heavily streaked blackish-brown, back to uppertail coverts streaked grey-brown. Remiges and wing coverts dark brown, with two wing bars. Tail dark brown. Throat, breast and flanks deep buff; belly paler buff, with blackish brown streaks on breast and flanks. Iris dark brown; bill blackish; legs pale pink or yellowish pink.
  • Its grassland habitat is gradually being converted to plantations of tea, eucalyptus and silver wattle. The unintentional spread of wattle and invasive scotch broom to grasslands is another long-term threat. Livestock grazing and frequent fires also pose threats to the species.
• Text : Based on the material available on internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 25, 2017

Issued for : Every generation is required to be conscious of their responsibility towards nature. To bring the awareness in the students, Department of Posts chose Nature: India as a topic for Stamp Design Competition organised across the country for the Republic Day 2017. The participants were to send original entries on the theme “Nature: India”. Based on selected entries Stamps, Miniature Sheet, Maxim Cards, First Day Cover and Brochure are based on the entries submitted by Mr. Krishna Debnath, Mr. S. Keerthivassan, Mrs. Tripti Dutta, Ms. Pooja, Mr. Souvik Datta, Ms. Souramita Bhaumik, Mr. Suyash Goyal, Ms. Debasmita Chakraborty, Mr. Akshat Pamawat, Ms. Mehr Vig, Ms. Yamini K, Mr. Divyansh Sharma, Ms. Aparajita Biswas, Ms. Jetshree Sharma and Ms. V. Aishwaria.

Credits :
Stamp / Miniature Sheet / FDC / Brochure / Cancellation Cachet : Ms. Nenu Gupta, based on selected paintings submitted by participants.

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (6)

Stamps Printed : 301590 each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 0.1 million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The “Nature” is a storehouse of joy, peace and pleasure. Nature is like a Philosopher’s stone that has the potential to transform its surroundings with its presence itself. Nature can provide a new lease of life to a fatigued mind or a weary body. The kind of comfort and consolation that can be felt in the lap of nature is described by the poets, bands and wandering minstrels. The flowing rivulets, the sounding cataracts, the whispering winds, the joyful flowers and the lofty mountains are only some of the manifestations of that divine beauty.
• The Bliss of being touched by any aspect of the vast Nature can be seen in the world’s greatest poetic and philosophical expressions. There can be no better mediation that being in touch with the Nature. It has a healing touch of its own. The lovers of Nature immerse themselves in listening to the melodious songs of larks, watching the clouds moving majestically across the sky, and manage to witness the joyful dance of peacock on a rainy day. They can spend hours looking at the starry heavens and absorb the beauty of a rainbow in the sky. They do not forget to see the sublime in the ephemeral.
• Where Nature is a source of joy, it is also a great teacher. The fruitful trees teach us to be humble; the mountains teach us to be strong and firm; the flowers teach us to smile and blossom even when we are surrounded by the thorns of life. The wildlife in Nature teach us harmony and balance in life. It reveals the oneness of life.
• Nature is permeated with the same soul that dwells in men. There is a kinship between man and nature. But our relationship with nature is also of imbalance and overuse. Nearly every step in human history has unfortunately been accompanied with a leap in environmental degradation. Apart from achieving stability for ourselves and our kin, we also have an obligation to maintain the environment, as we depend on the resources and services it provides. Our cognitive ability and understanding of nature obliges us to maintain the integrity of the environment. In order for the Earth to retain its balance, it is important that we do not overstep our bounds as a species. This requires a universal effort to revaluate our relationship with nature and make adjustments as needed. It is important to recognise a rippling of consequences that are being faced because of Man’s intervention with the nature.
• Text : Based on the material available on internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 5, 2016

Credits :
Stamp / Miniature Sheet / Sheetlet / FDC / Brochure / Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheets, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (2), 1000 Paise (2), 1500 Paise (2)

Stamps Printed : 0.2 million each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 0.1 million each (two types)

Sheetlets Printed : 30000 each (two types)

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• One of the most popular birds, parrots are loved and adored by the young and the old alike. Extensively appearing in popular folk and other literary traditions, parrots are a favorite among poets, bards and singers and even in painting, they have an association with portrayal of beauty and romance. Parrots are also widely illustrated in folk arts such as Madhubani Paintings.
• The parrots are a broad order of more than 350 birds. Macaws, Amazons, lorikeets, lovebirds, cockatoos and many others, are all considered parrots. Though there is great diversity among these birds, there are similarities as well. All parrots have curved beaks and all are zygodactyls, meaning they have four toes on each foot, two pointing forward and two projecting backward. Most parrots eat fruit, flowers, buds, nuts, seeds, and some small creatures such as insects. Parrots are found in warm climates all over most of the world. The greatest diversities exist in Australasia, Central America, and South America.
• Many parrots are kept as pets, especially macaws, Amazon parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, and cockatoos. These birds have been popular companions throughout history because they are considered to be intelligent, charismatic, colourful, and musical. Some birds are said to imitate many non-avian sounds, including human speech.
• The Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of six stamps on the following six exotic birds.
  • (i) Blue-throated Macaw / Ara glaucogularis
    • The Blue-throated Macaw also known as Caninde Macaw is a species endemic to a small area of north-central Bolivia, known as Los Llanos de Moxos. Blue-throated Macaw lives in the savanna forest and is one of the rarest parrot in the world.
    • Recent population survey for this species estimates that about 350-400 individuals remain in the wild. It is listed on the The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List as Critically Endangered. It is also listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), an international treaty that controls international trade.
    • Blue-throated Macaw have largely bright yellow underparts with pale blue vent. Upperparts are turquoise-blue, slightly duller on crown and brighter on rump. They have bare facial patch obscured by blue feather-lines merging into blue lower cheek and throat, separated from crown by narrow yellow stripe and bare pink skin around base of the large, black bill. On the face there is a sparsely feathered patch of skin near the base of the large dark-colored bill that has five or six horizontal stripes of blue feathers which are unique for every Blue-throated Macaw and can be used to individually identify adults.
    • This species can be differentiated from the slightly larger Blue and Yellow Macaw by their blue throat – the blue Crown and the lack of contrast between the remiges and upperwing coverts. The origin of this bird is in Bolivia.
  • (ii) Cape Parrot / Poicephalus robustus
    • The Cape Parrot also known as Levaillant’s Parrot is a large, temperate forest dwelling parrot endemic to South Africa. It is a short-tailed moderately large bird with a very large beak used to crack all sorts of hard nuts and fruit kernels.
    • So far there is no uniform view on the classification of this species due to the existence of their geographical separated but closely related forms that differ in habitat, size & plumage. Dominant view of ornithological community considers these as two species, with the temperate forest dwelling Cape Parrot distinct from Savanna species where they include brown necked Parrot of West Africa and grey headed Parrot of Eastern & Southern Africa. But the Birdlife International taxonomic checklist of the world’s birds considers all three forms as subspecies of a single species Poicephalus robustus.
    • The Cape Parrot only occurs in South Africa & is closely associated with yellowwood forests. The Yellowwood trees are important to them for breeding, feeding and social interaction. The species is a secondary cavity nests, preferring tall dead yellowwood as nesting sites.
    • While the ultimate threat to this species is habitat loss through the degradation and reduction in Afromontane Southern Mistbelt Forest, the more recent but significant threats are (i) infection and mortality caused by Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) and (ii) local poaching and trade.
  • (iii) Hyacinth Macaw / Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
    • Hyacinth Macaw or Hyacinthine Macaw, is a parrot native to central and eastern South America. With a length of about 100 cm it is longer than any other species of parrot. It is the largest macaw and the largest flying parrot species. Also known as ‘Gentle giants’ Hyacinths are considered to be very affectionate birds by nature. Its feathers are entirely blue, lighter above with a long and pointed tail. This species can be confused with the far rarer and smaller Lear’s Macaw.
    • Hyacinth Macaw prefers palm swamps, woodlands, and other semi-open, wooded habitats. It usually avoids dense, humid forest, and is generally restricted to the edge or relatively open forests. In different areas of their range, these parrots are found in savannah grasslands, in dry thorn forest known as caatinga, and in palm strands. They are seen flying in pairs, and feed on the hard nuts of several palm nuts. These nuts, which are so hard and difficult to break, are easily crushed by their powerful beak. Nesting takes place between July and December, nests are constructed in tree cavities or cliff faces depending on the habitat.
    • Habitat loss and trapping of wild birds for the pet trade has taken a heavy toll on their wild population. The unique personality and beauty of this species has made it one of the most sought after – and also one of the most abused – of all parrots.
    • To provide full protection, it is classified as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List (IUCN) and its global trade is controlled by listed it on Appendix I of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
  • (iv) Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo / Cacatua sulphurea sulphurea
    • Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is also known as the Yellow-crested Cockatoo. The Lesser Sulphur-crested is found in wooded and cultivated areas of East Timor and Indonesia’s islands of Sulawesi and the Lesser Sundas.
    • The Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is a critically endangered species. Numbers have declined dramatically due to illegal trapping for the cage-bird trade. They are listed on Appendix I on CITES.
    • It is a medium-sized cockatoo with white plumage, bluish-white bare orbital skin, grey feet, a black bill, and a retractile yellow or orange crest. The Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo nests in tree cavities. Their wild population is declining due to habitat destruction and trade.
    • There are 6 subspecies of the Lesser Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo. The most well known subspecies is a Citron crested Cockatoo. This subspecies has an orange colored crest, instead of a yellow one. It is found only on the Islands of Sumba. Other species are found on Islands of Indonesia.
    • Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo can also be easily confused with the larger and more common found Sulphur-crested cockatoo, which has a more easterly distribution and can be distinguished by the size and presence of large yellow ear patch in the Lesser Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo.
  • (v) Sun Conure / Aratinga solstitialis
    • Sun Conure, also known as Sun Parakeet, is a medium-sized brightly colored parrot native to northeastern South America. The adult male and female are similar in appearance, with predominantly golden-yellow plumage and orange-flushed underparts and face. Sun Conures are very social birds, typically living in flocks. They form monogamous pairs and nest in palm tree cavities. This species is currently threatened by loss of habitat and trapping for the pet trade and listed as endangered by the IUCN. Sun Conures are popular as pets because of their bright coloration and curious nature. They are commonly bred in aviculture and may live up to 30 years.
    • Sun Conures are mostly found in tropical habitats occurring within dry savanna woodlands and coastal forests in altitudes less than 1200 meters, on edge of humid forests growing in foothills. Like other members of the genus Aratinga, the Sun Conure is very social and typically occurs in large flocks of 20 to 30 individuals.
    • Sun Conures have a rich yellow crown, nape, lesser wing-coverts, tips of the greater wing-coverts, chest, and underwing-coverts. The face and belly are orange with red around the ears. The base of the greater wing-coverts, tertials, and base of the primaries are green, while the secondaries, tips of the primaries, and most of the primary coverts are dark blue. The tail is olive-green with a blue tip. From below, all the flight feathers are dark greyish. The bill is black. Juvenile sun parakeets display a predominantly green plumage and resemble similar-aged sulphur-breasted parakeets. The distinctive yellow, orange, and reddish colouration on the back, abdomen, and head is attained with maturity.
  • (vi) Yellow-headed Amazon / Amazona oratrix
    • The Yellow-headed Amazon is an endangered parrot of Mexico and northern Central America. It prefers to live in mangrove forests or riparian forests near rivers or other water bodies.
    • This species is framed for its ability to mimic, both in speech and even ‘song’ making it an excellent talker. For centuries they have been revered as highly desirable pets worldwide.
    • The popularity of these parrots as a pet continues to fuel trade and trapping of wild birds which have nearly driven this species to extinction in the wild. It is reported that their wild population has declined from 70,000 to 7,000 in the past two decades alone.
    • The Yellow-headed Amazon is a stocky short-tailed green parrot with a yellow head. The immature birds attain full adult head colour in 5 or more years. As in other Amazon parrots, this parrot has rounded wings, and a square tail with a robust build body. The body is bright green, with yellow on the head, red at the bend of the wing, and yellow thighs. The flight feathers are blackish to bluish violet with a red patch on the outer secondaries. The base of the tail also has a red patch, which is usually hidden. The outer tail feathers have yellowish tips. The yellow headed Amazon is considered as endangered by IUCN & is on the CITES Appendix I.
• Text : Based on material received from Bombay Natural History Society.

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 17, 2016

Issued for : The Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of four stamps on the following four birds under the Category of Near Threatened (NT) species.

Credits :
Stamp/Sheetlets/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500, 1000, 1500 & 2500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.3 million each (in the form of sheetlets)

Miniature Sheet Printed : 0.1 million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Birds are found all over the world – Antarctic and Arctic to Deserts of Sahara and Kalhari, Tropical South America and Africa to Himalayan forest and Pelagic islands. In India, there are around 1200 species of birds. Birds are Warm blooded animals – body covered with feather – which can fly, swim and walk – lay eggs.
  
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) which is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources has divided the Birds into Categories. The IUCN issues a Red List, which assesses the conservation status of species worldwide. In this Red List, the IUCN categorizes species into nine different categories on the basis of rate of decline, population size, area of geographic distribution, and degree of population and distribution fragmentation. One such Category of Birds is “Near Threatened” (NT), wherein the Birds which are likely to become endangered in the near future come.
  
• Nicobar Pigeon / Caloenas nicobarica (Linnaeus 1758): This species is classified as Near Threatened because throughout its wide range it is thought to be declining as a result of capture for food and the pet trade, habitat destruction and predation by introduced mammals. Nicobar Pigeon is a small island specialist; it occurs on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is the only living member of the genus Caloenas. The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as generally scarce to rare, although locally commoner on smaller islets. It normally breeds, often in dense colonies, on extremely small, wooded offshore islands and forages in situ or on adjacent mainland (or larger island) areas up to at least 500 m. It prefers uninhabited and remote islets with original forest vegetation, though these must be close enough to large areas of lowland rainforest which it requires for foraging. Trapping for food, the pet trade and perhaps for their gizzard-stones is a serious threat. The clearance of small islands for plantations and the adjacent areas of lowland forest which it requires for foraging must have reduced numbers. Predation by rats Rattus spp., cats and other alien predators at nesting grounds can affect large numbers of birds due to the colonial nature of the species.
  
• Nilgiri Flycatcher / Eumyias albicaudatus (Jerdon, 1840): This species is listed as Near Threatened because it occupies a moderately small, fragmented range, and is likely to be experiencing a continuing decline owing to a number of emerging threats associated with human population increase; it therefore almost meets the requirements for listing as threatened under criterion of IUCN. However, little is currently known about the population size and specific threats to this species. This species is an endemic resident in the Western Ghats of southern India, where it can be common in suitable habitat. While its range is small, its tolerance for disturbed habitats suggests that it is not immediately threatened by habitat modification. The population size is unknown, but the species is described as common, especially at higher elevations. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction. It occurs in evergreen hill forests and woodlands favouring forest edges, clearings, dense vegetation near streams, shade coffee and cardamom plantations and sholas, from 600 m to the summits, being most numerous above 1,200 m. It forages alone or in loose association with other flycatchers in the lower storeys of vegetation on insects and berries. It breeds from February until June. An increasing human population has led to increased illegal encroachment into Western Ghat forests, livestock grazing and the harvesting of fuel wood, notably for tea factories and huge quantities of forest products such as bamboo and canes.
  
• Black-and-orange Flycatcher / Ficedula nigrorufa (Jerdon, 1839): This species occupies a moderately small range, within which a number of potential threats are emerging. It is currently considered Near Threatened as a result, but continued monitoring of the population and threats to it is necessary. It is an endemic resident in the Western Ghats of southern India, where it is locally common. The population size is unknown, but the species is described as common or locally common. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction. It inhabits shola forests with dense undergrowth (bamboo and rattan) and plenty of leaf-litter, cardamom and coffee plantations, and moist thickets in ravines from 700 m to the highest summits. It forages low down and on the ground, hopping in damp, dense undergrowth. Breeding is between March and July. While its range is small, its tolerance for modified habitats suggests that it is not immediately threatened. However, an increasing human population has led to increased illegal encroachment into Western Ghat forests, livestock grazing and the harvesting of fuel wood, notably for use in tea factories, and huge quantities of forest products such as bamboo and canes. Furthermore, hydroelectric power development and road-building are causing reductions in forest cover in some areas. These factors require monitoring as, left uncontrolled; they will threaten the area’s endemic avifauna.
  
• Andaman Woodpecker / Dryocopushodgei (Blyth 1860): This species has a small range, in which it is likely to be affected by habitat loss and degradation, probably more so in the near future. However, its population is not regarded as severely fragmented or restricted to a few locations. It is therefore considered Near Threatened, and should be carefully monitored. It is endemic to the Andaman islands, India, where it is a common resident. They are generally found in tropical evergreen forests of this archipelago. They forages mainly on trunks of large trees or on main branches. The population size of this species has not been quantified, but it is described as common. Trend data are lacking, but this species apparently remains common and widespread. It is likely to have declined to some degree as a result of habitat loss. This species occurs in evergreen forest, as well as in open areas with sparse patches of taller trees. It occurs mainly in the lowlands. Although forest remains fairly extensive on the Andamans, the human population on larger islands is rising rapidly and habitat is consequently under pressure from agriculture, grazing and logging.
  
• Text : Based on the material available on internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Sep 10, 2015

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a commemorative postage stamp on the 10^th World Hindi Conference, 2015.

Design : In order to select a suitable logo for the 10^th World Hindi Conference, a logo design competition was organized by the Ministry of External Affairs carrying a prize amount of Rs. 50,000/-. With the help of the Logo Selection Committee, a suitable logo for Conference was selected. The stamp design is based on the logo of the 10^th World Hindi Conference.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.51 Million (10 Thousand for the proponent)

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The tradition of the World Hindi Conferences began with the first conference having been organized in Nagpur in 1975. Since then, these conferences have achieved a global profile and momentum of their own. The subsequent nine World Hindi Conferences were organized in different world cities, namely, twice in Port Louis (Mauritius), twice in India, Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), London (UK), Paramaribo (Suriname), New York (USA) and Johannesburg (South Africa). These Conferences have always attracted a galaxy of renowned scholars and followers of Hindi.
  
• The 10^th World Hindi Conference (WHC) is being organized from 10-12 September 2015 in the city of Bhopal by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India in partnership with the Government of Madhya Pradesh. The Conference will be inaugurated by Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India and people from across the world are expected to be part of this function. The decision to organize the 10^th edition of the Conference in India was taken at the 9^th World Hindi Conference held in Johannesburg, South Africa in September, 2012.
  
• The theme for the first four such Conferences was Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam. The theme for the Fifth World Hindi Conference held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago from 04-08 April, 1996 was Apravaasi Bharateeya Aur Hindi. The Sixth World Hindi Conference was held in London, U.K. from 14-18 September, 1999 on the theme Hindi Aur Bhavee Peerhee. The theme for the Seventh World Hindi Conference held in Paramaribo, Suriname from 06-09 June, 2003 was Vishwa Hindi: Nai Shatabdi Ki Chunoutiyan. The Eighth World Hindi Conference was held in New York, America from 13-15 July, 2007 where the theme was Vishwa Manch Par Hindi. The theme for the Ninth World Hindi Conference was Bhasha ki Asmita Aur Hindi Ka Vaishvik Sandarbh.
  
• During the 10^th World Hindi Conference deliberations on a series of contemporary issues and subjects, and, on ways of expanding the horizon and common use of Hindi in the areas of science and technology, Information Technology, Administration and foreign policy, law, media etc. are scheduled to take place. The main theme of the Conference is “Hindi Jagat: Vistar avm sambhavnai”. The conference would also have academic sessions running in parallel on identified themes.
  
• The venue of the Conference is “Lal Parade Ground”, Bhopal. The State Government of Madhya Pradesh is the local organizer for the Conference.
  
• During the Conference, there will be evening cultural programmes organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh. A Kavi Sammelan will also be organized during the event. The cultural programmes and the Kavi Sammelan will be coordinated by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
  
• A daily news letter (Sammelan Samachar), a Sammelan Smarika and a Conference Report on discussions held during the academic sessions and their recommendations would also be published. The daily Sammelan Samachar will be brought out by Makhanlal Chaturvedi Rashtriya Patrakarita avam Sanchar Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal while the Conference Report will be published by Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha. The Indian Council of Cultural Relations will bring out a special issue of “Gagananchal” dedicated to the Conference.
  
• In keeping with the past practice, Hindi scholars from India and other countries would be honoured for their distinguished service in the field of Hindi.
  
• Text : Based on the material provided by proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 16, 2012

Issued for : Department of Posts is happy to participate in an effort for conservation of the rich bio-diversity of the country by issuing a set of four Commemorative Postage Stamps and a miniature sheet on Endemic Species of Indian Bio-diversity Hotspots.

Credits:
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500, 500, 500 & 2500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million each (0.1 million each for the proponent)

Miniature Sheet : 0.4 million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• In recent years, sustaining bio-diversity and maintaining ecological balance has come under increasing pressure due to factors such as habitat fragmentation, development imperatives and global warming. The global concern about loss of bio-diversity found expression in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The Convention has three objectives : conservation of bio-diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. CBD is the first comprehensive global agreement addressing all aspects relating to bio-diversity. The Conference of the Parties is the governing body of the Convention on Biological Diversity and advances implementation of the Convention through the decisions it takes at its periodic meetings.
• The tenth ordinary meeting of the Conference of Parties was held in Nagoya, Japan (18-29 October 2010). India is hosting the eleventh Conference of Parties to the CBD in Hyderabad from 1^st to 19^th October 2012. Department of Posts is issuing a set of four Commemorative Postage Stamps and a miniature sheet depicting the following four endemic species of Indian Bio-diversity Hotspots to commemorate COP-11.
• 1. Bugun Liocichla (Liocichla Bugunorum) – This species has been classified as vulnerable under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
• 2. Nicobar Megapode (Megapodius Nicobariensis) – As the name suggests this species is endemic to the Nicobar Islands, India. The total number of their breeding pairs was estimated at 788 in 2006. It inhabits forests and secondary growth, with greater concentration in coastal forests. The key threat to their existence is the loss of coastal forests through conversion to agriculture and road development projects which threaten to fragment habitat blocks.
• 3. Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock Hoolock) – This species, the only ape in India is a forest dweller. The species is an important seed disperser. Its diet includes mostly ripe fruits with some flowers, leaves and shoots. The threats to Hoolock Gibbon in the wild, include habitat encroachment by the human beings, forest clearance for cultivation and forest degradation.
• 4. Venated Gliding Frog (Rhacophorus Malabaricus) – This critically endangered species of frog is restricted to the Indira Gandhi National Park and its surroundings in Tamil Nadu, in the South Western Ghats, within an altitudinal range of 1000-1300 metres. The main threat to its existence is conversion of forested areas to cultivated land and the extraction of wood and timber by local people.
• Text : Based on the material provided by the proponent.

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