Issued by India

Issued on Aug 5, 2025

Issued for : The Department of Posts takes pride in releasing this Joint Issue of two commemorative postage stamps. Beyond marking 75 years of diplomatic relations, this release reflects India Post’s tradition of celebrating global partnerships through meaningful philatelic collections, offering collectors and citizens alike a symbol of international friendship.

Credits :
Stamps/Souvenir Sheet/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Anuj Kumar

Type : Souvenir Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 5000 & 5000 Paise

Souvenir Sheet Price : 10000 Paise

Souvenir Sheets Printed : 1,12,000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• India and the Philippines share warm and friendly ties, based on historical, cultural and civilisational connections, shared values and common interests. Diplomatic Relations between the two countries were formally established in November 1949.
• The Philippines is a key pillar in India’s Act East Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR, vision of the Indo-Pacific, and is a close partner in India’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.
• In recent years, the multifaceted cooperation between India and the Philippines has grown significantly. High-level political dialogues, expanding trade and commerce, growing defence and maritime partnerships, including Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), cooperation in the areas of science and technology, digital and financial technologies, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges are some of the key aspects of our bilateral engagement.
• India and the Philippines are commemorating the 75^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. As part of the commemorative celebrations, this postage stamp set, themed on ‘National Flowers’ [Lotus (India) and Sampaguita (Philippines)] if being issued. The design symbolises the enduring friendship, close cultural connections and shared values between the two countries.
• Text : Prepared from the content provided by Ministry of External Affairs.

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 25, 2024

Design : The stamp symbolizes the global impact of the cooperative movement, highlighting its values of mutual benefit, shared ownership, and community resilience. The stamp serves as a tribute to the cooperative model’s enduring contribution to building more equitable and sustainable societies worldwide, marking a significant milestone in the history of international cooperation and India’s leadership in the global cooperative sector.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Mr. Sankha Samanta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 302800

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• IFFCO, a proactive member of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), is proud to host the ICA General Assembly and Global Conference in New Delhi, India, from November 25-29, 2024. This landmark event holds great historical significance as it marks the first time in 130 years that the ICA General Assembly will be held in India. The conference will bring together over 1,500 distinguished guests from approximately 100 countries at the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC), also known as Bharat Mandapam, at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The official inauguration on November 25, 2024, will be under the esteemed patronage of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Minister of Home and Cooperation, with the event concluding on November 29, 2024, with the ICA General Assembly. Several high-profile dignitaries, including government officials, global leaders, and members of the ICA, will participate, reflecting the international importance of the cooperative movement.
• The conference will feature a diverse range of activities, including speeches and panel discussions from leaders of international and Indian cooperatives, workshops focusing on youth involvement in cooperatives, and an exhibition showcasing products from Indian and international cooperatives in a unique “Haat” setup reflecting the theme of Indian villages. To ensure environmental sustainability, the event will be carbon neutral and paperless wherever possible, with an ambitious initiative to plant 10,000 Peepal trees to offset the event’s carbon footprint.
• The event will also mark the official launch of the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 (UN-IYC 2025), a global initiative that will highlight the significant role cooperatives play in sustainable development, social inclusion, and economic growth. This year-long celebration will emphasize how cooperatives contribute to building more equitable economies, promoting democratic participation, and addressing global challenges like poverty and climate change. By showcasing the cooperative model, UN-IYC 2025 will inspire governments, civil society, and the global community to work together towards a more inclusive and sustainable future.
• A key highlight of the event will be the launch of a commemorative postage stamp dedicated to the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025. This stamp will symbolize the enduring impact of cooperatives on global development and their role in shaping societies worldwide. The design of the stamp incorporates symbols of both tradition and modernity, featuring a drone to represent cutting-edge agricultural technologies, traditional farming imagery to honor the roots of the cooperative movement. The stamp will serve as a lasting tribute to the cooperative movement and its contributions to global prosperity.
• The launch of this commemorative stamp, supported by the Ministry of Cooperation, underscores the importance of cooperatives in India’s socio-economic framework. The Ministry’s involvement highlights its critical role in promoting cooperative societies and supporting their growth at the national and international levels. The stamp will also reflect India’s leadership in the global cooperative movement and its commitment to advancing sustainable development through cooperative principles.
• This momentous occasion will leave a lasting legacy for future generations and will further elevate the cooperative movement’s profile worldwide. Through the ICA General Assembly and the commemorative stamp launch, IFFCO, ICA, and the Government of India aim to inspire cooperative leaders and members globally to continue advancing cooperative principles of unity, cooperation, and shared progress.
• Text : Referenced from content provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Mar 16, 2020

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of five Commemorative Postage Stamps and a Miniature Sheet on Natural sites under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India-II.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Brahm Prakash

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (2), 1200 Paise (3)

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Miniature Sheets Printed : 110000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• UNESCO World Heritage Convention which was established in 1972, recognised various sites of cultural and natural importance around the world. After the latest addition to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India now has 38 World Heritage Sites and that makes India the country with the 6^th largest number of World Heritage Sites in the world.
• MANAS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
  • On a gentle slope in the foothills of the Himalayas where wooded hills give way to alluvial grasslands and tropical forests, lies the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is home to rare and endangered wildlife species such as Pygmy Hog, Golden Langur, Hispid Hare and the Assam Roofed Turtle.
• GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK
  • Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, the Great Himalayan National Park is one of India’s prominent national parks. The National Park was established in 1984 and is spared over an area of 1,171 sq km at an altitude between 1,500 and 6,000 m. In June 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
  • The National Park protects over 800 plant species, including many medicinal herbs, 31 mammal species and 209 bird species, as well as amphibian species, reptile species and insect species. A trek of 35 to 45 km in any of the park’s valleys brings one into the high altitude habitat (3,500 m and above) of animals such as Blue Sheep, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Tahr and Musk Deer. Best sightings can be made in autumn (September-November) as animals start their seasonal migration to lower altitudes.
• NANDA DEVI & VALLEY OF FLOWERS NATIONAL PARKS
  • The Nanda Devi National Park or Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, established in 1982 is a national park situated around the peak of Nanda Devi (7,816 m) in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India. The gentle landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park. Together they encompass a transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalaya. The National Park was inscribed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.
  • Nanda Devi National Park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Some 312 floral species that include 17 rare species have been found here. Fir, birch, rhododendron and juniper are the main flora. Common larger mammals found in this National Park are Himalayan Musk Deer, Mainland Serow and Himalayan Tahr. Goral are not found within, but in the vicinity of the park. Carnivores are represented by Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear and perhaps also Brown Bear.
  • One of the most picturesque and colourful natural sights in India is the Valley of Flowers National Park. Nestled in Uttarakhand, this National Park is famous for its charming meadows of alpine flowers. Legends believe it to be the place from where Hanuman collected the Sanjeevanibuti for curing Laxman. This National Park has floral pastures, running streams and beautiful backdrop of mountains. The valley was declared a national park in 1982 and is a World Heritage Site.
• WESTERN GHATS
  • The Western Ghats, also known as Sahyadri (Benevolent Mountains), are a massive mountain range that covers an area of 1,40,000 square kilometres parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula, traversing the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the eight “hottest hot-spots” of biological diversity in the world. According to UNESCO, the Western Ghats are older than the Himalayas. They influence Indian monsoon weather patterns by intercepting the rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west during late summer.
  • The area has over 7,402 species of flowering plants, 1,814 species of non-flowering plants, 139 mammal species, 508 bird species, 179 amphibian species, 6,000 insect species and 290 freshwater fish species. It is likely that many undiscovered species live in the Western Ghats. At least 325 globally threatened species exist in the Western Ghats.
  • The major river systems originating in the Western Ghats are the Godavari, Kaveri, Krishna, Thamiraparani and Tungabhadra rivers. The majority of streams draining the Western Ghats join these rivers, and carry a large volume of water during the monsoon months.
• Text : Shri Pallab Bose

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 15, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of two fragrant Commemorative Postage Stamps each on Agarwood and Orange Blossom on the theme Indian Perfumes.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/First Day Cover/Information Brochure : Smt. Bharati Mirchandani
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 Paise (2) and 2500 Paise (2)

Stamps Printed : 8.0 Lakh each

Miniature Sheets Printed : 2.0 Lakh each

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Perfume basically refers to a scented mixture of essential oils, fixatives and solvents to provide an agreeable scent to the body, food, objects and living spaces. Etymologically speaking, the word “perfume” is derived from the Latin word, “per fumus” meaning through smoke. Perfume and perfumery finds prominence in the Indus Valley Civilization, which existed from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. One of the earliest references to distillation of perfume was in the Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita and deals mainly with the manufacturer of perfumes. It was also understood that perfumes attracted angels and warded off darkness or evil spirits. Saints and spiritual aspirants would adorn themselves with the finest scents to assist them in their journey towards enlightenment. Some of the prominent lovers of Indian perfumes, also called ittar, were the Mughal nobles of India.
• AGARWOOD perfume, also known as Oud, has a bitter sweet, woody and balsamic nuance. It is reputed to be one of the most expensive perfumes in the world. There are many names for the resinous, fragrant heartwood produced primarily by trees in the genus Aquilaria. Oil extracted from agarwood is used as a high-quality perfume. The Indian sub-continent was the main source of agarwood for many centuries. Today Agarwood plantations exist in a number of countries, including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Thailand, Vietnam etc. The best quality oil comes out from the first distillation process and after this, the wood undergoes the second distillation. Hence, it is graded according to the number of times it is cooked. With its warm, smoky balsamic fragrance it is sure to calm, inspire and brighten one’s mood.
• ORANGE BLOSSOM is aromatic, sweet and elegant and is a highly coveted scent in perfumes. It is traditionally associated with good fortune and is often favoured by brides on their wedding day. It is the fragrant flower of Citrus sinensis (orange tree) and is one of the most popular flowers in perfume making. It came to India originally through Chinese travellers and traders and later through the Portuguese and Dutch. Today India, Brazil and China are the largest cultivators of the orange tree. Orange blossom essence is an important component in the making of perfume. The fragrant flower is used by many top perfumers and is usually combined with floral bouquets and oriental scents.
• Text : Shri Pallab Bose.

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 1, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of two fragrant Commemorative Postage Stamps each and a Miniature Sheet each on Sandalwood and Jasmine as part of the series on Indian Perfumes.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheets/First Day Cover/Information Brochure : Smt Bharati Mirchandani
Cancellation Cachet : Smt Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 Paise (2) and 2500 Paise (2)

Stamps Printed : 8.0 Lakh each

Miniature Sheets Printed : 2.0 Lakh each

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Indian perfumery dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization running through the Gupta period up to the Mauryan periods. The great poet Kalidas, makes detailed reference to the use of fragrances by the Protagonist of his plays. In 1469, a ruler Ghiyath Shah the Sultan of Malwa, patronised the book The Ni’matnama, or the Book of Delights, which records two of the ancient world’s most sophisticated traditions of perfumery: that emanating from Persia and Arabia, on the one hand and the ancient Indian tradition that goes back to the time of the Vedas on the other. In the heart of the old city of Delhi, in Chandni Chowk, as also in the old cities of Agra, Lucknow and Hyderabad, there still exist perfumers whose family had been engaged in perfumery and who continue the ancient Indian tradition of ittar-making: oil-based scent manufacturing.
• SANDALWOOD is heavy, yellow and fine-grained and unlike many other aromatic woods, it retains its fragrance for decades. Sandalwood oil is extracted from the woods for use. Both the wood and the oil produce a distinctive fragrance that has been highly valued for centuries in India. Warm, woody and comforting, sandalwood has a lingering quality that makes it the perfect sophisticated unisex fragrance. Its warm notes make it the ideal winter scent and, combined with floral accords, it adds a spicy quality to summer perfumes. Smooth, rich and essentially soft, its notes work well with accords of vanilla, amber, patchouli, lavender and cedar wood. Sandalwood oil has a distinctive soft, smooth, creamy and milky precious-wood scent. It imparts a long-lasting, woody base to perfumes. When used in smaller proportions in a perfume, it acts as a fixative, enhancing the longevity of other, more volatile, materials in the composite. Sandalwood is also a key ingredient in the floral fragrance family when combined with white florals such as jasmine, gardenia, plumeria, orange blossom, tuberose, etc. Sandalwood oil is widely used in India in the cosmetic and perfumery industry since ancient times.
• JASMINE is one of the oldest known and most widely-used botanical scents and is a popular household perfume. Jasmine ittar was the favourite perfume of the Nizams of the Hyderabad State. The perfume is derived from the flower of shrubs and vines in the olive family (Oleaceae). Indian Jasmine grows mainly in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Western Ghats and Southern India. It is known as Juhi (Hindi), Jui (Bengali), Usimalligai (Tamil) etc. and holds great significance in Indian culture. Jasmine has a sweet, warm, floral scent that can be both slightly heady and relaxing with fruity undertones. The fragrance of jasmine is synonymous with our culture in the forms of spirituality, tradition and also medicine. Jasminum sambac fragrance has rejuvenating, boosting and energizing properties, which makes it a natural fragrance, while Jasminum grandiflorum is one of the most prominent scents and it has highly unique and incredibly intense aroma. Essential oil in flowers is extracted through enfleurage/solvent methods which is widely used for production of jasmine perfume in India. The perfume is deep brown with a golden tinge with a thick consistency, having a strong aroma and generally blends well with all oils. Jasmine has been concluded as the “King of Oils”. It is also interesting to note that it takes 8,000 carefully hand-picked blossoms to produce 1 gram (about 1 ml.) of Jasmine Absolute.
• Text : Shri Pallab Bose.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jun 7, 2018

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps between India and South Africa to mark “20 years of Strategic Partnership between India and South Africa” featuring images of ‘Deendayal Upadhyaya’ from India and ‘Oliver Reginald Tambo’ from South Africa.

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

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500, 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 5.0 Lakh each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 1.1 Lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Deendayal Upadhyay

Born on 25 Sep, 1916 at Chandrabhan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India

Died on 11 Feb, 1968 at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India

Name : Oliver Reginald Kaizana Tambo

Born on 27 Oct, 1917 at Nkantolo, Bizana, South Africa

Died on 24 Apr, 1993 at Johannesburg, South Africa

About : 

• India’s relations with South Africa date back several centuries. India was the first country to sever trade relations with the apartheid Government in 1946. Diplomatic and consular relations with South Africa were restored in November 1993.
• India–South Africa relations have been growing from strength to strength. 2017 marked 20 years of Strategic Partnership between the two countries (the Red Fort Declaration for Strategic Partnership was signed by the Prime Minister of India Shri Deva Gowda and President of South Africa Nelson Mandela at New Delhi in March, 1997). 2018 marks 25 years of the establishment of relations between India and South Africa and also marks the 125^th year of the Pietermaritzburg railway station ‘incident’ involving Mahatma Gandhi.
• Our bilateral relations have been strengthened and nourished by a regular exchange of visits at the Head of the Government, Head of the State, Ministerial, Parliamentary and official levels. A number of bilateral agreements have been concluded between the two countries since 1993 in areas ranging from economic and commercial cooperation, defence, culture, health, human settlements, public administration, science and technology to education.
• Under the IBSA & BRICS Initiatives, both countries interact regularly at all levels. On the Commercial & Economic front, our bilateral trade was US$ 9379.71 million in 2016-17 and from 01 April, 2017 to 31 January, 2018 it is US$ 8812.22 million. India is the fourth largest trade partner of South Africa. About 150 Indian companies have their presence in South Africa, with an estimated investment of about US$ 10 billion.
• Regular cooperation has been witnessed in the areas of sports. Approximately 1000 South African nationals have been trained under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme since 1993-94. The South African Indian origin community numbers around 1.5 million which constitutes about 3% of South Africa’s total population. South Africans of Indian origin are well-represented in government, business, media, legal and other professions. The year 2010 marked the 150^th anniversary of the first arrival of Indians in South Africa. 2014 marked 100 years of Gandhiji’s final departure to India from South Africa which date is commemorated annually as Pravasi Bhartiya Divas.
• The theme for India–South Africa: Joint Issue is “20 years of Strategic Partnership between India and South Africa” depicting images of “Deendayal Upadhyaya” from India and “Oliver Reginald Tambo” from South Africa on stamps.
• Deendayal Upadhyaya:
  • Deendayal Upadhyaya was born on 25 September, 1916, in the village of Dhankia in Rajasthan. He lost his parents at an early age and was brought up and educated at his maternal grandfather’s place under difficult conditions. Deendayal drew strength from the hardships and sufferings around him and rose above his circumstances through sheer grit and determination. He received primary education at Kota and Rajgarh. He matriculated from Sikar. Deendayal went to Pilani to study for his intermediate. He topped the board examination in 1937 with distinction in all subjects. He graduated with first division from Sanatan Dharma College, Kanpur in 1939 and joined St. John’s College, Agra for pursuing his Master’s Degree in English Literature. He passed the Provincial Services Exam but he did not join as he was not interested in administrative services. His special areas of interest were sociology and philosophy.
  • Deendayal Upadhyaya was an extremely disciplined and devoted person. His devotion to service, humility and modesty earned respect of those around him. While studying for his graduation in Kanpur in 1937, Deendayal came into contact with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and became a life-long pracharak of the Sangh. Subsequently, he became the General Secretary of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh and later its President.
  • Deendayal was a deep and original thinker. In the field of politics and economics, he was pragmatic and down to earth. He visualized for India a decentralized polity and self-reliant economy with the village as its base. He was open to the use of modern technology but wanted it to be adapted to suit Indian requirements. He placed the nation’s interests above everything else. He died on 11 February, 1968.
• Oliver Reginald Tambo:
  • Oliver Reginald Tambo was born on 27 October, 1917 and groomed in a village life with strong morals and values of hard work. An eloquent young man, he was initially a member of the debating society in a different school where love for discussion and debate was kindled. He later enrolled at Holy Cross Mission near Flagstaff where he became one of the star students. He matriculated from St. Peter’s in Johannesburg with top marks and graduated from Fort Hare University with B.Sc. degree in Maths and Science. It was during this time that his talent as a leader came to the fore when he was elected to the Student’s Representative Council of his residence, Beda Hall.
  • He started his career as a teacher in his alma mater St. Peter’s college. While teaching, he became a very active member of the African National Congress (ANC), forming its Youth League (ANCYL) and became its first National Secretary in 1944. He was promoted as president of the Transvaal ANCYL in 1948 and national vice-president in 1949. In 1951, he formed the first black law partnership with Nelson Mandela. In 1953, he became Secretary General of the ANC and in 1958, its Deputy President. In 1960, after the Sharpeville Massacre, the ANC feared increased attacks on their members, Tambo was asked by the ANC to travel abroad and set up the ANC’s international mission. Thereafter, Tambo headed the ANC diplomatic mission to campaign globally and gain support for the anti-Apartheid cause. He also addressed the UN General Assembly of the Special Political Committee, appearing for the freedom of South Africa. In 1963, he gave a passionate plea to the UN for the release of political prisoners in South Africa prisons.
  • In 1967, after the death of ANC President – General Chief Albert Luthuli, Tambo became Acting President until his appointment was approved at the Morogoro conference in 1969. He served as President of the ANC till 1990, when Nelson Mandela was elected President. In 1990, Oliver Tambo and his family returned home after 30 years in exile. He passed the leadership baton to Nelson Mandela. He was elected as a National Chairperson of the ANC. He died on 24 April, 1993 at the age of 75 years.
• Text : Based on the information received from Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

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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 30, 2014

Issued for : Department of Posts is happy to issue a postage stamp on Baba Amte.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamp Printed : 0.6 Million (0.1 Million for proponent)

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Muralidhar Devidas Amte

Born on Dec 26, 1914 at Hinganghat, Wardha, Maharashtra, India

Died on Feb 9, 2008 at Anandwan, Chandrapur, Maharashtra, India

About : 

• Muralidhar Devidas Amte, lovingly referred to as Baba Amte, was born at Hinganghat, Maharashtra on 26^th December. 1914.
  
• After obtaining a degree in Law in 1936, he started practicing as an advocate in Warora. Soon after, deeply moved by the poverty and degradation of the peasantry, he began organizing farmers’ cooperatives. He worked as a volunteer at sites affected by disaster as the Quetta earthquake of 1935 and Bengal famine in early 1940s. Influenced by Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi, he took an active part in the freedom struggle and was sentenced for organizing the lawyers to represent the imprisoned nationalist leaders.
  
• Baba Amte was also influenced by Sane Guruji, a social reformer from Maharashtra. He renounced his property and gave up the legal practice to set up a Shram Ashram (Hermitage of Labour) with the support of his wife, Sadhana. He worked wholeheartedly to improve the abysmal social and economic conditions of the social outcastes. It was the sight of a person in advanced stages of leprosy which proved to be the turning point in his life and influenced him to take the pledge to work for the care and rehabilitation of leprosy patients.
  
• In 1949, he attended a six month course on leprosy at the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine. He started treating leprosy patients in 60 villages around Warora by moving across villages on foot. In 1949, Baba Amte founded the Maharogi Sewa Samiti, a registered charity, which remained a medium for his activities. He set up a commune for leprosy patients, along with his wife, two sons, and six leprosy patients, called the Anandwan or ‘Forest of Joy’.
  
• Anandwan soon became the nerve centre of Baba Amte‘s relentless crusade, helping leprosy patients become self-confident persons capable of cooperative and creative leadership. Its inhabitants cultivated the land to become self sufficient, and the establishment grew to include a clinic with two hospital wards, primary school for visually impaired, school for hearing and speech impaired, a college of agriculture, and an orphanage.
  
• Baba Amte also worked for improving the health of the tribals. With a view to bring about national integration and check communal violence. Baba Amte undertook the Bharat Jodo Yatra in December, 1985 from Kanyakumari to Jammu and covered different states reiterating his plea for checking religious fundamentalism, linguistic and territorial bickering and keeping the country above individuals. He also protested against the displacement of people affected by building of the dam across the river Narmada.
  
• Baba Amte was conferred the Padma Shree in 1971, Padma Vibhushan, and the Welfare of the Disabled award in 1986, and Gandhi Peace Prize in 1999. Baba Amte also received the Damien-Dutton Award in 1983 and the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1985.
  
• Baba Amte worked incessantly for welfare of the society till his death on 9^th February, 2008.
  
• Text : Based on the information furnished by the proponent.
  

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Issued by India

Issued on Sep 3, 2013

Issued for : Department of Posts pledges its support to the cause of conserving India’s rich biodiversity by issuing these Commemorative Postage Stamps on Wild Flowers of India.

Credits :
Photographs and Text : Prakash Dubey(Padma Shri)
Miniature Sheet / Sheetlet / FDC & Cancellation : Alka Sharma
Technical Inputs : Director, CSIR–NBRI, Lucknow

Type : Miniature Sheets, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise each (12 stamps)

Sheetlet : 0.81 Million

No. of Miniature Sheet : 3

Miniature Sheet Printed : 0.81 Million each

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

About : 

• India has a rich and varied heritage of plant diversity exhibiting a wide spectrum from tropical rain-forests to alpine vegetation and from temperate forests to the coastal wetlands. The Flora of India is one of the richest in the world due to its diverse climatic regimes and topology. There is virtually no area in India without a particular treasure or species of special beauty or interest.
• India Post is paying a tribute to the pristine beauty of twelve of its rare and beautiful wild flowers by issuing a sheetlet of stamps and three miniature sheets.
• Dibang Chirita :
  • Botanical name : Chirita dibangensis
  • Family : Gesneriaceae (Gloxinte family)
  • Dibang Chirita is a species named after Dibang valley in Arunachal Pradesh, where it is found. It is an erect herb. Flowers arise singly in leaf axis. They are bluish white outside with two yellow lines on the lower parts of the palate and in throat.
• Kashmir Mallow :
  • Botanical name : Lavatera cachemiriana
  • Family : Malvaceae (Mallow family)
  • Kashmir Mallow is a beautiful plant species, endemic to Kashmir in Western Himalayas. It is a bush of ivy shaped leaves. A single funnel shaped flower blooms from midsummer through fall in a clear pink shade. Flowers are borne singly. They are 4-8 cms across, obovate or oblong-obovate.
• Himalayan Mini Sunflower :
  • Botanical name : Cremanthodium ellisii
  • Family : Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
  • Himalayan Mini Sunflower is a perennial herb growing 25-35 cms tall with yellow, sunflower like flowers, 4-7 cms long having dark centres. Flowers are solitary, looking down, with dark disk florets and narrow elliptic yellow coloured ray florets approximately 2.5 cms long. It is found at an altitude of 3,500 – 4,800 metres, from Kashmir to South-East Tibet. Flowering season is from July to September.
• Himalayan Lantern :
  • Botanical name : Agapetes serpens
  • Family : Ericaceae (Rhododendron family)
  • Himalayan Lantern is a beautiful shrub, 40-60 cms tall with arching stems and tiny hanging lantern like flowers. The flowers are bright red, orange or pinkish white, with dark red zig zag bands. Himalayan Lantern is found at an altitude of 1,200 – 3000 metres in North-Eastern Himalayas, particularly in Darjeeling and Sikkim. Flowering season is from May to June.
• Roundleaf Asiabell :
  • Botanical name : Codonopsis rotundifolia
  • Family : Campanulaceae (Bellflower family)
  • Roundleaf Asiabell is a perennial vine, flowers are bell shaped, greenish white veined with purple short lobes, 2-3 x 1.5-2 cms in size. Sepals are elliptic to lanceolate, leaf like, hairy about 2 cms long, pointed to blunt. It is found at an altitude of 1800 – 3600 metres. Flowering season is from July to August.
• Blue Poppy :
  • Botanical name : Meconopsis aculeata
  • Family : Papaveraceae
  • Blue Himalayan Poppy is a rare beautiful herb. Flowers are usually 4-5 petalled measuring 5-11 cms across. The golden yellow stamens contrast well with the deep blue petals. It is found from Uttarakhand to Kashmir at an altitude of 3,000 – 4,500 metres.
• Globe Thistle :
  • Botanical name : Echinops niveus
  • Family : Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
  • Globe Thistle is a sharp spiny herb with a simple stem and dense head flower which is spherical, 6-8 cms across. It is found from Kashmir to Nepal at an altitude of 1,400-1,700 metres.
• Himalayan Iris :
  • Botanical name : Iris kemaonensis
  • Family : Iridaceae
  • Himalayan Iris is found in alpine pastures at elevations of 3000-4000 metres. It is a stunningly beautiful perennial rhizomatous herb with deep lilac to purple flowers, growing 45-50 cms tall. Flowering season is from April to June.
• Himalayan Bellflower :
  • Botanical name : Campanula latifolia L.
  • Family : Campanulaceae (Bellflower family)
  • Himalayan Bellflower is a beautiful perennial herb. It is found in the wild from Kashmir to Nepal. It is a plant having spikes of large, nodding, dark blue – purple, bell shaped flowers. Flowers are 4-5 cms long, borne in a spike at the top of stems. They are found at an altitude of 2,000-3,500 metres.
• Cobra Lily :
  • Botanical name : Arisaema wallachianum
  • Family : Araceae
  • The Cobra Lily derives its name from its hood-like incurved spathe, 7-21 cms long, longitudinally striped in purple or bronze colour. The plant is distributed from Himachal Pradesh to Sikkim at an altitude of 1800 to 4300 metres. Flowering season is from July to September.
• Bladder Campion :
  • Botanical name : Silene vulgaris
  • Family : Caryophyllaceae (Carnation family)
  • Bladder Campion is a perennial herb, with branched stems 30-100 cms tall. It is easily recognized by its few large drooping white to greenish flowers, with deeply lobed petals and its bladder like greenish sepal tube with a network of darker veins. Flowers are 1.5 – 2.5 cms across, usually in lax branched clusters. The sepal is 1.5 cms long, enlarging to 2 cms in fruit, with triangular lobes. Flowering season is from June to August.
• Rhododendron : 
  • Botanical name : Rhododendron arboreum
  • Family : Ericaceae
  • Rhododendron, pink coloured with a bellflower shape, is a native to the Himalayas from Eastern Nepal to Arunachal Pradesh in forests and on rocky hillsides. It grows at an altitude of 2700 – 3700 metres. This evergreen shrub has leaves upto 11 cms long which are white or fawn beneath. Flowering season is from March to June.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 3, 2013

Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to release a Postage Stamp to commemorate the 100 years of Indian Science Congress.

Design : The design of the Commemorative Postage Stamp being released to mark this milestone depicts the spirit of the Centenary Session of the Indian Science Congress. A child, tender, mouldable & future of India, is observing a flower through a Magnifying Glass and DNA Structure in the background

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Information Brochure : Dr. Tridha Gajjar of National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.41 Million (0.1 Million for Proponent)

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) owes its origin to the foresight and initiative of two British Chemists, namely, Professor J.L. Simonsen and Professor P.S. MacMohan. The Association was formed with the objective to advance and promote the cause of science in India, to hold an annual congress at a suitable place in India, to publish such proceedings, journals, transactions and other publications as may be considered desirable.
• The first meeting of the Congress was held from 15-17 January, 1914 at the premises of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta, with Justice Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, the then Vice-Chancellor of the Calcutta University, as President. 105 scientists from different parts of India and abroad attended the Congress. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India attended the 34^th Annual Session of the of the Indian Science Congress and the first session after Independence, held at Delhi from 3-8 January, 1947, as a General President. His personal interest in the Science Congress immensely enriched the activities of the Congress by development of a scientific atmosphere in the country, particularly among young generation. In fact from 1947 itself, a programme for inviting representatives from foreign societies and academics was included in the Science Congress.
• From a modest beginning with 105 members and 35 papers communicated for reading at the first session, ISCA has grown into more than ten thousand member strong fraternity and number of papers has risen to nearly one thousand. ISCA has been actively represented in various foreign scientific academies/associations, namely British Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science, French Academy of Sciences, Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, etc. with a view to have a first hand knowledge on topics of mutual interest.
• With the passing years changes have been introduced in the Science Congress. In 1976, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, the then General President of ISCA, introduced the Focal Theme of national relevance which is now discussed in every section, committee and forum during the annual session and several plenary sessions are organised around various facets of the Focal Theme in which scientists and technologists as well as policy makers and administrators interact with one another.
• The centenary session of the Indian Science Congress is scheduled to be held from 3-7 January, 2013 at Kolkata. The theme for the session was “Science for shaping the future of India“.
• Text : Based on the material received from the proponent.

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