Issued by India

Issued on Oct 27, 2023

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue Commemorative Postage Stamp on 100^th Birth Anniversary of Arvind N. Mafatlal and salutes his zeal for entrepreneurship, industrial development and social welfare.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 301600

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Arvind Navinchandra Mafatlal

Born on 27 Oct, 1923 at Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Died on 30 Oct, 2011 at Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, India

About : 

• Shri Arvind N. Mafatlal was born on October 27, 1923, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Educated at St. Xavier’s High School and Sydenham College, Mumbai, he was the proud heir to a great business legacy, founded in 1905 by his entrepreneur grandfather Shri Mafatlal Gagalbhai.
• Shri Arvind Mafatlal took over the reins of the Mafatlal Group of Companies in 1955, and spearheaded its progress with bold and innovative ideas, perseverance and brilliant strategy.
• Between 1963 and 1968, he set up India’s first integrated petrochemical complex through two pioneering joint venture companies – NOCIL, in partnership with Royal Dutch Shell Co. of Netherlands/UK and Polyolefins Industries Ltd (PIL) in partnership with Hoechst AG of Germany, a world leader in chemicals.
• In the same period, two additional pioneering chemical ventures, Standard Alkalies Ltd and Navin Fluorine Industries were also set up. In the years to come, he raised the textile business of the Group to new heights of glory, and was hailed as a leader and trendsetter in the industry.
• As the Chairman of Shri Sadguru Seva Sangh Trust set up by his Gurudev in 1968, Shri Arvind Mafatlal focused on providing vital health services in tribal and rural areas, and contributed tirelessly to relief and rehabilitation work during natural calamities. His ‘Sukhadi Programme’ which aimed to assuage the hunger of those stricken by debilitating droughts and famines, saved the lives of millions in the remote corners of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Sadguru Trust also established a number of eye care hospitals and schools in the interiors of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and has carried out more than 1.1 million eye surgeries and post-operative care.
• From the late sixties onwards, he brought his dynamism and farsightedness to bear on the activities of BAIF (Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation). In 1977, he was nominated as Chairman, BAIF. He served in this position until his demise. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s vision for gram-rajya in an independent India, he, along with Manibhai, helped BAIF execute exemplary projects in community development and relief, sustainable rural development and food security.
• Shri Arvind Mafatlal held various important positions in prestigious financial institutions, such as Director in State Bank of India and Director in Industrial Development Bank of India. He was the recipient of prestigious accolades like the Durga Prasad Khaitan Memorial Gold Medal (1966), the Business Leadership Award of Madras Management Association (1971), the Indian Merchants’ Chamber Award (1975), the Sir Jehangir Ghandy Gold Medal for Industrial Peace of XLRI, Jamshedpur (1978), the Honour of Maharashtra Economic Development Council (1985), the Lions’ Humanitarian Award by the International Association of Lions Clubs (USA) for sight-related activities (1993), and the Rotary Club of Bombay’s ‘Citizen of Bombay’ Award for the year 1995.
• On October 30^th, 2011, at Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh, Shri Arvind N. Mafatlal left his body. He played an important role in the post independence growth of the country. Through his foresight, brilliant strategy and vision he not only spearheaded the Mafatlal group but also inspired countless young minds. He was also an ardent social reformer. To achieve his social vision of improved quality of life for the underprivileged he founded BAIF, which used modern technology and focussed research and development to improve the livelihood of tribals and landless. He was also a great proponent of women empowerment.
• Text : Referenced from content provided by Proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 1, 2021

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on 75 Years of Mahindra Group.

Credits :
Stamps/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Ms. Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1200 Paise

Stamps Printed : 302600

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• From its modest beginnings in 1945 as a steel trading firm, the Mahindra Group today is one of the largest and most admired multinational federation of companies with 260,000 employees in over 100 countries. It enjoys a leadership position in farm equipment, utility vehicles, information technology and financial services in India and is the world’s largest tractor company by volume. It has a strong presence in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality and real estate. The Mahindra Group has a clear focus on leading ESG globally, enabling rural prosperity and enhancing urban living, with a goal to drive positive change in the lives of communities and stakeholders to enable them to Rise.
• In 1945, when its founders placed a newspaper advertisement, they spoke about the principles under which the company was set up. The advertisement did not talk about setting up a business only for profits but that it was there to do good for the community, to create an environment where diversity was valued, it spoke about a work environment that people would enjoy and ultimately contribute towards helping others. That has been in the group’s DNA since then.
• ESG is a key ally and enabler in helping the group measure, manage, accelerate, and amplify the outcomes of living its purpose. Social business is not just about giving back to the community, but it is doing so while growing and creating value. The group believes that the more economic value they create, the more social value it can create.
• From manufacturing the iconic Willys Jeeps that were ideal for navigating India’s rural terrain and its unpaved rural roads way back in the 1940s or the foresight to set up a tractor division to align with India’s growing agrarian needs, or for that matter its foray into the IT to become one of the key torch bearers in the sector, the Mahindra Group has steadily grown to become one of India’s largest business houses with an unwavering focus on nation building.
• The Group today comprises of companies that enables people to rise through innovative mobility solutions, driving rural prosperity, enhancing urban living, nurturing new businesses and fostering communities. It enjoys a leadership position in utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership in India and is the world’s largest tractor company by volume. It also enjoys a strong presence in defense, renewable energy, agribusiness, logistics and real estate development. In 2020, Mahindra & Mahindra was ranked 17^th among the 100 Most Sustainably Managed Companies in the world according to a ranking by The Wall Street Journal.
• The Mahindra Group is driven by its purpose – Rise – that believes in challenging conventional thinking and innovatively using resources to drive positive change in the lives of stakeholders and communities across the world. Whether it is serving the needs of customers or helping to build the communities that it is a part of or nurturing the planet. The Group is firm believer in the tenet that ‘doing good makes good business sense’ and this is evident across businesses.
• From the Farm Equipment sector’s mission of driving rural prosperity to the Financial Services sector’s mission that strives for greater financial inclusivity – the Mahindra Group sees doing business and doing good as two sides of the same coin. To this end, the Group has also considerably embraced and committed to CSR initiatives that positively impacts communities and lives including girl child education, skill development, sustainability and healthcare.
• The group’s flagship program Nanhi Kali – focussed on educating the girl child – has impacted the lives of over 470,000 girls by providing access to adaptive learning software, school supplies, feminine hygiene materials and creating community sensitization on importance of girl-child education. They run 6,000+ after-school academic support centers in 9 states. The group aspires to increase its impact through the program to 100,000 ‘Nanhi Kalis’ annually.
• Another of the group’s CSR programs is on Skill development & Livelihood generation – Mahindra Pride School (MPS). The program focusses on skilling women & men through Mahindra Pride School and empowering women farmers through Project Prerna. The program has enabled 500,000+ youth’s livelihoods through the 9 MPS schools set up across India.
• Mahindra Hariyali is the Group’s tree plantation program through which the Group has planted 19 million trees, of which over 12 million trees have been planted in Andhra Pradesh’s Araku valley. By strategically planting 19 varieties of trees, the Mahindra Project Hariyali has been able to impact livelihoods of more than 25000 tribal marginalized farmer families in Araku and provide them with nutritional & economic security. It has also brought benefits of biodiversity to the degraded land. The project is designed for the trees to be owned and nurtured by the tribal farmers, which has resulted in an impressive survival rate of over 93%. While the group has been planting 1 million trees every year for the past 14 years, they are now gearing ourselves to plant 5 million trees every year by 2026.
• During the pandemic the Group took a series of steps to support communities. These included using engineering capabilities to manufacture PPE kits, aerosol boxes, face masks, shields, and sanitizers – all needed to help local officials and health care workers to combat the pandemic. Recognizing that there is a huge segment of the most vulnerable within our ecosystem, they set up a Covid-19 Relief Fund. They included providing meals, transport, food packets, rations and even tractors for harvesting. The Group worked closely with governments and local authorities to provide oxygen concentrators, set up oxygen plants, enable last mile delivery of oxygen and build isolation centers.
• Mahindra now reaches a momentous milestone of 75 years in its glorious journey of contributing to the nation’s progress and growth with a clear focus on ESG. To celebrate this significant landmark, a commemorative stamp has been conceived – with a design that attempts to capture the scale and diversity of the Group, its journey, and the myriad ways in which it has touched the lives of people and helping them Rise. The design is inspired by miniature paintings and art and uses a modern graphical style to illustrate the various facets of the Group. A closer look at the stamp reveals the various business and life centric activities of the Group. And while the stamp is a celebration of this defining moment in Mahindra’s history, to us it is a reminder of the core values that the Group stands for and that we will continue to build the future upon.
• Text : Based on information received from the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Feb 17, 2020

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamps on the Industrial City : Jamshedpur to mark its centenary.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 644000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• When Lord Chelmsford renamed the small village called Sakchi in 1919, little did he realise that he was creating an exemplary world-class city that even today sets the pace for sustainable urban development. Jamshedpur completes 100 years since its renaming and it continues to be recognised as the place where India’s first steel plant was set up. The founder, Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, dreamt of an industrialised and prosperous India. Five years before the site of the steel plant was finally located, he wrote to his son Dorab of what his dream city should look like. This is what he envisioned:
  • Be sure to lay wide streets planted with shady trees, every other of a quick-growing variety. Be sure that there is plenty of space for lawns and gardens. Reserve large areas for football, hockey and parks. Earmark areas for Hindu temples, Mohammedan mosques and Christian churches. – Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata.
• Spread over 64 sq km, the city lies on the southern edge of Jharkhand in the Chhota Nagpur plateau region, bordered by Odisha and West Bengal. It is surrounded by abundant green forests of the Dalma Hills. Sparkling with diversity, the city is home to festivals and landmarks of many faiths that coexist.
• Today, Jamshedpur is considered a modern and futuristic city with a high quality of life. This finds resonance in the voices of its citizens according to a survey by AC Nielsen. The survey claimed that the overall satisfaction score among the citizens of Jamshedpur is higher than the global norm and the norm for the Utility Sector in the Asia Pacific region. Its state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure enhancing communication and connectivity is an aid to constantly bettering the quality of life of its citizens.
• The plant has expanded its product range and improved quality to reach a production capacity of 10 million tonnes today. The growth of the steel plant has spurred the growth of ancillary and service industries, transportation and logistics. While the steel plant still dominates the city’s skyline, several transnational corporations have offices and manufacturing units in Jamshedpur.
• From the time of driving in the first stake, the Iron and Steel company assumed the functions of a city administrator. Sir Dorabji Tata (chairman in 1904-1932) and the directors collaborated to execute their envisioned blueprint. Within 10 years they had spent nearly 25 lakh rupees, the absence of a mayor or a corporation notwithstanding.
• The steady growth of industries and the city brought prosperity and development but sustainability was at the heart of all value creation. The greening of Jamshedpur is intrinsic to its planning, to preserve the environment, maintain ecological balance and reduce the carbon footprint. Among its many achievements is being among the forerunners in the country to lay plastic roads with recycled waste, implement waste segregation and to achieve zero effluence discharge.
• With an estimated one-third of the city area under green cover, Jamshedpur is a truly Green City, ringed by lush vegetation. The city has a variety of trees that line the roads, numerous parks, playgrounds and gardens. Jubilee Park in the centre of the city was inaugurated and dedicated to the people of the city by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Tata Steel. Sir Dorabji Tata Park is another landmark with its beautiful landscaping, exotic flowers and tastefully-lit fountains. The Zoological Park, housing lions of African origin – the first Indian zoo to do so – adds to the green cover and biological diversity. There are several water bodies in and around the city, including the ones at Beldih Triangle, Jubilee Park and the man-made lake at Dimna. It was felt in the late 1930s that scarcity of water was a probability and that is why the “Dimna Nala Water Supply Scheme” was initiated to set up the lake. The construction began in February, 1940 and water supply started in four years.
• Jamshedpur has the distinction of a high literacy rate of 85.4 percent and is home to around 200 schools, colleges, professional and technical institutions and institutes of excellence, fostering learning from an early age. The city offers its young the best infrastructure and world-class training centres in many fields of sports that nurtures talent, often from the grassroots, many of whom have earned laurels at the national and international levels. Academics offer training in athletics, football, hockey and archery while adventure sports find a special place at the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation started by the first Indian woman Everester, Ms Bachendri Pal.
• Text : Based on information received from the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on May 15, 2018

Issued for : The Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on M.V. Arunachalam.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 605200

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Thiru M. V. Arunachalam

Born on 19 Jul, 1929 at Pallathur, Sivagangai district, Tamil Nadu, India

Died on 4 Sep, 1996

About : 

• (Late) Shri M.V. Arunachalam was one of the leading personalities of India, who made his mark in the fields of business and community service, leaving a lasting impression for others to benefit from and to look up to.
• M.V. Arunachalam was born on 19 July 1929 in Pallathur village of Tamil Nadu in a family of Nattukottai Chettiars. His great-grandfather Dewan Bahadur AM Murugappa Chettiar, father Shri AMM Vellayan Chettiar, uncles AMM Murugappa Chettiar and AMM Arunachalam Chettiar inspired young M. V. Arunachalam to follow them into the twin streams of business and community service. He completed his formal education in Madras (later renamed as Chennai), and obtained a B.Sc. (Geology) degree from the Presidency College in 1948.
• M.V. Arunachalam was inducted into the industrial activity of the family, initially into the exports business of which iron ore was a major portion. Gradually he went on to take up additional roles and responsibilities in the Group, guiding each business to make significant contributions to the Indian middle-class and the Indian Economy that was emerging and finding its own shape. Under his stewardship as the Chief Executive Officer, the Murugappa Group grew in size and stature, reaching a turnover of Rs 1800 crores in April 1995. Thanks to his guidance and nurturing of leadership, the Murugappa Group is now one of the largest conglomerates in India, spread over 6 continents and with a turnover of INR 24300 Crores. He also made his mark in a wide variety of institutions, industry bodies and regulatory authorities, leaving a lasting impression on each one of them.
• At different times in his long and distinguished career, M.V. Arunachalam grew the dimensions of the industrial activity of Murugappa Group, and hence its contribution to Indian Economy. He also took up important business positions of Director Carborundum Universal, Chairman TI Diamond Chains Ltd, MD TTI – later CMD, Chairman EID Parry India Ltd, Director Coromandel Fertilisers Ltd and CEO Murugappa Group of Companies.
• His specific contribution to the recovery and successful turnaround of India’s second-oldest company EID Parry (India) Ltd is legendary. The Murugappa Group took over the company in 1981 with Shri M.V. Arunachalam as the Chairman, and within a brief period of three years brought it back not only to the levels of business stability, but also generating dividends. The company recently celebrated its 225^th year of being one of the most significant contributors to India’s sugar industry.
• M.V. Arunachalam served on the Boards of various companies across industry sectors, leaving his indelible mark over their future growth paths. An active player in the proceedings of industry forums and community forums, he rose to be the Head of South India Chamber of Commerce in the year 1964-65. He also headed Madras Management Association in the same year, and served as the Head of Madras Productivity Council. He became the Governor of Rotary Club covering Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Sri Lanka, even before he was 40 years of age.
• As a natural progression, his contributions moved on to the national arena. He was the President of Indian National Committee of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in the early 1970s. He also served as Vice Chairman of Commission on International Trade and Investment Policy, one of the flagship commissions of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce. M.V. Arunachalam joined the committee of Federation of India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in 1965, and chaired the Golden Jubilee Session in 1976-77.
• He served as the Chairman of Neyveli Lignite Corporation for the period 1969-70, as a Trustee of Unit Trust of India from 1971 to 1976, as Chairman of Madras Fertilizers Limited (1977-78) and Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation (1981-86). He was also a Member of the Board of Reserve Bank of India from 1977 to 1994, possibly a record tenure of 17 years. He also served on the Board of Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) for a dozen years.
• M.V. Arunachalam was active in the Joint Business Councils (JBCs) which was started in 1966 with the formation of the first India–Japan and Japan–India Business Corporation Committee with FICCI and the Japan Chambers of Commerce and Industry being the respective partners. For his contributions to the development of industrial activity, he was awarded The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Star by the Emperor of Japan in 1996.
• His contributions to the field of education came across in his responsibilities as Chairman of Governing Council of Central Electro-Chemical Research Institute, Karaikudi (1970-72), Member of Governing Body of Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) and Anna University Syndicate at Madras. He has been a member of Executive Committee of Kalakshetra, a leading organization in preservation and promotion of Fine Arts. He also served as Chairman of Madras Kendra of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan.
• The bright light that was the constant source of energy to industry, community and society at large, went off into the horizon on 04 September 1996. The rich tributes paid by his contemporaries, from across Industry, Government and society at large, bear testimony to the great impact created by him on all.
• Text : Based on the information received from proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Feb 23, 2018

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on B. Nagi Reddi.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 6.61 lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Bommireddy Nagi Reddy

Born on 1 Dec, 1912 at Pottipadu village, Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India

Died on 25 Feb, 2004 at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

About : 

• Shri Bomi Reddi Nagi Reddi, an eminent publisher, successful film producer, philanthropist and a great lover of humanity, was born on 1^st December, 1912 as the second child of Bommi Reddy Narasimha Reddy and Erukulamma, in the village Pottipadu, in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. Till the age of 12 his schooling was done at Kothapalli village. Later he studied at Muthiaplpet Higher Secondary School, Chennai. He was married to Seshamma on 4^th December, 1933.
• Initially, he took care of his father’s onion export business, but his elder brother B. N. Reddy was instrumental in getting him involved in the film industry. Taking over from him the management of Vauhini Studios in 1948, he developed it as the largest studio in South East Asia, in less than 10 years. The Telugu film ‘Shavukaru’ was the first film produced by him under the banner of Vijaya Productions. The story for this first film of his was provided by Shri Chakrapani, who became his friend philosopher and guide in later years. This exemplary collaboration heralded the golden era in the world of Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi cinema.
• Starting his career as a letter press printer in 1944, he chose to join hands with Shri Chakrapani and extended his activity into publishing a socio-political monthly, ‘Andhra Jyothi’ in Telugu in 1945. He later established one of India’s largest offset printing presses, Prasad Process, which was then the only plant in India specialising in printing large size 24 sheet integrated hoarding posters. No wonder that Prasad Process was classified as an ‘A’ class printer in South India, winning the maximum number of awards from the Government of India for excellence in printing.
• Conceptualised by B. Nagi Reddi and his friend Chakrapani, the monthly children’s magazine ‘Chandamama’ was launched in the year 1947, the year our nation won independence, with the idea of making the children of India learn, think and dream together, despite their different mother tongues. Soon it became a household name. Besides English and Sinhalese, Chandamama was published in 14 Indian languages – Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Odia, Assamese, Gujarati, Gurumukhi (Punjabi), Sindhi and Santhali (a tribal language). Chandamama also had a Braille edition in four languages for the visually impaired, distributed free.
• As an emerging entrepreneur he held several high positions viz. President, All India Master Printers’ Federation for three terms, President of South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce for three terms, President of Film Federation of India for two terms, Chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board etc.
• B. Nagi Reddi’s dynamism could not be contained in all these achievements and the numerous accolades he received. His great aspiration was to provide quality medical service at affordable cost to the society. His vision led to the establishment of Vijaya Hospital in 1972 which was one of the first multispecialty hospitals in Chennai. With initial bed strength of 46, the hospitals have now grown to provide 700 beds under the banner of Vijaya Medical and Educational Trust. Vijaya Group of Hospitals is now one of the largest healthcare providers in South India and one of the most trusted Medical institutions.
• Shri B. Nagi Reddi has won a number of awards including the most prestigious one, the Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1986. He was also given Raghupathi Venkiah Award by the A.P. Government in the year 1987. He received the ‘Kalaimamani’ award by the Government of Tamilnadu in 1973, ‘Johannes Gutenberg Fellow’ from All India Master Printer’ Federation in 1978 ‘TMA Pai Award’ by Academy of General Education of Manipal. Besides, he received D.Lit (Honoris Causa) from Sri Venkateswara University in 1982 and Sri Krishnadevaraya University, in 1990. On 25^th February, 2004 he left his mortal abode.
• Text : Based on the material received from proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 29, 2017

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Dadabhai Naoroji. The stamp also depicts Udvada Atash Behram Fire Temple and Elphinstone College. The Fire temple in Udvada is one of the eight fire temples (holy place of worship) of the Zoroastrian religion in the country and the oldest fire temples in India, dating back to the 8^th century, and represents the historical cultural and religious links with ancient Persia. This temple also symbolizes the contribution of Dadabhai Naoroji in spreading the message of Zoroastrian concepts and promoting social reforms in the Parsi Community. The temple attracts Zoroastrian pilgrims from all parts of India and from around the world.

Credits :
Stamp/First Day Cover/Brochure : Sh. Sankha Samanta
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.5 million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Dadabhai Naoroji

Born on 4 Sep, 1825 at Bombay, British India [now Mumbai, Maharashtra, India]

Died on 30 Jun, 1917 at Bombay, British India

About : 

• Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the Grand Old Man of India was one of the guiding lights in the late nineteenth century who played a cardinal role in shaping India’s destiny. He had the distinction of becoming a Liberal Party Member of Parliament (MP) in the United Kingdom House of Commons between 1892 and 1895, the first Asian to be a British MP. Naoroji is also credited with the founding of the Indian National Congress, along with A. O. Hume and Dinshaw Edulji Wacha. His book “Poverty and Un–British Rule in India” gave a brilliant account of India’s economic exploitation under the colonial rule.
• Dadabhai Naoroji was born on September 4, 1825 in Mumbai in a Parsi family, and was educated at the Elphinstone Institute School. He was patronised by the Maharaja of Baroda, Sayajirao Gaekwad III, and started his public life as the Dewan (Minister) to the Maharaja in 1874. As an Athornan (ordained priest), Naoroji founded the Rahnumae Mazdayasne Sabha (Guides on the Mazdayasne Path) on August 01, 1851 to restore the Zoroastrian religion to its original purity and simplicity. In 1854, he also founded a Gujarati fortnightly publication, the Rast Goftar (or The Truth Teller), to clarify Zoroastrian concepts and promote Parsi social reforms. In 1855, he was appointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at the Elphinstone College in Bombay becoming the first Indian to hold such an academic position. He travelled to London in 1855 to become a partner in Cama & Co, opening a Liverpool location for the first Indian company to be established in Britain, but within three years, he resigned on ethical grounds. In 1859, he established his own cotton trading company, Dadabhai Naoroji & Co. Later, he became professor of Gujarati at University College London.
• In 1865, Dadabhai Naoroji directed the launch of London Indian Society, the purpose of which was to discuss Indian political, social and literary subjects. In 1861, Naoroji, alongwith Muncherjee Hormusji Cama, founded the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe. In 1867 Naoroji also helped establish the East India Association, one of the predecessor organisations of the Indian National Congress with the aim of putting across the Indian point of view before the British public. The Association was instrumental in countering the divisive propaganda by some opinionated groups. This Association soon won the support of eminent Englishmen and was able to exercise considerable influence in the British Parliament. In 1874, he became Prime Minister of Baroda and was a member of the Legislative Council of Mumbai (1885-88). He was also a member of the Indian National Association founded by Sir Surendranath Banerjee from Calcutta a few years before the founding of the Indian National Congress in Bombay. The two groups later merged into the Indian National Congress, and Naoroji was elected President of the Congress in 1886.
• Naoroji moved to Britain once again and continued his political involvement. Elected for the Liberal Party in Finsbury Central at the 1892 general election, he was the first British Indian MP. In 1901, he published his book, “Poverty and un-British Rule in India”. In 1906, Naoroji was again elected president of the Indian National Congress, during the phase when opinion in the party was split between the moderates and extremists. Naoroji was a mentor to Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He was married to Gulbai at the age of eleven. He died in Bombay on 30 June 1917, at the age of 91. In 2014, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg inaugurated the Dadabhai Naoroji Awards for services to UK-India relations.
• Dadabhai Naoroji’s work focused on highlighting the drain of wealth from India to England during colonial rule. One of the reasons that the Drain theory is attributed to Naoroji is his decision to estimate the net national profit of India, and by extension, the effect that colonisation has on the country. In Naoroji’s book he estimated a 200-300 million pounds loss of India’s revenue to Britain that is not returned.
• He was regarded as one of the most important Indians during the independence movement. Mahatma Gandhi wrote to Naoroji in a letter of 1894 that “The Indians look up to you as children to the father. Such is really the feeling here.”
• Text : Based on the material available on internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Mar 4, 2016

Issued for : The Department of Posts is pleased to release a commemorative postage stamp on Shri Vasantrao Srinivassa Sinai Dempo.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.4012 million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Vasantrao Shrinivas Dempo

Born on Feb 4, 1916 at Santa Cruz, Goa, India

Died on Nov 9, 2000

About : 

• Mr. Vencatexa Sinai Dempo, also known as Vasantrao, was born to Mrs. Satyabhama and Mr. Srinivassa Sinai Dempo on 4^th March, 1916. The family home at Calapur (Santa Cruz) in which the young Vasantrao grew up was steeped in religiosity and orthodox ritual, from which came his staunch piety towards his family deities and reverence for the Pontiff of the Monastic School to whose sect he belonged. Having studied Marathi, Portuguese and English, he grew aware of the great world of business that lay beyond Goa. Generations of land-owning, shipping, trading in agricultural produce and underwriting had led to the Dempos being esteemed highly, for their integrity as much as for their social responsibility. It was Vasantrao‘s genius that he kept alive and strengthened this glorious tradition, while pioneering new lines and new practices of business.
• Commencing the trading in commodities sourced overseas, Vasantrao made available a wealth of choice to the Goan consumer. Casting about for business opportunity, he showed great foresight in recognizing the potential for iron ore mining in Goa. Acquiring mining concessions in the late 1930s and early 1940s, he formed V. S. Dempo & Co. Pvt. Ltd., the Group flagship in 1941, assisted by his brother, Mr. Vaikunthrao S. Dempo. The Company would go on to become a much-lauded export house in addition to the region’s premier mining and processing concern. Acquiring the ore-rich mine at Bicholim, till today Goa‘s largest, he set up Dempo Mining Corporation Pvt. Ltd., the flagship’s subsidiary, a few years later. Recognizing the vulnerability of Europe-oriented exports to the Suez Canal, Vasantrao looked far Eastwards instead, commencing exports to Japan, in particular to Nippon Steel, starting a long business relationship that abides to this day; over half a century later. Vasantrao invested in transhipper vessels on contracts with international corporate giants such as Krupp. He did so, correctly foreseeing the logistical scale of operations involved in the undertaking. Vasantrao‘s iron resolve rode the Company out of the pre-Liberation naval blockade of Goa.
• The years following Goa’s Liberation were those of consolidation and expansion, when his son and eventual successor, Vasudeva V. Dempo, joined in assisting him in a long, devoted and fruitful apprenticeship that saw newer lines of activity at the House of Dempo. Manufacture of calcined petroleum coke, marine paints and baby foods, newspaper publishing, shipping, ship building, civil contracting, real estate development, travel services, automobile dealerships, and stevedoring, followed.
• Vasantrao Dempo set the foundations for higher education in newly-liberated Goa. He patronized Goa‘s most consistently excelling soccer club and supported charitable causes and exerted his influence in promoting Goan industry. Honoring him for his efforts in nation-building, the Government of India conferred upon him the civilian award, “Padmashri”. Some of the awards that deserve special mention are the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for Excellence for 1990 for enhancing India‘s prestige and contributing towards national development, given by the London-based Non Resident Indians’ Institute, the Rotary Club of Panjim‘s “Ambassador of Goodwill” honour, and the Shiromani Institute’s award for national integration.
• Vasantrao was highly sought after as advisor by a number of institutions of worth. He sat on several highly regarded Committees and bodies. Chairman of the Indo-Portuguese Trade Council, he was also a member of the Lloyd‘s Register of Shipping for India, the American Bureau of Shipping’s Technical Committee and the Indo-Japan Business Corporation Committee. He also served as the President of the Goan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Vasantrao was a man of great charm and enormous dignity. He radiated authority and exuded an unmistakable aura of power. When the end came on 9^th November, 2000 Vasantrao had ensured not only a place for himself in India‘s industrial history, but also in the hearts and minds of Goans.
• Text : Based on the material received from proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 14, 2013

Issued for : Department of Posts is happy to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp in honour of Aditya Vikram Birla.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC : Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation : Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.31 Million

Sheetlet : 0.1 Million (0.06 million for the proponent)

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Aditya Vikram Birla

Born on Nov 14, 1943 at Kolkata, India

Died on Oct 1, 1995 at Baltimore, Maryland, United States

About : 

• Aditya Vikram Birla (1943-1995) was born on 14^th November, 1943 at New Delhi. An industrialist of extraordinary vision who made a pioneering contribution to the expansion of Indian economic activity beyond the country’s borders.
• Aditya was born into a family known for entrepreneurial brilliance, his father Basant Kumar Birla and grandfather Ghanshyam Das Birla both having been among the prominent industrialists of their respective generation. They were also closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi and played an active role in the Indian freedom struggle.
• Aditya, after completing his schooling and graduation in his hometown of Calcutta, earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. He was married to Rajashree.
• The death of his grandfather in 1983 saw a relatively young Aditya Birla being catapulted onto the centre-stage of Indian corporate sector. He was called upon to take charge of most of the companies of the Birla group. Aditya rose to the challenge and provided able and effective leadership to the business conglomerate. Constituents of the group like Hindustan Gas, Hindalco, Grasim, Indian Rayon and Indo-Gulf Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd. soon came to be recognized as being among the best managed enterprises in the country.
• What set Aditya Birla apart from his contemporaries was his international vision. He boldly ventured into overseas territories, and set up 19 companies in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Egypt. These companies operated in sectors like Textiles, Viscose Staple Fibre, Carbon Black, Chemicals and Petro-refining, which were at the core of the global economy. The contribution of the companies of Aditya Birla‘s group to the Indian economy was significant.
• Aditya Birla occupied many positions in public life. Bodies like the FICCI, Asian Institute of Management, Manila and the India Fund, of which he held membership, gained from his efforts and insights. Because of his exemplary leadership and global vision he was nominated as a Director on the Board of Reserve Bank of India, became the Honorary Counsel General of the Republic of Philippines and was invited as one of the Advisor to the Economic Council of the Prime Minister of India. He was also known for his interest in painting, music and badminton.
• Aditya Birla was a man with a strong social consciousness. With the objective of making difference to the lives of the underprivileged, he committed the companies of his group to adopting villages. The villages so adopted were transformed by programmes that facilitated self-employment, promoted adoption of modern methods of agriculture and introduction of vocational training, supported provision of health care facilities and encouraged development of cottage industries.
• He passed away on 1^st October, 1995.
• Text : P.N. Ranjit Kumar (Based on the material provided by the proponent).

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 11, 2012

Issued for : India Post recognizes the contribution of T. S. Narayanaswami by issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

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

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

Name : T.S. Narayanaswami

Born on Nov 11, 1911

Died on Feb 14, 1968

About : 

• T. S. Narayanaswami, TSN or Abboy as he was popularly known, was born on 11^th November, 1911.
• He started his career as a junior officer in the Indo-Commercial Bank in the early 1930’s where he made a mark with his industrious nature and an eye for detail. The experience of working in the banking sector provided him with the confidence to venture into the field of business. He started The India Cements Limited in 1946 in Talayathu, a small hamlet in Tirunelveli District along with S. N. N. Sankaralinga Iyer and K. Lakshmanan. The plant soon became one of the leading cement manufacturers in south India.
• The group further ventured into Aluminium, Shipping, Chemicals and Plastics and established Madras Aluminium Company Limited (MALCO), South India Shipping Corporation (SISCO), Chemicals and Plastics India Ltd. (Chemplast) in quick succession. The imagination and initiative of Narayanaswami was the driving force behind these enterprises.
• Narayanaswami was not only involved in social causes but also was an active sponsor of technical education. His advice and guidance was continuously sought by both public and private sectors. He held responsible positions in a number of official and non-official bodies. He was the Chairman of Madras Industrial Investment Corporation, President of Hindustan Chamber of Commerce and member of Executive Committee of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. His appointment as Sheriff of Madras in 1964 was a tribute to his pre-eminence in social and cultural circles and a recognition of his contribution to the industrial progress of the State.
• T. S. Narayanaswami breathed his last on 14.02.1968.
• Text : Based on the material provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 1, 2010

Issued for : India Post is happy to honour this visionary Lala Kamlapat Singhania, by issuing a commemorative postage stamp.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Kamlapat Singhania 

Born on Nov 7, 1884

Died on May 31, 1937

About : 

• Lala Kamlapat Singhania was born on 7^th November 1884. Endowed with sharp business acumen and foresight, he founded the JK Organization. In June 1920, learning that one cotton textile mill from United Kingdom with 40,000 spindles and 100 looms was available in Mumbai, he bought it and established the JK Cotton Spinning & Weaving Mills Co. Ltd on the Indian soil, which produced ‘Swadeshi’ quality goods from Indian cotton. Taking a cue from the Swadeshi movement of Mahatma Gandhi, between 1921 and 1934 he established several new factories and businesses which firmly contributed to the growth of Indian Industry and awakened the entrepreneurial zeal among the average Indian. His business ventures included the manufacture of such varied goods as cotton yarn & cloth, ice, oil, hosiery, jute, sugar and iron and steel. These institutions became the foundation of the JK Organization. Lala Kamlapat Singhania grew up in an atmosphere of spiritual discipline and patriotic fervor. He was deeply influenced by the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi, Madan Mohan Malviya, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Motilal Nehru.
  
• He was instrumental in setting up the Merchants Chamber of Commerce in Uttar Pradesh and laid the foundation stone of the Chamber in Kanpur, of which he was the Founder President in the year 1932.
  
• Realizing that only education can liberate the mind and empower the young generation, he established the Marwari College in Kanpur to promote higher education in the region.
  
• Lalaji, as he was affectionately called, had a deep interest in social affairs and affairs connected with the development of the society. He passed away on 31^st May 1937.
  
• Text : Based on material provided by the proponent.

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