Issued by India

Issued on Dec 31, 2025

Issued for : Department of Posts is delighted to release a Miniature Sheet consisting two stamps on 100 years of electrification in Indian Railways and appreciates its contribution in economic development and steadfast commitment in transforming transportation in India.

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

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1000 Paise (2)

Miniature Sheets Printed : 215000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The Indian Railways, a symbol of national integration and economic development, has played a pivotal role in transforming transportation in India. Among its many achievements, the adoption of electric traction stands as a testament to its forward-thinking approach and commitment to sustainability.
• The history of electric traction in India dates back to 1925 when the first electric train ran on the Harbour Line between Bombay V.T. (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) and Kurla. This marked the advent of a new era with cleaner and more efficient electric traction. The initial electrification was done using 1.5 kV DC system, demonstrating a leap in technology and modernization for the time.
• Following its initial success, the Indian Railways embarked on expanding its electrified network. Post-independence, the focus shifted towards standardizing the system to 25 kV AC, which became the preferred choice for electrification worldwide due to its economical and operational benefits. By the 1960s, this transition was in full swing, laying the foundation for widespread railway electrification across the country.
• Electric traction has been a cornerstone of India’s industrial and economic development. By enhancing the efficiency of rail transport, electric traction has facilitated the seamless movement of goods across the country, promoting industrial growth and improving connectivity between urban and rural regions.
• By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, electric traction has made a significant contribution to environmental sustainability. With the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and the integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, Indian Railways has become a frontrunner in eco-friendly transportation, helping to minimise the nation’s carbon footprint.
• In the last decade, Indian Railways has witnessed exponential growth in railway electrification. This growth aligns with the government’s vision to enhance energy efficiency, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Under accelerated electrification programs, Indian Railways has electrified over 44,000 route kilometers in the past 10 years, including more than 30,000 route kilometers in the last five years, and is progressing toward achieving 100% electrification of its broad-gauge network by 2025.
• As Indian Railways celebrates 100 years of electric traction, it also acknowledges the legacy of innovation and progress that has propelled it forward. The exponential growth of railway electrification is a reflection of India‘s ambition to modernize infrastructure and embrace sustainable practices.
• This milestone is not just a celebration of the past but also a vision for the future, where Indian Railways continues to lead the way in green transportation and nation-building.
• Text : Based on the content provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jul 9, 2025

Issued for : The Department of Posts is proud to release a commemorative postage stamp on 125^th Birth Anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a visionary leader, educationist, and nationalist whose ideals continue to guide and influence India’s journey. This stamp is a tribute to his lasting contributions to India’s political and educational landscape, his commitment to national unity, and his belief in inclusive development rooted in Indian values.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 202800

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Shyama Prasad Mukherjee

Born on 6 Jul, 1901 at Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Died on 23 Jun, 1953 at Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

About : 

• Syama Prasad Mookerjee was born on 6 July 1901 in Calcutta (now Kolkata) into a distinguished Bengali family. His father, Sir Ashutosh Mookerjee, was a renowned educationist and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was academically gifted and completed his education at the prestigious Presidency College, Calcutta. He studied law at the University of Calcutta and, in 1926, joined Lincoln’s Inn in London, becoming a member of the English Bar in 1927.
• As a young student, Syama Prasad Mookerjee was inspired by the growing freedom movement led by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, which motivated him to dedicate himself to India’s independence. In the 1920s, he joined the Indian National Congress and became an active member of its youth wing. However, his vision for India, especially regarding the role of princely states and the structure of the Indian Union, was distinct. From 1943 to 1946, he served as the President of the All India Hindu Mahasabha. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was elected to the Constituent Assembly from West Bengal. He actively participated in debates on minority rights, regional languages, and other key issues.
• On 21 October 1951, Syama Prasad Mookerjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in Delhi. He strongly opposed the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and advocated its abrogation. During a visit to Jammu in August 1952, addressing a massive gathering, he famously said, “I will either get you the Indian Constitution or sacrifice my life for it.” His slogan “One Nation, One Constitution,” reflected his belief in equal rights for all Indian citizens, regardless of their state. Syama Prasad Mookerjee maintained a strong connection with South India through his contributions to the fields of education, industry, and linguistic inclusivity. He served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta from 1934 to 1938 and was a member of the Council of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, in 1935. As an educationist, he emphasised the importance of learning one’s mother tongue while appreciating other languages. He advocated for the inclusion of regional languages like Tamil and Telugu in university curricula.
• As a Minister for Industry and Supply, he worked to support small-scale industries, including taking concrete steps to aid handmade matchstick producers in Tamil Nadu – such as tax relief and ensuring access to raw materials and transport. He also encouraged the Madras Government to organise these workers into cooperatives for long-term sustainability. These interventions highlight his commitment to inclusive national development and his engagement with concerns of the southern states. Integral Humanism, later shaped by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, advocated a development model based on India’s cultural and civilisational values – balancing material progress with spiritual and cultural well-being. While the term became popular after Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s time, his ideas and speeches reflected this philosophy. He consistently emphasised that India’s progress should not blindly imitate the West but be rooted in its own cultural and moral foundations. Speaking at the 1936 convocation of Nagpur University, he stated: “Generally speaking, an Indian university must regard itself as one of the living organs of national reconstruction. It must discover the best means of blending together both the spiritual and the material aspects of life.”
• Antyodaya, or the upliftment of the last person in society, was central to the social vision of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and later Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. While Syama Prasad Mookerjee did not use the term directly, his political and educational work emphasised justice, equality, and inclusion, particularly for the underprivileged. At the 1940 convocation of Agra University, he clearly articulated this thought: “Political and social justice requires, not the disintegration of a country and destruction or humiliation of a class which shows initiative, intelligence and drive, but equality of opportunity for all, genuine freedom for self-fulfilment, in which all men irrespective of caste or creed may share.” Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s luminous journey came to an untimely end on 23 June 1953, marking a solemn moment in India’s history.
• Text : Referenced from content provided by Proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Feb 27, 2024

Issued for : AIRF is completing 100 years of its formation on 24.04.2024, and its General Council has decided to celebrate the Centenary Year in a befitting manner at New Delhi. The Department of Posts is delighted to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Centenary Year All India Railwaymen’s Federation.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 304100

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Soon after the evolution of the Trade Union Movement in the world, several small unions started coming up in the Indian Railways during the British Regime. The basic reason behind formation of such unions was serious racial discrimination being meted out to the Indian Railway Workers by the Britishers in respect of pay-scales and other service conditions as Indian Workers were being granted lower pay-scales than the pay scales for the Europeans and Anglo-Indians for doing the same work.
• It was, therefore, felt necessary by the National leaders that, a National Trade Union Centre needs to be established to coordinate with different Railway Unions in the Indian Railways, which was in different shape during the British Era. Consequent upon this, the process of formation of an All India Body of the Railwaymen started from the year 1922, and finally “All India Railwaymen’s Federation” was established on 24.04.1924 as a National Centre of the Railway Unions functioning in different Railways in India.
• Railways being a strategic industry, it was very important for the freedom struggle to involve the Railwaymen in the agitations against the British Imperialism. Owing to several agitations and struggles by the Indian Railwaymen under the umbrella of AIRF, Railway Board started negotiations with AIRF from the year 1928, and half-yearly meetings were held between AIRF and Railway Board, which was then headed by the Chief Commissioner of Railways. As a result of these negotiations, there had been several achievements to the credit of AIRF and its affiliated unions to improve service conditions of the Railwaymen.
• During the Second World War, the inflation highly eroded real wages of the workers, as such AIRF agitated this issue, and consequently Dearness Allowance was introduced and paid to the employees for the first time.
• AIRF was bitterly opposed to racial discrimination by the Britishers and opposed the lower pay-scales being granted to the Indian Workers than the pay-scales of the Europeans and Anglo-Indians for doing the same job. It was the outcome of AIRF’s strong agitations and opposition that the First Pay Commission was formed by the British Government in the year 1946, which submitted its report in May 1947 and removed the said discrimination between the pay-scales of the Indian Workers and Anglo-Indians.
• AIRF was led by various Veteran National Leaders, like Late Shri Rai Sahib Chandrika Prasad as President AIRF (from 17.02.1925 to 18.12.1928), Late Shri Mukund Lal Sarkar as General Secretary AIRF (from 16.02.1925 to 25.11.1927), Late Shri V.V. Giri as General Secretary AIRF (from 26.11.1927 to 04.07.1937) and also as President AIRF (from 25.11.1944 to 05.05.1946), Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narain as President AIRF (from 07.06.1947 to 27.06.1953), Late Shri Priya Gupta as General Secretary AIRF (from 23.08.1968 to 29.05.1975) and also as President AIRF (from 07.07.1976 to 12.08.1979), Late Shri George Fernandes as President AIRF (from 20.10.1973 to 06.07.1976), Late Shri J.P. Chaubey as General Secretary AIRF (from 30.05.1975 to 03.09.2008), Late Shri Umraomal Purohit as President AIRF (from 31.08.1980 to 27.02.2014). Until 1947 AIRF was able to unify the entire Railway Trade Union Movement into one union on each Railway and one Federation for whole of the Indian Railways. It was after 1947 that the Congress Party floated its own Central Trade Union – Indian National Trade Union Congress and formed its Federation in the Indian Railways in the name of National Federation of Indian Railwaymen in the year 1948.
• During post-Independence era also, AIRF, being the largest organization of the Indian Railways, continued its sustained struggle for socio-economic upliftment of the Railwaymen by way of improvement in the Wages, Perks Allowance and Promotional Prospects etc., thereby improving service conditions of various categories of workers.
• AIRF has spearheaded three National Strikes of 1960, 1968 and 1974 (earlier two strikes – 1960 and 1968 of the Central Government Employees, and 1974 of the Railwaymen). Fortunately, all the three strikes were supported by the Great Statesman – Late Shri Atal Bihari Bajpayee. 1974 strike, headed by Shri George Fernandes, brought down the mighty Government of that time. So, AIRF has a history of struggles.
• The First Railway Workers Classification Tribunal was formed by the Ministry of Railways in the year 1979, that paved the way for upgradation of various categories of Technical Staff in Indian Railways from Unskilled to Semi-Skilled and Semi-Skilled to Skilled Workers. Subsequently, Cadre Restructuring Committees were formed in the years 1984, 1993, 2003 and 2013. These Cadre Restructuring Committees resulted in improvement in promotional avenues for almost all the categories of the Railwaymen, and AIRF has all along been a Member of these Cadre Restructuring Committees.
• For improvement in Minimum Wage and Pay-Scales and also to secure Minimum Wage, as per 15^th ILO Convention, Successive Pay Commissions were also formed by the Government, on the demand of AIRF, in the years 1946, 1957, 1970, 1983, 1994, 2006 and 2016.
• Text : Referenced from content provided by Proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Feb 23, 2024

Issued for : Department of Posts is delighted to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Sarangadhar Das known as Gadjat Gandhi and appreciates his contribution to social reformist ideas and value his important role in political world as well as in evolution of industries.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 201600

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Sarangadhar Das

Born on 17 Oct, 1826 at Harekrushnapur, Dhenkanal [then princely state], British India [now in Odisha, India]

Died on 18 Sep, 1957 at Cuttack, Odisha, India

About : 

• Sarangadhar Das, was a revolutionary, a scientist par excellence, a Parliamentarian and a prolific writer. He was popularly known as ‘Gadjat Gandhi’ for his role in the Prajamandal Movement in various Princely States of Odisha.
• Born on 17^th October 1886 at Harekrushnapur, Dhenkanal, Odisha, he did his matriculation from Dhenkanal Garh High School and B.Sc. from Ravenshaw College, Cuttack. For higher studies, he studied Chemistry at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan. He also studied Sugar Technology at the University of California, Berkeley. He left for heavenly abode on 18^th September 1957.
• Sarangadhar struggled hard after his father’s death when he was 11. However, his mother encouraged him to pursue his studies. The aim of Sarangadhar was not to join in Government Service but to establish Industry. He had a dream, to make India an industrially developed country.
• After completing his study, he planned to set up a sugar industry in Dhenkanal. But, the then king of Dhenkanal, Shankar Pratap wanted to exterminate the sugar factory, created all obstacles, and destroyed the factory. Sarangadhar’s mission failed and he realized that it was impossible to develop industry in Dhenkanal without the abolition of the king’s rule. So, he thought of a revolution and that was translated into the Gadjat Movement.
• He established an institution, ‘Praja Samilani’ and encouraged the local leaders to form the Prajamandal committee and to revolt against the king. The Movement spread in the nook and corner of the entire Dhenkanal Gadjat as well as in other parts of Odisha. Subsequently, he became one of the Vice Presidents of the All India Prajamandal Committee.
• He had an active political career. In 1946, he was elected to the Provincial Legislative Council of Odisha (1946-1949) from Tirtol–Erasama constituency and India’s Provincial Parliament where he presented strong arguments in favour of the merger of all Princely States with Odisha and demanded a responsible Government in all Princely States.
• After independence, he resigned from the Congress Party to join the Socialist Party and was an active participant in the All-Orissa State’s People’s Movement. He was also the Chairman of the Socialist Party (Utkal, 1951-1952) as well as the Deputy Leader of the Praja Socialist Party (1952-1953). In the year 1951, he was elected Member of Parliament to Lok Sabha from Dhenkanal-west-Cuttack Joint Parliamentary Constituency.
• He worked tirelessly for the upliftment of tribal groups and lower caste communities. He also served as a member of the Standing Committee of the All-India State’s People’s Conference (1939-1943) and a member of the All-India Congress Committee (1939-1945). He was elected President of Orissa and Central Provinces States Regional Council (1946-1947).
• Sarangadhar Das regularly wrote about various struggles of the masses in the journal ‘Krushak’. Two of his published Works include ‘The Development of Sugar Industry in India’ and ‘Bikaner – A Political & Economic Survey’.
• Text : Referenced from content provided by Proponent.

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Issued by Bangladesh

Issued on Nov 12, 2023

Issued for : To mark the event Bangladesh Post has issued a Commemorative Stamp of Tk. 10 (ten), a First Day Cover of tk. 10 (ten), a Data Card of Tk. 5 (five) and a Special Canceller.

Designer (Stamp & FDC) : Mr. Boni Adam

Designer (Canceller) : Mr. Sumato Kumar

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

No. of Stamp : 01 (One) Piece

Color : Multicolor

Denomination of Stamp : Tk. 10/- (Ten)

Size of Stamp : 32 mm x 48 mm

Perforation of Stamp : 12.5

Qnt of Stamps : 1,00,000 (One Lac) pcs

Process of Printing : Offset

Printer : The Security Printing Corporation (Bangladesh) Ltd., Gazipur-1703

About : 

• In order to meet the national demand of Urea to guarantee that farmers to have access fertilizer at reasonable prices to ensure food security focus was given to the abnormal increase in gas consumption per ton of Urea production, downtime, and maintenance frequency in the Urea Fertilizer factories located in Polash Upazila of Narsingdi District as the factories became very old. In light of the Honorable Prime Minister’s visit on 24 August 2014 to the Ministry of Industries she said, “Priority should be given to the delivery of gas to both public and commercial companies, particularly those that produce fertilizer. In order to replace the current, outdated refinery, BCIC must build a new refinery using energy-efficient technology. In the Polash and Ghorashal fertilizer industries, new machineries should be installed in place of outdated equipment in an effort to swiftly boost productivity”.
• The Ministry of Industries set up the “Ghorashal Polash Urea Fertilizer Project” in accordance with the aforementioned directives. Subsequently, in order to carry out the project, it was last modified on April 11, 2015, utilizing the Bidder Financing method. The Committee on Economic affairs of the Cabinet granted permission M/S MITSUBISHI Heavy Industries Limited (MHI), Japan and China National Chemical Engineering No. 7 Construction Co. Ltd. (Cc7).
• As a government priority project and for obtaining international commercial loans on July 11, 2019, the foreign commercial loan proposal for the Ghorashal Polash Urea Fertilizer Project, which was filed by M/S MHI, Japan, and CC7, the China Consortium, were authorized at the Standing Committee on Non-Concessional Loan meeting under the program. Commercial loans are offered by the following banks:
  • Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)
  • Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC)
  • Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd. (MUFG)
• It is to be noted that loans offered by HSBC and MUFG banks are protected by Nippon Export and Import Insurance (NEXI) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).
• Polash Urea Fertilizer Factory Limited (PUFFL), situated in Polash Upazila of Narsingdi District, was established on 09/10/2018 with the goal of producing granular Urea that is energy-efficient and has a capacity of 2800 mt tons per day (9 lakh 24 thousand mt tons per annum) as part of the GPUFP project that was approved in the ECNEC meeting. Following the conclusion of all relevant official procedures on October 24, 2018 contract was signed between M/S MHI, Japan, and CC7, China Consortium, the project’s general contractor. This project makes use of machinery and parts produced in highly developed nations like Germany, Italy, and Japan. This project has made use of cutting-edge technology from the current, well-known process licensor. This will enable the plant to run continuously and produce more Urea while consuming comparatively less natural gas. Furthermore, this factory has a control room from which all of the plants are supervised. Consequently, compared to other factories, it will be easier to operate.
• This factory is environmentally friendly. A Green Fertilizer Factory defines what it is. By collecting and utilizing the carbon-dioxide gas released by the primary reformer, it will be feasible to enhance the production of Urea by 10%. The project makes use of a double-layer full-integrity ammonia storage tank. In addition, a top-notch ETP, or waste water treatment plant, ensures that liquid waste complies with environmental regulations before being dumped into the river. In accordance with MIGA’s guidelines, different businesses (municipalities, registered vendors, etc.) also separate and dispose of solid waste at specified locations.
• After the implementation of project per day 2800 mt tons of granular Urea will be produced. With cutting-edge machinery that can produce granular Urea that is environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, this plant is anticipated to be crucial in addressing the nation’s Urea shortage and rising demand. The project will establish Bangladesh’s largest granular Urea plant, saving a significant amount of foreign exchange, decreasing reliance on fertilizer imports, boosting agricultural self-sufficiency, and generating employment opportunities. The country’s economy will benefit greatly from this factory in terms of trade and commerce, agricultural economy, and agricultural production.
  

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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 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 Sep 6, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts has tried to capture the stages in the entire process from conceptualization to the development of the finished product and is pleased to bring out a set of four Commemorative Postage Stamps portraying them.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/First Day Cover/Brochure : Shri Suresh Kumar
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1500 Paise (2) and 1000 Paise (2)

Stamps Printed : 5.0 Lakh each

Miniature Sheets Printed : 1.1 Lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The story from the concept to the consumer is imbued with inspiration, ideation, labour and glamour. The metamorphosis from an idea to a pleasing product begins, more other than not, with inspiration. Paradoxically, fashion inspiration is an ongoing process in which the mind is trained to gather ideas. The sources of inspiration abound in nature, flora and fauna, the wild, culture, social values, customs and mores that vary from place to place.
• Every designer follows a process for design development. When starting a collection, a designer needs to consider the color story, design functionality, technical package and garment patterns. Some designers select an image, or series of images, to display their color story. Others use forecasting services which offer a variety of different color swatches, silhouette and textile forecasts.
• The world of design is never as easy as it looks. Designing a garment entails demographic and trend research, blending the research result with the brand image and translating it all to a collection – a process that requires a great deal of toil, time and attention to detail. One of the most important aspects in the process is the Technical Design. Though many people do not know about this process, developing the technical sketch and technical package is essential to move on to production.
• The technical package is similar to the drafting of the design. It shows graphic placement, points of measure, graded measurements, trim placement, seams, etc. Manufacturing a garment without a tech pack leads to difficulty when it comes to assembling of the garment. This is the last step in the development process. Garment patterns are the key ingredients to fit and styling. More returns happen because of fit issues than any other reason, especially among online sales. A well fit garment is worn more often and spends less time in the customer’s closet, which increases brand awareness and follow-up sales.
• Customer satisfaction and functionality are other very significant aspects that play a big role in designing a garment. The designer and product developer have to take into consideration what their customer desires in a specific garment. A garment is created by balancing function with design as well as the customer’s need for style, brand value and image. Designers, fashion forecasters, merchandisers, visual merchandisers and product developers work in unison to determine the direction of the product while moving from concept through technical sketch and display to finally putting the collection on rack for sale.
• Production can be either at customised level or for masses. Today, fashion industry is highly mechanised and with the help of augmented technology, fashion industry has grown manifold.
• Presenting “Indian Fashion – Concept to Consumer : Series 3…….”
• Text : Based on the material provided by Prof. Manika Walia.

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