Issued by India

Issued on Feb 11, 2023

Issued for : Department of Posts is delighted to issue Commemorative Postage Stamp, on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and salutes to the Spirit of India, proud of its rich past & heritage and committed to the future of Viswa Guru Bharat.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation cachet : Shri Sankha Samanta

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

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (2)

Stamps Printed : 201600 each

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) is a landmark initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its people, culture, and achievements. This Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• The official journey of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav commenced on 12^th March 2021 from Sabarmati Ashram where a symbolic ‘Dandi Yatra’ was flagged off by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. This started a 75-week countdown to our 75^th anniversary of Independence and will conclude, post a year on 15^th August, 2023.
• Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav has been powered by the enthusiasm, love for the nation and participation of all stakeholders. The events and initiatives of Amrit Mahotsav cover the length and breadth of India and the world. Till date more than 1.5 lakh events have been held under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. These events have happened across different locations within India covering all of the States and Union Territories as well as across 150+ countries, globally.
• Amrit Mahotsav events are high on Janbhagidari (people participation) bringing in people from all walks of life representing a ‘Whole of Society’ approach with many programmes and events being directly initiated by organisations and groups representing civil society.
• During the Har Ghar Tiranga initiative, held in August 2022, more than 6 crore selfies with flag were recorded and people from all walks of life joined the Tiranga Rallies being held across the length and breadth of India and across foreign locations.
• A key feature of Amrit Mahotsav is the commemoration of Unsung Heroes of freedom struggle & highlighting the role of people in our Independence movement. The AKAM website has a special section on Unsung Heroes which is an attempt to recall and remember forgotten heroes of our freedom struggle, many of whom might be renowned yet unknown to the new generation. Different events commemorating birth and death anniversaries of freedom fighters and important milestones connected to the struggle for Independence are an important part of the AKAM event calendar. Picture books that chronicle the contributions of women and tribals in the freedom struggle of India have also been released to enable children to easily connect with the stories that facilitated our freedom and progress over time.
• Digital District Repository is another special initiative of AKAM that chronicles district wise narratives of our history and heritage. It stemmed from the central thought that history is not only about the landmark events, it finds shape and character in the myriad events that led up to a flashpoint of change. Interesting facts that there are prison cells in IIT or that 2 freedom fighters were shot dead inside what is now an IIT in an incident, known later as the “Hijli firing”, when twenty nine rounds were fired on unarmed prisoners, have been highlighted over events.
• Amrit Mahotsav is also about looking towards the future as we navigate through ‘Amrit Kaal’ (the journey from Now to India@100). One important aspect of looking into the future is spotlighting and celebrating startups, entrepreneurs, and innovation. Smart India Hackathon 2022 is a nationwide initiative to provide students a platform to solve some of the pressing problems we face in our daily lives, and thus inculcate a culture of product innovation and a mindset of problem solving. Another part of fueling a growth culture in encouraging curiosity and celebrating the role of science & scientists in the progress of our nation. A week-long event titled ‘Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate’ was held last year in 75 locations across the length and breadth of the country. To honor this intent, it will be repeated this year with increased scope and scale. ‘Swadeshi Scientists’ is a series of event curated as part of Amrit Mahotsav that chronicles the role of scientists in the freedom struggle and in helping realize India’s ‘Atmanirbhar’ goals.
• Text : Ministry of Culture.

The post Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav appeared first on iStampGallery.

Issued by India

Issued on Mar 23, 2021

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on 100 Years of first visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Odisha.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Sankha Samanta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 504000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Mahatma Gandhi had already become famous before he came to Utkal, as it was called then. It was divided into four different entities – a part in Bihar, another in Madras Province, third part in Central Province and the fourth one was Princely State. Odisha was yet to become a homogenous state. Involvement of Mahatma Gandhi in Champaran (Bihar) to free Indigo farmers from bondage had infused new energy in the poor farmers of Odisha. They saw in him a saviour. Therefore, when Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das invited Gandhiji to visit Odisha, he agreed to spend a week. He had heard about the abject poverty, affliction and hunger that was rampant in most parts of different districts. Repeated flood and drought had ravaged most parts of Odisha.
• Gandhiji arrived at Cuttack on 23^rd March, 1921. It was Dola Purnima Day. Cuttack town with a population of around 20 thousand had poured at the Railway Station to have a glimpse of the Mahatma clad in kurta, a dhoti worn like a common Gujarati with a cap on his head. He alighted from the train along with Kasturba, son Devdas and Babu Rajendra Prasad. The huge crowd welcomed him and took out a procession to Swaraj Ashram which was around 15 km away. That afternoon, Gandhiji addressed a huge gathering on the sands of river Kathajodi. Amrita Bazar Patrika had reported then that there was a huge crowd. A lone photograph of that meeting is the only photo which was published in Odia daily ‘Samaj’ that was edited by Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das himself.
• Gandhiji spoke about non-cooperation against foreign goods, women education and teaching in local language. He also addressed the Muslims at Qadam-E-Rasool & women groups at Binod Behari. Later, he left for Bhadrak which is 100 kms away. He addressed a huge gathering at Bhadrak that was organised by a young student leader Harekrushna Mahtab. Later, Gandhiji accompanied by Gopabandhu, Mahtab and Gopabandhu Choudhuri went to Puri and then he went to Berhampur and addressed a huge gathering there.
• His sojourn to Odisha practically energized the Non-Cooperation movement and strengthened the cause of freedom struggle. Large section of youth participated in the movement. Women folk regularly spun Charkha and propagated the use of Khadi. Cloths of foreign origin were abandoned. Such was the magical presence of Gandhiji that Odisha woke up from slumber and plunged itself in the national movement. Gandhiji had shown a path to them to achieve something in life, inculcated in them a sense of purpose. It was Gandhiji who inspired them to serve the poor, lift them out of misery and make their life worth living.
• That day (23^rd March 1921) was the turning point in Odisha’s history. It is in its hundredth year now.
• Today’s youth, women, intelligentsia and common folk may not be able to comprehend the challenges that the society had faced a hundred years ago in the colonial rule. Yet, when Gandhiji came, thousands of people gathered to have a glimpse of him, hear him and the message was sent far and wide that here is the Mahatma who is moving around the country to awaken the masses to rise against an oppressive foreign government with a force that is called non-violence – Ahimsa. A weapon that was wielded fearlessly by the people to fight against the British Raj. This day cannot be forgotten.
• Text : Referenced from content provided by Sh. Bhartruhari Mahtab.

The post First Visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Odisha appeared first on iStampGallery.

Issued by India

Issued on Oct 2, 2020

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Miniature Sheet and four Commemorative Postage Stamps to commemorate the 150^th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

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

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (2), 1500 Paise, 2500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Miniature sheets printed : 110000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Mahatma Gandhi (2^nd October, 1869 – 30^th January, 1948), popularly known as Bapu, led the movement against the British rule of India. He is considered the father of the nation and is a well-known name internationally for his doctrine of nonviolent protest (satyagraha) to achieve political and social progress. Bapu’s struggle culminated in India’s Independence on 15^th August, 1947. Bapu strived to lead the country to not just political independence but to a better India and a society free of caste, religious, economic and gender prejudices.
• The occasion of 150^th birth anniversary celebrations reminds the humanity of the efficacy of the message of Bapu. Bapu’s lessons are relevant in every policy of the country such as Swachh Bharat, rights of women and children and of civil liberties of small and disadvantaged groups, health and well-being of the Indian farmer and the Indian villages.
• Government of India decided to commemorate the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, at national and international level to propagate his message. A National Committee (NC) headed by Hon’ble President of India was constituted for this purpose. This Committee includes Hon’ble Vice-President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Chief Ministers of all states of the country, representatives from across the political spectrum, Gandhians, thinkers, and eminent persons from all walks of life. An Executive Committee (EC) headed by Hon’ble Prime Minister with 19 members has also been constituted. Mandate of Executive Committee is to consider policies and lay down guidelines for the commemoration and chalk out the plan, programmes and activities under the commemoration.
• Bapu’s contribution to the system of nature cure in India is immense. He was a fervent practitioner of naturopathy all through his life. In 1932, Dr. Dinshaw Mehta met Bapu in Bombay (as it was then known) upon the latter’s invitation. This meeting led to a lifelong association and Dr. Mehta remained Bapu’s personal nature cure physician for life. Bapu founded the All India Nature Cure Foundation Trust in 1945. He believed that nature cure means a change for the better in one’s outlook on life itself and regulation of one’s life in accordance with the laws of health.
• A healthy lifestyle envisaged by Bapu comprises harmony amongst three dimensions – the intra-personal, the inter-personal and the environmental/cosmic. “The Earth has enough resources for our need but not for our greed.” Bapu’s concern for maintaining ecological balance and environment is perhaps best captured in the preceding quote. His concern about the environment and ecological impact of urbanization was evident in his speeches and writings.
• The idea of Atma-nirbharta or self-reliance has its origins in Bapu’s concept of a self-reliant India, the foundation of his Swadeshi philosophy. Bapu emphasized the idea of self-sufficient village economy. He opined that all goods and services necessary for residents of a village should be available within the village. Bapu stressed on nurturing rural industries including handlooms and handicrafts.
• Bapu was convinced that education can play an effective role in developing a wholesome human personality capable of resisting war, violence, injustice and oppression and building a social order wherein man can live in peace and harmony with others. He concentrated on an education that could draw out the best in the child – body, mind and spirit – for developing a peace loving human personality. Bapu believed that education is closely associated with the socio-economic development of the society. He advocated a scheme for basic education in which vocational training or work experience is of utmost importance.

The post India on Mahatma Gandhi 2020 appeared first on iStampGallery.

Issued by India

Issued on Oct 2, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is honoured to release a set of six Commemorative Postage Stamps to mark the historic occasion of the 150^th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Credits :
Stamp/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Sh. Sankha Samanta
FDC : Based on the design received from Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 Paise (6)

Stamps Printed : 800000 each

Miniature Sheets Printed : 2.0 Lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Born on 2 Oct, 1869 at Porbandar, Gujarat, India

Died on 30 Jan, 1948 at New Delhi, India

About : 

• 2^nd October, 1869 is a red-letter day in the history of India, as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on this day into a Modh Baniya family as the last child of his parents, Karamchand and Putlibai, at Porbandar. The Indian classics, especially the stories of Shravana and King Harishchandra had a great impact on him. The virtues of penance, patience and discipline were passed onto Gandhi by his mother. In May 1883, Mohandas was married to Kasturbai Makhanji Kapadia in an arranged marriage, according to local customs. The Gandhi couple had four children, all sons. In November 1887, the 18-year old Gandhi graduated from high school in Ahmedabad. The next year, he enrolled at Samaldas College in Bhavnagar State, then the sole degree-granting institution of higher education in the region. However, he dropped out and returned to his family in Porbandar.
• Gandhi was keen to study Law at London. After much persuasion, his mother finally let him go, only after he made a vow of abstinence from meat, alcohol and women. In 1888, Gandhi sailed to England and attended University College, London (UCL) which is a constituent college of University of London. At UCL, he studied law and jurisprudence and was invited to enroll at Inner Temple with the intention of becoming a barrister. His time in London was influenced by the vow he had made to his mother. He became an active member of the London Vegetarian Society.
• Gandhi was called to the Bar in June 1891 and then left London for India. His attempts at establishing a law practice in Bombay failed. In 1893, a Muslim merchant in Kathiawar offered him a lawyer’s assignment in South Africa.
• Gandhi arrived in South Africa in 1893 where he spent 21 years and developed his political views, ethics and politics. Gandhi faced discrimination because of his skin colour. He was not allowed to sit with European passengers in the stagecoach; he was thrown off a train at Pietermaritzburg after refusing to leave the first-class. The Abdullah case that had brought him to South Africa concluded in May 1894. However, he decided to stay on and helped found the Natal Indian Congress in 1894 and through this organisation, he moulded the Indian community of South Africa into a unified political force. In 1906, the Transvaal government promulgated a new Act compelling registration of the colony’s Indian and Chinese populations. At a mass protest meeting held in Johannesburg on 11^th September that year, Gandhi adopted his still evolving methodology of Satyagraha (devotion to the truth) or nonviolent protest, for the first time.
• At the request of Gopal Krishna Gokhale, he returned to India in 1915 and brought an international reputation as a leading Indian nationalist, theorist and community organizer.
• In India, he soon joined the Indian National Congress. Gandhi’s first major achievement came in 1917 with the Champaran agitation in Bihar. The peasantry was forced to grow Indigo, a cash crop whose demand had been declining over two decades and was forced to sell their crops to the planters at a fixed price. Pursuing a strategy of nonviolent protest, Gandhi took the administration by surprise and won concessions from the authorities. In 1918, Kheda was hit by floods and famine and the peasantry was demanding relief from taxes. Gandhi initiated a signature campaign where peasants pledged non-payment of revenue even under the threat of confiscation of land.
• In 1919, the British passed the Rowlatt Act. Gandhi opposed this vehemently. Satyagraha followed, with people assembling to protest. On 30 March, 1919, British law officers opened fire on an assembly of unarmed people, peacefully gathered, participating in satyagraha in Delhi. People rioted in retaliation. Later Gandhi too was arrested. This along with the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, aroused mass public anger against the British Raj.
• Gandhi took leadership of the Congress in 1920 and began escalating demands. On 31 December, 1929, the flag of India was unfurled at Lahore. Gandhi-led Congress celebrated 26 January, 1930 as India’s Independence Day in Lahore.
• Gandhi then launched the salt Satyagraha in March 1930 and undertook the famous Salt March to Dandi from 12 March to 6 April, where, together with 78 volunteers, he marched 388 kilometres from Ahmedabad to Dandi, Gujarat to make salt himself, with the declared intention of breaking the salt law.
• In the late 1930s, Gandhi and the Congress withdrew their support of the Raj when the Viceroy declared war on Germany in September 1939 without consultation. Tensions escalated until Gandhi demanded immediate independence in 1942 with the Quit India movement. The British responded by imprisoning him and tens of thousands of Congress leaders. Meanwhile, the Muslim League co-operated with Britain and demanded a totally separate Muslim state of Pakistan. In August, 1947 the British partitioned the land with India and Pakistan each achieving independence on terms totally against the wishes of Gandhi and many other leaders.
• Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated the next year by Nathuram Godse. His funeral procession was attended by over 2 million people.
• Gandhi’s invaluable legacy, besides his contribution to the National movement, was the upliftment of the lower castes that led to the banning of ‘untouchability’ in the Indian Constitution. Three wise Monkeys representing the principles “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” epitomize Gandhian principles of truth and non-violence. According to him, if good speech and action are practised, hatred and violence shall vanish leading to a more peaceful world. The Swadeshi movement of the 1920s and 30s resulted in Indians taking pride in their own goods and Khadi emerging as the national fabric of India. And Gandhi set an example to other world leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi who drew motivation from his principles and strategies of non-violent transformation. “Be the change you wish to see in the world”, this sums up Gandhi’s legacy.
• Swachh Bharat Mission was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 2^nd October, 2014 with the aim of achieving an open defecation free (ODF) India by 2^nd October, 2019 as a befitting tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150^th Birth Anniversary. Since October 2014, the rural sanitation coverage has increased from 38.7% to over 99%, over 10 crore toilets have been built and over 599963 villages, 699 districts and 35 States/UTs have been declared open defecation free (ODF). The programme has brought about massive behaviour change and strengthened implementation and delivered mechanisms down to the Gram Panchayat (GP) level.
• The design of the First Day Cover recognizes the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission as also the relentless efforts of the foot soldiers who have contributed to achieving Mahatma Gandhi’s ideal of sanitation.
• Text : Sh. Pallab Bose.

The post India on Mahatma Gandhi 2019 appeared first on iStampGallery.

Issued by India

Issued on Aug 30, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue Commemorative Postage Stamps to acknowledge the contribution made by these Master Healers of AYUSH of modern era.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Based on inputs received from proponent, developed by Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Sheetlet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 300000

Mix sheets Printed : 60280

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

Name : Dinshaw Kaikhushroo Mehta

Born on 5 Jun, 1903

About : 

• AYUSH systems of healthcare form the foundation of India’s Medical Heritage. These systems are not merely sciences of disease and drug, but have their conceptual spheres touching every aspect of life. Path-finding visionaries have appeared in each of the different streams of AYUSH systems at different times in history and made valuable contributions to the growth and development of respective practices.
• Department of Posts is bringing out Commemorative Postage Stamps on 12 such Master Healers from different streams of AYUSH systems.
  • Dinshaw Mehta : A close confidante of and personal physician to Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Dinshaw Mehta was deeply committed to natural and holistic methods of cure. He helped Mahatma Gandhi establish the Nature Cure Clinic and Sanatorium at Pune, which is presently the National Institute of Naturopathy. Dr. Dinshaw carried out scientific studies in Naturopathy, especially on fasting. He is a true path-finder for Naturopathy in India.
• Text : Based on information received from the proponent.

The post Dinshaw Mehta appeared first on iStampGallery.

Issued by India

Issued on Aug 15, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts has designed a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps, First Day Cover and Brochure on Gandhian Heritage in Modern India based on the prize-winning entries of the Stamp Design Competition on the occasion of Independence Day 2019. The Department is proud to pay a tribute to the Mahatma during his 150^th Birth Anniversary celebrations through the release of this philatelic material.

Credits :
Stamps/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta, based on selected entries received from participants

Type : Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 Paise, 1500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Department of Posts has been conducting stamp design competitions on various themes since 2015 on the occasion of Republic Day, Independence Day and Children’s Day at national level. Based on the prize winning entries received from the participants, stamps are designed and released. Selected participants are given cash awards. This time, a nationwide photography competition on the theme “Gandhian Heritage in Modern India” was conducted on the occasion of Independence Day, 2019. Based on the selected entries, Stamps, First Day Cover and Brochure have been designed. The first three winners of the Photography Competition are Sh. Kaushik Majumdar, Sh. Ritesh Raj and Sh. Rodrigues Carmo Jesus Jose. Five consolation prize winners are Sh. Tejendrasinh Mohansinh Solanki, Ms. Shivani Dayaa. A. S., Sh. Amit Vakil, Sh. Pallab Pramanik and Sh. Aniruddha Pal.
• Mahatma Gandhi is known as the Father of the Nation. Origin of this title is traced back to a radio address (on Singapore radio) on 6 July 1944 by Subhash Chandra Bose where Bose addressed Gandhi as “The Father of the Nation”. On 28 April 1947, Sarojini Naidu during a conference also referred to Gandhi as “Father of the Nation”. The Nation is indebted to him for getting liberation from the yoke of the foreign rule. His influence and legacy pervade diverse aspects of the life and culture of modern India.
• Khadi – A national and international fashion fabric
  • Post-independence, the Government of India established the Khadi and Village Industries Commission in 1956 and included the development of khadi under the gamut of Five Year Plans. In the recent years, due to several initiatives and support of the current government as well as from film celebrities, sports persons etc. Khadi products have caught the attention of the wider public. Today, Khadi is used by top fashion designers to create Haute Couture garments. Khadi is in fashion, both amongst the classes as well as the masses.
• Film, Theatre and Literature
  • Mahatma Gandhi perhaps is the most popular subject of the Indian Media and the creative Art fraternity.
  • Ben Kingsley portrayed him in Richard Attenborough’s 1982 film “Gandhi”, which won the Academy Award (Oscars) for Best Picture.
  • The 1996 film “The Making of the Mahatma” documented Gandhi’s stay in South Africa and his transformation from an inexperienced barrister to a recognised political leader. Gandhi was a central figure in the 2006 superhit Bollywood comedy film “Lage Raho Munna Bhai”.
  • Jahnu Barua’s “Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara” (I did not kill Gandhi), places modern Indian contemporary society as a backdrop with its vanishing memory of Gandhi’s values as a metaphor.
  • Several biographers have undertaken the task of describing Gandhi’s life. Among them are D. G. Tendulkar with his ‘Mahatma: Life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’ in eight volumes, Chaman Nahal’s Gandhi Quartet, and Pyarelal and Sushila Nayyar with their Mahatma Gandhi in 10 volumes. The 2014 film Welcome Back Gandhi takes a fictionalised look at how Gandhi might react to modern day India.
• Monuments
  • There are many temples in India dedicated to Gandhi. One is located at Sambalpur in Odisha, the second at Nidaghatta village near Kadur in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka and the third one at Chityalin district of Nalgonda, Telangana. The Gandhi Memorial in Kanyakumari resembles central Indian Hindu temples and the Tamukkam or Summer Palace in Madurai now houses the Mahatma Gandhi Museum. “The Gandhi Mandapam”, a temple in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu in India, was exclusively erected to honour him.
  • Innumerable statues of Gandhi adorn the main crossings of the capital city of New Delhi, the most prominent tourist attraction being the “Gyarah murti” or 11 statues of Gandhi ji and others leading the Dandi March, which is a prize-winning entry and features in one of the stamps. Statues of Gandhiji and wall paintings based on his life and times can be seen at other prominent locations in all major cities in the country as well. Another prize-winning entry shows the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and a local village girl at Velha Goa (Old Goa) and is depicted in the other stamp.
• MEMOIRS
  • Hundreds of prominent roads and localities all across the country are named after Gandhiji. Even there are many Post offices with PIN Codes based at these locations.
  • Gandhi’s birthday, 2^nd October, is celebrated as a national holiday in India, “Gandhi Jayanti” and his date of death, 30 January, is commemorated as Martyr’s Day in India.
  • Gandhi’s image also appears on Indian paper currency of all denominations issued by Reserve Bank of India, except for the one rupee note. Many regular and commemorative coins have been issued by India Government mint, which are prized collectibles worldwide.
• Text : Based on the information provided by empanelled writer Sh. Pallab Bose.

The post Gandhian Heritage in Modern India appeared first on iStampGallery.

Issued by India

Issued on Jun 17, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is proud to issue a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps on Ahimsa Parmo Dharma, as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi during his 150^th birth anniversary celebrations. The date of issue i.e. 17.06.2019 is based on the date of establishment of Sabarmati Ashram (i.e. 17.06.1917). The First Day Cover & Brochure depict Warli Art that adorns the walls of the Ashram.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta, based on selected entries received from participants.

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1500 Paise (2)

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Miniature sheets printed : 110000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

About : 

• Department of Posts has been conducting stamp design competitions/photography competitions on various themes since 2015 at the national level. Based on the entries received from participants, stamps are designed and released. Selected participants are given cash awards. This time, a nationwide stamp design competition on the theme “Ahimsa Parmo Dharma” was conducted. The theme was chosen in consonance with the 150^th Birth Anniversary celebrations of the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The competition elicited tremendous response and the Department is thankful to all participants who have made this competition successful.
• Entries from participants were invited in two categories of age groups of (i) upto 18 years and (ii) above 18 years. Philatelic items viz. Stamps & Miniature Sheet have been designed on the basis of selected entries. The first three winners in the first category i.e. upto 18 years are Ms. Prachi, Master Vikash, Master Sukdev Roy. Five consolation winners are Master Tushar, Master Rajtanu Dasgupta, Master Vaibhav Maurya, Master Hemant Kumar, Master Sujit Kumar. The first three winners in the second category i.e. above 18 years are Sh. Purushottam J. Pawar, Sh. Ravindra Somanath, Sh. P. Mutharas. Five consolation prize winners are Ms. Swarda Deshmukh, Sh. Suraj Kumar Palo, Sh. Prashant A. Maru, Sh. Suresh Kumar Maharana, Sh. Amit Singh Kushwaha.
• Ahimsa Parmo Dharma is the philosophy of life that was followed by the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The preaching of Gandhiji and his principles of life are a way of living for many people. Non-Violence is the philosophy of life advocated by Gandhiji during the struggle for freedom wherein he revolted against the British through Satyagraha. After the British took over the rule in India, their cruelty towards Indian natives knew no bounds. They took over our land and other resources. Many other freedom fighters had a revolutionary ideology of protesting against the British rule. Gandhiji was not in favour of violence and believed that Ahimsa or peaceful non-violence is the best way to register protest against violence and injustice.
• Ahimsa essentially means not to hurt anyone physically. Himsa advocates reaching one’s goals even if it is through the means of violence. In today’s day and age of cut-throat competition, many youngsters forget that it is important not to hurt anyone along the way. Even when we speak about terrorism and anti-national activities, himsa is the root cause. Its results are never good. War has only destroyed humanity and the beauty of life. It gives no value to peaceful co-existence but paves the way for hatred and blood-shed.
• The Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi sincerely believed that non-violence or ahimsa is the strongest force of mankind and that it could even turn a demon into a saint, after all this body of ours is the temple of living gods. His methods of protesting against the British advocated non-violence. He emphasised on Satyagraha as the method of protest for seeking the truth and fought for the cause of the peasants of Champaran, who were exploited by their landlords. Dandi March which was a rebellion against taxes imposed on the basic necessity, salt, was again a peaceful method of protest promoted by Gandhiji who wanted the tax imposed on salt to be removed. To this end, he and 78 Indians took off to Dandi in March 1930 on foot, to extract salt from the sea, which was illegal at that time.
• Gandhiji also revolted through Non-cooperation Movement in which the Indian workers refused to work but did not resort to any violent means of protest. Further, Indian citizens refused to work in British institutions. Lawyers, clerks, doctors, factory workers, merchants, etc. refused to work and students revolted against studying in British colleges and schools. This movement was later promoted by burning foreign cloth and other foreign goods and taking over wearing Khadi, an Indian-spun, handwoven cloth. Even though this movement lasted only a short while, it shook the British. In fact, it placed them in a damned-if-you-do and damned-if-you-don’t-dilemma. Such was the power of non-violent Satyagraha.
• Gandhiji, even now, inspires many people to follow his path of Non-Violence. In fact, he has inspired several civil rights and independence movements across the world. He is truly known as the apostle of peace and non-violence.
• Text : Ms. Shaili Dhagat.

The post Ahimsa Parmo Dharma appeared first on iStampGallery.

Issued by India

Issued on Dec 18, 2018

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Rajkumar Shukla.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Designed by Sh. Sankha Samanta based on the materials received from Mani Bhushan Rai (Rajkumar Shukla‘s grandson) and Swati Chandra.
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 5.0 lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Raj Kumar Shukla

Born on Aug 23, 1875 at Satwaria village, Champaran, Bihar, India

Died on May 20, 1929 at Motihari, Bihar, India

About : 

• In India’s struggle for Independence, the “Champaran Satyagraha” marks a turning point. Rajkumar Shukla drew the attention of Mahatma Gandhi, who had just returned from South Africa, to the plight of the peasants suffering under an oppressive system established by European indigo planters. Beside other excesses they were forced to cultivate indigo on 3/20 part of their holdings and sell it to the planters at prices fixed by the planters themselves. This set the stage for Gandhiji’s entry into the India’s Struggle for Freedom. On his arrival at Motihari, the district headquarters, accompanied by Rajkumar Shukla, Gandhiji was ordered to leave by the next available train which he refused and was promptly arrested. He was released and the ban order was withdrawn in the face of a “Satyagraha” threat. Gandhiji conducted an open enquiry into the peasant’s grievances. The Government had to appoint an enquiry committee with Gandhiji as a member. This led to the abolition of the system.
• Rajkumar Shukla has been described by Gandhiji in his “Atmakatha”, as a man whose suffering gave him the strength to rise against the odds. In his letter to Gandhiji he wrote –
  • “Respected Mahatma, you hear the stories of others everyday. Today please listen to my story _ _ _ _ _ I want to draw your attention to the promise made by you in the Lucknow Congress that you would come to Champaran. The time has come for you to fulfil your promise. 19 lakhs suffering people of Champaran are waiting to see you.”
• Gandhiji reached Patna on 10 April, 1917 and on 16 April he reached Motihari accompanied by Rajkumar Shukla. Under Gandhiji’s leadership the historic “Champaran Satyagraha” began. The contribution of Rajkumar Shukla is reflected in the writings of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first President of India, Acharya Kriplani and of course Mahatma Gandhi himself. Rajkumar Shukla maintained a diary in which he was given an account of struggle against the atrocities of the indigo planters, atrocities so movingly depicted by Deen Bandhu Mitra in “Neel Darpan”, a play that was translated by Michael Madhusudan Dutt.
• Text : Based on book “Rajkumar Shukla” by Rai Prabhakar Prasad & NCERT’s publication: India’s struggle for Independence.

The post Rajkumar Shukla 2018 appeared first on iStampGallery.

Issued by India

Issued on Oct 2, 2018

Issued for : As the nation commemorates the 150^th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Department of Posts is proud to issue a set of seven Commemorative Postage Stamps. Through these circular stamps, issued for the first time in Independent India, the Department endeavours to capture a few dimensions of his well-rounded personality and pays a tribute to the colossus.

Credits :
Stamp/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure : Sh. Sankha Samanta
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500, 1200, 2000, 4100, 2200, 2500, 2500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 8.0 Lakh

Miniature Sheets Printed : 2.0 lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

Name : Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Born on 2 Oct, 1869 at Porbandar, Gujarat, India

Died on 30 Jan, 1948 at New Delhi, India

About : 

• If ever there was a man who single-handedly steered the course of a nation and its people leading them from a subjugated subservient state in awe of their colonizers to a self-confident population demanding freedom from imperial domination, it was, without doubt, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Born on 2^nd October, 1869 in a Modh Bania family, Monia, as his parents affectionately called him, was the favourite of his teachers. His father, Karamchand was politically influential and his mother Putlibai was well informed about all matters of state.
• Mahatma Gandhi had his first brush with racial arrogance in his early twenties when he went to meet Sir Charles Ollivant, the Raj’s Political Agent in Kathiawar, who was examining a charge against his brother. When Gandhiji reminded Ollivant of his old acquaintance with him, Ollivant advised him sternly to tell his brother to submit a petition in the proper course. Since Gandhiji persisted, he was forcibly evicted from Ollivant’s room, Gandhiji felt that Ollivant had overreacted but he also realized that he should not have approached Ollivant in the first instance. He, therefore, decided that he would never again place himself on a weak footing and that he would focus his anger on the arrogance rather than the person displaying it.
• Gandhi’s next encounter with racial discrimination took place in South Africa when he was asked to remove his turban in court by the Magistrate as Indians were expected to remove their headgear in court, more so if they hoped to speak to it. Thereafter came a series of racial insults on his journey from Durban to Pretoria including the Pietermaritzburg Station incident and further during his stay in Transvaal.
• The Ollivant incident and the ordeals from Durban to Pretoria engendered violent thoughts in Gandhiji’s mind and there was a clash between violence and forgiveness. However, when he read a book given by Tolstoy, he was influenced profoundly by it and learnt not to hate, not to hoard, not to kill and to love one’s enemies. The conflict in his mind thus, resolved itself against violence and Gandhiji went on to strongly believe that “Violence is the weapon of the weak; non-violence that of the strong”.
• The incidents in South Africa led to the evolution of Satyagraha, a philosophy that was used by Gandhiji not just in South Africa but in India as well and also by leaders of other countries steering their respective freedom/civil rights movements. The idea of Satyagraha emphasized the power of truth and the need to search for truth. It suggested that if the cause is true and the struggle is against injustice, then physical force is not necessary to fight the oppressor. Satyagraha is pure soul-force. Truth is the very substance of the soul. That is why this force is called Satyagraha.
• As a young boy, Gandhiji had been stirred by a play on the story of Harishchandra who clung to the truth even when all his loved ones and he himself suffered greatly. The play haunted the twelve-year old boy who enacted it to himself several times and wept as he wanted to be like Harishchandra. Owing to this impact, the boy would not be prompted when his teacher tried to urge him to copy a word from a neighbour’s slate during the visit of an educational officer to the school on inspection! Gandhi’s love for truth manifested itself in a remarkable self-awareness and openness both in public and private life. His campaigns of civil disobedience were always declared in advance. His social experiments were discussed in his newspapers and the comments of his critics were given due prominence. In fact, truth was such a sublime force in Gandhi’s life that he said, “Innumerable are the names of God; but if a choice were to be made of one, it would be Sat or Satya, that is Truth. Hence verily Truth is God”.
• With openness and self-awareness came a striking ease of forgiving, another defining characteristic of Gandhiji’s persona. He could quickly let bygones be bygones. He had no hatred and no resentment; once a settlement was reached, he could cooperate with enemies as fervently as he fought with them. That is why he believed, “Man finds himself by losing his self”. A country so large and diverse could never have been united by a leader hindered by ideological rigidity or personal arrogance.
• An almost non-existent ego led to a character completely given to selfless service. Gandhiji believed, “A life spent in service is the only fruitful life”. From the age of about thirteen to sixteen, he seems to have spent some time each day attending on his increasingly sick father, time which he could have spent on walks, games with school friends, reading and pursuit of other hobbies. That streak of compassion and service developed in boyhood is the reason why later in life, he could dress the wounds of an indentured labourer suffering from leprosy with as much ease and equanimity as he could inspect latrines in plague-hit Bombay when he offered to help with the city’s sanitation.
• Gandhiji believed that cleanliness is extremely important for physical and mental well-being as well as for a healthy environment. He lamented however, that even though we inculcate clean personal habits, we do not care about public hygiene. He felt that without a clean and healthy surrounding, we would not develop as a nation. In fact, he did not see cleanliness only in terms of the physical aspect, he believed in cleanliness of the body, the spirit and the soul, saying, “When there is both inner and outer cleanliness, it approaches godliness”.
• Text : Dr. Amarpreet Duggal.

The post India on Mahatma Gandhi 2018 appeared first on iStampGallery.

Issued by India

Issued on Jul 26, 2018

Issued for : Department of Posts is proud to release a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps between India and South Africa on the theme “125^th Year of Mahatma Gandhi’s Pietermaritzburg Station Incident & Birth Centenary of Nelson Mandela” depicting images of “Mahatma Gandhi” from India and “Nelson Mandela” from South Africa on these stamps.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet : Thea Clemons and Alan Ainslie from South African Post Office and Nenu Gupta from India Post.
First Day Cover/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500, 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 5.0 Lakh each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 1.2 Lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

Born on 18 Jul, 1918 at Mvezo, South Africa

Died on 5 Dec, 2013 at Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, South Africa

About : 

• India’s relations with South Africa date back several centuries. India was the first country to sever trade relations with the apartheid Government in 1946. Diplomatic and consular relations with South Africa were restored in November 1993. Since then India–South Africa relations have been growing from strength to strength. A number of bilateral agreements have been concluded between the two countries since 1993 in several areas including economic and commercial cooperation, defence, culture, health, human settlements, public administration, science and technology and education. The year 2018 marks 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa, the 125^th year of the Pietermaritzburg railway station incident involving Mahatma Gandhi and the birth centenary of Nelson Mandela.
• Under the IBSA & BRICS initiatives, both countries interact regularly at all levels. India is the fourth largest trade partner of South Africa. About 150 Indian companies have their presence in South Africa, with an estimated investment of about US$ 10 billion. The South African Indian origin community numbers around 1.5 million which constitutes about 3% of South Africa’s total population. South Africans of Indian origin are well-represented in government, business, media, legal and other professions. The year 2010 marked the 150^th anniversary of the first arrival of Indians in South Africa. The year 2014 marked 100 years of Gandhiji’s final departure to India from South Africa which date is commemorated annually as Pravasi Bhartiya Divas.
• Birth Centenary of Nelson Mandela:
  • Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18 July, 1918 in Mvezo, a village near Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He was an anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader and philanthropist, who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country’s first black Head of State and the first elected President in a fully representative democratic election. He served as the President of the African National Congress (ANC) party from 1991 to 1997.
  • In 1962, Mandela was arrested for conspiring to overthrow the state and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Rivonia Trial. After serving 27 years of prison, he was released on 11 February, 1990, nine days after the unbanning of the ANC. He immersed himself in official talks to end white minority rule and in 1991, was elected ANC President. In 1993, Nelson Mandela and President F.W. de Klerk jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize. On 10 May, 1994 he was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected President.
  • Mandela stepped down in 1999 after one term as President. He continued to work with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund he set up in 1995 and established the Nelson Mandela Foundation and The Mandela Rhodes Foundation. He died at his home in Johannesburg on 5 December, 2013.
  • Nelson Mandela first visited India in 1990 when he was honoured with the “Bharat Ratna” soon after his release from imprisonment. In March 1997, Nelson Mandela and Indian Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda signed the Red Fort Declaration on the India–South Africa Strategic Partnership during Mandela’s official visit to India. Nelson Mandela received the International Gandhi Peace Prize for social, economic and political transformation from Indian President K. R. Narayanan in 2001.
• Text : Based on the information received from Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

The post Nelson Mandela : India-South Africa Joint Issue appeared first on iStampGallery.