Issued by India

Issued on Dec 19, 2025

Issued for : Department of Posts is proud to issue a set of Commemorative Postage Stamps honoring the treasures of nature and traditional knowledge of India, promoting well-being and health through vital medicinal plants like Shatavari, Mandukparni, Pippali, Guduchi and Ashwagandha.

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

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (5)

Souvenir Sheet Price : 2500 Paise

Souvenir Sheets Printed : 1,11,000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• India’s geographical diversity has blessed it with an unparalleled wealth of medicinal plants, which form the bedrock of various traditional systems of Medicine. The following five plants, in particular, showcase the varied therapeutic potential and the targeted use of specific plant parts in healing practices:
  • Asparagus racemosus Willd. (Shatavari): The plant is a perennial, prickly climber and a highly branched undershrub found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of India. It is used as an adaptogen to help the body manage stress, supporting reproductive health, digestion, immunity, and overall vitality.
  • Centella asiatica L. (Mandukparni): A perennial prostrate herb with creeping stems that root at the nodes, it has simple, reniform leaves with long petioles. The inflorescence is a loose, sub-capitate umbel. The dried whole plant is used for fever, itching, cough and anemia.
  • Piper longum L. (Pippali): A slender, aromatic, creeping perennial herb, the plant is used in dyspepsia, abdominal pain and diuretic splenopathy, anorexia, asthma and fever.
  • Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook.f. & Thoms. (Guduchi): A large, extensively spreading perennial woody climber with succulent stems, its stem is used for treating fever, cough, gout, worm infestation, anemia and skin diseases.
  • Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha): A perennial herb and erect, branched undershrub growing up to 1.25 m in height. It is useful as a rejuvenator and promotes intellect, stability and strength.
• India is not only home to diverse medicinal plants but also a global centre of botanical knowledge, with traditional systems documenting nearly 8,000 plant-based remedies. A large share of the population, especially in rural areas, still depends on these accessible and time-tested natural medicines. Growing global preference for safe, holistic, plant-based products has further increased demand, making India one of the world’s leading exporters of medicinal plants and a key supplier to the herbal, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.
• Text : Based on the content provided by National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of AYUSH.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 25, 2023

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue Commemorative Postage Stamp on 75^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Egypt and celebrates the warmth, goodwill and friendship between the two nations.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Shri Suresh Kumar
Cancellation Cachet : Ms Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (2)

Souvenir Sheet Price : 3000 Paise

Souvenir Sheet Printed : 1.11 lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• India and Egypt are celebrating the 75^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. The joint announcement of establishment of diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level was made by the two countries on 18 August 1947. President of Egypt H.E. Mr Abdel Fattah EI Sisi is the Chief Guest on India’s Republic Day – 2023. India has also invited Egypt as ‘Guest Country’ during its G-20 Presidency this year.
• India and Egypt, two of the world’s oldest civilizations, have enjoyed a history of close people to people contact from ancient times. The links between India and Egypt have stood the test of time and have been further strengthened by mutual warmth, friendship and goodwill of the two sides.
• India and Egypt also share similarities in cultural roots, including food habits, music, dance forms, cinema and other rich traditions emanating from our ancient civilizations. Today, Indian movies, TV serials as well as Indian music especially Hindi songs hold a special place in the hearts of people of Egypt. Yoga is gaining popularity among of Egypt day by day. India’s a month long cultural festival ‘India by the Nile’, which showcase various cultural aspects of India is popular in Egypt. Similarly, Egyptian side has also organised ‘Egypt by the Ganga’ demonstrating Egyptian culture in India.
• India’s partnership with Egypt has evolved well over the years. The continuous political engagement at the highest level has further strengthened the bilateral ties. Both sides helped each other even during the difficult time of the COVID pandemic. Bilateral defense cooperation has received a significant boost in the recent times. Bilateral trade between India and Egypt reached at a record high of US$ 7.26 billion in FY 2021-22.
• The Ganga and the Nile are symbols of faith, culture and traditions that have defined the great civilizations of India and Egypt respectively. In India, the Ganga has a profound religious, cultural, commercial, and industrial significance. For an Indian, nothing can match the ever-lasting divinity of the holy Ganga. River Ganga provides water to a large portion of India’s population and is considered as a lifeline of the country. Similarly in Egypt, over the course of millennia, the ancient Egyptians have developed a distinctive culture shaped in their geography, natural resources and relationship with the Nile. Every aspect of life in Egypt revolved around the Nile. The commemorative postage stamp aptly captures the significance of the Ganga and the Nile to depict the strong bonds between two nations.
• Text : Referenced from contents provided by Ministry of External Affairs.

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Issued by India

Issued on Sep 1, 2022

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on 2^nd International Tiger Forum and hails the contribution of India and global community to save Tiger and its ecosystem.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 301875

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Differing attitudes and beliefs regarding the relationship of humankind to other creatures has been a topic of interest for civilizations. India, the land of eastern religions of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, strongly lays emphasis on non injury to animals. The doctrine of non-violence or non-killing is taken from these eastern philosophies. In Sanatan Dharma, animals are carriers of gods and goddesses and hence considered integral part of human lifestyle. Tiger, is the carrier of Goddess Durga, the source of unlimited power and abundance.
• The Government of India took a pioneering initiative for conserving its national animal, the tiger, by launching the “Project Tiger” in 1973. “Project Tiger”, now ongoing as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, was launched in 09 tiger reserves of different States (Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal) over an area of approximately 14,000 km². Since then, the project coverage has expanded considerably to 52 tiger reserves (TR), encompassing an area of around 74,725.07 km² in 18 tiger States with 41,022.9 km² of notified core/ critical tiger habitats and 33,602.12 km² of buffer / peripheral areas in 18 tiger states.
• Due to ongoing conservation efforts under the Project Tiger in designated tiger reserves, India supports almost 70% of wild tigers amongst the 13 tiger range countries in the world. Project Tiger has put the endangered tiger on an assured path of recovery, as revealed in the country level assessment of tiger, co- predators, prey and habitat.
• In November, 2010, the Russian Federation had organized an International Forum on issues related to preservation of tiger in St Petersburg. The forum had adopted a declaration of the Heads of Governments on Tiger Conservation and the Global Tiger Recovery Program. One of the important decisions taken in the Forum was doubling of tiger population in the natural habitat of tiger by 2022.
• It is heartening to note that India has achieved the goal of doubling the tigers well ahead of the schedule and India is one of the leading Tiger Range Countries in the world in tiger conservation.
• As per the agreement reached in 2010 in St Petersburg, 2^nd International Tiger Forum is being held. This 2^nd International Forum has the main objectives of reviewing the results of Global Program and determine new priorities for further joint work of interested parties. The 2^nd International Tiger Forum is an important international event in creating awareness in stakeholders and India’s achievement of doubling of tiger numbers.
• To commemorate the 2^nd International Forum, the Russian Federation is issuing a postage stamp dedicated to this event. India being the global leader in tiger conservation is reciprocating the gesture by releasing a Commemorative Postage Stamp to celebrate this important global event.
• The Commemorative Postage Stamp also pays tribute to ‘Collarwali’ the famous tigress of Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, which passed away in January, 2022. This Super MOM, tigress had given birth to 29 tiger cubs in her life time and an astonishing 25 cubs had survived into adulthood.
• Text : Referenced from the contents provided by the proponent.

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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.

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Issued by India

Issued on Mar 16, 2020

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

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

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

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

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Miniature Sheets Printed : 110000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

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

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Issued by India

Issued on Jun 5, 2018

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a set of four Commemorative Postage Stamps on the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution” on the occasion of World Environment Day.

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

Type : Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (4)

Stamps Printed (4 Types) : 6.0 Lakh each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 1.1 Lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• World Environment Day, which is celebrated every year on 5^th June, is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years it has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 150 countries each year. The day has become a vital forum for promoting progress on the environmental dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• The observance of World Environment Day began in 1974. The activities began rotating through different host countries and cities in 1987, Kenya being the first country to host in 1987. India hosted World Environment Day in the year 2011 when the theme was “Forest: Nature at Your Service”. India is the global host for celebrating World Environment Day, 2018 as offered by UN Environment and the theme for World Environment Day, 2018 is “Plastic Pollution” which is one of the most challenging environmental concerns today.
• Plastic is durable, versatile and cheap yet degrades slowly. Plastic pollution involves the accumulation of plastic products in the environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat and humans. Plastic pollution can unfavourably affect lands, waterways and oceans. Rapid urbanization has contributed to the problem of growing waste generation and its disposal. Plastic waste and bags, if not collected systematically, choke drainage system and create unhygienic conditions; animals ingest plastic bags with the discarded food leading to their illness and sometimes death; the plastic waste when disposed of on soil reduces recharging of ground water aquifers; and when disposed of in landfill sites causes leaching of metals and additives into the soil and ground water. Plastic fragmentation produces micro-plastics which can be taken up by microorganisms. The problem of marine debris is also related to safety of beaches which attract millions of tourists all along the coast. Because of its continued and growing adverse impact, action is essential now from multiple directions to beat plastic pollution.
• India is committed to the theme of World Environment Day 2018 i.e. ‘Plastic Pollution’. In order to tackle the issue of waste management in India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India has notified the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016. Some of the salient features of these rules include increasing the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags from 40 to 50 microns; mandatory registration of manufacturers of plastic carry bags with State Pollution Control Boards; making waste generators including individual, bulk generators like offices, commercial establishments, industries, event organisers responsible for source segregation of the plastic waste and handing over of segregated waste; payment of user fee as per bye-laws of the local bodies; establishment of collect back system of plastic waste by the producers / brand owners as per Extended Producers Responsibility, etc.
• In addition to legislation, the movement towards sustainable lifestyle requires multiple actions and creative approaches. Firstly, awareness among citizens especially, targeting youth and children as agents of change can make a transformational impact. Secondly, there is a need for developing solutions whereby non-recyclable plastic can be reutilized as secondary raw material for development of newer products with use of efficient technologies and skilling informal sector. The non-recyclable combustible fractions can also be converted to refuse-derived-fuel (RDF) and can be used as alternative fuel in cement plants.
• Environment is our collective responsibility and we need to move together with everyone to solve environmental problems. We must realize the concern and make collective efforts to reduce our plastic footprint. At the same time, the per capita consumption of plastic needs to be curtailed and this is the right time for us to plan for the future so that the single use of plastic may be safe for human and other living organisms.
• Text : Based on the information received from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 15, 2017

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a miniature sheet and a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps on Beautiful India on the selected entries.

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

Type : Stamps, Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1500 Paise (2)

Stamps Printed : 0.5 million each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 0.1 million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Department of Posts is conducting stamp design competition on various themes from 2015 on the occasion of Republic Day, Independence Day and Children’s Day at national level. Based on the entries received from the participants, stamps are designed and released. Selected participants are given cash awards for first three places. As a novel exercise this time, a nationwide photography competition on theme “Beautiful India” was conducted on the occasion of Independence Day, 2017. Based on the best entries, stamps, First Day Cover and Brochure have been designed. The first three places won in Photography Competition are by Sh. K. Narayanaswamy, Mr. Pulkit Tyagi and Sh. Mihir Singh. Entries received from Sh. K. Narayanaswamy, Mr. Pulkit Tyagi and Sh. Mihir Singh, Ms. Surya R. G. and Smt. Chamah Sharma have been used for designing the Stamp, FDC and Brochure.
• India is a unique country with rich diversity in geography, diversity in languages, diversity in food, diversity in clothes, diversity in festivals and so on which uniquely represents the mosaic of our country and its people. India‘s astounding diversity of religions, languages and cultures is unique and unparalleled. The culture of the vast subcontinent, varied and complex in its rich heritage is among the oldest in the world. Five thousand years of history have nourished the growth of our great civilization. It has been vitalized through cross cultural contacts and characterized by unity in diversity.
• The selected photographs depict the various natural and beautiful aspects of India. The tree laden with yellow flowers at both sides of road and girls going to school is a nice visual. The hills of Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh and photograph of Tajmahal snapped from the garden brings a refreshing angle to a popular subject. The photo of Saryulsar Lake, Kullu and the scenery of a pond circled with hyacinth and filled with innumerable number of small water birds are indeed visual treats.
• Text : Based on the information available on internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 15, 2017

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a set of four Commemorative Postage Stamps on Caves of Meghalaya.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure : Sh. Suresh Kumar
Cancellation Cachet : Ms. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (4)

Stamps Printed : 0.5 million each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 0.1 million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Starting as a coral island, after the breakup of the super-continent Gondwanaland, Meghalaya is mostly comprised of a relatively stable high structural block, called the Shillong Plateau, with underlying Precambrian granites, gneisses and schists. Along its southern border however, a younger sedimentary sequence was formed which includes limestone. The land experienced a succession of dramatic events where parts of the land were uplifted only to sink before rising above the sea again, thereby lifting the karst areas to considerable height.
• The presence of ideal conditions like high grade limestone, heavy precipitation, elevation and hot and humid climate induced the formation of caves at diverse locations and elevations, making this particular region of the country a delightful paradise of caves. During the last twenty five years of exploration, 1620 caves have been identified or located out of which about 1030 have been explored and mapped, yielding a total cave passage mapped at 460 kilometers with the potential of much more to be discovered. These extensive and intricate subterranean systems of Meghalaya are the longest and deepest in India, with the longest being Krem Liat Prah-Um Im-Labit system at 30,397 metres and the deepest being Synrang Pamiang at -317 metres.
• These caves are also unique as habitat for rare and endemic troglobitic animals not found elsewhere in the world like Hetoropoda fischeri and Schistura papulifera. Department of Posts is issuing stamps on four caves of Meghalaya i.e. Krem Blang, Krem Khung, Krem Syndai and Krem Lymput.
• Krem Blang:
  • (25°25’26.8” N: 092°35’00.2” E), is located in East Jaintia Hills district. It is 272.93 m long. It is a single large relic passage below a short slope. The passage of the cave remains at fairly constant width and height dimensions of seven metres by nine metres for almost the whole length. About 50 metres into the cave a short but easy squeeze through calcite formations have to be negotiated, after which the passage turns and opens up again to a straight 200 metre long gallery. A short distance after this, a boulder slope on the south east side leads up towards the roof. Here a short, free climbable three by one metre wide pitch extends five metres up to a very unstable chamber and an exit to daylight.
  • After another thirty metres back in the main passage Angie’s Chamber is reached. Here the floor is covered with beautiful crystal pools and cave pearls requiring very careful negotiation. Clusters of high stalagmites and columns form bizarre groups of picturesque calcite formations along the walls. Another twenty metres further on a dry inlet with calcite floor joins the main passage and arrives on top of a great flowstone and calcite formation called The Fireplace. A little ahead a short scramble and crawl to the west leads into an impressively decorated chamber named Annie’s Ballroom at the end of which calcite formations block all possible ways on.
• Krem Khung:
  • (25°23’21.9” N: 92°34’48.8” E), is located in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. The cave lies at the valley level at an altitude of 879 m above the mean sea level. The 1.4m by 1.6m triangular shaped entrance of the cave is through a sinkhole lying below a cliff. Beyond the entrance, the cave floor is covered with dry mud and flood debris for about fifty to sixty metres after which numerous pools with slushy to knee deep water are to be negotiated for onward progress into the main cave system.
  • The cave trends in a north east direction towards the Kopili River and is a major sink of the area taking a lot of water during the monsoon.
  • One of the characteristic features of Krem Khung is its meandering nature which practically obliterates the transitional zone and the dark zone starts within less than 100m of the entrance.
  • Main trend of the cave leads into a large chamber with a diameter of about 50 m and height of about 8 m. This chamber, which has been named as Paradise Chamber by cave explorers is spectacular from the point of view of speleological features. Its base is strewn with fallen boulders and it has development of multi-coloured stalactites, stalagmites and columns; some of the stalactites are of bright yellow colour due to sulphuric bacterial activity.
  • The cave is hosted by limestone of Eocene age as indicated by the presence of age diagnostic fossils of foraminiferal species of Nummulites.
  • At 7,349 metres long it is currently India’s tenth longest cave.
• Krem Syndai:
  • (25°10’53.8” N: 92°08’15.7” E; Length 400 metres). The cave entrance lies in a small depression some four hundred metres from the village of Sundai, in West Jaintia Hills district.
  • The cave is entered by a stooping height arch and once inside the passage immediately opens up into impressive proportions. The way forward lies down a steep calcite slope to the floor of the passage proper. Here the cave passage is some 25 metres or more high by some 30 metres wide, containing some impressive calcite formations in the form of large stalactite and stalagmite bosses, columns and much flowstone. The passage continues in an easterly direction for over 200 metres in similar proportions with the floor rising and falling as large calcited boulder piles and groups of large stalactite formations are met. The passage eventually begins to diminish in size and ends in a calcite blockage.
• Krem Lymput:
  • (25°10’35” N: 091°47’10” E) The cave lies about six kilometres from the village of Nongjri, East Khasi Hills district. The inconspicuous entrance hidden in the jungle covered boulders reveals itself by the cool air it blows. A scramble descent of about 10 metres over masses of rock to a comparatively level space leads to the main trunk passage which runs for one kilometre with inclined walls and ceiling towards west into a passage known as Way to Heaven, which is a very loose and slippery climb. It leads into a series of spacious galleries which are very rich in calcite formations. The main attraction of the cave is the Mughal Room which measures more than 25 metres wide, 25 metres high and 75 metres long. With numerous side passages creating a maze it is 6641 metres long and currently ranks at number 12 in India.
• Text : Based on the information received from State Govt. Meghalaya.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 25, 2017

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

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

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (6)

Stamps Printed : 301590 each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 0.1 million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

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

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 14, 2015

Designs : The Department of Posts organized a nation­wide stamp design Competition on the theme “A Day in the Rains” to design the stamps to be released on the occasion of Children’s Day this year. A set of two stamps and a Miniature sheet were designed for release on this occasion. 38,200 entries were received from all over the country, by the scheduled date for sending in of these entries. The designs on the stamps and Miniature sheet are based on the Prize-winning entries submitted by Yamini K, Kimaya Gupta & Rohit Gupta. The design on the First Day Cover is based on the painting submitted by V. Hemachandran and the painting submitted by Binita Biswajeeta is used as the design on the Brochure brought out on the occasion.

Credits :
Stamp/Miniature Sheet/FDC : Sankha Samanta, based on the paintings by participants.
Cancellation Cachet : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 2500 & 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.6 Million each

Miniature Sheet : 0.2 Million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Children’s Day also known as Bal Diwas, is celebrated every year in India on 14^th of November and is a day to engage in fun and frolic. But it is not just that. This day is celebrated to increase the awareness of people towards the rights, care and education of children and to remind us all to renew our commitment towards the welfare of the children.
  
• India‘s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, was born on November 14. Apart from being known for his skills as a statesman, Nehru was also immensely fond of children. He believed that children were the future of a Nation and they needed utmost care. Fondly referred to as Chacha Nehru by children, he emphasized the importance of giving love and affection to children, whom he saw as the bright future of India.
  
• Children constitute principle assets of a country. Children’s Development is as important as the development of material resources and the best way to develop national human resources is to take care of children. India has the largest child population in the world and the development and welfare of children is of prime importance to the country. Continuous efforts are on to ensure that the highest priority to the basic needs and rights of all children is accorded. A lot needs to be done for the health, nutrition and education of children, particularly for the girl child.
  
• The occasion is celebrated throughout India with immense fun, fervour and enthusiasm. Students are encouraged to participate in various activities, such as singing, dancing, story-telling, elocutions, painting, art and crafts, cultural events, sports events for children, and so on. It gives all the children of India the occasion to enjoy the freedom of childhood. Many Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) also organize programs for the poor and deprived children. These days, a number of special programs are aired on the television and radio for kids. It is a Day to take some time out and focus our attention on Children who are the future of this nation.
  
• Text : Based on the material available on the internet.

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