Issued by India

Issued on Jan 25, 2024

Issued for : Acknowledging the ECI’s pivotal role, the Department of Posts is delighted to issue a commemorative postage stamp on ‘Inclusive Elections in India’ and recognises ECI’s contributions to ensuring equitable elections, encouraging voter participation, and preserving the democratic system.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Ms. Gulistaan

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 301680

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The Election Commission of India is an independent constitutional body responsible for conducting and overseeing elections of the Largest Democracy of the world. Its impartial role is instrumental in upholding the fairness and integrity of the electoral process. The Commission’s meticulous planning and execution of elections ensure that the elections are free and fair, reinforcing public trust and confidence.
• Article 324, which created the Election Commission, holds exceptional significance. The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949 and put into effect on January 26, 1950. The Election Commission’s office was established on January 25, 1950, a day before the Constitution became effective. It placed its trust in the wisdom of Indian citizens to choose their representatives in positions of authority.
• India’s democracy thrives on its diversity – cultural, social, geographical, linguistic, etc. This diversity is seamlessly integrated into the political and social fabric of the nation, fostering a unique blend of unity in diversity. One of the fundamental tenets of Indian democracy is universal suffrage. The Indian Constitution grants all adult citizens the right to vote, regardless of their caste, religion, gender, or socio-economic status. This inclusive approach ensures that every individual has a say in shaping the nation’s destiny, reinforcing the notion of seamless integration within the diverse Indian population.
• Today, the Election Commission stands as a cornerstone of democracy in the world’s largest democratic nation. Having conducted 17 General Elections and over 400 Assembly elections, the ECI presently manages a diverse electorate of over 96 Crore voters, comprising roughly 49.68 Crore male and 47.07 Crore female voters, reflecting a balanced gender distribution. The count also includes about 48,000 individuals who identify as the third gender, highlighting the inclusivity of the enrolment process. Additionally, there are about 81.22 lakh voters with disabilities (PwD). The age range among voters is diverse, with approximately 1.84 Crore aged 80 and above and 2.55 lakh surpassing the age of 100. The 18-19 age group boasts approximately 1.85 Crore of new voters, enriching India’s democratic tapestry. With a commitment to inclusivity, the Commission encourages the participation of young voters through initiatives like National Voters Day (NVD) and extensive awareness campaigns.
• As the 18^th General Elections – 2024 are around the corner, ECI has launched an array of initiatives to make the election “inclusive, accessible and participative” in its truest spirit. Targeted campaign such as ‘Desh ka Form’ during Special Summary Revision-2024, National Voter’s Awareness Contest, Cycle Rallies and Democracy rooms for new and first-time voters, Turnout Implementation Plan for targeting each polling booth, Matdata Junction radio programme series, all aimed at fostering participation from every section of the society. This commitment is evident in spearheading efforts for 100% participation of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, along with targeted interventions for women, first-time voters, tribal groups, and Persons with Disabilities. Creating permanent Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) is given due prominence to enhance the voter experience, making voting more accessible and convenient for citizens. Additionally, the special initiative of Home Voting, which allows eligible voters with physical disabilities, illnesses, or advanced age to cast their votes from their homes, serves to emphasise the importance of every vote.
• Various divisions of the Commission work in tandem to facilitate, educate and engage with voters. Technological advancements, such as the transition to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the introduction of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), have enhanced transparency in elections. To combat misinformation and empower voters to make informed decision, ECI has implemented a ‘fact-check’ register, chatbots for officials, and digitalized content. The commitment to technological advancements is evident in the development and regular updates of apps for all stakeholders like c-Vigil, Know Your Candidate App, Saksham App, Voter Helpline App, Suvidha App, etc.
• The establishment of the “India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management” (IIIDEM) showcases the ECI’s dedication and commitment to sharing expertise and experience with Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in other countries, providing electoral assistance and training based on bilateral requests and multilateral arrangements to around 140 Nations.
• Text : Based on information received from proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 25, 2024

Issued for : Department of Posts is delighted to release a miniature sheet of 3 commemorative postage stamps on Bharat – The Mother of Democracy and salutes the democratic spirit of world’s largest democracy.

Credits :
Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Sh. Suresh Kumar

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (3)

Miniature Sheets Printed : 143334

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• A 31 gun salute to the President heralded the birth of Indian Republic shortly before 1030 hours on January 26, 1950. It was 894 days after the country attained the dominion status following the end of British rule. The ceremony was held in the brilliantly decorated Darbar Hall of the Government House (now Rashtrapati Bhawan) and was attended by about 500 prominent dignitaries including Dr Soekarno, the President of Indonesian Republic. It was the beginning of a new Republic based on the principles of justice, liberty, equality and unity.
• This (26^th January 2024) being the 75^th Republic Day inspires us to look back and realize that Bharat has been the beckon of Democracy long before this idea was rediscovered by western thinkers. It is no surprise that after independence, the people of this country took to democracy as duck takes to water.
• India had a history of Republics that existed before and after Buddha. One such republic was Lichchhavi which was a part of Vajjika territory and contemporary village of Basarh in Vaishali district of Bihar. The references of Lichchhavi are in Pali, Tibetan, Jain, Greek, Nepalese, and Chinese and Sanskrit texts. Universal Civil rights, franchise, general assembly, rule of law, deliberation and procedures of committees and appeals are the democratic features, which were well established in Lichchhavi Gana-Rajya. Lichchhavis had an open and secret ballot system; their presidents (ganapati), Vice presidents (up ganapati), army chiefs (senapati), ambassadors and other key heads of administration-judiciary were elected through consensus and electoral contests, if required.
• It was one of the earliest document reference to democracy and hence can be called mother of democracy in the recorded history of mankind. It operated on the principal that ‘let one faulty escape than to punish one who is not guilty’. It was a role model for Buddha. His Sangh was founded on the functioning style of this Lichchhavi gana-rajya.
• Sangam literature and epigraphical sources throw valuable information on the socio-economic condition of Tamil Nadu. In the Chola period, the Uttiramerur inscription of C. 919 and 921 CE of the Chola king, Parantaka I, laid down the rules for the election of persons to the several committees which administered the village. It mentions the nagaram, which denotes both the town of the merchants and their assembly, the ur or village assembly and the urar (members of the village assembly). The different local bodies coexisted peacefully. The leader of the mahasabha/sabha was an elected representative. It highlights an early form of decentralized governance in the region.
• Uttiramerur inscription describes a meticulous electing process for members of the Sabha. It involved a lottery system, ensuring fairness. The eligibility criteria included age, property ownership and moral conduct. The Sabha served as a committee responsible for various administrative functions, including resolving disputes, maintaining law & order and overseeing local affairs. Major decisions were taken through discussions and consensus-building. For accountability, the inscription mentions provisions for impeaching and removing individuals from the sabha if found guilty of misconduct or corruption.
• Sikhism, founded by Guru Nanak in the 15^th century, embodies several democratic ideals that promote equality, justice and community participation. It emphasizes the equality of all individuals, irrespective of caste, creed, gender or social status. The concept of ‘Ik Onkar’ (One supreme reality) underscores the oneness of humanity and rejects any form of discrimination.
• The Sikh tradition encourages active participation of its followers in community affairs. The Institution of langar (community kitchen) exemplifies Sikh democratic values, promoting social equality and community solidarity. The Sikh prayer ‘Sarbat da Bhala’ translates to ‘May everyone be blessed’ promotes an inclusive and compassionate society. The Gurmata system involves reaching consensus through discussion and agreement among community members.
• When Bharat is entering into Amrit Kaal, it is opportune time to reclaim the legacy of our forefather and great thinkers who sowed the seed of Democracy in our DNA. Bharat was, is and will remain forever the Mother of Democracy.
• Text : Referenced from content provided by Proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 22, 2020

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on the International Labour Organization to mark 100 years of its foundation.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 600000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) came into existence in 1919. Over the course of 100 years, the ILO has witnessed significant developments and scaled new heights in their mandate to promote welfare of the workers. The ILO is the only tripartite United Nations Agency that brings together Governments, employers and workers of 187 Member States to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes to promote decent work for all women and men and to provide social protection to workers. India is a founder member of the ILO and has a rich legacy of upholding the ILO’s objectives and spirit. India’s well-established Tripartite mechanisms that are at the heart of the ILO’s consultative process (where adequate representation is given to Workers’ / Employers’ and the Government) have resulted in a robust and dynamic system of deliberative process for labour policy formulation.
• The main aims of the ILO are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues. The ILO achieves its mandate by way of setting up of international labour standards in the form of Conventions and Recommendations. Conventions are international treaties and instruments, which are legally binding obligations on the countries that have ratified them. Therefore, every ratified convention is embedded in the constitutional principles of a country or backed by a supporting legal or policy framework. Recommendations are non-binding and set out guidelines orienting national policies and actions.
• The three organs of the ILO are:
  • International Labour Conference: – General Assembly of the ILO – Meets every year in the month of June.
  • Government Body: – Executive Council of the ILO. Meets three times in a year in the months of March, June and November.
  • International Labour Office: – A permanent secretariat.
• Except for the interruption caused by the Second World War, the International Labour Conference has continued, since its first session in 1919 to meet at least once a year. The Conference, assisted by the Governing Body, adopts biennial programme and budget, adopts International Labour Standards in the form of Conventions and Recommendations and provides a forum for discussing social, economic and labour related issues. India has regularly and actively participated in the Conference through its tripartite delegations. The Conference has so far had 4 Indian Presidents viz. Sir Atul Chatterjee (1927), Shri Jagjivan Ram, Minister for Labour (1950), Dr. Nagendra Singh, President, International Court of Justice (1970) and Shri Ravindra Verma, Minister of Labour and Parliamentary Affairs (1979). There have also been 8 Indian Vice Presidents of the International Labour Conference, 2 from the Government group, 3 from the Employers’ group and 3 from the Workers’ group. Indians have chaired important Committees of the Conference such as Committee on Application of Standards, Selection Committee and Resolutions Committee.
• The Governing Body of the ILO is the executive wing of the Organization. It is also tripartite in character. Since 1922 India has been holding a non-elective seat on the Governing Body as one of the 10 countries of chief industrial importance. Indian employers’ and workers’ representatives have been elected as Members of the Governing Body from time to time. Four Indians have so far been elected Chairman of the Governing Body. They are: Sir Atul Chatterjee (1932-33), Shri Shamal Dharee Lall, Secretary, Ministry of Labour (1948-49), Shri S. T. Merani, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour (1961-62) and Shri B. G. Deshmukh, Secretary, Ministry of Labour (1984-85). The Governing Body of the ILO functions through various Sections and India takes part in the proceedings of all the Sections during the sessions of the Governing Body viz. Institutional Section (INS); Policy Development Section (POL); Legal Issues and International Labour Standards Section (LILS); Programme, Financial and Administrative Section (PFA); High-level Section (HL); and Working Party on the Functioning of the Governing Body and the International Labour Conference (WP/GBC).
• The International Labour Office, Geneva, provides the Secretariat for all Conferences and other meetings and is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of decisions taken by the Conference, Governing Body etc. Indians have held positions of importance in the International Labour Office.
• Out of the 190 ILO Conventions, of which, 8 Conventions are considered core conventions, India has ratified 47 Conventions and one protocol which include 6 core or fundamental human rights Conventions. The core ILO Conventions ratified by India are: (i) Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), (ii) Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105), (iii) Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100), (iv) Discrimination (Employment & Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111), (v) Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) and (vi) Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182).
• The ILO has rendered 100 years of sustained service to the cause of humanity by seeking universal peace though social justice. All these years, the ILO has made a lasting impact on the world of work and brought about remarkable improvements in the lives of working women and men. The ILO has completed 100 years of its existence that also marks India’s association with the ILO for 100 years.
• Text : Based on information received from the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Sep 2, 2015

Issued for : The Department of Posts organized a nation-wide competition inviting entries for the designs of commemorative postage stamps on the theme “Women Empowerment”. Based on selected entries a set of four stamps and a miniature sheet on the theme are being released.

Credits :
Stamps, FDC, Brochure & Miniature Sheet : By Suresh Kumar based on the paintings by Gurmeet Singh, Athul S Raj, Pratheek Roopjith, Rupam Roy, Avinash Kumar Jha and R. Amitha Shree.
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise each

Stamps Printed : 0.5 Million x 4 Stamps

Miniature Sheet : 0.2 Million (2000 p)

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Empowering women to participate fully in economic life across all sectors is essential to build stronger economies, achieve internationally agreed goals for development and sustainability, and improve the quality of life for women, men, families and communities. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) focuses on gender equality and women’s empowerment not only in terms of human rights, but also because they are a pathway to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and sustainable development.
• The principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Indian Constitution in its Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles. The Constitution not only grants equality to women, but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women.
• Within the framework of a democratic polity, our laws, development policies, Plans and programmes have aimed at women’s advancement in different spheres. The National Commission for Women was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1990 to safeguard the rights and legal entitlements of women. The 73^rd and 74^th Amendments (1993) to the Constitution of India have provided for reservation of seats in the local bodies of Panchayats and Municipalities for women, laying a strong foundation for their participation in decision making at the local levels.
• Even though the women’s movement and a wide-spread network of non-Government Organisations, which have strong grass-roots presence and deep insight into women’s concerns, have contributed towards inspiring initiatives for the empowerment of women, there still exists a wide gap between the goals enunciated in the Constitution, legislation, policies, plans, programmes, and related mechanisms on the one hand and the situational reality of the status of women in India, on the other.
• Gender disparity manifests itself in various forms, the most obvious being the trend of continuously declining female ratio in the population in the last few decades. Social stereotyping and violence at the domestic and societal levels are some of the other manifestations. Discrimination against girl children, adolescent girls and women persists in parts of the country. The underlying causes of gender inequality are related to social and economic structure, which is based on informal and formal norms, and practices. Consequently, the access of women particularly those belonging to weaker sections including Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other backward Classes and minorities, majority of whom are in the rural areas and in the informal, unorganized sector – to education, health and productive resources, among others, is inadequate. Therefore, they remain largely marginalized, poor and socially excluded. The evolution of property rights in a patriarchal system has also contributed to the subordinate status of women.
• Women’s equality in power sharing and active participation in decision making, including decision making in political process at all levels is required to be ensured for the achievement of the goals of empowerment. Measures to guarantee women equal access to and full participation in decision making bodies at every level, including the legislative, executive, judicial, corporate, statutory bodies, as also the advisory Commissions, Committees, Boards, Trusts etc. are also required to be taken. Women-friendly personnel policies help to encourage women to participate effectively in the developmental process.
• Since women comprise the majority of the population below the poverty line and are very often in situations of extreme poverty, given the harsh realities of intra-household and social discrimination, macro-economic policies and poverty eradication programmes are required to specifically address the needs and problems of such women.
• Equal access to education for women and girls is another important issue where special measures to eliminate discrimination, universalize education, eradicate illiteracy, create a gender-sensitive educational system, increase enrolment and retention rates of girls and improve the quality of education to facilitate life-long learning as well as development of occupation/vocation/technical skills by women require to be emphasized.
• A holistic approach to women’s health which includes both nutrition and health services requires to be pursued where attention needs to be given to the needs of women and the girl at all stages of the life. The reduction of infant mortality and maternal mortality, which are sensitive indicators of human development, continues to be a priority concern.
• Since coordinated and convergent efforts are needed to ensure survival, protection and empowerment of the girl child, the Government has announced Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative which is being implemented through a national campaign and focussed multi sectoral action in 100 selected districts low in CSR, covering all States and Union Territories. This is a joint initiative of Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Human Resource Development. The objectives of this initiative are prevention of gender biased sex selective elimination, ensuring survival & protection of the girl child, and, ensuring education and participation of the girl child.
• Besides, Operational strategies in the form of action plans, institutional mechanisms, proper resource management, legislation, also require to be pursued vigorously.
• Gender Sensitization in various forms is required to be taken up by all concerned. The Mass Media is to be sensitized and encouraged to develop codes of conduct, professional guidelines and other self-regulatory mechanisms to remove gender stereotypes and communicate social messages relating to women’s equality and empowerment.
• Text : Based on material from the internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 30, 2015

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of 3 Commemorative Postage Stamps on ‘SWACHH BHARAT’ on the occasion of martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi on 30^th January 2015.

Design : The Department of Posts organised an All India stamp design competition on the theme Clean India. The designs for the three stamps and the miniature sheet, the First Day Cover, and the Brochure on the theme Swachh Bharat have been based on the shortlisted entries. Three best entries were also awarded prizes.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Miniature Sheet : Sankha Samanta(based on selected entries including, those by M. Vaibhav Shenoy, Ankita De, Jenwin Baby, Dr. K. S. Bharanija, J. Sreeramulu and Manandeep K. Sondh, received through All India Stamp design competition)
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise each

Stamps Printed : 0.5 Million

Miniature Sheet : 0.2 Million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• India is an emerging economic powerhouse and a global leader and continues to be one of the largest economies in the world with a GDP projected to grow by 6.5 percent by the end of 2015. India has also become the fourth largest energy consumer in the world. This rapid growth and the accompanying increase in greenhouse gas emissions raise national concerns about climate change. It becomes even more important for us to take immediate remedial action because future generations will also be affected by these decisions and the extent to which these issues have been addressed. They would be required to deal with environmental risks, depletion of resources, the loss of biodiversity and radioactive wastes etc.
• Urban lifestyles have a huge impact on the environment. Our lifestyles have large carbon footprints which affect the climate adversely. Everything we do, ranging from taking a flight to just having a cup of coffee, requires energy which usually comes from combustion of fossil fuels. Thus, every action has a carbon footprint associated with it. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that carbon emissions are assessed and measures to promote a greener low carbon lifestyle are devised and followed.
• Beyond carbon concerns, other challenges including land use, transportation bottlenecks, and local air pollution are strong drivers for diversification of supply away from conventional sources of energy like coal, especially through renewable energy. While the regulatory authorities continue to play their role, programmes that are community based are required to be put in place to deal with the situation we find ourselves in. These will help the community as a whole to understand local issues and take necessary initiatives to improve the local environmental conditions and come-up with locale-specific initiatives to improve the surrounding environmental conditions.
• Sanitation is now universally recognized as a major proximate determinant for health indicators. The impacts on human health of poor sanitation and unhygienic practices is significant. Waterborne diseases and intestinal infections that are among leading causes of malnutrition, illness and death are often related to poor sanitation. The challenge that India with its large population, size & different hydro-geological regions faces in the area of sanitation, is enormous.
• On 2^nd October, 2014 the Swachh Bharat Mission, a mass movement, that sought to create a Clean India was launched. Cleanliness was very close to Mahatma Gandhi‘s heart and it was felt that a clean India was the best tribute that could be paid to Gandhiji when we celebrate his 150^th birth anniversary in 2019. While launching the Swachh Bharat Mission the Prime Minister of India urged everyone to devote at least hundred hours every year, that is two hours every week, towards cleanliness. The Mission seeks to achieve an Open Defecation Free India by 2^nd October, 2019. This involves providing access to toilets to all households and also making adequate arrangements for Solid and Liquid Waste Management. The Swachh Bharat Mission has two sub-missions – Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).
• Text : Based on material received from Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation and internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 22, 2015

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp on “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao“.

Credits :
Postage Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.5 Million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Gender composition of the human population is one of the basic demographic characteristics, which is extremely vital for any meaningful demographic analysis. Changes in the said composition largely reflect the underlying socio-economic and cultural patterns of a society in different ways. Sex ratio, defined as the number of females per 1000 males in the population, is an important social indicator to measure the extent of prevailing equality between males and females in a society at a given point of time.
• The trend of decline in the Child Sex Ratio (CSR), in India has been unabated since 1961. The CSR has alarmingly declined from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001 and to 918 in 2011. The issue of declining Child Sex Ratio is a major indicator of women disempowerment as it begins before birth, manifests in gender biased sex selection & elimination, and continues in various forms of discrimination towards the girl child after birth in fulfilling her health, nutrition and educational needs. Social construct discriminating against girls on the one hand, easy availability, affordability and subsequent misuse of diagnostic tools on the other hand, have been critical in increasing gender-biased sex selection of girls leading to low Child Sex Ratio.
• As coordinated and convergent efforts are needed to ensure survival, protection and empowerment of the girl child, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative was announced by the Government for implementation through a national campaign and focused multi sectoral action in 100 selected districts low in CSR, covering all States and UTs. Ministry of Women and Ministry of Human Resource Development in this endeavor where the objectives are : i) Prevention of gender biased sex selective elimination; ii) Ensuring survival & protection of the girl child; iii) Ensuring education and participation of the girl child.
• This would involve multi-sectoral action, multi-departmental action in the 100 identified districts to lay focus on strict enforcement of Pre Conception & Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PC & PNDT Act), retention of girls in secondary schools, availability of functional toilets, capacity-building & sensitization of government officials concerned, grassroots functionaries and elected representatives, and promotion of early registration of pregnancy, institutional deliveries and registration of birth registration and creating gender champions at local level. Special emphasis would be laid on reward and recognition of Schools / Panchayat / Urban ward / Frontline worker / Community volunteer on annual basis. Gender disaggregated data related to birth of girls and boys through the Guddi-Gudda Boards (Girls-Boys Board) would be widely displayed in prominent public places such as Panchayats, Anganwadi Centres, Health Centres, Tehsil Offices. This would also be used in discussions around the issue of CSR and value of girl child during panchayat meetings.
• The focused schematic interventions for improving CSR & promoting education under this initiative is supplemented by a national level mass campaign aimed at ensuring that girls are born, nurtured and educated without discrimination to become empowered citizens of this country with equal rights. Further, the involvement of women in the socio-economic growth will not only lead to increased standards of living but will also be a casual agent for the development of a country. The campaign interlinks National, State and District level interventions with community level action in 100 districts, bringing together different stakeholders for accelerated impact.
• Text : Based on material received from Ministry of Women & Child Development, Govt. of India and internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 29, 2012

Issued for : Department of Posts is happy to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

Credits:
Stamp / FDC / Brochure : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

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

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Consumer awareness and protection is a true indicator of the development of a country and the progressiveness of its civil society. The growing awareness about the rights of consumers and the consciousness and concern for value of money have contributed to the emergence of universal acceptance of the need for protection and promotion of consumer rights.
• The Consumer Protection Act was enacted on 24^th December, 1986 with the objective of protecting the interests of consumers. The Act came into effect from 15^th April, 1987. The guidelines for consumer protection as laid down by the United Nations have been incorporated in the said Act. It enshrines the rights of the consumers namely, Right to safety, Right to be informed, Right to choose, Right to be heard, Right to seek redressal and Right to consumer education. The provisions of the Act are in addition to the provisions of any other law in force to safeguard the interest of the consumers.
• The Department of Consumer Affairs is the nodal Department in the field of consumer protection. Consumer Protection Act, 1986 enabled the nodal department to set up a dispute resolution mechanism exclusively for the consumers which is simple, inexpensive and provides timely redressal. The Act created a three-tier quasi-judicial consumer dispute redressal machinery at the national, state and district levels. As on date, 629 district fora, 35 State Commissions and a National Commission have been established. The Act also provides for setting up of Consumer Protection Councils at the Central, State and district levels, which are advisory bodies to promote and protect consumer’s interests.
• The three tiers of Consumer Fora across the country are being fully computerized and networked through the scheme of ‘Computerization and Computer Networking of Consumer Fora’ (CONFONET). The Central Government is also extending financial assistance to States/Union Territories for strengthening the infrastructure of consumer fora for effective functioning.
• Text : Based on the material received from the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Feb 24, 2012

Issued for : Department of Posts is happy to issue a Postage Stamp to commemorate the 60^th anniversary of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation.

Credits :
Stamp / FDC : Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.45 Million (0.15 Million for the proponent)

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Employees’ State Insurance Scheme of India, popularly known as the ESI scheme, is a multidimensional social security system tailored to provide socio-economic protection to the worker population and their dependants covered under the scheme. The ESI schemes are being implemented by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). This scheme came into existence through the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 which is the first major legislation in this field. Further impetus was provided by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru by registering himself as the first Honored Insured Person on 24^th February, 1952.
• From a modest beginning of 25000 insured persons, ESIC now covers 1.43 crore families of workers and provides social security to 5.55 crore beneficiaries. Besides full medical care for self and dependants, admissible from the day one of insurable employment, the insured persons are also entitled for a number of cash benefits in times of physical distress due to sickness, temporary or permanent disablement, unemployment, industrial accidents etc.
• Starting from 21 dispensaries, the penetration of ESIC infrastructure has increased commendably over the years to 1486 dispensaries/AYUSH Units and 145 ESI Hospitals in the whole country. Today, ESI medical care institutions are treating approximately 4.5 crore patients annually. Along with the allopathic system of medicine, ESIC has adopted the Indian System of Medicine (ISM) in many states and provides treatment through Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH).
• ESI Corporation, with its Headquarters located in New Delhi has started a major drive for upgradation and modernization of its hospitals and dispensaries. Panchdeep, a comprehensive and complete IT enablement project, has been launched to upgrade the quality of services to the beneficiaries.
• With a staff of 7000 medical professionals, 35000 para-medical professionals and other employees, ESIC is determined to expand the coverage of its social security net.
• Text : Based on the material provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Feb 9, 2012

Issued for : India Post is happy to join the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of this intellectual haven by issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp, the design of which has tried to capture the essence of the Centre.

Credits :
Stamp / FDC & Brochure : Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

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

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The coming together of a few men and women with a vision for India’s future, led to the founding of the India International Centre (IIC), a premier non-government organization in the capital, in the nineteen sixties. The purpose of the Centre as stated in its charter is, ‘to promote understanding and amity between the different communities of the world’. The IIC is recognized for its creative influence on the cultural and intellectual life of the country.
• Intellectual giants of the time like Jawaharlal Nehru, S. Radhakrishnan, John D. Rockefeller III, C.D. Deshmukh etc. contributed to the IIC becoming a reality. The founders succeeded in creating a liberal ambience that fostered intellectual and cultural explorations, which have become the hallmark of the IIC. The Centre was designed by the famous architect Joseph Allen Stein whose vision was ‘to create a place where a certain kind of relationship exists – between the garden and the building and the water and the earth and the sky, and the learning and activities that take place and the things that happen…….’
• The talks and symposia of the IIC cover a wide range of subjects like international affairs, human rights, environment, wildlife, dimensions in science and medicine, religion, philosophy, culture and literature. Through its close contacts with prominent academic and cultural institutions the world over, the IIC draws original thinkers and professionals from different parts of the globe. The forums also aim to create awareness and influence public opinion on the relevant issues of the day – issues not only of global concern, but equally of relevance in the localized context of India. By bringing attention to remoter regions and plurality of cultures in this country, the programmes present a rich texture of India’s multicultural identity.
• Visiting delegates and speakers to the Centre have included Pearl Buck, P.M.S. Blackett, Robert Goheen, Paul Gore-Booth, Frederick Leboyer, Ivan Illich, Dalai Lama, Sogyal Rimpoche, Julius Nyerere, Willy Brandt, Henry Kissinger, Lee Kuan Yew, Shimon Peres, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Sheikh Hasina, Gunter Grass, Hasan Fathy, Dominique Lapierre, Noam Chomsky, Kathleen Raine, Mahasweta Devi, Nissim Ezekiel, Salman Rushdie, Vikram Seth, Amartya Sen, Jung Chang and many others.
• The facilities at the Centre include an Art Gallery, a hostel, conference rooms and catering facilities. The IIC is also known for its library, open to research scholars from across the globe. The Centre brings out several publications including its journal ‘The IIC Quarterly’, which are valued for their high intellectual content.
• Text : P.N. Ranjit Kumar (Based on the text provided by the proponent).

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 19, 2011

Issued for : India Post is happy to issue a Postage Stamp to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Goa Liberation.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC : Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.3 Million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : ISP Nashik

About : 

• The Portuguese advent in India gained momentum in 1510, with the invasion of the Western coast line and annexation of a few colonies including Goa. Though the people of Goa were peace loving they resented Portuguese occupation of their territory and the accompanying reprisal measures. They sought liberation. The first spark of the freedom movement was ignited by the Ranes when Dipaji Rane spearheaded a revolt in 1852. Another one followed in 1885, led by Dada Rane. The last rebellion took place in 1912, and the leaders at the forefront Morya Sawant, Jill Sawant and their companion Cutodio (Quistulo) were killed due to treachery. In all, there were 14 rebellions by Ranes but all of them were crushed. Consequently, activities of the freedom movement were shifted beyond the borders of Goa.
• Many organisations like National Congress Goa, Azad Gamantak Dal, United Front of Goans, Goa Liberation Council, Goan People’s Party, Quit Goa Organization and Goa Vimochan Sahayak Samiti were formed. Some believed in armed struggle. They infiltrated into Goa and attacked Portuguese troops and their supply positions.
• On 18^th June 1946 people assembled under the leadership of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia to defy the curbs on civil liberties and chart out the future course of action towards freedom and democracy. A seminar on Portuguese colonialism was held in New Delhi in October 1961 in which the leaders from Africa called upon Jawahar Lal Nehru, the then Prime Minister to lead the struggle of liberating Portuguese colonies. At the end of the seminar there was a public meeting in Mumbai during which the Prime Minister declared : “We have to think afresh now because of the happenings in Goa. In the last three months, cases of torture have come to our notice besides terror that is spread there by the Portuguese. We will have to adopt other means to solve the problems. Goa will soon be free“.
• The Indian Army, assisted by Air Force and Navy, launched an armed action code named “Operation Vijay” on 18^th December 1961. The liberation of Goa from Portuguese occupation was completed on 19^th December 1961. On 20^th June 1962, the status of Union Territory was conferred upon Goa, Daman and Diu. In the opinion poll that took place during 1967, people of Goa firmly voted to retain their separate identity, rejecting merger with the State of Maharashtra. Finally, on 30^th May 1987, Goa was accorded statehood and Daman and Diu were bifurcated and accorded the status of Union Territory.
• Goa is situated along the Konkan coast of India. It has a coastline of 105 km, Six rivers, namely Mandovi, Zuari, Sal, Terekhol, Chaporaand, Talpona flow through the State. The climate of Goa is generally pleasant and equitable throughout the year. The beaches of Goa attract tourists from all over the world.
• Text : Based on the material provided by the proponent.

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