Issued by India

Issued on Aug 7, 2025

Issued for : The Department of Posts proudly releases a Commemorative Postage Stamp in honour of M.S. Swaminathan, celebrating his visionary contributions that transformed Indian agriculture and played a pivotal role in making India a food-secure nation.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 303225

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Monkombu Sambasivan Swaminathan

Born on 7 Aug, 1925 at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

Died on 28 Sep, 2023 at Chennai, India

About : 

• Prof. Monkombu Sambasivan Swaminathan is globally revered as the father of India’s Green Revolution. Born in Tamil Nadu, India, on August 7, 1925, Swaminathan was educated at Travancore and Madras Universities. He earned his Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Cambridge in 1952 and received 85 honorary doctorates from institutions across continents. His scientific legacy is grounded in his work at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (1954-1972), where he initiated the dwarf wheat breeding programme and spearheaded efforts to raise yields through genetic innovation and crop improvement.
• From 1972 to 1979, he served as Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), during which he also designed and initiated the Agricultural Research Services (ARS) to enable lifelong specialisation for scientists. ARS helped attract and retain brilliant young scientists in the ICAR system. From 1972 to 1979, he concurrently served as Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education. From 1979 to 1980, he was Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. He managed the 1979 drought as Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Agriculture. Between 1980 and 1982, he served as a Member in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development in India’s Planning Commission. From 1981 to 1985, he was the Independent Chairman of the FAO Council. From 1982 to 1985, he was founder-chairman of the Society for the Promotion of Wasteland Development (SPWD), a professional NGO committed to ecological restoration. He also founded the International Council for Research on Agro-Forestry (ICRAF) and served as its Chairman (1977-1982).
• From April 1982 to January 1988, he served as Director General of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). At IRRI, he prioritised sustainable rice production and intra-generational and inter-generational equity in the research agenda.
• Between 1984 and 1990, he served as President of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). From 1989 to 1996, he was President of the World Wide Fund for Nature (India). From 2002 to 2007, he served as President of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs.
• In addition to being a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy and the Royal Society of London, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan worked in collaboration with scientists and policymakers on a wide range of problems in basic and applied plant genetics and agricultural research and development. He also helped develop a transparent and implementable method of recognising and rewarding the intellectual property contributions of tribal and rural families in the conservation and selection of plant genetic resources.
• He has published several hundred papers in international journals and several books, including “Building a National Food Security System” (Indian Environmental Society, 1981) and “Science and Integrated Rural Development” (Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi, 1982).
• He chaired several national and international committees of experts, including the Indian Expert Group on Programmes for the Alleviation of Poverty, Eradication of Leprosy and Blindness, the eco-development of Goa, the Himalayas and Western Ghats, and the preparation of a draft National Population Policy and a draft Biodiversity Act.
• He also served as Chairman of the Advisory Panel on Food Security, Agriculture, Forestry and Environment to the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED).
• Among his many distinguished awards are the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership (1971), the first award for serving the cause of women in development (1985), Padma Shri (1967), Padma Bhushan (1972), and Padma Vibhushan (1989). In 1986, he received the Albert Einstein World Award of Science. On October 6, 1987, he became the first laureate of the World Food Prize, regarded widely as the equivalent of a Nobel Prize in Agriculture. UNESCO designated Dr. M.S. Swaminathan in 1996 as UNESCO-Cousteau Professor in Ecotechnology for Asia.
• During 2004-06, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan served as Chairman of the National Commission on Farmers (NCF). On the basis of the report of the NCF, the Government of India announced a National Policy for Farmers in 2007. He was a Member of the Parliament of India (Rajya Sabha), from 2007-13. During 2010-13, he chaired the High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) for the World Committee on Food Security (CFS).
• Dr. M.S. Swaminathan passed away on September 28, 2023, in Chennai, leaving behind a monumental legacy of scientific innovation that advanced global food security and championed sustainable agriculture.
• Text : Reference from the content provided by Proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 7, 2023

Issued for : The Department of Posts is delighted to release Commemorative Postage Stamp on the occasion of Platinum Jubilee of Raman Research Institute and salutes its contribution in India’s advancement in science and technology.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 316600

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The Raman Research Institute (RRI) is a premier research institution in India, pursuing cutting edge fundamental research in select frontier areas of Physics under contemporary research themes. Founded by Indian Science Nobel Laureate Sir C V Raman in 1948, the Institute was established on a plot of land gifted by the then Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. Raman served as the Institute’s Director, carrying on his personal research until his demise in 1970.
• In 1971, RRI became the first autonomous institution to be funded by the then newly formed Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The Institute has, since then, carried forward the legacy of its founder and embarked on several research activities of national importance.
• Currently RRI’s thrust research areas cover Astronomy & Astrophysics, Light & Matter Physics, Soft Condensed Matter and Theoretical Physics – an impressive breadth of research starting from the very large – on the scale of the Universe to the very small – on the scale of atoms. The Institute, with its unique history, has seasoned over time; the profiles of both the Scientific and Technical staff have evolved organically, thereby sealing for itself a credible space in the national and international arena of sciences.
• Among the Institute’s many scientific achievements, of which three highly noteworthy have been highlighted –
  • (1) The prediction and discovery of Discotic Liquid Crystals. In 1993, Fuji Films recognized this discovery as a solution to the problem of Wide Viewing screens. Today, the Discotic Liquid Crystals are used in most commercial LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screens as WV films to provide wide angle viewing.
  • (2) The prediction of the precise form of the “chirp” signals emerging from the merger of black holes and the “ring-down” signal at the end of this event. Both these were validated by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (LIGO) in September 2015, which, for the first time, confirmed gravitational waves from a coalescing black hole binary.
  • (3) Executing successful radio telescope projects in India and overseas, as well as playing significant roles in building and doing science with precursor radio telescopes in the lead up to the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), the proposed world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope.
• On November 7, 2022, the Institute entered its 75^th year. Over the course of the ongoing Platinum Jubilee year, RRI will host multiple national and international conferences, prestigious lecture series and have enhanced science outreach activities. Several distinguished Indian citizens including dignitaries from the Government of India, eminent scientists from within India and across the world, are on the guest list for the various events lined up this year. Notably, the Platinum Jubilee year is being celebrated under the hugely successful Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav banner. This year also marks the celebration of the achievements of the Institute’s faculty, scientists and students, who have contributed towards nation building during the past 75 years. As the inheritors of an ancient culture, that has valued science and technology, the Institute’s founder, Sir C V Raman, is undoubtedly a modern-day example!
• At the threshold of its 75^th year, the Institute is now ideally poised to take on newer challenges in the pursuit of path-breaking research. For instance, the Institute plans to leverage from the substantial fundamental research knowledge output, produced by RRI cluster of Quantum Laboratories, in developing Quantum-Enabled technologies aligning with the National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications. RRI envisions to further strengthen its collaborations with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), particularly in the areas of Quantum Communication, X-Ray and Radio Astronomy.
• The Institute is exploring opportunities to ink fresh collaborations with the space agency, and shoulder work in emerging research areas, namely developing Terahertz detector technology, initiating millimeter to sub-millimeter-band Astronomy in India from both ground and space, among others. RRI also encourage well-planned, promising and challenging initiatives with path-breaking science goals, such as the ongoing experimental efforts to detect the subtle global signals from the Cosmic Dawn, known as the Epoch of Reionization, or the long-term developments targeting the cosmic recombination lines of hydrogen from the early Universe and likewise.
• Along with knowledge creation, RRI has trained, readied and instilled courage in the country’s next generation to take-on challenging problems in Science via its vibrant PhD, Postdoctoral, Research Assistant and Visiting Students Program. Upholding the Institute’s academic traditions, by regularly hosting both national and international conferences, workshops and prestigious lectures. RRI has taken sustained efforts to open its doors and allow science from inside its labs to reach the general public, at large.
• RRI strive to make useful contributions towards mega science projects like the SKA in radio astronomy alongside being ambitious to assume leadership roles, both in the current and upcoming mega science projects, such as LIGO-India, the third of the LIGO detectors, being built on Indian soil.
• The Institute maintain its tradition of actively promoting individual research excellence, coupled with technological capabilities that are developed in-house, thus aligning to the ‘Make in India’ initiative of becoming self-reliant towards enabling frontier research in all the above-mentioned fields.
• Text : Referenced from content provided by Proponent.

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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 : Jagannatha Ganesa Gune

Born on 30 Aug, 1883 at Dabhoi, Gujarat, India

Died on 18 Apr, 1966 at Lonavala, Maharashtra, India

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.
  • Swami Kuvalayananda : A pioneer in scientific approach to Yoga, Swami Ji was instrumental in making it more acceptable to the modern world through his research work on Yoga techniques. He published the first journal devoted to scientific investigation into yoga, namely Yoga Mimamsa. His work established the positive impact of Asana, Shatkarma, Bandhas and Pranayama on humans. Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute founded by him in 1924 continues to work for the upliftment of society through the application of Yoga in various spheres of life.
• Text : Based on information received from the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Mar 6, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Ram Chand Paul.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 402380

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Ram Chand Paul

Born on Oct 20, 1919 at Shakargarh, Narowal district, Punjab, British India [now in Pakistan]

Died on 2002 at —

About : 

• Ram Chand Paul (1919-2002) was a distinguished scientist, educationist, administrator, science promoter and author of a large number of research papers and books. He played a pivotal role in the growth of Panjab University where he worked as Professor and Head of Chemistry Department (1959-74), Dean of University Instruction (1965-67) and as Vice-Chancellor (1974-84). He played a seminal role in the development of the University into a first rate academic institution of the country. Due to his dynamic leadership and vision, the Department of Chemistry grew by leaps and bounds and was recognized by University Grants Commission as a Centre for Advanced Studies in Chemistry. The Department acquired international stature and signed several collaborative programmes with academic institutions in UK, the erstwhile USSR, Hungary and USA. He was conscious of the fact that research facilities for scientists in the university were inadequate and his untiring efforts led to the establishment of the Regional Sophisticated Instrumentation Centre (RSIC) and Central Instrumentation Laboratory (CIL) on the University campus. These facilities provided a quantum jump in the research quality and productivity not only in Panjab University but also in other institutions all over the country.
• Born in Shakargarh (now in Pakistan) on 20 October, 1919, he studied at Central Model School, Lahore, Hindu College, Amritsar and Khalsa College, Amritsar. He graduated from the Honours School in Chemistry of the Punjab University, Lahore in 1939 and obtained M.Sc. (Hons. School) in 1940. He obtained his Ph.D. under the guidance of Dr. S. D. Muzaffar in 1947 at Lahore and earned his second Ph.D. degree in 1954 from Cambridge University. In recognition of his distinguished research work, the University of Cambridge conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Sciences, Sc.D. (Cantab) in 1968.
• Ram Chand Paul laid the foundation of a school called Non-Aqueous Solvent Chemistry leading to pioneering publications in this field. He had a large research group and 80 research scholars submitted their Ph.D. thesis under his guidance. Punjab University at Lahore, at the behest of Professor S. S. Bhatnagar, was the first in the country to start an integrated course in its science departments in the form of Honours School which led to continuation of the undergraduate programme into post graduate degree. The Honours School continued in the university after partition. At one stage a more comprehensive integrated science programme was proposed but could not be adopted by the university due to lack of resources. However, the programme caught the attention of the then Planning Commission of India and was implemented on a grand scale by establishing a number of IISER (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research) in different parts of the country.
• In spite of his deep involvement in research, Professor Paul took keen interest in the development of chemical education at all levels. After strengthening and modernizing teaching in his own department, he turned his attention to school and college level curricula in Chemistry. Under his guidance as the Director of a study group in Chemistry (1966-70), teaching material for classes 6 to 10 including laboratory manuals, textbooks and teachers’ guides were written. These were published by NCERT which was the sponsoring agency of the project. After the completion of this assignment, he turned his attention towards improvement of teaching chemistry in the colleges. The UGC sanctioned College Science Improvement Programme (COSIP) as a part of the University Leadership Project in Chemistry (ULPIC) to Panjab University. This programme was extremely fruitful and led to distinct improvement in the chemistry curricula at the undergraduate level in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Reading material and low cost instruments were developed and distributed to all the colleges in these states.
• Ram Chand Paul earned academic recognition in the country and abroad in his being elected a fellow of all the three National Academies of Sciences apart from the Royal Institute of Chemistry (London). He was a UGC National Lecturer in Chemistry (1970-1971). He was the General Secretary (1971-73) of the Indian Science Congress. He served as Vice-President of the Indian Chemical Society and the National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad in 1976-77.
• Ram Chand Paul served as a member of the Governing Body of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Chemistry and Metallurgy Committee of the Department of Atomic Energy (Government of India) and the Governing Body of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh. He took keen interest in sports and was an excellent swimmer. He was instrumental in the construction of a huge indoor gymnasium hall on the campus. He offered the facilities at the Campus to the Indian Hockey Team in 1975. The pre-tournament Camp was very successful and the team won the Hockey World Cup that year.
• After his retirement as Vice-Chancellor of the Panjab University, he accepted the offer of the university as Professor Emeritus. His latest contribution was the publication of a monograph on Fluorine Chemistry and a number of biographical memoirs of celebrated scientists published by INSA, New Delhi. He was decorated with the life time achievement award by the Indian Chemical Society.
• Text : Based on information received from the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Sep 15, 2018

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps between India and Serbia on the theme “70 years of Diplomatic Relations between India and Serbia” featuring ‘Swami Vivekananda’ of India and ‘Nikola Tesla’ of Serbia.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure : Ms. Gulistaan
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500, 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 1.1 lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Narendranath Datta

Born on 12 Jan, 1863 at Kolkata, India

Died on 4 Jul, 1902 at Belur, Howrah district, West Bengal, India

Name : Nikola Tesla

Born on 27 Oct, 1917 at Smiljan, Austrian Empire [now Croatia]

Died on 7 Jan, 1943 at New York City, United States

About : 

• The year 2018 marks 70 years of the diplomatic relations between India and Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia) which were established on 5 September, 1948. Both the countries have traditionally enjoyed deep friendship as co-founders of the Non-Aligned Movement. Despite the breakup of former Yugoslavia, the tradition of mutual support on issues of core interest continues. The relationship has been energized with high level visits in the recent past.
• The regular high level visits between the two countries have provided the desired impetus for a multi-sectoral partnership. Both sides agree on the need to promote economic cooperation, especially in the fields of food production, agriculture, defence, pharmaceuticals, health and tourism. MoU on Cooperation in the field of IT & Electronics and comprehensive bilateral Agreement on Cooperation in the fields of culture, arts, youth, sports and mass media have been signed between the two countries. Existing agreements include Bilateral Investment Promotion & Protection Agreement (BIPPA), Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC), Trade Agreement (MFN) and Tourism Cooperation Agreement. Air Services Agreement has been revised. MoU on Archival Cooperation was signed in October 2017.
• As per Serbian state statistics, bilateral trade of US$ 198.5 million in 2017 registered an increase of 39% as compared to 2016 with Indian exports worth US$ 187.6 million and imports US$ 10.9 million. The main items of exports from India were pharmaceuticals & chemical products, products of iron & steel, coffee/sesame seeds and food products, textile yarn, garments & footwear, industrial machinery. Main items of export from Serbia were raw silver, PC storage units, industrial machinery, chemicals and tobacco.
• Around 150 Serbian professionals have undergone training in India including in IT, telecommunications, WTO, English language, SMEs, management, finance, textiles, rural development, environment, Yoga, etc.
• Serbia is a culturally vibrant country with high regard for Indian culture and heritage. Indian cultural groups continue to be popular in Serbia. Yoga and Ayurveda are recognized in Serbian law. The national broadcaster Radio & Television of Serbia (RTS) regularly telecasts Indian documentaries. The first India-Serbia joint production ‘Dev Bhoomi’ by renowned Serbian Director Goran Paskaljevic was shot in Uttarakhand with Indian starcast.
• SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
  • Swami Vivekananda, original name Narendranath Datta, was born on 12 January, 1863 was a Hindu spiritual leader and reformer. Born into an aristocratic Bengali family of Calcutta, Vivekananda was inclined towards spirituality. He was influenced by his guru, Ramakrishna, from whom he learnt that all living beings were an embodiment of the divine self; therefore, service to God could be rendered by service to mankind. After Ramakrishna’s death, Vivekananda toured the Indian subcontinent extensively and acquired first-hand knowledge of the conditions prevailing in British India.
  • Swami Vivekananda leapt into fame at the World Parliament of Religions held at Chicago in 1893, at which he represented Hinduism. His vast knowledge of Eastern and Western cultures as well as his deep spiritual insight, fervid eloquence, brilliant conversation and compassion for human kind made an irresistible appeal to the people who came in contact with him. The year 2018 marks the 125^th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s address at the World Parliament of Religions at Chicago.
  • The Swami’s mission was both national and international. A lover of mankind, he strove to promote peace and brotherhood on the spiritual foundation of the Vedantic Oneness of existence. A mystic on the highest order, Vivekananda had a direct and intuitive experience of Reality.
  • He delivered innumerable lectures, wrote inspired letters in his own hand to his many friends and disciples, composed numerous poems, and acted as spiritual guide to the many seekers, who came to him for instruction. He also organized the Ramakrishna Order of monks, which is the most outstanding religious organization of modern India. Swami Vivekananda passed away on 4 July, 1902 near Calcutta.
• NIKOLA TESLA
  • Nikola Tesla (Smiljan, 1856 – New York, 1943), was one of the greatest Serbian scientists in the area of electrical engineering, telecommunications, robotics and physics. He is the author of more than 700 patents and some of his most important inventions are polyphase system, rotating magnetic field, asynchronous motor, synchronous generator and high voltage AC transformer. Tesla also invented a special way for generating high frequency current and gave a significant contribution to the transfer and modulation of radio-signals, as well as in the area of X-rays.
  • Nikola Tesla is the only Serb who gave his name to an international measurement unit. General Conference on Weights and Measures in Paris in 1960 decided that the symbol T and the name “tesla” should be used as a measurement unit for magnetic flux density.
  • Tesla and Vivekananda met in New York during Vivekananda’s series of lectures on Vedic philosophy. According to the testimony of the contemporaries, they met through the famous French actress Sarah Bernhardt. In several letters during 1895, Vivekananda mentioned that he recognised Vedic cosmogony in Tesla’s scientific work.
  • The stamp with the image of Nikola Tesla symbolically represents the connection of his inventions and the Divine source of all scientific ideas.
• Text : Based on the information received from Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Serbia Post and internet sources.

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 15, 2015

Issued for : The Department of Posts is pleased to release a commemorative postage stamp on Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.6 Million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam

Born on Oct 15, 1931 at Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu, India

Died on Jul 27, 2015 at Shillong, Meghalaya, India

About : 

• Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on 15^th October 1931 at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. His father, Jainulabdeen, was a boat owner and also an imam of a local mosque. His mother, Ashiamma, was a housewife. Remembering his childhood, he has written that even though he was studying in the V^th standard, he had a special place in his home. There used to be no electricity and his house was lit by a kerosene lamp between 7 PM to 9 PM every evening. However, his mother provided him with a small kerosene lamp everyday so that he could study up to 11 PM.
  
• After completing his education at the Schwartz Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram, Kalam attended Saint Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli from where he graduated in Physics in 1954. Thereafter he did specialization in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology.
  
• Dr. Kalam made significant contribution as Project Director during development of India‘s first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) which successfully injected the Rohini satellite in the near earth orbit in July, 1980 and made India an exclusive member of the Space Club. He was responsible for the evolution of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s launch vehicle programme, particularly the PSLV configuration. After working for two decades in ISRO and mastering the launch vehicle technologies, Dr. Kalam took up the responsibility of developing Indigenous Guided Missiles at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as the Chief Executive of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). He played a key role in the development and operationalisation of AGNI and PRITHVI Missiles and for building indigenous capability in critical technologies through networking of multiple institutions. He was the Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, and, Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development from July 1992 to December 1999. During this period he monitored the weaponisation of strategic missile systems, and led the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in collaboration with Department of Atomic Energy, which made India a nuclear weapon State. He also provided thrust to self-reliance in defence systems by progressing multiple development tasks and mission projects, such as, Light Combat Aircraft.
  
• As Chairman of ‘Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council’ (TIFAC) and as an eminent scientist, he led the country with the help of 500 experts to arrive at Technology Vision 2020 providing a road map for transforming India from the present developing status to a developed nation. Dr. Kalam also served as the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, in the rank of Cabinet Minister, from November, 1999 to November, 2001 and was responsible for evolving policies, strategies and missions for many development applications. Dr. Kalam was also the Ex-officio Chairman, of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet and piloted the India Millennium Mission 2020.
  
• Dr. Kalam then took up academic pursuit as Professor, Technology & Societal Transformation at Anna University, Chennai from November 2001 and was involved in teaching and research tasks. Above all, he took up the mission of igniting the young minds of the country for national development by meeting high school students across the country and interacting with them.
  
• Besides Dr. Kalam‘s scientific temper, his literary pursuits have also been illustrious. Dr. Kalam‘s four books – “Wings of Fire“, “India 2020 – A Vision for the New Millennium“, “My Journey” and “Ignited Minds – Unleashing the power within India” have become household names in India and among Indian nationals abroad. These books have been translated into many Indian languages.
  
• Dr. Kalam was one of the most distinguished scientists of India with the unique honour of having received honorary doctorates from 40 universities and institutions. He was awarded the coveted civilian awards, namely, Padma Bhushan in 1981, Padma Vibhushan in 1990, and the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna in 1997. He was recipient of several other awards and also was fellow of many professional institutions.
  
• Dr. Kalam became the 11^th President of India on 25^th July, 2002 and remained in office till 2007. He has the distinction of being elected President of India with the support of both the ruling party and the opposition party. After serving a term of five years, he returned to his civilian life remaining active in the fields of education, writing and public service.
  
• Dr. Kalam passed away due to a cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture on “Creating a Liveable Planet Earth” to the students at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong, Meghalaya on 27^th July, 2015.
  
• Text : Based on the material obtained from Internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 24, 2013

Issued for : Department of Posts is happy to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Ruchi Ram Sahni.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.41 Million (0.1 million for the proponent)

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

Name : Ruchi Ram Sahni 

Born on Apr 5, 1863 at Dera Ismail Khan, Punjab Province, British India [now in Pakistan]

Died on Jun 3, 1948 at Mumbai, India

About : 

• Ruchi Ram Sahni was a well-known educationist, notable scientist, nationalist, social & religious reformer, was born on 5^th April, 1863 at Dera Ismail Khan, now in Pakistan, to Karam Chand Sahni, a cloth merchant, and Gulab Devi.
  
• Ruchi Ram Sahni was a brilliant student. He completed his matriculation from Government School, Lahore in 1881 & B.A. in 1884 in which he stood first in the University. He obtained his masters degree in Physics & Chemistry in December, 1885. He visited Presidency College, Calcutta as a trainee meteorologist and guest student in 1885 where he interacted with the leading personalities of Bengal. He was impressed by Dr. Mahendra Lal Sircar and decided to emulate him to take science to the masses.
  
• He was the first Indian officer in the Indian Meteorological Department where he worked from 1885-87. He then moved to Lahore and became the first Indian science professor at Government College, Lahore where he served from 1887-1918. He published two research papers on radioactivity in 1915 & 1917 while working in the laboratory of Ernst Rutherford in Manchester where he interacted with Niels Bohr. He remained a member of the Punjab University senate and Syndicate for a number of years.
  
• He was awarded the title Rai Sahib in 1909 which he returned in 1920 in support of the Khilafat Movement. In 1923, he was elected to the Punjab Legislative Council as a member of the Swaraj Party. He was elected fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences in the very year of its establishment in 1934. He served as a trustee of ‘The Tribune‘ from 1918 till his death.
  
• He was a great advocate of science education in one’s mother tongue and made concerted efforts to propagate science in regional languages. A great advocate of employment oriented technical education, he played an important role in the establishment of the Victoria Diamond Jubilee Technical Institute in Lahore in 1897.
  
• He adhered to the principles of Brahmo Samaj and held all religions in high esteem. He spoke out in favour of widow re-marriage and was a strong supporter of education of girls.
  
• He strove hard to apply his intellect, knowledge, analytical skills & organizational abilities for the benefit of his countrymen. He was a crusader for popularizing science and inculcating a scientific temper at the grass-root level. An open minded and liberal thinker, he actively participated in socio-cultural & intellectual exploration of east-west encounter. His creative energy & brilliant intellect made him a truly legendary figure, who is as relevant today as he was in his own time.
  
• Ruchi Ram Sahni breathed his last on 3^rd June, 1948.
  
• Text : Based on the material furnished by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jul 6, 2011

Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Dr. Daulat Singh Kothari.

Credits :
Stamp, FDC & Cancellation : Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi color

Denomination : 500 Paisa

Stamps Printed : 0.3 Million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : S. S. P. Hyderabad

Name : Daulat Singh Kothari

Born on Jul 6, 1906 at Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Died on Feb 4, 1993

About : 

• Daulat Singh Kothari was born on July 6, 1906 at Udaipur to Shri Fateh Lal Kothari, a school teacher. After the death of his father in 1918 he was brought up by his mother; a devout and generous lady.
• After his early education in Udaipur, Kothari went to Indore to complete his matriculation, returning thereafter to Udaipur to complete further studies. The Maharana of Mewar granted him a monthly scholarship of Rs. 50/- for his outstanding performance in Intermediate exams in 1924. Completing the B.Sc. degree from Allahabad University in 1926 with flying colours, under the guidance of Shri Meghnad Saha, a noted physicist, he went on to obtain M.Sc. in 1928 with specialisation in Wireless (now renamed as Electronics).
• Due to his excellent academic record, Kothari was appointed as a demonstrator in the Department of Physics at the Allahabad University. After two years he proceeded to England for higher studies on scholarship from the State of United Province and an interest free loan from the Mewar State Government. He completed his PhD under the supervision of Ernst Rutherford at the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge.
• In May 1934, Kothari joined the Delhi University as Reader and Head of Physics Department. Delhi University was then at its embryonic stage. After joining, he brought about a lot of changes in the Physics Department. He established laboratories, libraries, invited eminent physicists to deliver lectures, established an active research group in physical science and also started the M.Sc. course in Delhi University.
• He also published many research papers in various branches of physics and astrophysics. His work on pressure ionisation was highly acclaimed and found wide ranging applications.
• Dr. Kothari was appointed as Scientific Advisor to the Ministry of Defence, Government of India in 1948. During his tenure he established many laboratories under the aegis of Defence Science Organisation. He retained this position till 1961 when he was appointed the Chairman, University Grants Commission. Dr. Kothari has made immense contribution to the field of education and was appointed as the Chairman of the Indian Education Commission in 1964 by the Government of India. He was also associated with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). He conceptualized the role and functions of NCERT and gave a blueprint for its future development in the Report of the Education Commission (1964-66). He played a significant role in reorganizing the examination and selection process for central services of the Government of India. The National Science Talent Search Programme and the subsequent National Talent Search Programme also owe their origin to his vision. He has also served as the Chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University for two terms, President of the Indian National Science Academy and General President of the Indian Science Congress in 1962. He was also appointed as Chairman of Committee on ‘Recruitment Policy and Selection Methods‘ of UPSC in 1974.
• In addition to several honours and awards due to his contribution in the field of science and education, he received the Padma Bhushan in 1962 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1973.
• He passed away on 4 Feb 1993.
• Text : Based on the text provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on May 8, 2010

Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Dr. Guduru Venkata Chalam.

Credits :
Stamp design, FDC & Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.3 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printers : India Security Press, Nasik

Name : Guduru Venkatachalam

Born on 1909 at Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh, India

Died on May 8, 1967

About : 

• Dr. Guduru Venkata Chalam, born in 1909 in a middle class family, was deeply involved in social reforms and the non-cooperation movement of the 1920’s. He had his early education in Gudivada and Rajahmundry and completed graduation and post-graduation from Kakinada and Benaras Hindu University. As a student, he participated in the freedom struggle and was sent to prison for 14 months. On release, he continued his post-graduation and doctoral studies at Benaras Hindu University and Indian Agriculture Research Institute in Agricultural Botany.
  
• He then joined the Orissa Agricultural Department as a Research Assistant and was responsible for evolving a number of varieties of high yielding strains of rice. He was the first Professor of Agricultural Botany in Orissa Agricultural College. As an Economic Botanist and the Paddy Specialist of Orissa, he handled the Japonica/Indica Hybridization Scheme, sponsored by the F.A.O., under which some promising hybrids were evolved.
  
• In 1960, Dr. Chalam joined the Union Ministry of Food and Agriculture and organized several seed production and training programmes in collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation and the Ford Foundation. He was sent to New Zealand for the International Seed Testing Seminar and on his way back brought a sample of Taichung Native-I seed form the International Rice Research Institute at Manila. In spite of opposition, he persisted with the introduction of this variety in the country and yields of 6000 to 7000 pounds on acre have now become a common occurrence in many areas.
  
• He was the first Member-Secretary of the Central Variety Release Committee which is the forerunner of the Statutory Central Seed Committee. He was also member of the Co-opted Team on Agricultural Implements of the Planning Commission. He produced more than 40 scientific papers and was author of several popular articles. He was awarded Kavikokila prize for extending scientific agriculture to the farmers through his popular book on rice cultivation, styled ‘VARI SAGU’. His book in Telugu on rice cultivation was appreciated by the farmers in Andhra Pradesh. He gave away this prize money to the National Defence Fund.
  
• In recognition of his enduring contribution to the agricultural development of the country, he was awarded ‘Padma Shri’ in 1967 by the Government of India. He passed away on 8^th May, 1967.
  
• Text : Based on the material provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 2, 2009

Issued for : India Post is proud to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Mahendralal Sircar.

Credits :
Stamp, FDC & Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

Name : Mahendra Lal Sarkar

Born on Nov 2, 1833 at Paikpara, Howrah district, West Bengal, India

Died on Feb 23, 1904 at Calcutta, India

About : 

• Dr. Mahendralal Sircar, CIE, MD, DL was not only the greatest homeopath of his time but also a scientist. Born on 2^nd November, 1833 at Paikpara village in Howrah district, near Calcutta (now known as Kolkata) in the Bengal Province of British India, he lost both his parents very early in life. He was brought up by his maternal uncles, Iswar Chandra Ghosh and Mahesh Chandra Ghosh in their house at Nebutala in Calcutta. In 1849, he passed the junior scholarship examination and joined Hindu College, where he studied up to 1854. At that time, Hindu College did not have facilities for teaching science and as he was bent upon studying medicine, he transferred to Calcutta Medical College. He obtained IMS in 1861 and MD degrees in 1863. He and Jagabandhu Bose were the second MDs of the Calcutta University after Chandrakumar De (1862).
  
• Although educated in the traditional European system of medicine, Mahendralal Sircar turned to homeopathy. He was influenced by reading William Morgan’s ‘The Philosophy of Homeopathy’, and by interaction with Rajendralal Dutt, a leading homeopath practitioner of Calcutta. Indeed, in a meeting of the Bengal branch of the British Medical Association, he proclaimed homeopathy to be superior to the “Western medicine” of the time. Consequently, he was ostracised by the British doctors, and had to undergo loss in practice for some time. However, soon he regained his practice and went on to become a leading homeopath practitioner in Calcutta, as well as in India. In the course of his career, he treated several notable persons of those days, including the author Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the saintly Ramakrishna Paramahansa, the Maharaja of Tripura and others.
  
• Mahendralal Sircar started a campaign in 1867 for a National Science Association. He planned for an association that would be founded, run, and managed by Indians themselves aimed at creating a pool of scientists for national reconstruction. The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) was established in 1876, with Sircar as its first director. IACS was the first national science association of India. Basic science departments such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physiology, Geology, Botany etc. were established, and notable Indian scientists participated in the association. Regular lectures and demonstrations were arranged for the public in order to popularise science. The IACS became the platform for many future scientists of India, including the Nobel Prize winner Sir C.V. Raman, K.S. Krishnan and Meghnad Saha.
  
• Mahendralal supported women’s education in nineteenth century India, when higher education among women was rare. For example, he was a supporter of Abala Bose’s decision to pursue study of medicine in Madras Medical College instead of Calcutta Medical College where admission of females was not permitted. He also arranged for Sarala Devi Chaudhurani’s attendance in the evening lectures in IACS, so that she could pursue higher studies in Physics.
  
• He was a fellow of Calcutta University, an honorary magistrate and Sheriff of Calcutta (1887). He was made a C.I.E. in 1883 and honoured with a doctor of law degree by Calcutta University in 1898.
  
• Recurrent malarial fever and bronchial asthma clouded the evening of his life and he died on February 23, 1904.
  
• Text : As per the material provided by the proponent.

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