Issued by India

Issued on Nov 29, 2019

Issued for : The Char Dham Yatra is sacred; it gives the pilgrim a new life and vision. It is a journey of the self towards the Lord and enables one to experience the sublime. Department of Posts is pleased to issue a set of four Commemorative Postage Stamps on Char Dham, Uttarakhand.

Credits :
Stamp/Sheetlet/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

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

Sheetlets Printed : 25000 each of 5 types 

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Religion has always been a cardinal influence on the belief system and way of life of people across the world. A Pilgrimage is a journey undertaken in the light of this intense faith. People walk miles to fulfil their devotional urge. The word Dham literally means an abode where God resides. The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand consists of four holy sites namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. According to the Hindu tradition, each individual must undertake this holy pilgrimage in order to find salvation and peace after death.
• Yamunotri, as the name itself suggests is derived from one of the most holy rivers of India, the Yamuna. Being the first point amongst the four dhams, it is believed that taking a holy dip in Yamunotri rids the devotees of their sins, washes away the evil deeds. Besides this, there is a temple of historic significance which was built by the king of Tehri in the year 1839. It houses the idol of Goddess Yamuna in the form of black marble idol and also of Ganga Devi in white stone by the side of Yamuna. One of the astonishing characteristics of the place that attracts the pilgrims is the hot water springs found near the temple. The spring is called Surya Kund; devotees boil potatoes and rice in the hot boiling water, which is later accepted as Prasad of Devi.
• Gangotri Dham was built in the reverence of Goddess Ganga, considered to be an epitome of forbearance and sacrifice as she observed herself into the mother Earth to protect humanity from destruction. The temple stands amidst the serenity of exquisite natural beauty facing the Bhagirathi river. The river originates from a glacier called Gaumukh, almost 18 kilometres away from Dham. It is one of the oldest rivers in India and holds a special and sacred place in the heart and soul of the Hindus.
• Kedarnath, situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand is the most far flung amongst the Char Dham heritage sites. Located at a height of nearly 3500 metres above the sea level, the Kedarnath temple is covered in snow throughout the year. The spirituality of the place, the ecstatic experience of seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva in the lap of nature, the snow-capped mountains and the peerless beauty of the temple combine to produce an absolutely fulfilling experience for the pilgrim. Chanting of Vedic hymns and extensive religious rituals are a part and parcel of the functioning of the Shiva temple. The tradition of carrying the idol down to a village called Ukhimath during the winter season is celebrated like a festival.
• Badrinath or Badrinarayan Temple is the most visited temple of India. The temple is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand alongside Alakhnanda river. It has got its name from the ‘Badri tree’ under which Lord Vishnu was believed to have meditated, oblivious of the extreme weather conditions of the place. The temple has a glorious historic significance as its name is mentioned in ancient religious texts like Vishnu Purana and Skanda Purana; also it is defiled in one of the earliest texts composed by Tamil saints called the Divya Prabandhan. The festival ‘Mata Murti Ka Mela’ is one of the most prominent festivals celebrated at the temple with great pomp and show. It is the commemoration of the descent of river Ganga on mother Earth. It is believed that the mother of Badrinath divided the river into twelve channels for the well-being of humankind; she is therefore, venerated and remembered during the festival. The temple is of immense significance for the Hindu community as it allows them to connect with their ancestors. They offer various oblations in the temple for their ancestors with the help of a priest.
• It is believed that these sites are interconnected and the journey is said to be complete when the devotee visits four of them together. Although the journey is tough, challenging and tiresome given the unfavourable weather conditions, the pilgrims find solace once they complete it. The devotees visit the Char Dham with a sense of hope that God will bring unto their fold, happiness and well-being alongwith prosperity to their families. Every year thousands of devotees undertake this pilgrimage to the Char Dham in Uttarakhand; it has also attracted foreign tourists who aspire to observe the Indian culture closely.
• Text : Ms. Anika Singh.

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 15, 2018

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a miniature sheet and a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps on Holiday Destinations in India based on the prize-winning entries.

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

Type : Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1500 Paise (2)

Stamps Printed : 5.0 Lakh each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 1.10 Lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Department of Posts has been conducting stamp design competition or photography competition on various themes since 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. This time, a nationwide photography competition on the theme “Holiday Destinations in India” was conducted on the occasion of Independence Day, 2018. Based on the selected entries, Stamps, Miniature Sheets, First Day Covers and Brochures have been designed. The first three winners of Photography Competition are Sh. Sandeep Nema, Sh. Maninder Singh Sodhi and Sh. Pranil Anil Borkar. Five consolation prize winners are Ms. Tina Verma, Sh. Prashant Singhal, Sh. Patel Narayan Dwarkadas, Sh. M. Vinoth Kumar, Sh. Dattaprasad V. Mantri.
• India is one of the most diverse and colorful countries in the world. It is home to numerous attractions, amenities and activities. Starting from the valleys of Kashmir to the tri-colored sea of Kanyakumari, tourist attractions abound. Therefore, people from various countries come to India every year to visit these historic sites and places of pilgrimage. During travel, a tourist must assimilate what nature has to offer, what relics of history teach and what life ultimately seeks to convey. Travelling helps the visitors get acquainted with the culture, customs, language and way of life of the local people. Besides, travel brings the much needed relaxation to our mind, body and soul.
• Based on the prize-winning entries of the instant competition, two stamps and a Miniature Sheet have been designed. The Miniature Sheet is designed with the photograph showing the Thar Desert and its integrated relationship with the local culture. The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a large arid region in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. It is the world’s 18^th largest desert, and the world’s 9^th largest subtropical desert. The desert provides recreational value in terms of desert festivals organized every year. Rajasthan desert festivals are celebrated with great zest and zeal. This festival is held once a year during winters. Dressed in brilliantly hued costumes, the people of the desert dance and sing haunting ballads of valor, romance and tragedy. The fair has snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats and folk performers. Camels play a stellar role in this festival, where the rich and colorful folk culture of Rajasthan comes alive. Desert safaris on camels have become increasingly popular around Jaisalmer. Domestic and international tourists frequent the desert seeking adventure on camels. During the safaris, tourists are able to view the fragile and beautiful ecosystem of the Thar Desert.
• The prize-winning photographs selected in this competition depict the geographical and cultural diversity of the country. One of the stamps is designed based on the winning photograph showing the City Palace of Udaipur, Rajasthan. Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’, the city of lakes Udaipur is located around azure water lakes and is hemmed in by lush green hills of Aravallis. Udaipur was founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh II as the new capital of Mewar Kingdom. It is located in the fertile, circular Girwa Valley to the southwest of Nagda, which was the first capital of Mewar. The beautiful City Palace adds to the architectural grandeur of the city. The City Palace towers over Lake Pichola. The balconies, cupolas and towers of the palace give a panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding city. The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum displaying artifacts.
• The other stamp depicts the Stone Chariot of Hampi of Karnataka which is also one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. Hampi, also referred to as the Group of Monuments at Hampi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in east-central Karnataka, India. It became the capital of the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire in the 14^th century. Hampi’s ruins are spread over 4,100 hectares (16 sq mi) and it has been described by UNESCO as an “austere, grandiose site” of more than 1,600 surviving remains of the last great Hindu kingdom in South India that includes “forts, riverside features, royal and sacred complexes, temples, shrines, pillared halls, mandapas, memorial structures, water structures and others”. The “Stone Chariot”, as it is often referred is the flagship tourist attraction of Hampi. This is not a chariot, as the name suggests, rather a shrine built like a chariot. This stone shrine was built with many giant granite blocks. The joints are smartly hidden in the carvings and other decorative features that adorn the Stone Chariot.
• Other prize-winning photographs depicted in First Day Cover and Brochure also display the splendor of tourist destinations in India.
• Text : Based on information available on internet.

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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 Jun 22, 2017

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on the occasion of completion of 50 years of The Indian Passports Act, 1967.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Shri Brahm Prakash
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.5 million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• A passport is about a journey. The image of a blue passport flashes in one’s mind when someone dreams of a voyage to a foreign land. This was not the case in India until the beginning of the 20^th century, though our forefathers had travelled far and wide over countries.
• The use of the British Indian passport was discontinued after the independence of India in 1947. At the time of independence in 1947, the number of passports issued was around 25,000 in a year. The passport work, being on the Union List, was allocated to the Ministry of External Affairs. The Passport Control Manual was updated in 1949. The Indian Passports Rules 1950 superseded the Indian Passports Rules 1921.
• 24^th June 1967 marked an important milestone in the history of passport issuance of India. It was on this day that the President gave assent to the Passports Act 1967. The Passports Act provided a robust legal framework for the issue of passports and travel documents and regulation of the departure from India of Indian citizens. It also provides for the machinery necessary for the purpose. In this context, the decision of the Supreme Court in Satwant Singh Sahwney vs. the Union of India in 1966 was a path-breaking judgment. Prior to this judgment, a passport was considered primarily as a document issued by the Government in its exercise of its executive powers to conduct foreign relations. The majority decision of the Supreme Court held that the right to travel abroad is a part of a person’s personal liberty of which he could not be deprived except according to procedure established by law. It thus became necessary first to promulgate an Ordinance which was subsequently replaced by the Passports Act 1967.
• In 1978, there were 9 Regional Passport Offices. The Regional Passport Office in Delhi covered, apart from Delhi, the states of Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir. By 1990, the number of Passport Offices went up to 22. This increased to 28 at the turn of the new millennium. The total number of passport holders in the country rose to about 1.8 crores. A new fast-track provision called Tatkaal Scheme was introduced to give passports in a time-bound manner against the backdrop of huge delays.
• On the technological front, the computerization of Passport Offices began in the 1990s; Passport Information Services on Net (PISON) was introduced and the personalisation of machine readable passports commenced in 2001 in place of hand-written passports. The Ministry also decentralized the submission of passport applications by way of facilitating acceptance of passport applications through 463 District Passport Cells and 1095 Speed Post Centres across the country. The number of Passport Offices went up from 28 to 37 in a decade by the end of 2009 and has been increased to 38 now.
• The Passport Seva Project (PSP) has been a watershed in the history of passport issuance in India with its successful implementation of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. The entire process of citizen service delivery has been re-engineered, standardised and automated. Services are delivered through a country-wide networked environment – integrating all Passport Issuing Authorities, around 91 Passport Seva Kendras, as well as providing access to a number of external stakeholders viz. Immigration, Police, India Post, India Security Press and Embassies/Consulates abroad.
• In order to extend passport services to our citizens on a larger scale and to ensure wider area coverage, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Posts (DOP) have agreed to utilize the Head Post Offices in the country as Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) for delivering passport related services to the citizens of our country. The pilot projects for this joint venture between MEA and DOP were inaugurated on 25 January, 2017 at Mysuru in Karnataka and at Dahod in Gujarat. Applicants, who apply for their passports online through the passport portal, can now schedule an appointment and then visit the designated POPSK to complete the formalities similar to those at the PSK necessary prior to the issue of the passport. It has been decided to set up 235 POPSK in two phases – 86 in Phase-I and 149 in Phase-II. 52 POPSK of Phase-I have been operationalized.
• Text : Based on the material received from proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Apr 14, 2017

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps on Deekshabhoomi.

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

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

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise each

Stamps Printed : 3.10 lakh each

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Deekshabhoomi is regarded as one of the most revered monuments of Buddhism. It is at this place, the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, embraced Buddhism with nearly 4 lakhs of his followers on 14 October 1956.
• Deekshabhoomi is spread across 22 acres of land in the heart of Nagpur. Deekshabhoomi Stupa is the largest hollow stupa among all Buddhist stupas in India. The diameter is 36 meters and has a height of 22 meters. Height from ground level is 30 meters. Based on the theme of Ashok Chakra, the stupa rests on 24 pillars resembling 24 spokes. The stupa dome is constructed with concrete blocks and stands on a self-supporting concrete umbrella as a capstone. The dome is surrounded by a four meter wide veranda. Beneath the dome there is a 64 x 64 meter Prayer hall (Vihara). At the centre of stupa, Relics of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and an idol of Buddha is placed.
• The stupa has four doors opening in four directions. The doors lead to the large gates, which are replicas of Sanchi gate with Ashok Chakras, and statues of horses, elephants, and lions. Around the stupa, there is a garden and statues of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Gautam Buddha on the south-east side of the stupa. On the east side of the stupa are built, a monastery (Bhikkhu Niwas) and two pillars depicting 22 vows and preamble of Indian constitution. The historical Bodhi Tree (Bodhi vriksha) is also planted alongside.
• The ‘Bodhi Vriksha’ at Deekshabhoomi of Bodh Gaya is a sacred fig (Pipal) tree. This Bodhi Tree is a sapling of the same Bodhi tree under which Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. This sapling of the Bodhi Tree was brought from Anuradhapuram in Sri Lanka. The Bodhi tree at Anuradhapuram is said to be planted from the sapling of original Bodhi Tree by Sanghmitra, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka.
• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar selected Nagpur for his conversion ceremony, as he explained in his speech that Nagpur was homeland of “Nag” people who embraced Buddhism, supported it with great efforts in its early period and propagated it throughout India.
• The emperor Ashoka the Great embraced Buddhism on the Ashwin Shukla Vijaya Dashmi, then known as Ashok Vijaya Dashmi. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar also chose this day for embracing Buddhism. The year 1956 also coincided with 2,550^th Birth Anniversary of Bhagavan Gautam Buddha.
• On Ashoka Vijaya Dashmi, 14 October 1956, Ambedkar and his wife took the oath of three Jewels “Trisaran” and five Precepts ‘Panchsheel’ from the Burmese monk Mahasthavir Chandramani from Kushinagar. Ambedkar then gave the oath of three Jewels, five precepts, and 22 Vows ‘Pratigya’ to his thousands of followers. It was after this day, Nagpur became the birthplace of Neo Buddhist movement.
• Deekshabhoomi has gained the status of a pilgrimage center of Buddhism in India. On the Ashoka Vijaya Dashmi day, called as Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din, millions of pilgrims visit Deekshabhoomi.
• The Government of Maharashtra has declared Deekshabhoomi a status of ‘Grade-A’ pilgrimage center. Millions of people, architects and researchers visit Deekshabhoomi every year.
• Deekshabhoomi stupa was inaugurated by the then President of India Honorable Shri K. R. Narayanan on 18^th December 2001.
• Text : Based on the material received from proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 15, 2016

Issued for : The Department of Posts organized a nation-wide competition inviting entries for designing the commemorative postage stamp, souvenir sheet, First Day Cover and Brochure, on the theme Tourism in India.

Design : The designs on the stamp & Souvenir Sheet are based on three best entries submitted by Mr. Tiju. G. J., Mr. M. Vaibhav Shenoy and Ms. Ashita Sharma.

Credits :
Stamp / Souvenir Sheet / Sheetlet / FDC : Ms. Alka Sharma, based on selected paintings submitted by participants
Cancellation cachet : Ms. Alka Sharma

Type : Souvenir Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 Paise

Souvenir Sheet printed : 0.3 million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• India is fast emerging as a preferred tourism destination in the World. The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015 ranks India 52^nd out of 141 countries overall. The country also scores high on natural and cultural resources where it is ranked 12^th. Tourism in India is economically important and is growing rapidly. In a developing country like ours, tourism has become one of the major sectors of the economy, contributing to a large proportion of the National Income and generating huge employment opportunities. It has become the fastest growing service industry in the country with an immense potential for further expansion and diversification.
• India offers a different aspect of her personality – exotic, extravagant, elegant, eclectic – to each traveler to the country. India is a country known for its lavish treatment to all its visitors, no matter where they come from. Its visitor-friendly traditions, varied life styles, diverse cultural heritage along with its colourful fairs and festivals, have held an abiding attraction for the tourists from not only within the country but from all over the World. The other attractions of this amazing country include beautiful beaches, forests and wild life and landscapes for eco-tourism; snow, river and mountain peaks for adventure tourism; technological parks and science museums for science tourism; centres of pilgrimage for spiritual tourism; and heritage trains and hotels for heritage tourism. Yoga, Ayurveda and natural health resorts and hill stations have also been attracting tourists for decades.
• Indian handicrafts particularly, jewelry, carpets, leather goods, ivory and brass work, wood work, textiles are in great demand by foreign tourists who love to spend on such items.
• Tourism sector is one of the largest employment generators in India. It plays an important role in employment generation and economic growth of our country and is accepted as the potent engine for inclusive social economic progress at universal level through its forward and backward linkages and ability to create employment. The main objective of the tourism policy in India now is to position tourism as a major engine of economic growth, and harness its direct and multiplier effect on employment and poverty eradication in a sustainable manner by active participation of all segments of the society. Apart from Marketing and promotion, the focus of tourism development plans is also on integrated development of tourism infrastructure and facilities through effective partnership with various stakeholders.
• Ministry of Tourism is the nodal agency to formulate national policies and programmes for the development and promotion of tourism in India. In the process, the Ministry consults and collaborates with other stakeholders in the sector including various Central Ministries / agencies, the State Governments / Union Territory Administrations and the representatives of the private sector.
• Every region of India has something unique and delightful to offer to a tourist or visitor. Rajasthan is one of the preferred destinations, along with Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, North East, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu which attracts both domestic as well as foreign visitors.
• The popular concept of Heritage Hotels was introduced to convert the old palaces, havelies, forts and residences built prior to 1950, into accommodation units that reproduce the ambience of lifestyles of the bygone era. These are extremely popular among tourists.
• In Himachal Pradesh, the rural people are involved in creating the required facilities in rural areas for tourism purpose. The North-East has a wide array of places in the form of its pristine natural beauty, forests and wildlife, rivers and mountains, and a unique multi-ethnic cultural heritage to offer to the tourists. The region is endowed with diverse tourist attractions and each state has its own distinct features.
• Tourism can be categorized under many activity related sub categories. Prominent among those are given below and concerted efforts are being made to promote these new forms of tourism in India:
  • Rural Tourism, which is essentially an activity which takes place in the countryside, is also very popular among tourists. It is multifaceted and may entail farm/agricultural tourism, cultural tourism, nature tourism, adventure tourism, and eco tourism. As against conventional tourism, rural tourism has certain typical characteristics, like it is experience-oriented, the locations are less populated, it is predominantly in natural environments and it is based on the preservation of culture, heritage and traditions.
  • Ecotourism (also known as ecological tourism) is responsible travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and (often) small scale. It purports to educate the traveler, provide funds for the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, and foster respect for different cultures and for human rights. Ecotourism is held as important by those who participate in it so that future generations may experience aspects of the environment relatively untouched by human intervention.
  • Ocean and river Cruises are one of the most dynamic and the fastest growing components of the leisure industry worldwide. India with its vast and beautiful coastline, virgin forests and undisturbed idyllic islands, rich historical and cultural heritage, is becoming a fabulous tourist destination for cruise tourists.
  • Adventure tourism involves exploration or travel to remote, exotic areas. Adventure tourism is rapidly growing in popularity in India. There is a thrust in the area of Medical Tourism, Wellness Tourism and Yoga, Ayurveda Tourism as well as other forms of Indian system of medicine covered by Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH). Services typically sought by travellers include elective procedures as well as complex specialized surgeries. However, virtually every type of healthcare, including psychiatry, alternative treatments, and convalescent care is available in India.
  • Wellness Tourism is about travelling for the primary purpose of achieving, promoting or maintaining maximum health and a sense of well-being. It is about being proactive in discovering new ways to promote a healthier, stress free life.
  • Sports tourism in India is also fast gaining interest. India has several golf courses of international standards. Further, golf events held in India also attract domestic and international tourists.
• Text : Based on the material available on the internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 25, 2016

Issued for : The Department of Posts organized a nation-wide competition inviting entries for designing the commemorative souvenir sheet, First Day Cover and Brochure on the theme “Vibrant India”. Based on selected entries a souvenir sheet, First Day Cover and Brochure, on the theme, are being released. Approximately 1000 entries were received from all over the country.

Design : The designs on the Souvenir Sheet, First Day Cover & Brochure are based on the entries submitted by Ms. U Mangala Nayak, Ms. Nisha Verma, Ms. Srishti Jain, Ms. Rashmi Singh Rathaur, Ms. Annu, Ms. Charvi Khurana, Ms. Prerna, Ms. Binita Bishwajeeta, Ms. Nivedha Selvaraj and Ms. Shalini Shashikant Hudpane.

Credits :
Souvenir Sheet / FDC / Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta, based on selected paintings submitted by participants.

Type : Souvenir Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 Paise

Souvenir Sheet Printed : 0.3 Million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world with a varied and rich cultural heritage. It has achieved all-round socio-economic progress during the last 67 years of its Independence. Lying entirely in the northern hemisphere, the mainland extends between latitudes 8° 4’ and 37° 6’ north, longitudes 68° 7’ and 97° 25’ east and measures about 3,214 km from north to south between the extreme latitudes and about 2,933 km from east to west between the extreme longitudes. It has a land frontier of about 15,200 km. The total length of the coastline of the mainland, Lakshadweep Islands and Andaman & Nicobar Islands is 7,516.6 km.
  
• The Indian peninsula is separated from mainland Asia by the Himalayas. The Country is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west, and the Indian Ocean to the south. The mainland comprises of four regions, namely the great mountain zone, plains of the Ganga and the Indus, the desert region, and the southern peninsula. Natural resources such as lakes, rivers, forests, wildlife, etc. have a pivotal role in Indian lifestyle and the growing population of the country has been increasing pressure on environment. The primary concern of the government is to implement policies and programmes for conservation of the ecosystem, natural resources, welfare of animals and prevention of pollution etc. and numerous initiatives have been taken by the government and various organizations for conservation and protection of flora and fauna, forest and wildlife, and for control of pollution.
  
• Culture plays an important role in the development of any nation. It represents a set of shared attitudes, values, goals and practices. Culture and creativity manifest themselves in almost all economic, social and other activities. A country as diverse as India is symbolized by the plurality of its culture. India has one of the world’s largest collections of songs, music, dance, theatre, folk traditions, performing arts, rites and rituals, paintings and writings that are known, as the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ (ICH) of humanity. In order to preserve and promote these elements, the government has been implementing a number of schemes and programmes aimed at providing financial support to individuals, groups and cultural organizations engaged in performing, visual and literary arts etc.
  
• The essence of Human Resource Development is education, which plays a significant and remedial role in balancing the socio-economic framework of the country. Rising to this challenge, the country has been taking huge and far reaching initiatives in the field of elementary, secondary, higher secondary, higher technical and adult education. There has been a growing emphasis on vocational trainings in the country with a view to development of not just an educated, but a skilled workforce.
  
• Agriculture, with its allied sectors, is unquestionably the largest livelihood provider in India, more so in the vast rural area. It also contributes a significant figure to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is recognized that sustainable agriculture, in terms of food security, rural employment, and environmentally sustainable technologies such as soil conservation, sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity protection, are essential for holistic rural development, and numerous initiatives have been taken in the country in this regard. Indian agriculture and allied activities have witnessed a green revolution, a white revolution, a yellow revolution and a blue revolution.
  
• Infrastructure is a major sector that propels overall development of the Indian economy. The government is involved in initiating policies that would ensure time-bound creation of world class infrastructure in the country. These initiatives focuses on power, bridges, dams, roads and urban infrastructure development. Power and Energy are recognized as two essential inputs for economic development and improving the quality of life in India. Development of both conventional and non-conventional forms of energy for meeting the growing energy needs of society at a reasonable cost is a challenge. Special initiatives have been taken and are being taken by the Union and state governments in this regard and for promoting the use of non-conventional/alternate/new and renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind and bio-energy, etc.
  
• Science and Technology have always been an integral part of Indian culture. Natural philosophy, as it was termed in ancient times, was pursued vigorously at institutions of higher learning. The Indian Renaissance, which coincided with our struggle for Independence, witnessed great strides made by Indian scientists. This innate ability to perform creatively in science came to be backed with an institutional setup and strong state support after the country’s independence in 1947. The Government of India has worked towards establishing a modern Science and Technology infrastructure in the country. Scientific education and scientific research & development has been on a steady rise as a result of all these initiatives.
  
• Text : Based on material available on the internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 22, 2013

Issued for : Department of Posts had issued a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the dedication of Bhakra Dam in 1988. Since the dam has completed fifty glorious years in the service of the Nation, Department of Posts is acknowledging the noteworthy contribution of Bhakra Dam by releasing a Commemorative Postage Stamp on its golden jubilee celebrations.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Cancellation : Nenu Gupta

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

About : 

• The construction of Bhakra Dam has been a landmark achievement of our country after independence. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, described this dam as ‘New Temple of Resurgent India‘, his words truly illustrate the significance and magnitude of this project.
• Bhakra Dam is a concrete gravity dam across the river Sutlej located at a gorge near the, now submerged, upstream Bhakra village in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh bordering Punjab. The Bhakra Nangal multipurpose dams were among the earliest river valley development schemes undertaken by India after independence. The idea to raise a dam on river Sutlej was first mooted in 1908. However, the preliminary work could only be started in 1946 and construction work in 1948. On 22^nd October, 1963 the dam was dedicated to the nation by the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru who showed a keen interest in the project.
• The Bhakra dam at a height of 225.55 m is Asia‘s second highest dam next only to Tehri dam, also in India. The dam is 518.25 m long and 9.1 m broad. The reservoir of the dam, known as Gobind Sagar, is 168.35 km² in area and is the third largest reservoir in India. It stores upto 9.34 billion cubic meters of water enough to drain whole of Chandigarh, parts of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi.
• Part of the larger multipurpose Bhakra Nangal Project, the dam was constructed to prevent floods in Sutlej-Beas river valley, to provide irrigation to adjoining states and provide hydro electricity. The dam provides irrigation to 10 million acres of fields in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. It has four flood gates to control floods. Bhakra dam alongwith Nangal dam houses hydroelectric power generators which are situated on both sides of the dams. Nangal hydel Channel and Anandpur Sahib Channel are used for power generation and irrigation purposes. Each power plant consists of five turbines. Two power houses with a total capacity of 1325 MW flank the dam on either side of the river. The left power house contains 5×108 MW Francis turbines while the right 5×157 MW. The power generated is distributed among states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and also supplied to common pool consumers like National Fertilizers Ltd. and Chandigarh. The dam has also become a major tourist attraction in recent times.
• Text : Based on the material furnished by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Apr 11, 2013

Issued for : Department of Posts is happy to release a set of Commemorative Postage Stamps featuring the Arasavalli and Srikurmam temples in the series on Architectural Heritage of India.

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

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 & 2000 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million each

Miniature Sheet : 0.21 Million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• In the early Indian society, religion was an inclusive presence whose role went beyond faith and worship – it was in itself a way of life. Temples in ancient and early-medieval India were not just abodes of God, but thriving hubs of social activity as well. It is no surprise then, that temples represent some of the finest samples of architectural heritage from that era. Two such examples are the Arasavalli and Srikurmam temples in Andhra Pradesh.
• Arasavalli Temple :
  • This Sun temple from 7^th century AD takes its name from the Arasavalli village near Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh, where it is situated. It is believed to have been built by Devendra Verma, the ruler of Kalinga. The unique design employed in the temple ensures that twice a year, in March and September, the sun’s rays touch the feet of the deity, the Sun God.
  • This temple is a testimonial to the architectural skills of the Maharanas, the Vishwakarma sculptors of Orissa. It is a Panchayatana temple with Aditya in the centre and Ganesh, Shiva, Parvati and Vishnu in four corners of the quadrangle. The five feet image of Surya bearing lotus buds, carved out of a rare ancient stone called Arunashila, flanked by his consorts on a seven horse driven chariot is the main idol for worship.
  • It is believed that the Sun God is the God of health. People worship here to heal their diseases. It is also believed that a dip in the holy waters of the Pushkarini pond in front of the temple fulfills all the wishes of the devotees. Suryanarayanaswami Kalyanotsavam, an important five day annual event, is celebrated at this place during March-April.
• Srikurmam Temple :
  • Situated in Srikurmam village near Srikakulam, it is the only temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the avatara of Srikurmam, i.e. tortoise. The temple is believed to have been built before 2^nd century AD, and re-developed in 7^th century AD. Rulers of the Chola and the Kalinga dynasties have contributed to its construction and development.
  • This is the only temple in ancient Dravidian architectural style in this region. The temple is noted for its imposing five storied gopuram. The two hundred granite pillars in the temple premises have inscriptions in Devnagri script, carried out over the period from 11^th to 19^th century AD. The 41 panels of mural paintings on the walls of the temple depicting mythological events resemble the frescoes of Ajanta caves in Maharashtra. One unique feature of the temple is that it has Dhwajastambams (flag masts) in front and back of the temple as the deity faces the back of the temple on the west side.
  • Dolotsavam is the most important festival celebrated here, falling in the month of March every year, when around 50,000 pilgrims congregate.
    

• Text : P.N. Ranjit Kumar.

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