Issued by India

Issued on Dec 26, 2006

Issued for : By issuing a set of four commemorative postage stamps the Department of Posts affirms its commitment to spread awareness among the people in order to “Stop Child Labour”.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Nenu Gupta

Type : Se–tenant pair of 4 Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise each

Stamps Printed : 1.6 Million

Printing Process : Wet–offset

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

About : 

• Child labour is especially prevalent in the developing countries, and in rural areas where enforcement of schooling and minimum age requirements for work becomes difficult. It is mainly poverty that drives parents to set their young children to work and support the family. In the process these working children become objects of extreme exploitation.
• India has all along followed a proactive policy with respect to the problem of child labour, and has stood for constitutional, statutory and developmental measures to combat child labour. Six ILO conventions relating to child labour have been ratified, three of these as early as the first quarter of this century.
• Being a party to the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child 1959, India adopted the National Policy on Children in 1974. The policy reaffirmed the constitutional provisions and stated that “it shall be the policy of the State to provide adequate services to children, both before and after birth and through the period of growth to ensure their full physical, mental and social development. The State shall progressively increase the scope of such services so that within a reasonable time all children in the country enjoy optimum conditions for their balanced growth.“
• India‘s first act on the subject was the enactment of the Children (Pledging of Labor) Act of February 1933. This was followed by the Employment of Children Act in 1938. Subsequently, twelve additional legislations were passed that progressively extended legal protection to children. Provisions relating to child labour under various enactment such as the Factories Act, the Mines Act, the Plantation Labour Act etc. have concentrated on aspects such as reducing working hours, increasing minimum wage and prohibiting employment of children in occupations and processes detrimental to their health and development.
• The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act 1986 of India was the culmination of efforts and ideas that emerged from the deliberations and recommendations of various committees on child labor. Significant among them are the National Commission on Labour (1966-1969), Gurupadaswamy Committee on Child Labour (1979), and the Sanat Mehta Committee (1984).
• The Act aims to prohibit the entry of children into hazardous occupations and to regulate the services of children in non-hazardous occupations. The Act, in particular,
  • bans the employment of children, i.e. those who have not completed their 14^th year, in specified occupations and processes (Annexure-I).
  • lays down a procedure to make additions to the schedule of banned occupations or processes;
  • regulates the working conditions of children in occupations where they are not prohibited from working;
  • lays down penalties for employment of children in violation of the provisions of this Act, and other Acts which forbid the employment of children;
  • brings uniformity in the definition of the “Child” in related laws.
• The Government of India has recently decided to prohibit the employment of children as domestic servants and in tea-shops and dhabas, restaurants, hotels, motels, resorts, spas or other recreational centres. A Notification to this effect was issued on 10^th July 2006, giving a mandatory three-month’s notice for this purpose. A final Notification has been issued on 10^th October, 2006, under the Child Labour (prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986.
• Under the National Policy of Child Labour, various National Child Labour Projects have been set up in different areas with a view to rehabilitate the child labourers. A major activity undertaken under the NCLP has been the establishment of special schools to provide non-formal education, vocational training, supplementary nutrition etc. to children withdrawn from employment. The Government is also providing funds to various NGOs for running special schools for the rehabilitation of child labourers, thereby providing for a greater role and inviting the cooperation of the civil society.
• It is true that the problem of child labour, being inextricably linked with poverty and illiteracy, cannot be solved by legislations alone. A holistic approach, and multi-pronged and concerted efforts are required to tackle this problem, and, above all, the common man has to say no to child labour if this practice is to be eliminated.
• Text : Material provided by Ministry of Labour.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 13, 2006

Issued for : Sandalwood is an integral part of the Indian heritage, which we need to treasure and conserve, and the Department of Posts is proud to issue a perfumed commemorative postage stamp on this national treasure. This stamp, with its unmistakable fragrance of Sandalwood, is the first perfumed stamp brought out by India Post.

Credits :
Stamp : Sankha Samanta (Based on the material provided by the ‘Cauvery‘ Karnataka State Arts and Crafts Emporium, New Delhi.
FDC : Sankha Samanta
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multicolour

Denomination : 1500 paise

Stamps Printed : 3.0 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

About : 

• Prized since time immemorial for its fragrance and medicinal properties, Sandalwood enjoys a very special status in India. An intrinsic part of Hindu religious rituals and social customs, Sandalwood finds mention in Indian classical literature and scriptures dating back to 2000 BC, including the “Ramayana“, the poetry of Kalidasa, as also Buddhist texts which attribute it to the Bodhisatva Amitabha.
• The Sandalwood tree is currently found in India, Sri Lanka, Australia, China, Taiwan, Hawaii, and some other South Pacific islands. In India the tree grows in the southern deciduous forests of the Western Ghats and the Deccan plateau, mainly in the States of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Botanically known as “Santalum album” the Sandalwood tree belongs to the Santalacea family and is a hemi parasite. This means that the roots derive nutrition from neighbouring plants. Sandalwood is also known to be resistant to insects. As the tree grows, the essential oil develops in its roots and heartwood, which is the core of the sandalwood tree, and this can take upto 15 to 20 years. It is interesting to note that the sandalwood tree is not felled. Instead the tree is uprooted in the rainy season, when its roots are rich in the precious oil. It is said that one ton of the heartwood can yield upto 60 Kgs of oil.
• Apart from its oil, the sandalwood tree is also valued for its wood and bark. The powdered bark is an important ingredient in the making of “Agarbattis” or incense sticks, and the wood is used for carving. Skilled artisans work to fashion the wood into caskets and panels, statues and figurines of deities, and into temple doors. Although not commonly used as a construction material, Sandalwood has also been used to build temples and its aroma has lingered on through the centuries.
• Made into a powder or paste, the wood has been used in traditional medicine, along with the oil, to treat a variety of ailments ranging from snakebites, respiratory treat and digestive complications, to skin problems, and also to nourish and beautify the skin. The fragrance of sandalwood is useful in aromatherapy, to relieve stress and depression, alleviate anger and aggression, and to foster calm and tranquility. Above all the oil is prized for its wonderful fragrance. Its warm, sweet, slightly spicy woodnotes, are long-lasting and distinctive, yet mild enough to blend harmoniously with other aromas to create an endless variety of perfumes.
• Little wonder then that sandalwood is a very precious commodity. Commerce in sandalwood dates back to the beginnings of trade in India and Indian sandalwood is now quite rare and expensive. In 1792, the ruler of Mysore (part of present day Karnataka) had declared the sandalwood as a royal tree and, even today, no individual in India may own a sandalwood tree. All sandalwood trees in India are owned by the Government, and their harvest is strictly controlled. Nevertheless, it is a sad fact that the illegal felling and export of sandalwood is not uncommon, and this poses a serious threat to the tree and its habitat.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 10, 2006

Issued for : The Department of Posts is pleased to issue a postage stamp on the great German Missionary, Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg to commemorate 300^th anniversary of his arrival in India.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Suresh Kumar
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multicolor

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

Name : Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg 

Born on Jul 10, 1682 at Pulsnitz, Germany

Died on Feb 23, 1719 at Tranquebar, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India

About : 

• Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg was a German theologist, missionary and scholar who made India his home and did pioneering work in bringing the West close to the Indian Culture.
  
• He arrived in Tranquebar on 9^th July 1706, with a purpose of introducing German Lutheran pietism to the people who were following various Bhakti cults, but his encounter with people and their culture transformed him and he became an expert of Indian culture and religious heritage.
  
• Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg initiated a new way of learning Tamil language, and translated the New Testament into Tamil.
  
• Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg translated most of the Tamil grammatical prose into Latin. He composed the first Grammatical Dumalica, which was published in 1716 in Halle, Germany. His letters, poetries and other correspondences contain useful information, which has been written, on paper but some are still found in the form of palm leaf manuscripts.
  
• Ziegenbalg wrote two comprehensive treatises on literature. In 1711, he wrote ‘Malabarian Gods’ in which he quoted long passages from 176 works including Sivavackiam, Gnanavenba, 64 Thiruvilayadal Puranam, Udalkuru Thathuram and etc. The second book was ‘Genealogy of Malabarian Gods’ in which he incorporated 145 letters written by Tamil scholars.
  
• Ziegenbalg introduced a Tamil printing press in Tranquebar in 1712. The ‘Nirubam’, a small circular, marked the first printing.
  
• Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg was in a way involved in bringing social changes in contemporary Tamil Nadu. He was instrumental in establishing the first school for girls in 1710.
  
• Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg marked the beginning of an interesting chapter in Indo-German relationship.
  
• He died in 1719 in India.
  
• Text : Material provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 8, 2006

Issued for : The Department of Posts is proud to issue a commemorative postage stamp on the Field Post Office on this glorious occasion.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Sankha Samanta
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Se–tenant Strip of 4 Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise each

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million each

Printing Process : Wet–offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• In the long and glorious history of the Indian Army, Army Post Offices have played a pivotal role in maintaining the morale of the troops. Being a part of the national postal system, Field Post Offices have served as a connecting link between the troops placed in far-flung locations guarding the frontiers and their families back home.
• The Field Post Offices accompanying the Expeditionary Forces abroad were called as Field Forces Post Offices (FFPOs). The first Field Force Post Office came into operation during 1856 to accompany the British Expeditionary Forces to Persia. This FPO functioned at Bushire from 12 December 1856 to 2 October 1857. The second FPO functioned at Mohamasa (present Khorramshahi) from 24 March 1857 to 16 May 1857 and third FFPO at Kharaj from August 57 to 4 February 1958.
• Thus we find that the history of the Field Post Offices commences and grows steadily to assume greater responsibility later. Initially some officials of the Department of Posts were made to work under the control of Army Officers but later Chief Superintendent of Post Offices of the Department of Posts started controlling the postal operations. Volunteering for Field Service became an all India affair from the Afghan war onwards.
• Field Post Offices initially provided all major postal facilities except payment of money orders and Indian Postal Orders. Gradually FPOs became an integral part of the Army and are set up, worked, controlled and closed under the orders of the Army’s own postal organisation, the Army Postal Service (APS). Raised as a war time postal organisation till World War II, the Jammu and Kashmir operations in 1947 had brought in the need and necessity to have it as a permanent organisation of the Indian Army. Initially the Army Postal Service, which controls the Field Post Offices, was affiliated to Army service Corps till it became a separate entity on 1 March 1972.
• The most important contribution of the Field Post Office in the life of a soldier is that it keeps up his morale, whether he is in dizzy height Himalayas, dense forest of the North East, the scorching deserts of Western India, or the counter-insurgency led mine-field environment. The postal facility is not only extended to the Army but also to the Air Force, Border Road Organisations, Rashtriya Rifles and other Para Military Forces like Assam Rifles, BSF and CRPF. Besides this, the Field Post Office facility has been, of late, extended to Army units on peacetime locations also. The recent introduction of PIN code for Army units with ‘9’ as the first index number enables the Army mail move with the soldier wherever he moves with a unit. Unlike in the civilian postal service, the soldier need not change his address when he moves from one place to another nor does he need to reveal his location in his address.
• The Field Post Offices are fully mobile and equipped to function in tents, trucks, bunkers, and even in open air as befits their Army role. However, in the changing IT environment FPOs are also functioning in well-built, well-equipped accommodation. With the provision of computers in every FPO, the counter operations have been automated to give fast and hassle free services to the customers. In its 150^th year, the FPO is marching ahead to extend all the postal facilities and premium services to their clientele. The FPOs have made a giant leap forward in their mission to serve the soldiers with zeal and dedication both in peace and war for the last 150 years of its existence.
• Text : Material provided by the APS Directorate.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 1, 2006

Issued for : Against this background the release of a postage stamp on World AIDS Day on 1^st December 2006 reflects our country’s commitment to check the spread of this deadly disease. India Post is proud to issue this stamp which will help carry forward the message of combating AIDS, a critical issue for humankind, which is engaging the urgent attention of nations around the world.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multicolor

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printers : India Security Press, Nasik

About : 

• World AIDS Day is an occasion to introspect on what has been achieved and to focus on what more needs to be done to stop the spread of HIV infection, which has been ravaging populations around the globe. Since the detection of the first case of HIV in India in 1986, the number of affected people in the country is now estimated to be over 5.2 millions. Though this is less than 1% of the country’s population, we cannot afford to be complacent, as the epidemic has been spreading, from urban to rural areas also, with the youth and women becoming increasingly vulnerable.
• India has taken initiatives to prevent and control AIDS right since 1986 when the National AIDS Committee was set up, followed by the launch of the National AIDS Control Programme in 1987. Subsequently the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) was constituted, and the first phase of National AIDS Control Programme was launched in 1992. In the launch of the second phase of the National AIDS Control Programme in 1999, a number of policy initiatives were taken up which have focused on health educational activities, HIV preventive measures among high risk population groups, communication campaigns to disseminate information on all aspects of AIDS in order to promote safe behavioural practices and access to prevention, care, support and treatment services, as also setting up of AIDS diagnostic, treatment and care services, and providing access to safe blood. In 2005, the National Council on AIDS chaired by the Prime Minister was constituted for main streaming the programme in all ministries, civil society and private sector. These initiatives have been supported by the political leadership, government and non-government organizations, various civil society institutions, business houses, and the media, who have all rallied together and worked for a strong, focused, and committed response to control the spread of HIV / AIDS.
• India is now moving towards the next phase of NACP which will seek to consolidate the gains and scale up the initiatives so far taken, with the objective of halting and reversing the spread of the epidemic over the next 5 years.
• Text : Based on material provided by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO).

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 24, 2006

Issued for : The Department of Posts is pleased to issue a commemorative postage stamp on ‘The Tribune’.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multicolor

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

About : 

• The Tribune is one of the oldest newspapers of India. It has played a major role in the awakening of the people. The newspaper owes its origin to Sardar Dyal Singh of Majithia village of Amritsar. It was during his sojourn in England and travels in Europe that he realized the importance of the press in the life of a nation. Although as early as in 1872 a weekly “Civil and Military Gazette“, had started in Shimla, there was no organ to give voice to the people of India. The Vernacular Press Act, 1878, which sought to muzzle the Indian Press was in force at that time. This prompted Dyal Singh to start “The Tribune” as a weekly from Lahore on February 2, 1881, the year Vernacular Press Act was repealed.
• The first issue of The Tribune carried a long editorial expressing the foundational principles of the paper and laying down guidelines for the future. It said: “Our appearance in the field of journalism is to meet a crying want of this part of India, namely, an English journal for the presentation of ‘native’ opinion“.
• The aim of this newspaper was to advocate the cause of the mute masses and to represent the public opinion of India.
• As the mouthpiece of the people, The Tribune carried 20 articles on the need of education in Punjab on modern lines through the medium of English with the very first issue onwards.
• Ideals espoused by The Tribune were truly nationalistic, as it professed to champion the cause of the people regardless of class or creed, and to stand for the welfare of the masses, even as it meant withstanding the pressures of the colonial government or facing adversities and restrictions, including litigations.
• The fearless journalism practised by the Tribune soon came to test when within 10 months of its launch, it confronted the Government over biased reporting in the Civil and Military Gazette on the Multan riots, thereby winning people’s confidence and acclaim from other newspapers across the country.
• The Tribune witnessed a major crisis at the time of partition. Trustees of The Tribune decided to continue its publication from Lahore, but the circumstances compelled them to shift to Shimla where the India edition started. Later it was shifted to Ambala and after a few years, to Chandigarh, where it has been flourishing.
• In 1978, it also started editions in Hindi and Punjabi. Today The Tribune and its sister publications are also published from New Delhi and Jalandhar.
• The glorious history of 125 years of The Tribune is a shining example of the true ideals of journalism.
• Text : Material provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 14, 2006

Issued for : The Department of Posts is proud to release a set of two postage stamps, miniature Sheet, First Day Cover and three Maxim Cards, designed by the Children, on Children’s Day.

Designed by : This year’s stamps are based on painting made by Master Keval Thakkar, a student of Amarjyoti Saraswati Vidyalaya Kalvibid, Bhavnagar, Gujarat and Master Shivanna T. Madvi, a student of Dada Vaidya High School, Curti, Ponda, Goa, Maharashtra who won the first prizes in the Group I and II respectively in the competition. Miniature sheet is based on a painting made by Anu Vijayan of Kerala who won the first prize in the Group III in the Competition.

Design of the First Day Cover is based on the painting made by Sagar Sen of Morning Star School, Agarpara, West Bengal who won second prize in Group III. The three maxim cards depict paintings done by Kumari Pallavi Majumdar of Vidya Bharti Girls’ High School, New Alipore, Kolkata, winner of second prize in Group II. Ms. Shilpa S. Kulkarni, of Prathmik Marathi School, Solapur, Maharast, winner of second prize in Group I and Master Mitrajit Sharma of Faculty Higher Secondary School, Guwahati, winner of Third Prize in Group III.

Credits :
Stamps : Keval Thakkar and Shivanna T. Madvi
Miniature Sheet : Anu Vijayan
FDC : Sagar Sen
Maxim Card : Pallavi Majumdar, Shilpa S. Kulkarni and Mitrajit Sharma
Cancellation : Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise each

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million each

Printing Process : Wet–offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The Universal Children’s Day celebrated on 14^th November every year, is an occasion to renew our commitment to the cause of children and re-dedicate ourselves to fulfilling their basic needs and rights. The day also coincides with the birthday of India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, fondly called ‘Chacha Nehru‘ by children.
• The department of Posts brings out stamp on Children’s Day every year, which is designed by a child. To select the stamp design, the department organizes an All India Stamp Design Competition. The theme for this Competition was ‘My favourite mythological hero‘ or ‘My favourite fairy tale‘. Looking into these paintings, it is sure that the future lies in the hands of a very positive and talented generation, that sees hope in the culture, tradition and faith in our daily lives.

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 11, 2006

Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on the legendary photographer Lala Deen Dayal.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Sankha Samanta
Cancellation : Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multicolour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

Name : Lala Deen Dayal

Born on 1844 at Sardhana, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India

Died on Jul 5, 1910 at Mumbai, India

About : 

• The pioneer of photography in India, Lala Deen Dayal left a brilliant visual record of the lifestyle, events and monuments of late nineteenth century, displaying ingenuity and artistry, so that his photography were seen as expressions of fine arts, competing with traditional paintings and even replacing many other forms of printing art.
• Lala Deen Dayal was born at Sardhana near Meerut in 1844. After studying at Thomson’s Civil Engineering College at Roorkee, he became an estimator and draughtsman in the Department of Works in the Secretariat in Indore in 1866. Soon, he developed a keen interest in photography. He was encouraged by Sir Henry Daly, the Agent to the Governor General for Central India, who assigned him the task of photographing the royal visit of the Prince of Wales in 1875. Impressed by his talent, Sir Henry took Deen Dayal along with him on his tour of Bundelkhand. In 1882-83 Deen Dayal again toured Bundelkhand with Sir Lepel Griffin who was the Agent at that time. Eighty nine of his photographs of palaces, forts and temples in Gwalior, Khajuraho, Rewa and Sanchi were splendidly reproduced by the Autotype carbon process in Sir Lepel Griffin’s “Famous Monuments of Central India”. Lala Deen Dayal had the opportunity to photograph the Viceroy, Lord Dufferin and Lady Dufferin, and he was appointed as a photographer to His Excellency the Viceroy. Soon he resigned from Government service and became a full time photographer.
• Gradually his reputation grew, and the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan appointed him as his court photographer and also conferred upon him the title of ‘Raja Musavir Jung’. In 1897, Lala Deen Dayal was granted the Royal Warrant appointing him Photographer to Her Imperial Majesty Queen Victoria.
• He set up studios in Indore, Secunderabad and Bombay. In 1893 his display of views of India received a special award at the World Colombian Exposition in Chicago. Subsequently he received several awards at photographic exhibitions held in Jaipur, Calcutta, London and Poona.
• He travelled far and wide in India, visited all the important places of interest and took more than 6000 photographs, which is supposed to be the largest collection ever held by any single photographer, amateur or professional in those times.
• He expired in Bombay on 5^th July 1905 at the age of 61.
• The true-to-life quality of Lala Deen Dayal’s photographs provide a rare pictorial glimpse into a bygone era, the picturesque opulence, genteel grandeur and gracious charm of 19^th century India, with whiskered nobility, hookah bearers, royal palaces, royal hunts, and parades, elephant carriages; golden moments’ captured on silver plates for posterity.
• Major part of his work now rests with the IGNCA, New Delhi.
• Text : Based on the material provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 6, 2006

Issued for : The Department of Posts is pleased to issue a set of five commemorative postage stamps on Himalayan Lakes of India.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Bharati Mirchandani
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Se-tenant block of 5 Stamps (four horizontal and one vertical), Mint Condition

Colour : Multicolour

Denomination : 500 paise each

Stamps Printed : 3.0 Million each

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

About : 

• The word ‘lake’ conjures up a vision of blue, tranquil waters, boats with semi-recumbent revelers, and other paraphernalia of a tourist resort all set against a lush and beautiful backdrop. The lake eco-systems are, however, of significance and under threat. On the one hand they are vulnerable to pollution, and on the other hand their vulnerability means that they can be excellent sensors of environmental change.
• Known for their pristine beauty, the Himalayan Lakes of India, surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks, have inspired travelers, pilgrims, painters and adventure seekers. From Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, the Himalayan ranges are dotted with a galaxy of lakes of remarkable beauty. Most of these lakes are found at altitudes of less than 5000 meters and, interestingly, the size of the lakes diminish with altitude.
• The Department of Posts has tried to capture the beauty and serenity of five Himalayan Lakes of India through this set of stamps.
• One of the most classically beautiful lakes is the Chandratal in Lahaul and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh that connects the areas of Spiti and Lahaul. Surrounded by snows and acres of scree, this deep blue lake has a circumference of 2.5 KM, and is the source of river Chandra. Situated at a breathtaking 4300 meters above sea level, the lake itself was probably formed at the end of the last ice age when the glaciers retreated, leaving behind considerable dead ice masses, which on melting formed large lakes. According to some believers, this is the spot from where the eldest Pandava brother Yudhishthir ascended the God Indra‘s chariot which conveyed him to ‘Swarg’ (Heaven) in mortal form.
• Roop Kund is situated at a height of 5029 meters from sea level on the lap of the Trisul Massif. This is called the ‘Mystery Lake’, after human skeletons and remains of horses were found here. This magnificent lake is surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers and snow clad peaks.
• Tsangu in Bhutia language literally means “the source”. This tranquil lake is located at an altitude of 12310 ft. on the Gangtok Nathula Highway. The lake is about 1 KM long, oval in shape, about 15 meters deep and is considered sacred by the people. Its cool, placid waters mirror the enchanting beauty of the surrounding Alpine forests which are home to some rare animals like the Red Panda, the Brahminy Duck and a variety of other birds.
• Sela Lake, which is also called Paradise Lake, is situated on the way to Tawang, alongside the world’s second highest motorable pass, i.e. Sela pass (13,714 ft. approx.) in Arunachal Pradesh. The height of the lake is approximately 13500 ft. The lake is in round shape and its circumference measures about 2.1 KM, and it is 6 meters deep. The lake abounds in trout and is surrounded by ice almost round the year.
• The Tsomoriri Lake or ‘Mountain Lake’ is an enchanting expanse of water ringed by mountains, located about 240 KM from Leh, in Rupshu Valley of Jammu & Kashmir. The lake is situated at an altitude of about 4267 meter from sea level, near a small village called Korzok. 15 miles in length and 3-4 miles in width, the lake is home to many rare immigrant birds. The area is rich in wildlife including the ‘Kyang’ (wild ass), red fox, and the snow leopard, and the lake area is also known for the colourful nomadic people who live there.
• Text : Based on material provided by Postal Circles and Tourism Departments of the respective States.

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 1, 2006

Issued for : The Department of Posts is pleased to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Shri G. Varadaraj.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million

Printing Process : Wet–offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : G. Varadaraj

Born on Nov 1, 1936 at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

Died on Oct 23, 1990

About : 

• Shri G. Varadaraj was a pioneer of education, business and industry as well as a Parliamentarian.
• Born to Shri Ganga Naidu on 1^st November, 1936 at Coimbatore, Shri G. Varadaraj did his schooling from the Sarva Jana High School in Peelamedu and intermediate from the Government Arts College in Coimbatore. As a worthy scion of the PSG (Periaveedu Sama Naidu Govindaswamy Naidu) family, Shri G. Varadaraj proved an astute businessman while promoting industry, education, science, sports, culture and social welfare. He supported the growth and development of the PSG group of educational institutions such as the Sarva Jana Higher Secondary School, the PSG college of Arts and Science, the PSG Industrial Institute, the PSG College of Technology and the PSG Medical College. As the Managing Trustee of the PSG group of institutions from 1978 to 1990, he founded the Institute of Medical Science and Research in 1985.
• Shri G. Varadaraj, popularly known as “GV” also played a commendable role in the Rotary movement. He was largely instrumental in starting the Measles Immunization and Polio Vaccination Programmes in the early 1980s in the Rotary District 320 which comprised many rural areas of Tamilnadu and Kerala.
• Shri G. Varadaraj was the founder of Rajshree Sugars and Chemicals Limited (RSCL) in 1987 in a most backward area of the Theni district of Tamilnadu, which paved the way for the economic and social development of the area by providing employment opportunities to the local people.
• Shri G. Varadaraj was a Patron Member of the Coimbatore District Small Scale Industries Association and advocated the preservation and promotion of Small Scale Industries in Coimbatore. He was also associated with the Bharat Scouts and Guides.
• Shri G. Varadaraj was a distinguished Parliamentarian. As a Member of the Rajya Sabha for six years from 1983, he served on several committees. He was also instrumental in providing landing facilities for Boeing jet flights in Coimbatore instead of at Sulur, which was about 35 kms away. He was Chairman/President, Vice-President, Director and Member of many foundations and organizations such as Indian Cotton Mills Federation, Southern India Mills Association, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Coimbatore) and Engineering Export Promotion Council.
• He died on 23^rd October, 1990 but his legacy lives on.
• Text : Material provided by the proponent.

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