Issued by India

Issued on Dec 27, 2020

Issued for : India Post is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Manikchandra Vajpayee.

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

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 300000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Manikchandra Vajpayee

Born on Oct 7, 1919 at Bateshwar, Agra district, Uttar Pradesh, India

Died on Dec 25, 2005 at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India

About : 

• Manikchandra Vajpayee (Mama ji) led a selfless life and remained engaged in social service till the end of his life.
• He was born on October 7, 1919 in Bateshwar, district Agra (Uttar Pradesh). He completed his education from Morar, Gwalior. He secured first position in the Middle Board Examination in Gwalior State and received a Gold Medal in the Inter Ajmer Board Examination. He was a Pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh from 1944 to 1953. He was a pioneer in establishment of a college in Adokhar (Bhind) and convener for Central India of Swadeshi Jagran Manch and organisational secretary for Central India of Jansangh between 1951 and 1954.
• He began his career in journalism as an editor of Weekly ‘Deshmitra’ published from Bhind. He was associated with ‘Dainik Swadesh’, Indore since its establishment in 1966, and was the editor of this newspaper between 1968 and 1985. Later, as an editorial advisor of Bhopal, Jabalpur, Sagar, Raipur and Bilaspur editions of ‘Swadesh’, he guided several journalists.
• During the emergency, he was in jail for 20 months. He was an eloquent writer. His articles and editorials are still relevant. He covered historical events in great detail in books such as ‘Aapatkalin Sangharsh Gatha’, ‘Pratham Agni Pariksha’, ‘Bharatiya Nari Swami Vivekanand Kee Drishti Men’, ‘Kashmir Ka Kadva Sach’, ‘Jyotijala Nij Pran Ki’ and ‘Madhya Bharat Kee Sangh Gatha’.
• Text : Based on information received from the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 24, 2020

Issued for : As of 8^th July, 2020, more than 11 million cases of COVID-19 have been detected in more than 200 countries and more than 0.5 million people have lost their lives. As of 10^th July, 2020 there are more than 2.76 lakh active COVID-19 cases in India and the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed more than 21 thousand lives in India. There are sections of our society that are rendering yeoman’s service in the country’s fight against COVID-19. Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of four Commemorative Postage Stamps and a Miniature Sheet to pay a tribute to these COVID-19 Warriors.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure : Shri Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation Cachet : Smt Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1000 Paise (4)

About : 

• The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’ on 30^th January, 2020 owing to an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology since December, 2019. Thereafter, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) announced “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)” as genetically related to the coronavirus responsible for the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak of 2003. WHO announced “COVID-19” as the name of this new disease on 11^th February, 2020, following guidelines previously developed with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
• Subsequently, WHO declared COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic (a pandemic is the worldwide spread of a new disease) on 11^th March, 2020 and reiterated the call for countries to take immediate action and scale up response to detect, treat and reduce transmission to save people’s lives. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India announced a total lockdown in the country effective from midnight on 25^th March, 2020 which was later extended till 31^st May, 2020 to contain the spread of COVID-19. Government of India has been taking all necessary steps to ensure that India is prepared well to face the challenge and threat posed by the growing pandemic of COVID-19.
• COVID-19 warriors, viz. doctors, nurses and health professionals, Police, sanitation workers, Post office and Bank employees and other Government officials involved in providing essential services are leading from the front in serving the people during these trying times.
• Health professionals including doctors and nurses are at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak response and engaged in a gamut of activities ranging from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and supportive care. They are exposed to hazards that put them at the risk of infection. Hazards include pathogen exposure, long working hours, psychological distress, fatigue and occupational burnout. However, battling all odds, health professionals across India have been rendering stellar service in the battle against COVID-19. Union Government has created an online data pool on https://covidwarriors.gov.in of (among others) doctors, nurses and other health care professionals. As part of this online data pool, more than 11 Lakh doctors and 17 Lakh nurses across India have been listed for use by the ground level administration at state, district or municipal levels in the fight against COVID-19.
• Police and law enforcement officials play a crucial role in contributing to the effort to control the spread of COVID-19 disease by enforcing social distancing and the strict implementation of the lockdown, promoting safer communities and fighting criminals who take advantage of the outbreak. They are guarding containment zones, enforcing the lockdown and home quarantines and carrying out high-risk evacuations.
• An estimated five million sanitation workers in the country put their lives at risk every day and play a critical role in preventing the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring our streets, parks, sewers, septic tanks, communities, public toilets and public spaces are kept clean and hygienic.
• Recognizing the key services offered by Post offices and banks, they have been exempted from lockdown restrictions in view of COVID-19. Banks have been operating Mobile ATMs and offering services such as cash deposit and withdrawal, cheque clearances, remittances and government transactions besides offering schemes such as additional liquidity facility for MSME borrowers and other segments including agriculture and self-help groups. Department of Posts operates the world’s largest postal service and relying upon its robust and extensive network, has been delivering everything from lifesaving drugs to COVID-19 test kits, to N95 masks, ventilators and other medical equipment. Further, as on 8^th July, 2020 officials of Department of Posts facilitated more than 13 crore transactions worth Rs. 2.59 Lakh crore in Postal Savings Bank accounts, 5.36 crore transactions worth more than Rs. 13,000 crore via India Post Payments Bank and 1.63 crore Aadhar Enabled Payments System (AEPS) transactions worth Rs. 3,249 crore.
• The Vande Bharat Mission that aims at bringing home Indians stranded in many countries due to COVID-19 pandemic has come as a much needed relief to the Indians abroad and to their near and dear ones at home. The Mission began on 7^th May, 2020 with two flights landing in Kochi and Kozhikode from Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Subsequent to the Ministry of Home Affairs order regarding movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places by special trains, Indian Railways operated several “Shramik Special” trains. These trains ferried migrants to cities across the length and breadth of the country. In these Shramik Special Trains, maximum 1,200 passengers were accommodated so as to observe social distancing. Further, proper screening of passengers was ensured before boarding the train and during the journey, passengers were given free meals and water.
• Operation Samudra Setu was launched on 5^th May, 2020 as part of the national effort to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa, Airavat, Shardul and Magar participated in this operation which lasted over 55 days and involved traversing more than 23,000 kilometers by sea successfully bringing 3,992 Indian citizens back to their homeland. Rigorous medical/safety protocols, unique to the operating environment of ships, were implemented. This operation was undertaken by the Indian Navy in close coordination with Ministry of External Affairs, Home Affairs, health and various other agencies of the Government of India and State Governments.
• Text : Based on information available on internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 17, 2020

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his birth centenary.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Sh. Anuj
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 302400

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Born on Mar 17, 1920 at Tungipara, Faridpur district, Bengal, British India [now in Gopalganj, Bangladesh]

Died on Aug 15, 1975 at Dhaka, Bangladesh

About : 

• Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s (March 17, 1920 – August 15, 1975) life and legacy are synonymous with the history of Bangladesh’s Liberation. Born in Tungipara in Gopalganj district of Bangladesh, he became one of the most towering political figures of the 20^th century. His forceful articulation of the cause of his people, in opposing institutional discrimination eventually inspired the struggle for the rights of his people and fuelled the liberation of Bangladesh. Even today, a century after his birth, his trademark attire of long kurta, pyjama and the black “Mujib Coat”, evokes the same respect and adoration as they did in 1971, in his native Bangladesh and in India, where he is also revered as a hero by the Indian people.
• Bangabandhu’s life is also his legacy. The courage of his convictions and his resolve to fight injustice cost him years of incarceration. Secularism, pride in one’s language and culture and equality were at the core of his message. When the oppressive regime of Pakistan, disregarding all democratic values, unleashed a reign of state-sponsored terror and mass atrocities upon ‘Bangla Bhumi’ and devastated its people, Bangabandhu inspired the resistance that liberated Bangladesh from repression, domination and genocide.
• Delivering his remarks during the commencement of ‘Mujib Borsho’ (100^th Birth anniversary celebrations of Sheikh Mujib – 17 March 2020), Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi remarked that Bangabandhu was “one of the greatest personalities of the last century”; and that “his entire life is an inspiration for all”.
• A student of Islamia College (now Maulana Azad College) in Kolkata, as the leader of independent Bangladesh, Bangabandhu went on to promote close and friendly relations between India and Bangladesh. He called the people of India the best friends of the people of Bangladesh. The path shown by Bangabandhu has helped build a strong foundation for partnership, progress and prosperity in both countries.
• Text : Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 4, 2020

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a commemorative Postage Stamp on I. K. Gujral.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Ms. Bharti Mirchandani
Cancellation cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 300000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Inder Kumar Gujral

Born on Dec 4, 1919 at Pari Darveza, Punjab, British India [now in Punjab, Pakistan]

Died on Nov 30, 2012 at Gurugram, Haryana, India

About : 

• Inder Kumar Gujral was the 12^th Prime Minister of India, who led the nation during the period 1997-1998. He was born on 4^th December 1919 in Jhelum of the undivided Punjab State of British India. He was well qualified and had done M.A., B.Com., Ph.D. and D.Litt. (Hons. Causa).
• I. K. Gujral belongs to a family of freedom fighters. His parents, Avtar Narain Gujral and Pushpa Gujral, actively participated in the freedom struggle of the country in Punjab. At the age of eleven, Gujral himself jumped into the national movement. In 1942, he was jailed during the Quit India Movement.
• The post-independence political career of I. K. Gujral started with a humble beginning as Vice-President of the New Delhi Municipal Committee, in the year 1958. He later entered mainstream politics by joining the Indian National Congress in the year 1964. He served as a Minister in various Ministries viz. Communications, Parliamentary Affairs, Information & Broadcasting, Works & Housing and Planning during the period 1967-1976. From 1976 to 1980 he was the Ambassador of India to U.S.S.R. in the rank of a Cabinet Minister to the Union.
• In 1980s, he left Indian National Congress and joined Janata Dal and served as Union Minister for External Affairs during the years 1989-1990. He also served as Minister in the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Water Resources in 1996.
• In the year 1997, he emerged as the consensus candidate for Prime Ministership during the role of the United Front Government. A set of five guiding principles with regard to conduct of India’s foreign relations with its immediate neighbours which later came to be known as the Gujral Doctrine, was formulated by him during his stint as External Affairs Minister under the United Front Government. These were further fine tuned during his tenure as Prime Minister of India.
• Apart from serving in various official capacities, he also worked for other important assignments such as Chairman, Indian Council of South Asian Co-Operation, President of the Institute of Defence Studies & Analysis (IDSA), Chairman of the official Committee for Promotion of Urdu (Gujral Committee) and many others. He has been a writer and commentator on National and International Affairs as well as Theatre. He had a good knowledge of Urdu language and was fond of poetry. His book ‘A Foreign Policy of India’ published in 1998 showcased his aspirations about the foreign policy that he envisioned for India. He authored the book ‘Matters of Discretion: An Autobiography’ which was published in the year 2011.
• I. K. Gujral left for his heavenly abode on 30 November 2012 at the age of 93 years.
• Text : Sh. Pallab Bose

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 23, 2020

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on United Nations on its 75^th Anniversary.

Credits :
Stamp : Sh. Bramh Prakash
FDC : Smt. Alka Sharma
Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The postage stamp is but a miniature sheet of the shared values and the special relationship between India and the United Nations. Department of Posts is delighted to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp on 75 years of the United Nations on 23^rd October, 2020.
• Earlier collaborations include stamps released by India on 24^th October, 1954 on the occasion of the United Nations Day; on 24^th October, 1985 to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the United Nations and on 26^th June, 1995 to mark 50 years of the United Nations.
• In the recent past, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) released a set of stamps featuring endangered migratory species, from Gandhinagar, India on 17^th February, 2020. A Definitive stamp was released by it on 2^nd October, 2019 on the occasion of the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and a stamp on Diwali, the festival of lights, on 19^th October, 2018. India Post and the UNPA jointly issued the HeForShe postage stamp to promote gender equality on 8^th March, 2016.
• India and the United Nations have an abiding commitment to multilateralism and dialogue as the key to achieving shared goals and addressing challenges faced by the global community.
• As an active member of the United Nations, India has made significant contributions to implementing the goals of the UN Charter in peace building and peacekeeping, sustainable development, poverty eradication, environment, climate change, terrorism, disarmament, human rights, health and pandemics, migration, cyber-security, space and frontier technologies like Artificial intelligence and reforms of the United Nations.
• The Landmark Moments in this relationship include:
  • 1945 India signed the United Nations Charter
  • 1948 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by India
  • 1950 India was first elected to serve on the Security Council
  • 1973 India signed the Biological Weapons Convention
  • 1980 India signed the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women
  • 1993 India signed the Chemical Weapons Convention
  • 2000 India signed the Millennium Declaration
  • 2007 2^nd October, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi declared the International Day of Non Violence
  • 2014 21^st June declared the International Day of Yoga
  • 2015 India adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals
  • 2015 India signed the Paris Agreement on global warming
• The words Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam, “the whole world is a family”, have often reverberated in the hall of the United Nations. In the raging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, India upheld this principle by supplying essential medicines to more than 150 countries. As the largest vaccine producing nation of the world, India committed itself at the 75^th UN General Assembly in September, 2020 to help all humanity in fighting the crisis.
• An anniversary is as much a time to look back as to move forward. As a country representing 18% of the world population which nurtures hundreds of languages and dialects, many sects and ideologies and is a leading economy, India is in particular a proponent of reform in the United Nations.
• Text : Sh. Ashok Pal Singh

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 2, 2020

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Miniature Sheet and four Commemorative Postage Stamps to commemorate the 150^th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Credits :
Stamp/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Sh. Sankha Samanta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (2), 1500 Paise, 2500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Miniature sheets printed : 110000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Mahatma Gandhi (2^nd October, 1869 – 30^th January, 1948), popularly known as Bapu, led the movement against the British rule of India. He is considered the father of the nation and is a well-known name internationally for his doctrine of nonviolent protest (satyagraha) to achieve political and social progress. Bapu’s struggle culminated in India’s Independence on 15^th August, 1947. Bapu strived to lead the country to not just political independence but to a better India and a society free of caste, religious, economic and gender prejudices.
• The occasion of 150^th birth anniversary celebrations reminds the humanity of the efficacy of the message of Bapu. Bapu’s lessons are relevant in every policy of the country such as Swachh Bharat, rights of women and children and of civil liberties of small and disadvantaged groups, health and well-being of the Indian farmer and the Indian villages.
• Government of India decided to commemorate the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, at national and international level to propagate his message. A National Committee (NC) headed by Hon’ble President of India was constituted for this purpose. This Committee includes Hon’ble Vice-President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Chief Ministers of all states of the country, representatives from across the political spectrum, Gandhians, thinkers, and eminent persons from all walks of life. An Executive Committee (EC) headed by Hon’ble Prime Minister with 19 members has also been constituted. Mandate of Executive Committee is to consider policies and lay down guidelines for the commemoration and chalk out the plan, programmes and activities under the commemoration.
• Bapu’s contribution to the system of nature cure in India is immense. He was a fervent practitioner of naturopathy all through his life. In 1932, Dr. Dinshaw Mehta met Bapu in Bombay (as it was then known) upon the latter’s invitation. This meeting led to a lifelong association and Dr. Mehta remained Bapu’s personal nature cure physician for life. Bapu founded the All India Nature Cure Foundation Trust in 1945. He believed that nature cure means a change for the better in one’s outlook on life itself and regulation of one’s life in accordance with the laws of health.
• A healthy lifestyle envisaged by Bapu comprises harmony amongst three dimensions – the intra-personal, the inter-personal and the environmental/cosmic. “The Earth has enough resources for our need but not for our greed.” Bapu’s concern for maintaining ecological balance and environment is perhaps best captured in the preceding quote. His concern about the environment and ecological impact of urbanization was evident in his speeches and writings.
• The idea of Atma-nirbharta or self-reliance has its origins in Bapu’s concept of a self-reliant India, the foundation of his Swadeshi philosophy. Bapu emphasized the idea of self-sufficient village economy. He opined that all goods and services necessary for residents of a village should be available within the village. Bapu stressed on nurturing rural industries including handlooms and handicrafts.
• Bapu was convinced that education can play an effective role in developing a wholesome human personality capable of resisting war, violence, injustice and oppression and building a social order wherein man can live in peace and harmony with others. He concentrated on an education that could draw out the best in the child – body, mind and spirit – for developing a peace loving human personality. Bapu believed that education is closely associated with the socio-economic development of the society. He advocated a scheme for basic education in which vocational training or work experience is of utmost importance.

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 15, 2020

Issued for : Department of Posts is glad to issue a set of five Commemorative Postage Stamps and a Miniature Sheet on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India-III. The stamps have been designed based on the photographs of the prize-winning entries.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure : Smt. Nenu Gupta. Based on the photographs of the prize-winning entries
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (5)

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Miniature sheets printed : 110000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Department of Posts has been conducting Stamp Design competitions since 2015 to commemorate Independence Day, Republic Day and Children’s Day at the National level. Based on the prize-winning entries, stamps are designed and released to mark the occasion. This year too, Department of Posts conducted a nationwide Photography contest for Stamp Design, on the theme UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India (Cultural). The first three winners are Ms Sanya Khandale, Ms Madhu Tripathi and Ms Poonam Amol Bhosale. Five consolation prize winners are Sr Jousse, Mr Saksham Saxena, Mr Hardik Kansara, Ms Arishna Kamran and Mr Atul Padia. There are 38 World Heritage Sites located in India. These include 30 Cultural sites, 7 Natural sites and 1 Mixed site.
• One of the prominent landmarks of the Historic City of Ahmadabad a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Sarkhej Roza is known for its rich history and reverence. The architecture of the complex is credited to Azam and Muazzam Khan; two Persian brothers who are buried in the tomb near Vasna, Ahmedabad. Like many monuments built during that period, the Sarkhej Roza fused both non-Indian and Indian principles of architecture. In its architecture, Sarkhej Roza is an example of the early Islamic architectural culture of the region, which fused Islamic stylistic influences from Persia with Indian Hindu and Jain features to form a composite Indo-Saracenic architectural site.
• The Church of Bom Jesus is a Roman Catholic basilica located in Goa, and is part of the Churches and Convents of Goa UNESCO World Heritage Site. The basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. ‘Bom Jesus’ (literally, ‘Good (or Holy) Jesus’) is the name used for the Ecce Homo in the countries of Portuguese colonization. Construction work on the church began in 1594. The church was consecrated in May 1605 by the archbishop, Dom Fr. Aleixo de Menezes. This is one of the oldest churches in Goa and in India. The floor is of marble inlaid with precious stones. Apart from the elaborate gilded altars, the interior of the church is simple.
• The Qutb Minar, is a victory tower that forms part of the Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Qutubuddin Aibak, at that time a deputy of Muhammad of Ghor, but after his death, founder of the Delhi Sultanate, started construction of the Qutb Minar’s first storey in 1199. It has a height of 72.5 meters, making it the tallest minaret built of bricks in the world. The surface is elaborately decorated with inscriptions and geometric patterns. The tower has five superposed storeys. The lower three comprise fluted cylindrical shafts or columns of pale red sandstones, separated by flanges and by storied balconies. The fourth column is of marble, and is relatively plain. The fifth is of marble and sandstone. The whole tower contains a spiral staircase of 379 steps.
• Located in Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a famous UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for a group of Hindu and Jain temples, well known for their Nagara style symbolism. The Javari temple is one of the most prominent of all of these temples in the Khajuraho complex. It was built between 975 and 1100 A.D. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu. It has well-proportioned architecture, with a sanctum, vestibule, mandapa and portico, but without pradakshinapatha. It has Makara Torana (Capricorn Arch) and shikhara (top). It has three bands of carved sculptures on the outer wall. The entrance gate of sanctum has sculptures depicting nava-graha on the top. Along with nava-graha sculptures, sculpture of the Hindu deities Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva can also be seen.
• Group of Monuments at Pattadakal is a complex of 7^th and 8^th century AD Hindu and Jain temples in northern Karnataka. Located on the west bank of the Malaprabha River in Bagalakote district, this UNESCO World Heritage site is 14 miles (23 km) from Badami and about 6 miles (9.7 km) from Aihole, both of which are historically significant centres of Chalukya monuments. The Hindu temples are generally dedicated to Shiva, but elements of Vaishnavism and Shaktism theology and legends are also featured. The friezes in the Hindu temples display various Vedic and Puranic concepts, depict stories from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Bhagavata Purana, as well as elements of older Hindu texts, such as the Panchatantra and the Kirātārjunīya. The Jain temple is only dedicated to a single Jina. A number of inscriptions in the old Kannada language have been found at the complex.
• Text : Shri Pallab Bose

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 8, 2020

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a set of seven Commemorative Postage Stamps on “Terracotta Temples of India”.

Credits :
Stamps/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Ms. Gulistaan
Miniature Sheet : Designed by Ms. Gulistaan based on photograph submitted by Shri Amit Guha

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1200 Paise (2), 500 Paise (5)

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Miniature sheets Printed : 110000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Terracotta or baked clay has been in constant use from pre-historic times and is considered among the oldest building materials. The absence of stone or any other building material did not prove to be a deterrent to the architects and artisans of those times. Rather, they baked tales in clay tiles, narrating episodes from mythology and life, breathing life into bricks to give rise to a new form of temple architecture.
• Indralath Temple, Ranipur Jharial is one of the tallest ancient brick temples. Height of this temple is 80 feet including the platform that is made of sandstone. The innermost sanctum of this temple houses a recently installed Linga. Besides, it has also the images of Lord Vishnu, Kartikeya and Uma–Maheshwara. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is believed that Indra first worshipped Lord Shiva here and erected a temple.
• Madan Mohan Temple, Bishnupur was built by Malla king Durjan Singha in 1694 AD. It is a relatively bigger Eka-Ratna temple compared to other similar temples in Bishnupur. The temple has a square base of 12.2 m X 12.2 m and a height of 10.7 m above a moderate platform. The roof of the temple is typical Bengali ‘chala’ type surmounted by a single ‘sikhara’ or tower. The temple is mainly built of earthen bricks on a laterite block platform and the frontal façade of the temple is profusely decorated with rich terracotta plaques depicting epic and Puranic episodes and Krishna Leela.
• Jor Bangla Temple, Bishnupur, also known as Kesta Rai Temple was built by Malla King Raghunath Singha in 1655 AD. The structure resembles two traditional ‘do-chala’ village huts put together. The curved roof of this pair of huts is surmounted by a ‘char-chalasikhara’. The base of the temple is a square of size 11.8 m X 11.48 m, and the height above the platform is 10.7 m. The walls are decorated mostly with terracotta panels describing scenes from the epics, Krishna Leela, hunting scenes and various other depictions of contemporary social life.
• Lalji Temple, Kalna is perhaps the oldest amongst the group of terracotta temples at Kalna, West Bengal. It was built in 1739 AD by Braja Kishori Devi, wife of Maharaja Jagat Ram. Inside the temple premises, a bright yellow Garuda faces the main idols of Radha and Krishna. Miniature panels which surround the base of the temple, depict scenes from the Puranas. A striking feature of this temple is the 25 peaks on the roof.
• Nebiya Khera Temple, Bhadwara (9^th-10^th century AD) is built in panchayatana style with a central shrine and four subsidiary shrines. However, not all subsidiary shrines are at the corners. Three subsidiary shrines are built at the corners but one is built in line with the northern wall of the central shrine. The central shrine is a fine example of Latina shikhara of Nagar temple style. A Shivalinga is placed inside the sanctum. There is a panel on the inner west wall of the sanctum. It appears that one image could be of Kartikeya and another might be of Veerbhadra. The four subsidiary shrines are similar in style and construction, all are without roof and the entrance is triangular in shape.
• Lakshman Temple, Sirpur, is a 7^th century AD brick temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The intricate carvings on the exterior of the temple make it special. These designs include Lord Vishnu, Krishna Leela symbols and Vaishnava Dwarpal. The garbhagriha entrance along with the tower and door carvings are reasonably intact enough to be studied. Above the sanctum door’s lintel are carvings showing a reclining Vishnu on Sesha (Anantasayana Vishnu) and a panel on Krishna from Bhagavata Purana. Around the door are bands of carvings which show the ten avatars of Vishnu. The temple stands on a stone jagati platform (about of 40’x80’) with wide enough space for circumambulation. The temple itself is built of brick except for the carved frame around the garbha-griha (sanctum) made of stone.
• Shyam Rai Temple, Bishnupur was built by King Raghunatha Singha in 1643 AD. The temple stands on a low square plinth with a char chala roof surmounted by ratnas or gems at each corner. While the towers in the corners are square-shaped, the central tower is octagonal in shape and they rest on a sloping roof. Each of the four sides of the temple have triple multi-cusped arched gateways, leading to the sanctum around which runs a well-paved circumambulatory path. Its exterior and interior walls and ceiling are emblazoned with terracotta sculptures portraying Krishna Leela, episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and the socio-economic and political life of the people of the times.
• Text : Shri Pallab Bose.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jun 25, 2020

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue six pairs of se-tenant Commemorative Postage Stamps on Musical Instruments of Wandering Minstrels.

Credits :
Stamps/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Sankha Samanta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (12)

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• India boasts of an ancient and rich musical tradition. A study of musical texts, paintings and sculptures from prehistoric times to the present day would reveal the continuity of the musical traditions of India. Musical instruments appear in the drawings and paintings (dating back to the Mesolithic era) of Bhimbetka rock shelters which is a World Heritage Site. Evidence of dance and music has been found in the excavations of the Harappan Civilization too.
• Music combines vocal or instrumental sounds for emotional expression. Musical instruments represent music in a tangible form. A study of musical instruments helps in tracing the evolution of music and also explains many aspects of the culture of the group of people using these instruments. In the Natya Shastra, compiled by Bharata Muni, musical instruments have been divided into four main categories on the basis of how sound is produced: (i) The Tata Vadya or Chordophones – Stringed instruments; (ii) The Sushira Vadya or Aerophones – Wind instruments; (iii) The Avanaddha Vadya or Membranophones – Percussion instruments; and (iv) The Ghana Vadya or Idiophones – Solid instruments which do not require tuning.
• Wandering minstrels are performers who travel from place to place performing musical acts. They have been an integral part of musical traditions of India. They composed songs to glorify their patrons and legendary heroes and inspired many dramatists of the classical Sanskrit theatre to write dramas. The charm of wandering minstrels lies in their songs and music. These wandering minstrels singing and playing on roads and streets in villages and towns at festive occasions, private as well as public, have always been a common sight in India. The soothing effect of the songs of wandering minstrels and the music mingled with their emotions and thoughts complement the force of love and goodwill directed towards the people. Beyond their functional utility, musical instruments used by wandering minstrels are aesthetically pleasing and capture the local cultural elements of various regions of India.
• Kamaicha belonging to the chordophone category is a bowed instrument with a big bowl shaped skin covered resonator, a rectangular finger board and a round peg box. Three main gut strings and eight drone steel strings are attached to a metal hook, passed over the bridge and tied to the pegs. It is played with a bow made of Shisham wood and horse hair. It is used by the Manganiar community of West Rajasthan as a popular accompaniment to their songs.
• Ravanahatha, also of the chordophone category, comprises a resonator made of coconut shell and a long bamboo finger board fixed to it. The main playing string is made of horse hair whereas another playing string and 16 sympathetic strings are made of steel. It is played with a bow made of curved wooden stick and horse hair. It is used for vocal accompaniment by Bhopas of Rajasthan in a traditional narrative from called Pabuji Ki Phad.
• Surando is an ancient folk musical instrument of the chordophone category traditionally used by the Fakirani Jat community of Kutch. It is a stringed musical instrument played with the use of a bow called Gaz or Gazi in the local dialect. The body of the instrument is preferably made of a single piece of lahirro wood to create the most precise shape and perfect melody. The bow comprises strings of horse’s hair or gut fastened to each of a flexible stick. The bow is placed on the strings at right angles to it and is moved back and forth across it.
• Algoza belonging to the aerophone category, comprises a set of two equal sized bamboo, beaked flutes with five finger holes and a fipple hole on each flute. Both the flutes are blown simultaneously by the player. It is used by the Meo community of Alwar, Rajasthan as an accompaniment to their folk and tribal songs.
• Burrakatha is an oral storytelling technique in the Jangam Katha tradition, performed in the villages of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Burrakatha Dakki is a pitcher shaped brass vessel with a short neck and a round belly. It belongs to the membranophone category. The wider end is covered with skin with the help of a cotton cord through hoops and an iron ring. It is suspended from the neck and played by palms by Burrakatha balladeers.
• Ektara comprises a cylindrical wooden resonator with base covered with skin, attached to a split bamboo and a single steel string plucked rhythmically by the index finger. It belongs to the chordophone category. The split bamboo is manipulated to produce variations in tone. It is a common instrument in Baul music from Bengal and used by Bauls and mendicants of Odisha and neighboring regions as a drone instrument.
• Text : Based on information available on the internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Mar 16, 2020

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

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

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

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

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Miniature Sheets Printed : 110000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

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

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