Issued by India

Issued on Jun 25, 2010

Issued for : To commemorate the historic event India Post is happy to issue a set of two commemorative postage stamps to mark the baton’s entry into India as a herald to the Commonwealth Games 2010, one depicting the baton and the second, a proud Shera holding it with Delhi‘s India Gate in the background.

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

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 2000 & 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million

Miniature Sheet : 0.4 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

About : 

• The Queen’s Baton Relay is one of the greatest traditions of the Commonwealth Games, in having been the curtain-raiser to every Games since Cardiff in 1958. The relay symbolises the gathering of people from across the Commonwealth at the four-yearly festival of sport and culture.
  
• Over the years, the Queen’s Baton Relay has evolved into a powerful symbol of the unity and diversity of the Commonwealth of Nations. With each Games, the tradition grows in scale and significance – including more nations, involving more participants and generating more excitement than ever before, but the Delhi 2010 Baton’s journey is planned to be the biggest yet. It is set to be the longest and most technologically advanced of the Baton Relays to date.
  
• The baton has been designed by Michael Foley, a graduate of the National Institute of Design. It is a triangular section of aluminium twisted into a helix shape and then coated with coloured soils collected from all regions of India. The coloured soils are a first for the styling of a Queen’s Baton. A jewel-encrusted box has been used to house the Queen’s message, which was laser-engraved onto a miniature 18 carat gold leaf-representative of the ancient Indian patras. The Queen’s baton is economically contoured for ease of use. It is 664 millimetres high, 34 millimetres wide at the base, and 86 millimetres wide at the top and weighs 1900 grams.
  
• The Queen’s baton has a number of technological features including :
  • The ability to capture images and sound,
  • Global positioning system (GPS) technology so the baton’s location can be tracked,
  • Embedded light emitting diodes (LEDs) which will change into the colours of a country’s flag whilst in that country,
  • A text messaging capability so that people can send messages of congratulations and encouragement to the Baton bearers throughout rely.
    
• The Queen’s Baton was launched on 29^th October 2009 at Buckingham Palace in London, with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II handing the Baton to Her Excellency the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil. Abhinav Bindra, the Olympic air rifle champion, began the Baton’s journey with a relay around the Queen Victoria Monument.
  
• The Queen’s Baton has travelled through all the Commonwealth countries and landed in India on 25^th June 2010 where it will spend 100 days touring the country.
  
• Text : Material downloaded from the Internet.

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 18, 2008

Issued for : India Post is proud to release a commemorative postage stamp on Mascot of Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010.

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

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500p (stamp), 1500p (Miniature Sheet)

Stamps Printed : 3.0 Million

Miniature sheet : 0.5 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

About : 

• The Commonwealth Games is a multinational, multi-sport event. Held every four years, it involves the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organisation that is responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games.
• The Firsts such event, then known as the British Empire Games, was held in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The name changed to British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1954, to British Commonwealth Games in 1970 and assumed the current name of the Commonwealth Games in 1974.
• As well as many Olympic sports, the Games also include some sports that are played mainly in Commonwealth countries, such as lawn bowls, rugby sevens and netball.
• There are currently 53 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and 71 teams participate in the Games. The four constituent countries of the United Kingdom – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – send separate teams to the Commonwealth Games (unlike at the Olympic Games, where the United Kingdom sends a single team), and individual teams are also sent from the British Crown dependencies – Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man – and many of the British overseas territories. The Australian external territory of Norfolk Island also sends its own team, as do the Cook Islands and Niue, two non-sovereign states in free association with New Zealand. Only six teams have attended every Commonwealth Games: Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales. Australia has been the highest scoring team for ten games, England for seven and Canada for one.
• At the 1930 games, women competed in Swimming and Diving only. In 1934 women competed in some Athletics events also.
• A unique concept of games for youth of 18 years of age or less in the year of the games was mooted and the first Commonwealth Youth Games was held in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2000. 596 Athletes from 15 countries competed in 8 sports. The second Commonwealth Youth Games took place in Bendigo, Australia in December 2004. The third Youth Games was held in Pune, India from 12 October 2008 in nine sports disciplines.
• Mascots for the Commonwealth Games were first introduced by the host country in 1978. They are now an integral part of the promotion and commercial success of the Commonwealth Games.
• List of Mascots
  

  Year	City	Mascot
  1978	Edmonton	Keyano, a Swan Hills Grizzly Bear. Keyano is a Cree Indian word which means unity and brotherhood.
  1982	Brisbane	Matilda, the Kangaroo
  1986	Edinburgh	Mac, a black “Scottie” dog
  1990	Auckland	Goldie the Kiwi bird
  1994	Victoria	Klee Wyck, an Orca (Killer) Whale
  1998	Kuala Lumpur	Wira, teh Orang Utan
  2002	Manchester	Kit, a Cat
  2006	Melbourne	Karak, a south-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksil graptogyen)
  2010	Delhi	Shera, the friendly tiger. Tiger is the national animal of India. Shera is the elder brother of “Jigrr” the mascot for Commonwealth Youth Games held at Pune from 12 to 18 October 2008.

• As “Jigrr” the mascot to Commonwealth Youth Games Pune, 2008, hands over the baton of the game to “Shera” his elder brother, the run up for Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 begin with flame of enthusiasm and joy. Shera welcomes you all to Delhi for Commonwealth Games 2010 with open arms and fabled Indian hospitality. We in India believe in “Atithi Devo Bhava“, our guest is like God. Let us meet in Delhi in the true spirit of the Commonwealth games.

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 12, 2008

Issued for : India Post is proud to issue a set of four commemorative postage stamps on Commonwealth Youth Games Pune 2008.

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

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise each

Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million each

Miniature sheet : 0.2 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

About : 

• The Commonwealth stretches from Africa to Asia and from the Pacific to the Caribbean, and has more than 1.7 billion people making up nearly 30% of the world’s population, comprising many faiths, races, languages and cultures. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the patron of the Games and HRH the Earl of Wessex, CVO, is the Vice patron.
• The Commonwealth Games Federation, founded on the intrinsic principles of humanity, equality and destiny, first discussed the idea of Millennium Commonwealth Youth Games in 1997. The Commonwealth Youth Games are a mini Commonwealth Games attracting the best young athletes (18 years and under) from the member countries. The city of Edinburgh in Scotland, hosted the first Youth Games in 2000 with participation from 14 countries and the second Games followed in 2004 in Bendigo, Australia with a participation of 24 countries respectively.
• The III Commonwealth Youth Games has confirmed participation of all 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth and will be held from 12^th to 18^th October, 2008 at the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City, Balewadi, Pune. Athletes will compete in 9 disciplines (Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Swimming, Shooting, Tennis, Table Tennis, Wrestling & Weightlifting). The unique feature of the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City, Balewadi is that all 9 competition venues and the Athletes Village are housed in one single complex.
• It is the first time that the Commonwealth Youth Games are being held in Asia in Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra, and one of India‘s fastest growing metropolises.
• Over 1300 athletes and 350 officials from all 71 nations and territories will participate in the Games, making this the biggest Commonwealth Youth Games yet.
• The Commonwealth Youth Games Pune 2008 showcases to the world India’s readiness to host world-class international sporting events and is prelude to the hosting of Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010. The Games will be telecast live on Doordarshan.
• With all athletes under 18 years of age, the Youth Games focus on mainly three aspects – sports, education and culture. Commonwealth Youth Games Pune 2008 struck a perfect balance between these three aspects.
• 71 schools of Pune have partnered with one Commonwealth nation each and are studying their history, geography, culture, sports background, etc. through a unique programme initiated by CYG called “Bond Forever“. The children of Pune will be cheering for athletes from their respective partner Commonwealth nations during the Games. Athletes and coaches from the visiting teams will interact with students and will exchange training tips and techniques. “Bond Forever” is becoming increasingly popular as it will forge lasting friendships with the young athletes of the Commonwealth.
• For the first time in history of the Youth Games, the unique concept of a Youth Baton Relay was introduced. The Youth Baton Relay was flagged off from Delhi University on 1^st August 2008 and after traveling through 9 states, 199 cities, towns, villages and visiting more than 1000 schools, colleges and universities, the Baton will reach Pune on 7^th October 2008.
• The YBR is being run in support of the “Save the Tiger” initiative of WWF and Green Games initiatives. The Relay also aims to promote Olympic sports in India.
• The Baton has been welcomed with daily celebrations, functions and cultural programmes to entertain and enthrall thousands of people who line the route in support of the Commonwealth Youth Games.
• The Baton is collecting water and sapling from each destination on its journey. The collected water, along with the water brought in by the athletes of 71 Commonwealth nations, will be used at the opening Ceremony to create a spectacular ‘Fountain of Youth‘. The saplings will be planted in the ‘Garden of Youth‘ which will be a legacy to the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City from CYG.
• Team Pune, the Volunteer Programme of the Youth Games has recruited 5000 volunteers, between the ages of 18 and 60 years. Coming from all walks of life, they will work with the Organising Committee to deliver the best ever Commonwealth Youth Games. The Pune Games involve a staggering 3000 volunteers for the various functional areas in addition to 500 Police volunteers, 300 NCC volunteers and 500 sports volunteers.
• The volunteers are the “Face of the Games” and the “Backbone of the Organising Committee“, as they forge lasting friendships and again invaluable, rewarding experiences. Their efforts will be recognized by the city and the Organising Committee with a grand Volunteer Recognition Programme on 21^st October, 2008.
• The III Commonwealth Youth Games have been declared as the Green Games. Regarding this, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between CYG and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). A Green Sport Consortium comprising IL&FS and Nature First are on board for implementing the Green Games initiative.
• The initiatives been undertaken by CYG Pune 2008 towards this objective are broadly classified into two categories – minimizing the environmental footprint of the Games and creating environmental awareness amongst the people. Some of the activities undertaken are :
  • Environmental Awareness Programme with Self-audit across 100 schools in Pune and the “CYG Pune 2008 Green School Award” for best performance.
  • E-waste management workshops in colleges and IT companies.
  • Extensive tree plantation in and around the city.
• Pune City will proudly adorn the colours and look of CYG. The city will wear a Festive look as it will dress up to welcome the athletes and officials from the Commonwealth and India.

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 14, 1993

Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to associate itself with the 8^th I’CYP being held at the beautiful and historic city of Udaipur by bringing out the Children’s Day stamp of 1993 based on the Film Festival.

Design : The Cancellation design is taken from the glowing enamel work of Rajasthan which is famous the world over.

Credits :
Stamp : Ms. Sigrun Srivastav
First Day Cover : Mr. Shanka Samantha
Cancellation : Mrs. Alka Sharma, Artist, Deptt. of Posts

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 100 Paise

Overall size : 3.34 x 2.88 Cms.

Printing size : 2.987 x 2.524 Cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Imported un W/M adhesive gravure coated stamp paper in sheets 50.8 x 53.5 cms.

Number of stamps printed : 1 Million

Number per issue sheet : 42

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press

About : 

• Every year, on the occasion of Children’s Day, the Postal Department brings out a special postage stamp, generally based on paintings done by children. This year (1993) there is a happy convergence of Children’s Day and the inauguration of the prestigious biennial International Film Festival for Children and Young People (I’CYP) being held at Udaipur from 14 to 23 November 1993.
• The Department of Posts, in a gesture of support to the laudable objective of the National Centre for Films for Children and young people to create a favourable atmosphere for the promotion of a flourishing cinema for Children and young people, has decided to bring out the ‘Children’s Day’ postage stamp for 1993 based on ‘Udaipur I’CYP India November 14–23, 1993′.
• Consequently, the highlight of the stamp is the 8^th I’CYP mascot ‘Gajju’. As the festival organisers put it, “endearing to children the world over, an elephant evokes friendly awe, admiration and even a strange fascination. It also symbolises an uncanny memory of things past…… the rendering is spontaneous, free of all rules and as asymmetrical as a child’s thinking”.

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