Rainbow Stamp Club

Australian Water Birds…

2012-03-13T16:52:00.001+05:30

Date of Issue : 6 March 2012

There are 28 species of ducks found in Australia, 10 of these are endemic to Australia.

The Radjah Shelduck is a distinctive bird, with its white head, neck, underbelly and eye, and its rich chestnut neck band and back. It is sensitive to human incursions into its habitat, which has led to a decline in its numbers over recent decades.

The Pink-eared Duck attracts much interest for its singularity. Named for the pink area behind each eye, it is a curious looking bird, with fine black and white bars across its body, a dark back and patch over each eye, and a large spatula-like bill. The plumage of males and females is identical.

The Australian Shelduck has glossy black plumage, a chestnut breast and lower back, and iridescent green speculum. The male's head is completely black, but the female has a white ring around her eye and beak. It mostly occupies Australia's more southerly regions.

The Plumed Whistling-Duck has a mainly pink bill and legs, a white belly and long, upswept flank plumes. This tropical duck is highly nomadic, particularly between coastal and interior plains. It is fairly common across northern Australia and east down the coast to the Murray River.

Maxim Cards

The animals of the Viking Age….

2012-03-12T19:56:00.001+05:30

Date of issue : 20 February 2012

The Post of Faroe Island issued a set of two stamps on 20 February 2012 featuring the animals of viking age.

The Great Auk

The Great Auk was a bird of the genus Alca, which also includes the Little Auk, Common Murre, Razor Bill and Atlantic Puffin. All of these species live or lived in the North Atlantic. The Great Auk was the largest of these birds and could grow up to 70 cm in height. Some of the other Alca birds had bright or whitish abdomens and dark-black backs, with a characteristic white spot on each side of the head, between the eyes and eye socket. They were flightless birds, with wings that were as small as the South Atlantic penguin. It was fast in the water when hunting fish but very clumsy on land.

The Great Auk lived in large colonies along the coast on both sides of the North Atlantic, so far south that remains of the bird are found in Stone Age and Viking Age kitchen middens.

The Great Auk was a summer visitor to the Faroe Islands but there was never any evidence that it bred there. The last bird was taken at Stóra Dímun on 1 July 1808.

There exist a few stuffed examples of the Great Auk, for example Iceland purchased a pair that can be seen today in the Natural History Museum of Iceland. The Zoological Museum in Copenhagen has used the Great Auk as a logo for many years. Ole Worm's Museum Wormianum in Copenhagen was sent a living Great Auk. It was drawn showing a ring around its neck, which meant that it had been tethered.

The Great Auk is an example of a bird that was hunted to extinction purely because of a lack of knowledge about its population distribution. The fishermen of the day cannot be reproached for this, since they did not have the benefit of modern communication technology. But the museums could have perhaps tried to save the Great Auk rather than have helped to deliver the final blow.

Dímun Sheep

The sheep are small and black and look a little like the more primitive feral Soay sheep that live on the island of St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides. They are called the goat-horned sheep, because both sexes have horns, though the ewe’s horns are smaller and more delicate than the ram’s horns. The Dímun sheep are more developed compared to the Soay sheep, which have the wild sheep’s light belly. Woolen garments recovered from Bronze Age burial sites have the same kind of wool and structure that is found on the Dímun sheep, so even at this early stage, wool from these sheep was being used.

The three sheep from Stóra Dímun were among the last of the original sheep in the Faroe Islands, and were perhaps brought by the Vikings. In an excavation in Eiði in the north end of Eysturoy, half a skull of the same kind of sheep was found. The Vikings brought their own sheep to Iceland and Greenland and almost certainly when they came to the Faroe Islands. Around 1600, almost all of the sheep on the Faroe Islands were wiped out by disease. New sheep were introduced from Shetland and Iceland. But the small black sheep on Lítlu Dímun managed to survive, although by 1860 they were finally wiped out by hunting.

Read Mroe…

Indian theme on foreign stamps..

2012-03-11T08:54:00.001+05:30

Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda (1863 -1902) was the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission. He is considered a key figure in the introduction of Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the "Western" World, mainly in America and Europe and is also credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the end of the 19th century. Vivekananda is considered to be a major force in the revival of Hinduism in modern India. He is perhaps best known for his inspiring speech which began: "Sisters and Brothers of America," through which he introduced Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893.

Vivekananda arrived in Colombo on 15 January 1897 and received an ecstatic welcome. Here, he gave his first public speech in East, India, the Holy Land. From there on, his journey to Calcutta was a triumphal progress. He traveled from Colombo to Pamban, Rameshwaram, Ramnad, Madurai, Kumbakonam and Madras delivering lectures. People and Rajas gave him enthusiastic reception. In the procession at Pamban, the Raja of Ramnad personally drew the Swami's carriage.

On way to Madras, at several places where the train would not stop, the people squatted on the rails and allowed the train to pass only after hearing the Swami. From Madras, he continued his journey to Calcutta and continued his lectures up to Almora. While in the West he talked of India's great spiritual heritage, on return to India the refrain of his 'Lectures from Colombo to Almora' was uplift of the masses, eradication of the caste virus, promotion of the study of science, industrialization of the country, removal of poverty, the end of the colonial rule.These lectures have been published as Lectures from Colombo to Almora. These lectures are considered to be of nationalistic fervor and spiritual ideology. His speeches had tremendous influence on the Indian leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Bipin Chandra Pal and Balgangadhar Tilak.

Sri Lanka issued the stamp on 15th Jan 1997 to mark 100 years of his visit to Colombo.

- Kenneth Sequeira,

Email : kenneth.sequeira@hotmail.com

P.O Box 2718, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp on Swami Vivekanada in 1963 and 1993.

Date of Issue : 17 January 1963

Read More….

Swami Vivekananda : Centenary of Chicago Address

Date of Issue : 11 September 1993

Customized stamp on Swami Vivekanada from Malaysia

To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda (1863-2013), Ramakrishna Mission Malaysia observed the release of the ‘Arise, Awake!’customized postal stamp on Aug 2.The stamp takes inspiration from the holy man’s famous quote “Arise, Awake! Stop not till the goal is reached”.

New stamps from India..

2012-03-10T18:20:00.001+05:30

Shyama Charan Shukla

Date of Issue : 9 March 2012

Vasantdada Patil

Date of Issue : 1 March 2012

India Post issued a Commemorative postal stamp on veteran Indian National Congress leader Shyama Charan Shukla on 9th March 2012. Another Commemorative postage stamp was issued on Vasantdada Patil on 1st March 2012.

: Mansoor B. Mangalore

View 2012 Indian Issues

Club News…

2012-03-10T09:55:00.001+05:30

MEGA STAMP FESTVAL AT KOLKATTA

- Naresh Agarwal

Two day Mega Stamp Exhibition cum Festival named as “National Philatelic Fair and Exhibition” concluded at Olpadvala Memorial Hall Kolkata on 3^rd and 4^th of March. It was yet another good assemblage of philatelists and stamp dealers under one roof. Though it lacked display of exhibits because of non – availability of display frames but certainly created a festive atmosphere for stamp lovers as there were as many as 32 dealers from all over the India to serve the philatelic community as well as themselves.

A big A.C hall, well located and easily accessible was the most suitable venue for this show. Stamp and Numismatic dealers from Pondichhery, Bangalore, Delhi, Kanpur, Gujrat, Amritsar, Jaipur, Orissa, had their stalls and so were the visiting philatelists who too visited the show coming from all corners of India. Of course, this show was a delicious stuff for local philatelists.

In general, the dealers had good and wide range of modern Indian philatelic material. Here some of the philatelists were disappointed with the changing attitude of the stamp dealers who were seen hesitant in bringing and carrying other material (say rest of the world) which could have served the majority of visiting philatelists hunting for their needed stuffs, in better way.

There was neither any formal inauguration nor any closing ceremony. Even there was nothing on display. The total of 24 nos. display frames somehow arranged by the organizers placed separately at balcony never caught attention of the visitors and remained empty but were found busy silently watching the proceedings with philatelists engaged in stock books searching for their needed material, negotiating and bargaining for prices, chit chatting and enjoying the atmosphere. I personally felt pity on those empty frames.

The visiting fraternity comprised of noted philatelists from all over India, old and young people, mobile dealers and children of all age groups. There was less attendance of students probably due to their examinations.

The show had an added charm as “Mukesh Fan Club” had organized a musical eve on 03.03.12 with Mr. P.C.Jaiswal the leading stamp dealer of India, a versatile personality , president of the club, being the lead singer. The eve added grace to the show and became a memorable event.

There was no cancellation or cover or other philatelic material issued during the show. It seemed as India Post did not recognize the show. With all such odds, the show was well organized and certainly a good effort to serve the philatelists, to promote the philatelic trade, to give yet another opportunity to the different groups of philately in India to meet and interact.

New Special Cover

Golden Jubilee of Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India

Tamil Nadu Circle has released a Special Cover on Regional Grand Lodge on 24/2/2012.

: Mahesh Parekh, SIPA - Chennai

New Europa stamps…

2012-03-09T15:56:00.001+05:30

Belarus

Date of Issue: 12th March 2012

Hi ! Here are some new beautiful Europa 2012 stamps . Belarus Post issued a set of two stamps with a nice miniature sheet featuring hospitality for this year’s Europa theme “Visit…” Slovakia issue is also special with a se-tenant pair. All the se issues show Europa logo.

Isle of Man

Date of Issue: 2nd April 2012

Slovakia

Date of Issue: 4th May 2012

View all : Europa Stamps

Post offices in Bahamas…

2012-03-09T11:14:00.001+05:30

POST OFFICES & LETTER BOXES IN BAHAMAS
- Sudhir Jain

First Post Office in Bahamas

Recently I had visited beautiful country Bahamas. Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a small country consisting of more than 2000 islands, out of which only 27 have life. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba, Orth west of the Turks and Calicos Islands, and southeast of the United States (nearest to the Florida).

Post Office at ship station, Nassau

It’s land area is only 13,939 km2 with a population of approx 35 lacs only. Nassau is the capital and Paradise Island is the biggest attraction. Tourist is the chief industry here.

Eleuthra Post office

Bahamas became a Crown Colony in 1718 and got independence in the year 1973.Bahamas has total 1234 Post Offices and apart from the Post Offices,Tourist kiosks also sell stamps.

GPO Nassau

Cable Beech Post office

Bahamian Dollar and Cent are the official currencies here but now-a-days US Dollar and US coins are more in use here. One Bahamian Dollar is equal to one US Dollar. Minimum postage for a letter or postcard for anywhere at Bahamas, USA,Canada & West Indies is $0.65 and for other countries $0.80. Use of British postage stamps began here in April 1858 and Bahamas issued its own stamps beginning 10 June 1859.

Bahamas letterbox New & old

New stamps on Gandhi from Mozambique

: Pradip Jain, Patna - email : philapradip@gmail.com

Club News…

2012-03-08T17:13:00.001+05:30

Special cover on Taj Mahal

A special Cover on Taj Mahal was issued on 17 February 2012 during Agrapex 2012.

: Ashwani Dubey, Gorakhpur

KOTTAYAM NUPEX 2012

THE KOTTAYAM PHILATELIC & NUMISMATIC SOCIETY WILL BE CONDUCTING AN EXHIBITION FOR STAMPS,COINS & CURRENCIES ON MAY 11,12, & 13, TO COMMEMORATE THE 75th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST STAMP EXHIBITION HELD IN TRAVANCORE(KERALA) AT Y.M.C.A. KOTTAYAM (1937).

VENUE: KPS MENON HALL ( NEAR PUBLIC LIBRARY),SASTRI ROAD,KOTTAYAM,KERALA- 686001 (I K.M FROM RAILWAY STATION).

ONLY 20 STALLS ARE AVAILABLE.

Sales Stall ... Rs 3500/-

Mobile dealers.... Rs 1300/-

Please book in advance, in order to avoid disappointment.

For more details Contact :

Sunil Joseph (09446124923),

Atish Jain (09447756118).

International women’s Day ….

2012-03-08T11:59:00.001+05:30

International Women's Day (IWD), originally called International Working Women’s Day, is marked on March 8 every year. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements. Started as a Socialist political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries, primarily Eastern Europe, Russia, and the former Soviet bloc. In many regions, the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day. In other regions, however, the original political and human rights theme designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner.

2012 Theme: CONNECTING GIRLS, INSPIRING FUTURES

If every International Women's Day event held in 2012 includes girls in some way, then thousands of minds will be inspired globally.

Each year around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Organisations, governments, charities and women's groups around the world choose different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues.

"Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures" is the 2012 theme of the

www.internationalwomensday.com website and this has been widely used by hundreds of organisations including schools, universities, governments, women’s groups and the private sector. Each year the United Nations declares an overall International Women's Day theme. Their 2012 theme is “Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty”. Many organisations develop their own themes that are more relevant to their local contexts. For example, the European Parliament's 2012 theme is "Equal pay for work of equal value".

Poster for Women's Day, March 8, 1914

Happy Holi !

2012-03-08T09:42:00.001+05:30

Wishing you all a very Happy Holi !!

Have a Wonderful Splashing Holi !

With all colours of Life !......

Indian theme on foreign stamps….

2012-03-07T21:57:00.001+05:30

Afanasy Nikitin - First Russian to visit India

Afanasy Nikitin was a Russian merchant from the 14th century to travel to and document his visit to India. He described his trip in a narrative known as The Journey Beyond Three Seas.

In 1466, Nikitin left his hometown of Tver on a trip to India. He travelled crossing the Caspian Sea, then the Arabian Sea, by crossing the Black Sea to India

During his trip, Nikitin studied the population of India, its social system, government, military (he witnessed war-games featuring war elephants), its economy, religion, lifestyles, and natural resources. The abundance and trustworthiness of Nikitin's factual material provide a valuable source of information about India at that time. On his way back to Tver, Nikitin died.

In 1955, the local authorities of Tver erected a bronze monument to Afanasy Nikitin on the bank of the Volga River. There is a folk legend, that this statue was raised because Nikita Khrushchev upon visiting India, told Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru that there was a statue of Nikitin in Russia when in fact there was not (Nehru had asked if the Russians had honored the first Russian to visit India). So as not to be proven a liar, Khrushchev phoned back to Russia demanding that a statue of Nikitin be built immediately, before Nehru's state visit to Russia.

In 2000, a black obelisk was erected in Nikitin's honor at Revdanda, 120 km south of Mumbai, the probable location where he first set foot in India.

In 2006, the Indian organization "Adventures & Explorers," with the support of the Embassy of India in Moscow and the Tver Regional Administration sponsored the "Nikitin Expedition", in which 14 travellers set out from Tver to retrace Nikitin's journey through Russia, the Middle East, and Central Asia to India. The expedition lasted from 12 November 2006 to 16 January 2007. The Indian national newspaper, The Hindu, filed several reports of the expedition's progress. After reaching India, two members of the "Nikitin Expedition" set out in March 2007 from Mumbai in SUVs to retrace Nikitin's travels around India itself. The Calcutta Telegraph filed a report on its progress in one of its March editions.

Russia released stamps on Nikitin in 1965 & 2005.

The statue was featured on a Russian postage stamp in 2005 commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of the Tver region (oblast). Nikitin was also featured on a coin commemorating the 525th anniversary of his journey.

- Kenneth Sequeira, Dubai (UAE)

Email : kenneth.sequeira@hotmail.com

Festivals of India – Holi

2012-03-07T13:25:00.001+05:30

Hi ! It’s festival time here….Today we are celebrating Holi in Kullu, though Holi will be celebrated tomorrow all over India but in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh it is a tradition to celebrate Holi a day before the main Holi day.

Holi is one of the biggest festivals of India. It is celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety on the full moon day in the month of Phalgun which is the month of March as per the Gregorian calendar. What makes Holi so special is the spirit of love and fraternity between people all over the country and across the globe, wherever it is celebrated.

Entire country wears a festive look during Holi celebration. Market places get abuzz with activity as frenzied shoppers start making preparations for the festival. Heaps of various hues of gulal and abeer can be seen on the roadside days before the festival. Sprinklers in innovative and modern design too come up every year to lure the children who wish to collect them as Holi memorabilia and of course, to drench everybody around.

A sheetlet on Children’s Day was issued in 2002 featuring festival of Holi.

New Books on coins and stamps…

2012-03-06T09:19:00.001+05:30

COINS OF INDIA - Specialized Study with Current Prices (1835 - 2012)

A new book Coins of India by Prof VK Gupta, Neha Gupta and Varun Nischal is being released on 23rd March,2012, the day when Delhi Coin Society Fair will start. It contains 344 pages, nearly 4,000 listings with current average market prices (Which is a unique feature), over 770 images, 4 appendices, bibliography and index.The book is priced 1,600/-, $60. with special price upto 25th March 2012- Rs 1350/-.

Books by Prof. (Dr.) V. K. Gupta

• Coins of India Specialized Study with Valuation (1835- 2012). pp. 344, nearly 4,000 listings, over 770 images. Index.Art Paper,4colours,Hard Bound.Rs.1,600.$60. Post Free.

• Conservation Restoration and Philatelic Chemistry : Be Awakened my F.I.P., ( Fédération Internationale de Philatélie) pp. 208, Index. Genuine Leather Bound Rs 3, 600/-. Hardbound Rs. 1,500. (A dot yourself book for conducting workshops).

• Kautilīya Arthaśastra. A Legal,Critical and Analytical Study. Pp.474,Index.Hardbound.Rs1,250.

• Thematic Philately. pp. 192. Index. Hard Bound Rs 250. (Out of Print)

• Gwalior Postal History and Stamps (1837-1950). pp.210, Index.Genuine leather bound.Rs300(Out of Print)

Published By
Prof.(Dr.)Vijay Kumar Gupta
140, S.F.S.Flats,Ashok Vihar, Phase-4.
Delhi-110052.India
Mob:+91-9810955593,Ph:+91-11-27305000,+91-11- 27302506
Email: profvkg@gmail.com , profvkg@yahoo.co.in

A book on of postal stamps on folk arts

A Book on folk arts " Anche Janapada"

A Book on folk arts " Anche Janapada", A collection of postal stamps of various countries related to folk arts by well known philatelist Mr M. R. Prabhakar and published by Karnataka Janapada Academy Bangalore has been released and kept for scale at Karnataka Janapada Academy .The cost of the book is 150/-
Mr M.R Prabhakar is well known as A philatelist and he had conducted many exhibitions in rural area .
- Jagannath Mani, Bangalore

email : jagannath_mani7@yahoo.co.in Blog : www.olympicgamesphilately.blogspot.com

Wildlife Covers from Germany..

2012-03-05T22:22:00.001+05:30

Re - colonization by native wild animals - Lynx

Re-colonization by native wildlife - Moose

Thanks to Wolfgang Beyer of Germany for these nice covers on Wildlife !! The pictorial cancellation on cover shows the design of paw of the animal featured on stamps (Lynx and Moose) .

Underwater Post Office at Bahamas

2012-03-05T15:21:00.001+05:30

Underwater Post office….

- Sudhir Jain from Bahamas

Bahamas is the first country to have an underwater post office from the year 1939 to 1940. This seafloor post office was actually a submarine sphere used for filming underwater scenes. Basically meant for tourists, this seafloor post office allowed tourists to get a breathtaking view of marine sea life and send a souvenir postcard home with a special post mark “Sea Floor / Bahamas” printed on it.

Captain J.E Williamson started this underwater post office. He was pioneer in undersea photography and also deeply involved in the production of a number of motion pictures under the Sea. His father invented a tube that could stretch to depths of 200 feet below the surface. Williamson himself added a round chamber with a thick glass window and used this chamber to take photographs of undersea creatures. In the year 1939, this photosphere
was transformed into an underwater post office by the name of "Sea Floor Bahamas." shortly in the year1940 it was closed.

In the year 1965, the Bahamas Postal department issued a definitive set. Williamson’s photosphere and the 1939 Sea Floor post office were depicted on the five-shilling denomination stamp of this set. The same pictures were used again in year 1966 and 1967 on new definitive stamps also.

Stamp Collection Software

Stamp Collection Manager is a professional application designed for people who have a hobby of collecting stamps. Easily catalog your stamp collection by storing detailed information about each stamp with images. You can also take print outs of your collection, and even export to HTML, PDF or CSV format. It is a useful software for all stamp collectors.

Stamp Collection Manager Website : http://www.abhisoft.net/stamp-collection/

New Stamps from Germany..

2012-03-05T13:51:00.001+05:30

500th anniversary of the birth of Gerhard Mercator

Date of Issue : 5 March 2012

The German Post has issued a stamp to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Gerhard Mercator, (5 March 1512 - 2 December 1594), a German cartographer.

Flemish geographer and cartographer, resident in Germany from 1552 Gerhard Kremer (Gerhard Mercator is a Latinized name) invented the system of map projection that is named after him. This proved a very useful information to many navigators who could using his map sail across the entire ocean on approximately straight paths (called rhumb lines).

125 years in the Harz narrow-gauge railways

Date of Issue : 9 February 2012

Winter holidays in Germany

Date of Issue : 2 January 2012.

New special cover from Dehradun

2012-03-04T07:39:00.001+05:30

Spring Festival, Dehradun : 3 March 2012

Phyunli (Reinwardtia indica)

HE Mrs Margaret Alva, Governor, Uttarakhand alongwith Major General (Retd.) BC Khanduri, Chief Minister, Uttarakhand released a special cover on Fyuli, a common yellow flower found abundant in hills, during the annual spring festival 3-4 March 2012 at Raj Bhawan, Dehradun, on 3-3-12.

Phyunli ( Reinwardtia indica )

: Abhai Mishra, Dehradun

Tributes to Firaq Gorakhpuri

2012-03-03T20:09:00.001+05:30

Today is death anniversary of great Urdu poet of India Firaq Gorakhpuri (28 August 1896 – 3 March 1982). His real name was Raghpati Sahay.He was born in 1896, in Gorakhpur. Firaq had a taste of Urdu poetry at very tender age. He started writing poetry in Urdu in teens and developed his own niche in an era that was marked by the likes of Sahir, Iqbal, Faiz and Kaifi Azmi.

He was selected for the Provincial Civil Service (P.C.S.) and the Indian Civil Service (I.C.S.), but he resigned to follow Mahatma Gandhi's Non-cooperation movement, for which he went to jail. Later, he joined Allahabad University as a lecturer in English literature. It was there that he wrote most of his Urdu poetry, including his magnum opus Gul-e-Naghma which earned him the highest literary award of India, the Jnanpith Award, and also the 1960 Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu. During his life, he was given the positions of Research Professor at the University Grants Commission and Producer Emeritus by All India Radio. After a long illness, he died on March 3, 1982, in New Delhi.

As a distinguished poet, Firaq Gorakhpuri was well-versed in all traditional metrical forms such as ghazal, nazm, rubaai and qat'aa. He was a prolific writer, having written more than a dozen volumes of Urdu poetry, a half dozen of Urdu prose, several volumes on literary themes in Hindi, as well as four volumes of English prose on literary and cultural subjects.

New Europa 2012 stamp…

2012-03-03T17:25:00.001+05:30

Date of Issue : 13 April 2012

The Norway Post will issue a set of 3 Stamps on 13 April 1012 on Europa 2012 theme ( Visit….) . Two stamps bear official Europa logo.

See all : Europa 2012 Issues

Club News

Top cop honored in a special way…..

Mr Ajit Dash of Bhubaneshwar designed a private special cover on Director-cum DG of Police, Vigilance who retired on 29.02.2012. The cover was released at a function held at Vigilance Headquarters which was attended by several senior Police Officers and other officers and staff of vigilance Directorate.The DGP had given his autograph on the cover. This is the first of its kind that any private cover has been released on any top cop of any state. Due to trade union strike on 28.02.2012 no covers could be sent any where from the post offices on that day. So the date cancellation of BBSR GPO of 28.02.2012 was put on the covers.

Mascots of the XXII Winter Olympics and XI Winter Paralympics 2014

2012-03-02T23:55:00.001+05:30

Date of Issue : 27 February 2012

The Russian Post has issued new stamps on 27 February 2012, dedicated to the mascots of the coming Winter Olympic and Paralympics Games in Sochi, in 2014. The stamps are beautiful and sure to be liked by one and all !!

Mascots of the XXII Winter Olympics and XI Winter Paralympics 2014 in Sochi

Souvenir sheets devoted to the mascots of the Olympic Games 2014 are the first issues of philatelic products with symbols of the Games in 2012.They depict mascots of the XXII Olympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi - the Polar Bear, the Hare and the Leopard and mascots of the XI Paralympic Winter Games - the Ray of Light and the Snowflake.

During this year the mascots will also appear on artistic stamped envelopes, postcards and envelopes with commemorative stamp.

Totally, it is scheduled to issue 4 souvenir sheets, about 45 stamps of different subjects, postcards, envelopes, and sets in the artistic cover dedicated to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi. It is a record number for the entire history of the Winter Games.

Among the subjects that will be used for postal products "Sochi 2014" are winter sports, mascots of the Games 2014, Olympic sports venues, and views of Krasnodar Krai. The end of series "Russian Black Sea coast tourism" will be issued in April 2012 and the continuation of series "Winter Olympic sports" is scheduled to be issued in October 2012.

Club News

Special Covers cancelled without stamps…

Recently NEPEX 2012 was held in Shillong.Six special covers were issued during the exhibition .It is interesting to note that in this exhibition, India Post issued covers cancelled without stamp . Perhaps the philately section of North East Postal circle is not aware about the genuine special covers.

Special Covers NEPEX 2012

: Mahendra Sharma, Guwhati

Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tennis tournament.

2012-03-02T09:32:00.001+05:30

Date of Issue : 2 February 2012

Hi !

Here is a beautiful stamp to be issued by Monaco Post to commemorate the big Tennis event “ 2012 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters Tennis Tournament ”. The design of the stamp is wonderful and sure to be liked by collectors of Sports theme as well as sport enthusiasts !! The stamp features the official poster of the tournament designed by artist Andrew Davidson.

2012 MONTE-CARLO ROLEX MASTERS

The Monaco Post has issued a stamp commemorating the upcoming Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tennis tournament. From 14 to 22 April 2012, the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters will host the elite of world tennis.

Last year, during the tournament 2011 the tennis star Rafael Nadal achieved a feat by winning his seventh consecutive victory, while the tournament registered a record attendance of 125,000 spectators.

My recent Cover

Cover from Latvia

Third Flower series from Latvia – Lily

Latvia Post issued its first series of flowers from Latvia in 2010 featuring Peony and second series in 2011 showing Rose and the third this year featuring beautiful Lilies from Latvia.

Thanks to EN Limanski, Riga - Latvia

Club News

2012-03-01T13:20:00.001+05:30

Hi !

I have just published March 2012 issue of Rainbow Stamp News on blog. It can be viewed at : http://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.in/

Philatelic show to mark 78th anniversary of ‘Sati Sulochana'

March 3 is an important day in the 78-year-old history of Kannada films. Sati Sulochana, the first Kannada talkie film, was released on that day at Paramount Cinema (now Parimala) near City Market.

Over 1,000 stamps

To mark the 78 anniversary of the film, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy has organised an exhibition on “World Stamps on Cinema” on March 3. Over 1,000 stamps representing important personalities and events in world cinema will be displayed on the occasion.

Philatelist Jagannath Prakash with the help of M.R. Prabhakar is presenting this philatelic picture of celluloid media. (The two-day exhibition will be on till March 4 at Badami House at Corporation Circle.)

: Jagannath Mani, Bangalore

Stamp exhibition on Science and Technology in Bangalore

2012-02-28T08:39:00.001+05:30

Science Greats

Date of Issue : 25 February 2010

The Royal Society is the world's oldest science organisation. To celebrate its 350th birthday, a set of 10 commemorative stamps were issued in 2010 featuring its most illustrious members.The split-design stamps feature the luminaries' portraits paired with dramatic and colorful 'brainstorming' imagery representing their achievements.

Picture Gallery : Stamps Honour Science Greats

“Science and Technology” Stamp exhibition , Bangalore ( 28-29 February 2012)

Venue : 1st Floor of the General Post Office

Timings : 28 – 29 Feb 2012 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The Karnataka Philatelic Society and Karnataka postal circle organized a philatelic exhibition on the theme, “Science and Technology” in collaboration with India Post, on the occasion of Science Day which is celebrated throughout the country on February 28^{th .}

The exhibition was organized by KPS at the Philately Museum, 1Floor, Bangalore, General Post Office.The aim of this exhibition is to showcase “Science and Technology” through stamps and motivate the children in pursuing philately as a hobby.

The 50 frames were displayed with exhibits on topics such as Astronomy, Lunar Mission, Halley's Comet, orbital space stations, atom for peace, solar system, scientists, communication, minerals, medicine and Nobel laureates.

India Post invited philatelists, public interested in philately and school students, especially those in the seventh standard, to visit the exhibition.

The exhibition would be kept open between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. until February 29^th.

Entry is free. Children will also get an opportunity to visit the philately museum on the 1st Floor of the General Post Office and understand philately,

- Jagannath Mani, Bangalore
www.olympicgamesphilately.blogspot.com

Golden Katar Stamp Exhibition

2012-02-27T19:06:00.001+05:30

GOLDEN KATAR PHILATELIC EXHIBITION - 2012

- by Paritri Upadhyay , Rajkot

GOLDEN KATAR PHILATELIC EXHIBITION was held from 24 – 25 February 2012. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Convener FWO – Miss. M.R. Pant . This philatelic exhibition was organized by 11 Inf div Postal unit, The venue of this event was Repair Bay of 812 Fd Wksp , Ahmadabad Military Garrison.

This Exhibition was organized in a Grand way with the active participation of officials of India Post under the patronage of the 11 Inf div Postal unit, 56 APO; Mil 2570 and the co-operation of the Post Master General, Gujarat Circle & eminent philatelists. The main objective of the exhibition was to create awareness amongst defense personnel, their families & particularly School Children.

The chief guest was the Chief Post Master Mr. P.H. Panchal. During the exhibition MY STAMP was an additional attraction. Customized My Stamps depicting 18 different pictures were made available during the exhibition.

There were large number of exhibits on display. In competition classes most of the exhibits were on Thematics .

There were several exhibits exhibited in invitee class. The thematic exhibits of Shri. Anil Rastogi, Shri. Mainak Kathria, Shri. Ashok Bayanwala, shri. H C Mehta, & Dr.Paresh Upadhyay, were displayed in invitee class. Some rare philatelic artifact were also displayed.

A Work shop on Stamp collection, Power point presentation on Stamp collecting & News Clippings of Rainbow Stamp News were shown to School Children by Rajkot Philatelic Society. For School Children Stamp design, Letter Writing and Dance Competitions were also organized.

Winning entries of Stamp Design Contest

Closing ceremony and prize distribution function along with the launching of ‘FPO on Wheels ‘ was held on 25th February 2012, by Brigadier M. R. Pant. The success is judged on the basis of how many visitors take the advantage of such philatelic exhibitions & we were happy that large numbers of visitors spent hours and enjoyed the exhibition. All concerned officers & staff worked hard to make this event memorable .

Vadophil Auction

The Last date of Vadophil Auction is 15th March 2012 instead of 28 February 2012.

View all lots in Vadophil

Visit to Azerbaijan….

2012-02-27T06:49:00.001+05:30

Europa 2012 stamps from Azerbaijan

To be issued in March 2012

Hi ! Here is an awesome souvenir sheet to be issued by Azerbaijan Post in March on this year’s Europa 2012 theme “ Visit “. The set includes two stamps (0.20 & 0.60 AZN) & one souvenir-sheet (1.- AZN). The souvenir sheet is just wonderful in design and I wish if i could get this beautiful sheet for my collection. It’s lovely and probably to me it is one the most beautiful souvenir sheets ever issued on Tourism theme ! The stamps in the set have exquisite designs featuring the “ Tourism " theme in best possible beautiful way. Any one would love to possess these nice stamps !! I wish to share here another set of stamps on Europa 2012 to be issued by Netherlands. All the stamps in this series are full of thrill and fun as their deigns show ….and take you to a dreamland…..This is all for this Morning…Till Next Post….Have a Great Time !!

Azerbaijan or Republic of Azerbaijan is an important country of the Eurasian continent and it is the largest as well as the most populated region in South Caucasus. Whilst the capital, Baku, has rapidly transformed itself into a highly developed modern city, the surrounding villages still remain untouched and archaic. Read More….

From the time Azerbaijan gained its independence from Soviet Union in 1991 and the petroleum boom in the country, the region has been developing as a major tourist centre. Every city has got its own unique history and related testimonials which tell interesting stories about the country’s ancient history. Also with time, new constructions with improved technology are coming up which provide a wonderful spectacle of ancient Azerbaijan and upcoming Azerbaijan in the 21st century.

Places of Interest in Azerbaijan

EUROPA 2012 stamps from Netherlands

Date of Issue : 26 March 2012

View all : Europa stamps

New Stamp from India..

2012-02-26T08:07:00.001+05:30

Employee’s State Insurance Corporation

Date of Issue : 24 February 2012

Image : Stamps of India

India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp on 24 February 2012 at the concluding function of Diamond Jubilee Year of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation.

Indian Themes on Foreign Stamps…

The history of writing

The history of writing records the development of expressing language by letters or other marks. Hindi is a standardised and sanskritised register of the Hindi-Urdu language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi and Western Uttar Pradesh. It is an official language of India.

The Constitution of India, adopted in 1950, declares Hindi in the Devanagari script as the official language of India. English continues to be used as an Official language of India along with Hindi. The Constitution of India has stipulated the usage of Hindi and English to be the two languages of communication for the Central Government. Most of government documentation is prepared in three languages: English, Hindi, and the official state language.

The dialect upon which Standard Hindi is based is khariboli, the vernacular of Delhi and the surrounding western Uttar Pradesh and southern Uttarakhand region. This dialect acquired linguistic prestige in the Mughal Empire (17th century) and became known as Urdu, "the language of the court." After independence, the Government of India set about standardising Hindi as a separate language from Urdu.

Venda was a bantustan, a territory set aside for black inhabitants of South Africa as part of the policy of apartheid. It was founded as a homeland for the Venda people, speakers of the Venda language. In 1979, it was declared independent by the South African government and its residents lost their South African citizenship. Its independence was not recognized by the international community. The sovereign nation of Venda didn't practice apartheid, leading to relationships across the racial divide. Venda was re-absorbed into South Africa on 27 April 1994.

Venda issued stamps only from 1979 - 1989. These stamps were released in 1988

- Kenneth Sequeira, email : kenneth.sequeira@hotmail.com

Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Club News

Bihar Stamp Expo 2012….

: Pradeep Kumar Malik, Patna

Stamp exhibition on Beethoven

2012-02-25T08:39:00.001+05:30

Special exhibition : Beethoven on Postage Stamps

A collection from Japan on Beethoven and his lifetime

19th March until 24th June 2012

The Beethoven-Haus presents in a new special exhibition a prize-winning collection from Japan of postage stamps relating to Beethoven and his lifetime.

19th March until 24th June 2012

From 19^th March the Beethoven-Haus invites its visitors on an unusual journey back to Beethoven's era. A special exhibition named "Ludwig van Beethoven – His Life and Times" presents a collection from Japan which concentrates entirely on Beethoven and his lifetime.

In Wikipedia postage stamps are described as being "small pieces of paper that are purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage". As can be seen in the exhibition, they are much more than that. They are contemporary historical documents, sometimes even genuine works of art and, most particularly, they can tell a story or illustrate a particular topic.

The Japanese stamp collector Yukio Onuma, president of the Music Philately Group within the Japan Philatelic Society, has concentrated for many years on the topic of Beethoven and from his many collections he has put together a Beethoven exhibition which has won many prizes, the most recent being the gold medal at the World Stamp Exhibition PhilaNippon in 2011. Onuma continues to develop his exhibition with the aim of presenting the most comprehensive picture possible of Beethoven and the prevailing circumstances which surrounded, influenced and formed him. The story of his life is told kaleidoscopically with the greatest possible variety of philatelic exhibits. In addition to elaborately designed postage stamps the exhibition also contains such rarities as the original master drawings, die proofs, colour trials and printing errors. Meter stamps and postal stationery, i.e. stamped and franked postcards and special postmarks, provide additional variety.

The exhibition begins with Beethoven's adolescence in Bonn, and an illustration of his birthplace in the series of definitive stamps "Places of Interest" reflects Bonn's conception of itself as the Beethoven city. His later homes in the Vienna area, for instance in Heiligenstadt, adorn stamps from all over the world (the Maldives, Togo). Several stamps show examples of architecture in the magnificent and mighty centre of music which was Vienna as Beethoven found it in 1792. There are also stamps which commemorate his Viennese teachers Haydn, Salieri und Albrechtsberger. A great many interesting exhibits address the topic of Beethoven and his most important works. On display, for instance, are the "Moonlight Sonata" from Dahomey (now Benin), the "Appassionata" from the Soviet Union, the Fifth Symphony from the German Democratic Republic, "Egmont" from Belgium, the "Eroica" from Senegal and the Ninth, of course as the Anthem of Europe but also in the context of its first performance in the prisoner-of-war camp in Bando in 1918.

Numerous stamps depict Beethoven and are based on portraits which as originals are in the collection of the Beethoven-Haus. Thus the visitor to the exhibition has a unique opportunity to compare the original portraits with interpretations "en miniature", some of them more artistically successful than others.

Special exhibition : Beethoven on Postage Stamps

A collection from Japan on Beethoven and his lifetime

19th March until 24th June 2012

Contact:

Beethoven-Haus Bonn (Germany)

Ursula Timmer-Fontani Tel. 0049 228 98175-16

email : ursula.timmer@beethoven-haus-bonn.de

Yukio Onuma (Japan, in English only) Tel. 0081 3 3414 6258

email : y-onuma@sage.ocn.ne.jp

Source : World Stamp News

View :

Beetoven on Phone Cards

Musicians and Composers on stamps

New Special Cover..

2012-02-24T21:55:00.001+05:30

Bareilly District level exhibition

Date of Issue : 9 February 2012

Bareilly College, Bareilly

: Ashwani Dubey - Gorakhpur

Native Trees of New Zealand..

2012-02-23T06:43:00.001+05:30

2012 New Zealand Native Trees

Date of Issue : 1 February 2012

Hi !

Here is a beautiful set of stamps issued by New Zealand Post on February 1, 2012 featuring five iconic native New Zealand trees. Each of the beautiful species is depicted in a detailed illustrative style and the scientific name of each species is included in the design . This is an awesome set of stamps on Flora ! Each stamp design has a very cool light color background that contrasts with the color of the flower giving a very attractive look to the stamps. The special feature of the stamps is that they give botanical details of the plant. This set is sure to be liked by Flora theme collectors as well as a general plant lover !! Kudos to the designer of this beautiful set !! This is all for Today….Till Next Post…Have a Great Time !!

FDC

New Zealand’s isolation from the rest of the world has allowed its unique flora to evolve and flourish, resulting in the distinctive array of native trees present today. This high degree of endemism makes New Zealand’s native trees truly special, so much so that Conservation International has recognised New Zealand as a world biodiversity hotspot. Almost all of New Zealand’s native species of conifers, flowering trees and tree ferns occur nowhere else – resulting in native forests like no other on Earth.

Miniature Sheet

The individual stamps in this issue are as follows:

60c - Pōhutukawa

The pōhutukawa is a species of Metrosideros, and is often referred to as the New Zealand Christmas tree due to its display of bright red, pollen-producing stamens in summer. The undersides of the leaves and flower buds are densely furry with white hairs. Although it is widely cultivated throughout the country, in nature it is restricted to the northern North Island, mostly in costal habitats.

$1.20 - Cabbage Tree

The cabbage tree (Cordyline australis) or tï kouka is found throughout New Zealand in moist soils and swamps. It is a tall, much-branched tree, and has long, narrow leaves with many parallel veins. The abundant small white flowers are attached to the branching stems of large inflorescences, and the fruits are white to purple berries.

$1.90 - Kōwhai

The vibrant kōwhai tree is most conspicuous in spring, with its large golden-yellow flowers. Its flowers are bird pollinated and the petals are arranged in a sort of tube to contain a sufficient quantity of nectar. Sophora microphylla is widespread and grows near streams and at lake edges.

$2.40 - Nīkau

The nīkau (Rhopalostylis) is the furthest south palm in the Southern Hemisphere. It is impressive in height, and the top of the trunk is crowned by a spreading cluster of enormous leaves divided into leaflets. Flower clusters arise below the crown of leaves and form bright red berries. Where the nīkau is plentiful it gives the feeling of a tropical forest.

$2.90 - Mānuka

The mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) is a widespread shrub that sometimes grows to a small tree. Its leaves are very small and quite sharply pointed, and it is abundant with small white flowers (although pink and red varieties are cultivated). The mānuka is well known for the dark, strong flavoured honey it produces.

: New Zealand Post

New Special Cover on Railway Staff College …

2012-02-22T21:03:00.001+05:30

Diamond Jubilee of Railway Staff College, Vadodara

Date of Issue : 31 January 2012

Railway Staff College, Vadodara Silver Jubilee

Date of Issue : 31.1.77

: Prashant Pandya - Vadodara

Joint Issue : Israel and China

2012-02-22T15:56:00.001+05:30

To be issued on 20 March 2012

Hi !

Here is a very cool and beautiful set of stamps to be issued by Israel Post on 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and China.It is a joint issue between Israel and China. I am pleased to write that a Joint issue between India and Israel will be issued in December 2012.

During the course of these 20 years, trade between the two countries has developed rapidly and the number of Israeli companies in China and joint ventures continues to rise. The majority of this trade is in the realm of information and telecom technologies, agro-technology, water and ecology.

The Israeli stamp features a white dove - the "dove of peace" and the Chinese stamp features a waxwing - the "bird of peace". Each stamp also features an element from each country's national flag: a Star of David and a pentagram.

: Eli Moallem - Israel

Sea Birds from South Georgia..

2012-02-22T12:33:00.001+05:30

To be issued on : 21 March, 2012

This stamp issue, produced in association with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), recognizes some of the lesser-known species of seabird breeding on South Georgia. The species depicted are part of the rich biodiversity found in South Georgia's unique environment. WWF is one of the world's leading conservation organisations who work towards conservation and sustainability.

The cold waters around South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands are highly productive and provide rich feeding grounds for many species of seabirds. Twenty five species of seabird breed on South Georgia (with two additional species, Adélie penguin and Antarctic fulmar, breeding on the South Sandwich Islands) and many vagrant and non-breeding species are also seen around the islands.

Imperial shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps) (60p)

The imperial shag is found in rocky coastal areas and breeds in small colonies in most parts of South Georgia. They are a monogamous species and usually lay 2 -3 eggs (though can lay up to 5). Laying occurs in October/November with eggs taking 5 weeks to hatch and fledging occurring in March. Their nests are made of seaweed and grass glued together with mud and guano. Imperial shags forage mainly in inshore areas (though can also travel further offshore) on small fish, crustaceans, polychaetes, gastropods and octopuses. They dive down to an average of 28m for around 5 minutes to catch their prey, although they have been recorded to dive as deep as 70m.

Antarctic tern (Sterna vittata) (70p)

Distributed throughout the Southern Ocean and common throughout the year around South Georgia, the Antarctic tern start breeding from mid-November to early December with chicks fledging in January. Nesting close to shore in natural depressions in the rock or shallow scrapes in the ground, their eggs and chicks are well camouflaged. These small birds (31-38cm long) are susceptible to human disturbance and to predation of their eggs and chicks by rats, however they will defend their nest sites vigorously, dive-bombing anything passing too close. Feeding in inshore waters, often in the kelp zone, their main prey is small fish but they also take crustaceans, polychaetes, molluscs, insects and algae.

Southern skua (Catharacta antarctica) (95p)

The southern skua is a sub-Antarctic species and is regarded as having a stable population. They are distributed widely around South Georgia but are commonest on offshore islands where there are the greatest numbers of small burrowing petrels. Their hooked beak and webbed feet with sharp claws allow the skua to be a highly predatory bird, which, besides burrowing petrels, feed on penguin chicks and eggs. They will also scavenge on carrion on land as well as around fishing vessels. During the winter, skuas migrate northward, departing in April and returning to South Georgia in September. Egg laying starts in November with chicks fledging in late February.

Kelp gull (Larus dominicanus) (£1.15p)

Kelp gulls are omnivores with their diet depending on food availability. They take and scavenge on small prey including molluscs, fish, crustaceans, other seabirds and even chicks and eggs of their own species. This coastal gull is common throughout the year around South Georgia and inhabits sheltered bays. They build nests lined with vegetation and feathers which are little more than a shallow depression in the ground. Two or three eggs are laid during November to December and both parents raise the chicks. Fledging takes 45-61 days and the young gulls take 3-4 years to reach maturity.

In addition to the set, there is a Souvenir Sheet showing a Juvenile Southern skua (£3.50p) and a sheetlet of 16 (4 sets in staggered format) with face value of £13.20p.

Daylilies from Canada…

2012-02-21T08:19:00.001+05:30

Date of Issue : March 1, 2012

Two brilliant, colourful and exquisite daylilies (Hemerocallis) grace the seventh issue in Canada Post’s beloved flower series.

Daylilies

The Daylily (Hemerocallis) was long placed in the Lily family (Liliaceae), but is now considered to belong in the plant family Hemerocallidaceae. This term, from the Greek words meaning “beauty” and “day,” alludes to the fact that each flower lasts for just one day. Since there are many flower buds on each flower stalk and many stalks in each cluster, the overall flowering period is usually several weeks long. The flowers of most species open at sunrise and wither atsunset, often replaced by another on the same stalk the next day. Although not commonly used for arrangements, daylilies make good cut flowers, as new blossoms continue to open over several days.

Originally, daylilies could be found only in yellow, orange, and reddish-brown. Today, colours range from near-white, to yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, blue and more. While the roadside yellow or orange daylilies—known to hybridizers as Hemerocallis fulva (or Hemerocallis fulva Europa)—are forms of the cultivated types that ‘escaped’ and now grow wild, all modern daylilies have evolved through a complicated history of hybridization.

: Canada Post

Club News

Latest issue of Vadophil

Latest issue of Vadophil, Quarterly News Bulletin of Baroda Philatelic Society, edited by Prashant Pandya and Timir R Shah is available online.Special feature of this issue are Report on Gujpex 2011, Articles, & Auction.

View : Vadophil # 128-129 (Oct. 2011 / Jan 2012)

Search continues for secret stamp honoring John Glenn's historic spaceflight

The 1962 4-cent "Project Mercury" stamp marked the first time that the U.S. issued a previously unannounced commemorative stamp at the same time as the event it was issued to honor: John Glenn’s historic Friendship 7 spaceflight.

4-cent 'Project Mercury' postage stamp sold in 1962 was a surprise

2/20/2012 10:43:38 AM ET

Fifty years ago today (Feb. 20), John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, relied on ground stations located across the planet to communicate with his control team. But after his Mercury spacecraft, Friendship 7, safely splashed down, it was another type of station that took over tracking his historic mission: U.S. post offices.

For the first and only time in the country's postal history, the United States Post Office Department — since 1971, the U.S. Postal Service — surprised the public with the release of a secret stamp celebrating Glenn's successful mission. The 4-cent "Project Mercury" postage stamp was revealed and immediately put on sale in 305 post offices within an hour of Glenn's triumphant return to Earth at 2:43 p.m. EST (1943 GMT) on Feb. 20, 1962.

Half a century later, collectors are still searching for those first-day-of-issue stamps.

"The U.S. Post Office Department signaled the first orbital flight of a United States astronaut today with the issuance of a commemorative stamp, placed on sale throughout the country on the exact hour Astronaut John Glenn's historic flight was officially completed," the department stated. "It is the first time in history that a previously unannounced commemorative stamp was issued simultaneously with the event it memorializes."

As news of the stamp spread over radio and television, the public began lining up at their closest post offices that had stock of the now no longer secret issue. Collectors in particular drove many miles to have their blank envelopes postmarked with the surprise stamp, creating a collectible for that first day's release and the historic space flight it honored.

Without a way to coordinate nationwide, collectors couldn't know however if such "first day covers" existed for all 305 stations. To this day, 50 years later, as many as 20 cities are still missing examples. Read More…

: Hemant Kulkarni, Milwaukee USA

Golden Katar Philatelic Exhibition – 2012

: Dr Paresh Upadhyaya

Cover from Germany…

2012-02-20T15:54:00.001+05:30

Precious Stones

The German Post has issued a beautiful set of 3 stamps on 2 January 2012 featuring precious stones namely Ruby Sapphire and and Emerald. With this issue German Post celebrates the new 2012 year . These stamps are surcharged with extra amount and are being sold as welfare stamps in favor of voluntary welfare.

Thanks to Mr Wolfgang Beyer for this nice cover !!

New WWF Stamps from Bahamas

Flamingos

Date of Issue : 21 March 2012

This stamp issue, produced in association with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), illustrates the National Bird of the Bahamas.

Long ago, these beautiful birds were found all over the Bahamas, but they were killed for food and sport and taken away on passing ships on which they died. Now they are a protected species and watched over by the Society for the Protection of the Flamingo in The Bahamas through the Bahamas National Trust, a statutory body set up in 1959.

Caribbean flamingos, also called the greater flamingo and American flamingo, with their long spindly legs and feet, long and gracefully curved necks and fantastically bright pink feathers, legs and webbed feet are quite unmistakable. Another unique feature is of course their large hooked bill which is again pink but with a black tip. They grow to a height of around 47 to 55 inches and have a wingspan of around 5 feet. The sexes are similar in appearance although males tend to be larger than the females.

The Caribbean flamingo generally breeds between March and mid-July. Flamingos are very skittish and will fly away if disturbed. They are very vocal and have numerous calls. Breeding pairs have location calls to help locate each other and alarm calls are used to warn the group of danger. The usual call is a loud goose-like honking sound. The chicks even make calls while they are in the egg, which their parents learn to recognize.

The flamingo prefers areas with plenty of mud and water such as mudflats, brackish lakes and shallow coastal lagoons where it uses its backwards bending legs to stir up the mud in search of food which comprises seeds, blue-green algae, crustaceans and molluscs.

They are sociable creatures and live and breed in large colonies of several hundred or even thousands of individuals. Read More…

Festivals of India - Mahashivratri

2012-02-20T09:12:00.001+05:30

Greetings on Mahashivratri

Maha Shivratri a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. Mahashivaratri Festival or the ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to the month of February - March in English Calendar. Celebrating the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva. A souvenir sheet was issued by Guyana Post on Lord Shiva during INDIPEX 2011 !

Legends

According to a legend, Parvati performed tapas, prayed and meditated on this day to ward off any evil that might befall her husband on the moonless night. Since then, Mahashivaratri is believed to be an auspicious occasion for women to pray for the well-being of their husbands and sons. An unmarried woman prays for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband. Another legend of the day is that Shiva and Shakti married each other.

There is one more legend of shivaratri associated with Samudra Manthan, a battle between devas and asuras during which a pot of poison came out of the ocean and on the request of gods, Lord Shiva drank the poison. The poison was so potent that it changed the color of His neck to blue. For this reason, Lord Shiva is also called Neelkanth.

Club News

New Special Covers

Festival of Coins,currencies and Stamps - Kozhikode

Dharohar 2012 – 7th Delhi Philatelic exhibition

Indian Science Centre, New Delhi

Delhi Development Authority

Press Clipping

: Ashwani Dubey - Gorakhpur

It’sTea Time……

2012-02-19T16:13:00.001+05:30

Food in Singapore

Date of Issue : 8 February 2012

Here are new stamps issued by Singapore Post on local tea time snacks.This stamp issue offers a quirky tribute to Singapore's savoury and delectable local tea time snacks by giving them a fresh fun look.

Featuring Singapore's popular local tea time snacks in a colourful and cartoonish way, this set of four stamps entitled Local Tea Time Snacks (S$2.66) will add a cheerful touch to cards, letters and packets, as well as a smile to the recipient's face. These snacks can be easily found in eateries all around the island: Lapis Sagu (1st local), Kueh Dadar (S$0.50), Bao or Chinese bun (S$0.80), and Kueh Tutu (S$1.10).

All first day covers will be cancelled with a special Local Tea Time Snacks postmark.

Press Clippings

G – Phila Science - Stamp exhibition on Science theme in Gorakhpur

: Ashwani Dubey - Gorakhpur

Technological Revolution of 21st Century…

2012-02-19T08:03:00.001+05:30

Technology Then & Now

Date of Issue : 7 February 2012

Hi !

Australia Post issued a beautiful set of four stamps with a miniature sheet featuring technological revolution of 21st century. The remarkable item of this issue is its Gutter strip with old designs of specific items that have developed into high -tech design today . This is a wonderful set for all thematic collectors !!The stamp designs are just wonderful…. To see these beautiful designs of stamps, MS and Gutter strip I envy Australia Post ….Why stamps issued by India Post are not so beautiful ???? There are scores of postage stamps issued by India Post every year but they are far behind in the quality of design and themes !! Now we expect some elite stamps from India Post ……Let’s wait when the time comes…This is all for Today…Till Next Post….Have a great Time !

The technological revolution of the 21st century has touched the daily lives of everyone around the world. Mobile phones have revolutionised our daily communication. Unlike ﬁxed-line phones, today's 4G phones can provide a myriad of functions including internet, video and audio, enabling us to be connected globally.

FDC

The Gutter Strip with special design of each item in technological revolution – Phone, refrigerator, television, gramophone and road atlas (which we see on Internet today) !!

Technology Then & Now

Maximum Cards

Indian themes on foreign stamps..

2012-02-18T16:25:00.001+05:30

World Hindi Convention

World Hindi Convention is to promote Hindi Language & to mobilize other nations towards giving recognition to Hindi as the seventh official language of the United Nations. The six UN languages are English, French, Spanish, Russian , Chinese and Arabic.

The conference is held to appeal Indian expats to pressures their respective governments to support this move.

So far, nine such conferences have been held. They were held at Nagpur (1975), Mauritius (1976), New Delhi (1983), Mauritius (1993), Port of Spain, Trinidad (1996), London (1999) , Paramaribo in Surinam (2003), New York - UN HQ (2007) & Mauritius(2011)

Hindi, as recognized by the Constitution of India, is the official language (in addition to English) of the Republic of India, and the common second language of Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad, Guyana and Surinam.

Some objectives of these conferences are
(1) To make Hindi teaching and the Devnagri script popular.
(2) To prepare a standard syllabi
(3) To give recognition to Hindi teachers working on foreign soil
(4) To tone up the World Hindi Secretariat
(5) Promote the opening up of regional offices of the secretariat
(6) To launch a Hindi language-centric web site at the world level.
(7) To publish a simple book in Hindi on technical subjects.
(8) To prepare a data base about foreign institutes and teachers teaching at these institutes.
(9) Expatriats should help in popularizing Hindi globally
(10) India to establish a research centre in Wardha for foreign scholars.
(11) To establish a Central Hindi Institute to promote Hindi globally
(12) To establish Hindi Chairs at foreign universities.
(13) To promote Hindi as the language of modern science and commerce
(14) To promote the use of Hindi at all the conferences organized by the India in India and abroad
At the first World Hindi Conference held in Nagpur (1975), the first Prime Minister and Father of Nation of Mauritius, Sir Seewoosagar Ramgoolam, as leader of the Mauritian delegation to the Conference, proposed the setting up of a permanent World Hindi Secretariat (WHS) in Mauritius. The foundation stone of the Secretariat was laid by the then Minister of Human Resource Development of India Hon’ble Sri Murli Manohar Joshi during his visit to Mauritius in 2001. The land for the WHS building has been provided by the Government of Mauritius, construction of the building will be made by the Government of India.

Mauritius released stamps in 1976 after India in 1975.

- Kenneth Sequeira, Dubai-UAE

email : kenneth.sequeira@hotmail.com

New Stamps from France…

2012-02-18T08:58:00.001+05:30

2012 - Year of Dragon

Date of Issue : 9 January 2012

Date of Issue : 16 January 2012

On 1th Jan a special stamp was issued for valentine’s Day and on the 6^th February a stamp was issued featuring a painting by Edward Hopper.

On the 13^th of February: a stamp dedicated to the Paris Mosque and a booklet entitled “Say it with Flowers”.

Great Mosque of Paris

Date of Issue : 13 February 2012

The French Post has issued a stamp dedicated to the Great Mosque of Paris created and engraved by the famous French stamp designer, author of Marianne stamps Yves Beaujard.

After the First World War, the French government planned to build an Islamic institute in Paris for all Muslims in France to express the nation's commitment to 70,000 Muslim soldiers fallen for France, notably at Verdun. The Great Mosque of Paris was officially opened with much fanfare on July 15, 1926.

Today the Mosque is both a place of worship of Islam, a convivial place of religions of the Koran, but also a place to visit for tourists and school groups and a monument of art. The stamp is Commemorating the 90th anniversary of laying the foundation stone of the Great Mosque,

The French Post has issued a beautiful set of stamps in booklet form “say it with flowers”. for the Valentine's Day!

These stamps were specially designed for the Day of lovers by Adeline Andre and manufactured by the French Post. They contain a quantity of elixir of love, you can choose between two assays and two different adhesive stamps. The effect of the patch varies among individuals on whom it is applied: immediate or delayed, weak or strong. These stamps - flowers offer you the opportunity to express immediately on the envelope your attraction with daisy, your tenderness with iris, your passion with red roses, and your sincere love with red and white tulips…

On the 20^th of February a stamp will be issued to commemorate Henri Queville.

Club News

New Special Cover

Golden Jubilee Sainik School, Purulia ( West Bengal)

29 January 2012

: Ashwani Dubey, Gorakhpur

New Europa 2012 stamps…

2012-02-17T18:47:00.001+05:30

Date of Issue : 12 January 2012

The theme of the EUROPA 2012 stamps is tourism. The European postal organization, Posteurop, whose members consist of 40+ postal organizations, determines the theme each year. Individual members then decide themselves which motifs they will use on their own stamps. A landscape from Dalarna and a panorama view of Stockholm with the Globe in the foreground are used for this year's Swedish EUROPA stamps.

The choice of motifs matches the results of a survey conducted by the Visit Sweden, a tourist organization that markets Sweden internationally.

The Dalarna province has been a frequent motif on stamps and in the 1970s Sweden Post issued a booklet, In Dalom, that depicted well-known tourist attractions. A panorama view of Stockholm was depicted on a stamp as early as 1924, and in conjunction with its inauguration in 1989 the Globe appeared on a stamp for the first time.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Croat post)

To be issued on : 5 April 2012

Andorra (Spanish post)

Date of Issue: 4 April 2012

Royal Mail (UK)

Date of Issue : 10 April 2012

This is the only stamp out of a set of fourteen stamps to be issued by Royal Mail on April 10, 2012 that bears the official Europa Logo.

View all : Europa stamps

My recent Covers..

2012-02-16T11:57:00.001+05:30

Very special Card of Republic Day

26 .1.12 cancellation from RMS office

Ankit Agarwal, Pune

This is a very special card of Republic Day sent by Mr Ankit Agarwal from Pune. The cancellation is of 26 Jan, Republic Day a national holiday in India. On this day all post offices of India Post are closed except RMS branch of India Post functions. This cancellation is from Railway Mail Service office which functions on all 24 x 7 days. Thanks to Mr Ankit for this nice card with very special cancellation of 26 January 2012.

My stamp : Taj Mahal – Speed Post cover

Shrikant Parikh, Ahmedabad : http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.in/

World Wetland Day Cancellation

Homage to Chauri Chaura Martyrs

Ashwani Dubey, Gorakhpur

Photo Art stamp from Austria

2012-02-15T22:46:00.001+05:30

To be issued on : 24 February 2012

Austria Post will issue a new postage stamp on Photo Art by Elfie Semotan on 24 Feb 2012.

Photo Art Austria - Elfie Semotan

Her photographic productions have become everyday culture, her advertising posters are art in the public space – hardly any other Austrian photographer has currently such an international reputation as Elfie Semotan. Her photo with the simple title "Stöckl", a portrait of the famous Austrian TV presenter Claudia Stöckl, is shown on the present commemorative, which constitutes the second stamp of the "Photographic Art Austria" series begun last year.Elfie Semotan was born in Wels in 1941.

Club News

KBC winner at Stamp Expo – 2012 - Patna

- Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

KBC winner Anil Sinha is also a stamp collector

The presence of Mr. Anil Kumar Sinha, the second’ Crorpati’ of ‘KBC-5’, in the exhibition hall of Stamp Expo -2012 for all the three days made this philatelic event memorable for the school children who all the time seen gathered around him for autograph. It was a pleasant surprise for all knowing that he is also a stamp collector and participated in this exhibition with his exhibit “Sawal KBC ke: Jawab stamps se’. Mr. Pradip Jain, a senior philatelist and philatelic dealer of Patna unfolded the secret that Anil was fond of stamp collecting from early school days and occasionally visited his office for stamps and some guidance in this field. After winning KBC, Anil also visited his office and revealed the secret of his confidence during KBC. He proudly credited his success to this hobby of stamp collecting. Pradip Jain gifted him a stamp of Great Britain depicting the original version of KBC, the Indian reality/game show based on the UK game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” which offers a maximum cash prize of £1 million.

Anil’s exhibit ‘Sawal KBC ke: Jawab stamps se’

Anil enjoying Dr. Satyendra’s book - With Anwar Jamal, Dr.Satyendra Agra

Press Clipping

Hindustan Times 14 February 2012

: Pradip Jain - Patna

Love stamps from USA..

2012-02-15T09:22:00.001+05:30

Valentine’s Day stamps from USPS

US Postal Service has issued a number of beautiful stamps for Valentine’s Day. All the 34 issues can be view at :

USPS on Love Stamps…

: Dr Hemant Kulkarni, Milwaukee – USA

Radio Story about postage stamp design

Julie Shapiro, Artistic Director of the Third Coast International Audio Festival, produced this episode. Julie spoke with Terry McCaffrey, the retired manager of stamp development for the USPS Stamp Services Office, and Ethel Kessler, an Art Director who’s been working with Stamp Services for over 15 years.Just listen !! Click following link !!

http://99percentinvisible.org/

Book Review

A new book by Mr Praful Thakkar "Glimpses of Indian Autographs" is a wonderful book. It is a specialized book for autograph lovers.

It gives the glimpses of autographs of eminent Indian personalities of various fields. The book contains around 600 autographs in 8 major groups which are further divided in 42 different categories. In each category about 13 autographs, along with the photographs of the celebrities, are presented. The effort in the book is made to project glimpses of different themes under which autograph collection can be made.

The autographs of Indian personalities are classified thematically into autographs of Presidents, Bharat Ratna, Music Maestros, Cricket Players,World’s Top models etc .The book gives some rare autographs of Indian Princely Rulers along with their Coat of Arms. The book also gives a separate chapter to foreign personalities.

An alphabetically arranged index with details of celebrities is given at the end of the book to help the reader to find the location of particular autograph.The book gives a special section on ‘Association of Philately with the Autographs’. A special chapter is added in the book which depicts the Autographs in the design of Indian Postal Stamps. Another chapter depicts original autographs, on the First Day Covers, of personalities, related or associated with celebrities whose stamps are issued.

It is a complete book for autograph collectors as well as a delight to people of all ages and tastes. In fact this book is a feast to everyone’s eyes and an asset for the possessor. All would love to read it and it is an essential book for libraries, schools and colleges and a collectible item for book and autograph lovers !! I would recommend this wonderful book to one and all !! The book is hardbound with beautiful design layout and high quality printing.

Price Rs 1500 US $ 50 It is available at following address :

Rekha P. Thakkar',

34, Janvishram Society,Behind Sahjanand College, Ambawadi,, Ahmedabad 380015

email: thakkar34@yahoo.co.in or pkthakkar@yahoo.com

Praful Thakkar, the renowned philatelist of Gujarat is Limca Book Record Holder in 2009 for Autographs & Canteen Tokens and is a collector of autographs, stamps, First Day Covers (FDCs), coins, medals, tokens, badges , badge plates etc. and many more collectibles of India since last more than 45 years. He has written several books on these subjects of Hobbies. Mr Praful Thakkar may be contacted at e mail : pkthakkar@yahoo.com

This is one of the most beautiful souvenirs of stamp exhibitions I have seen so far….Many thanks to South India Philatelists’ Association and members of SIPEX 2012 for bringing out such a nice souvenir with comprehensive articles on a variety of subjects. – Jeevan Jyoti

SIPEX 2011 Souvenir : Review by - Naresh Agarwal

The souvenir released on occasion of SIPEX2011, a National Level Philatelic Exhibition published by South India Philatelists’ Association, Chennai is a collection and depiction of journey to the said show through well labeled pictures, nice graphics, views of the philatelic material issued. Journey through different facets of philately through various high quality and informative articles through the train and track of well printed, colorful, glossy paper of most appropriate size bound nicely in to a book form. The book is truly a souvenir for possessor as it gives glimpse of the SIPEX2011,the messages given by various persons, the articles on various aspects of philately written by various eminent and upcoming writers which have been found to be very informative. The well wishers of the show who contributed in form of advertisement have also been honored by giving such colorful space and well designed and placed advertisements. The editor has toiled hard to give an attractive shape to the contents by giving nice presentation, selection and skilled composing

In the article section, although all the articles have given nice impression but truly out of the assemblage of these 17 nos. articles covering different aspects of philately; article by C.G.Bhasker on “Czeslaw Slania,the Master Engraver”, & the one titled “Changing Face of Postal Stationery” by S.Balasundaram appealed me the most as those have a touch of extensive and fine research.

The attractive front and last pages themselves depict and declare the high standard of souvenir. I rate this souvenir much higher than the one issued during INDEPEX2011,a world exhibition held in India.

The book has fulfilled all of its objectives, covered all aspects and shown every necessary element. This souvenir is recommended to all to be preserved not only as a souvenir but an asset for the upcoming readers as the articles have been found very genuine, interesting and informative.

The copies of souvenir are available with the office of South India Philatelists’ Association.Intrested readers may contact at e mail : sipagold@gmail.com

Indian Themes on foreign stamps…

2012-02-14T16:28:00.001+05:30

Mirza Ghalib

He was a classical Urdu and Persian poet from India during British colonial rule. Known as the last great poet of the Mughal Era. He wrote several ghazals during his life, which have since been interpreted and sung in many different ways by different people. He is considered, in South Asia, to be one of the most popular and influential poets of the Urdu language. Ghalib today remains popular not only in India and Pakistan but also amongst diaspora communities around the world.

He was given the following titles of Dabir-ul-Mulq , Najm-ud-daula & 'Mirza Nosha' . He was also an important courtier of the royal court of the Emperor. Ghalib is still very popular today, and his poetry is well known. Many singers from all over South Asia have sung many of his ghazals. Indian Cinema has paid a tribute to the legendary poet through a film named Mirza Ghalib (1954). Pakistani Cinema has also paid tribute through another film also named Mirza Ghalib. India & Pakistan (overprint Bangladesh) have released stamps honoring Ghalib.

: Kenneth Sequeira - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

It’s Valentine’s Day….

2012-02-14T09:02:00.001+05:30

Date of Issue : 7 February 2012

Thailand Post has issued four beautiful stamps for this year’s St. Valentine’s Day on 7 Feb 2012. The stamps feature a couple of cute teddy bears, a heart-shaped lock and a key. The cancellation is also lovely… Valentine’s Day is celebrated all over the world as Lovers’ Day, a very special day to express love for someone you love !! This post is dedicated to all the lovers of the world !! On this very special day I am also sharing here a beautiful song by John Denver… Annie’s song.. “You fill up my senses”…..Have a wonderful time and Have a Great Day !!

This beautiful song is dedicated all the lovers of the world…....

Annie’s Song

Writer: DENVER, JOHN

You fill up my senses
Like a night in a forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean

You fill up my senses
Come fill me again
Come let me love you
Let me give my life to you

Let me drown in your laughter
Let me die in your arms
Let me lay down beside you
Let me always be with you
Come let me love you
Come love me again

You fill up my senses
Like a night in a forest
Like the mountains in springtime
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean

You fill up my senses
Come fill me again…

When I am with you….

When I'm with you,
eternity is a step away,
my love continues to grow,
with each passing day.

This treasure of love,
I cherish within my soul,
how much I love you,
you'll never really know.

You bring joy to my heart,
I've never felt before,
with each touch of your heart,
I love you more and more.

Whenever we say goodbye,
whenever we part,
know I hold you dearly,
deep inside my heart.

So these seven words,
I pray you hold true,
"Forever and Always,
I will love you."

- Chris Engle

Bihar Stamp Expo – 2012

2012-02-13T23:22:00.001+05:30

Bihar Stamp Expo 2012 - concluded…

- Pradeep Kumar Mallik, Patna

The day 4 (13.02.2012) at Bihar Stamp Expo 2012 was commenced with release of a Special Cover on ‘Save Girl Child – Save Earth’ and a Stamp Booklet on ‘Save Ganga’. The guests in honour were Sri Kishor Kunal, Chairman Bihar Dharmik Nyas Parishad; Sri Ravikant, Cabinet Secretary, Government of Bihar; Sri I. D. S. Dhariwal, Principal Auditor General, Bihar and Sri Anil Pujara, Head of Human Resources, Union Bank of India, Bihar Circle. The Special Cover released today was sponsored by Union Bank of India.

(From Left to Right: Sri Anil Pujara, Head of Human Resources, Union Bank of India, Bihar Circle; Sri Ravikant, Cabinet Secretary, Government of Bihar; Smt. Kaveri Banerji, Chief Post Master general, Bihar Circle of India Post; Sri Kishor Kunal, Chairman Bihar Dharmik Nyas Parishad; Sri I. D. S. Dhariwal, Principal Auditor General, Bihar and Sri Anil Kumar, Director, Postal services)

The common feeling of the philatelists visiting this State level exhibition that the level and standard of the exhibits displayed was very high. Some senior philatelist from outside Bihar commented that the level is at par of National Level philatelic exhibitions. It shows that the level of exhibiting in Bihar is high and the competition for higher medal and award was very competitive.

Six Gold Medals, Thirteen Silver Medals; Seven Bronze Medals and One Diploma were awarded. One Frame Exhibits were awarded certificates with the marks obtained. There were four exhibits in Championship Class. Dr. Kanwaljit Singh Gandhi was awarded the Championship Trophy for his exhibit entitled ‘Early India Cancellations’.

Dr. K. S. Gandhi receiving the Championship Trophy from CPMG Smt. Kaveri Banerji

Pragya Kothari received CPMG Trophy for his thematic exhibit entitled ‘I am a bow & it’s my story’

The panel of jury consist Sri R. D. Binani and Sri Dhananjay Desai. Smt. Kaveri Baneerji, CPMG was the Honorary Chairperson of the jury.

L to R Dr. R. S. Gandhi, RD Binani, Mrs Kaveri Banerjee, Dhanjay Desai and Sri Anil Kumar

The Four day event was well organized and was praised by one and all the way it was organized. But it was a surprise that the result was not declared before the prize distribution ceremony.

Pradeep Kumar Mallik is a thematic philatelist from Patna. He received a silver medal for his exhibit entitled ‘Legacy from the past’ on UNESCO – World Heritage in Bihar Stamp Expo 2012. He may be contacted at email mallikphila@gmail.com

New special Cover from Stamp Expo 2012, Patna..

2012-02-13T15:16:00.001+05:30

13 February 2012 : Save Girl – Save Earth

On 13th Feb2012 a special cover on “ Save Girl Save Earth “and a Stamp Booklet on “Save Ganga” was issued during Stamp Expo 2012 Patna.

: :Ashwani Dubey from Patna

Club News

My Stamp series listed in Michel Catalogue

MICHEL Catalogue has listed all 29 stamps of MY STAMP series giving specific numbers to each stamp.The rates are in Euro. MICHEL catalogues are issued from Germany.This News is very important for collectors of Indian stamps, as many collectors are still confused whether to include these stamps in their collection, or not.

:Shrikant Parikh
www.setenantsofindia.blogspot.com

Stamp Exhibition in Agra

AGRA PEX 2012

THE FIRST AGRA REGIONAL PHILATELIC EXHIBITION

14 districts covered including AGRA ETAH ETAWAH MAINPURI JHANSI AURAIYA FIROZABAD MATHURA BULANDSHAR MAHAMAYANAGAR ETX

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS: MY STAMP AVAILABLE AT ALL THREE DAYS, 100 FRAMES ON DISPLAY , DEALER AND COMMERCIAL BOOTH AVAILABLE

DEALAER BOOTH At Rs. 3000/- for the whole exhibition and early entry will fetch a discount of Rs.500/-

Three special covers to be realeses

1. Head Post Office Agra

2. Nagarni Prachari Ceneterary set up by madan mohan malviya

3. Taj Mahal in embossed form all these covers are limited in numbers.......

For more details please contact Ph 0562-2463886,2463315,2851779

: Atul Agarwal - Aligarh

New Pictorial cancellation from Germany

During the philatelic exhibition on August 31,2012,a pictorial postmark featuring the bird EURASIAN CURLEW will be issued . Collectors with interest in this pictorial cancellation may contact Mr. Wolfgang Beyer E MAIL: Wolfgang.Beyer1@polizei.sachsen.de ,member of staff from the German Collector Group ARGE ZOOLOGIE. Postages rates 0,75 Euro AIRMAIL or 2,80 Euro for AIRMAIL/REGISTERED.

New Stamps on Greetings…

2012-02-13T09:37:00.001+05:30

Date of Issue : 26 January 2012

Hi ! Here is a beautiful pair of colorful Greeting stamps issued by An Post ( Ireland). A stamp booklet has also been issued with this set. I love this set as “Greetings” is my theme and hope would be liked by all collectors !! …

FDC

These two stamps feature colourful representations of a gift box and a set of birthday candles. The bright and vibrant colours of the designs were created to appeal to adults and children alike, whenever a special greeting card is posted.

Stamp Booklet

Sending a greeting card to someone of any age with one of these special stamps on the envelope is the best way to forward warmest regards and the best in personal good wishes. These stamps are sure to brighten up any greetings correspondence.

These stamps can be purchased in pairs or in a booklet of ten stamps, with a selection of colourful stickers included in the booklet. The stamps, booklet and first day cover can be purchased at www.irishstamps.ie; at the GPO Dublin, main Post Offices and by phone at 353 (01) 705 7400.

New Europa 2012 stamps….

2012-02-12T22:48:00.001+05:30

Denmark

To be issued on 21 March 2012

Here are some new stamps for EUROPA 2012 theme “ Visit” from Denmark and Spain.

Spain

To be issued on 4 April 2012

View all Europa stamps at : http://europa-stamps.blogspot.in/

My recent Covers

Covers from Argentina

Thanks to Viviana Cernjul, Buneos Aires - Argentina

Cover from Germany

Thanks to Wolfgang Beyer, Germany

Club News

Bihar Stamp Expo 2012 – Day3

- Pradeep Kumar Mallik, Patna

Today (12.02.2012), the third day of Bihar Stamp Expo 2012, a Special Cover on ‘Sher Shah Suri’ and a Stamp Booklet on ‘Sikhism’ was released in a solemn function. The release function of these postal stationeries was held under the chairmanship of Smt. Kaveri Banerji, Chief Post Master General, Bihar Circle of India Post. The guests in honour were Sri Navin Kumar, Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar; Sri Jeevandas Narayan, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India, Bihar Circle; Major Manjit Singh, Member, Takhta Sri Harmandir Sahib, Patna and Prof. Kashinath, Principal, Patna Science College Patna.

(from Left to Right: Sri Anil Kumar, Director, Postal Services; Prof. Kashinath, Principal, Patna Science College, Patna; Smt. Kaveri Banerji, Chief Post Master General, Bihar Circle of India Post; Sri Navin Kumar, Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar; Sri Jeevandas Narayan, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India, Bihar circle; Major Manjit Singh, Member, Takhta Sri Harmandir Sahib, Patna)

Being the penultimate day of this State level exhibition, philatelists were engaged in discussing their exhibits with senior philatelist.

Distinguished philatelists : Dr. Pradip Sarkar & Dr. Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

Moumita sinha , Rajesh Sinha, and Ashok Tiwari

Being Sunday the visitor came to the exhibition in large number. Hectic activities could be seen near dealers’ booth .

The exhibition is being covered well by print as well as electronic media.

Pradip Jain is being interviewed by BBC Reporter

Stamp lover at dealers’ booth

New Cards and Booklets from Stamp Expo - 2012,Patna..

2012-02-12T18:29:00.001+05:30

Stamp Booklets

Picture Postcards released during Stamp Expo 2012

Note : These are Picture Postcards and not Max Cards as printed on reverse side of these cards.

:Ashwani Dubey from Patna

New Special covers from Bihar…

2012-02-12T17:43:00.001+05:30

Sher Shah Suri - 12 Feb 2012

Arya Bhatt – 11 Feb 2012

:Ashwani Dubey from Patna

BIHAR STAMP EXPO 2012 – Day 2

- Pradeep Kumar Mallik, Patna

Day 2 (11.02.2012) of Bihar Stamp Expo 2012 witnessed the release of a Special Cover on ‘Arya Bhatta’; a stamp Booklet on ‘Jainism’ and a set of four Max Cards on ‘Sufism in Bihar’. The guests in honour for this release function were Sri Vijay Kumar, Chief General Manager BSNL Bihar, Sri Varun Kumar Bharthuar, General Manager East Central Railway, Hajipur, Dr. Imtiyaz Ahmed, Director Khuda Baksh Library, Patna and Prof. Anil Kumar Bhaumik, Director Indian Institute of Technology, Patna. Smt Kaveri Bnerji, Chief Post Master General Bihar circle in her welcome address stated that as the year 2012 being the centenary year of Bihar, so India Post has planned to highlight the specialties and cultural uniqueness of Bihar by issuing special covers and Booklets.

Dr. Imtiyaz Ahmed, Director Khuda Baksh Library, Patna in his speech enlightened the audience about Sufism and thanked India Post to choose such subject for Max Cards. Prof. Anil Kumar Bhaumik, Director Indian Institute of Technology, Patna told that in his childhood he was a stamp collector but could not pursue this hobby. He also suggested India Post to find some way to cope with technology in the time of emails and SMSs. Sri Vijay Kumar, Chief General Manager BSNL Bihar highlighted the importance of the hobby of philately Sri Varun Kumar Bharthuar, General Manager East central Railway, Hajipur in his address stated that India Railways and India post are similar in their modalities, as both of them are having the vast and widespread network and also highlighted the importance of stamps collecting. Sri Anil Kumar director, Postal services proposed the vote of thanks.

The philatelists were found discussing with other philatelist about the exhibits displayed. They utilized the occasion to share their knowledge and experiences of exhibiting.For school children quiz and music competitions were also arranged.

(From Left to Right: Dr. Imtiyaz Ahmed, Director Khuda Baksh Library, Patna; Sri Anil Kumar, Director Postal Services; Prof. Anil Kumar Bhaumik, Director Indian Institute of Technology, Patna; Smt. Kaveri Banerji, Chief Post Master General, Bihar Circle; Sri Varun Kumar Bharthuar, General Manager East Central Railway, Hajipur; Sri Vijay Kumar, Chief General Manager BSNL Bihar & Sri M. Abdali Director Postal Services.)

Release of Special Cover by the distinguished guests

Dr. R. S. Gandhi, the renowned philatelist, leading the guests in honour towards exhibition hall.

BIHAR STAMP EXPO 2012

2012-02-11T08:23:00.001+05:30

BIHAR STAMP EXPO 2012 – Day 1

- Report by Pradeep Kumar Mallik, Patna

Bihar Stamp Expo 2012, State level Philatelic Exhibition, was inaugurated yesterday (10th February) by His Excellency the Governor of Bihar Shri Devanand Konwar. It is the 11^th Bihar State Philatelic Exhibition organized by Bihar Circle of India Post. Earlier editions of were named as BIPEX. The venue of this four days long event named as Bihar Stamp Expo 2012 is Wheeler Senate Hall of Patna University, Patna.

The Bihar Stamp Expo 2012 is being organized in a Grand way with the active participation of officials of India Post under the patronage of Smt. Kaveri Banerji, the Chief Post Master General, Bihar Circle and the co-operation of the eminent philatelists of the Bihar State particularly from Patna.

The inauguration ceremony was witnessed by about 1000 audience, including invitees, philatelist and more prominently the school children from the various schools of Patna.

Distinguished Philatelists : From L to R: Paramjit Singh, Ashok Tiwari, Sanjay Jain, Dr. Satyendra Agrawal

The chief guest was the Governor of Bihar. The guest in honour was Shri Shambhunath Singh, the Vice-Chancellor of Patna University. Chief Post Master General Smt. Kaveri Banerji while welcoming the guest stated the importance of philatelic exhibitions. In his inaugural address His Excellency the Governor of Bihar mentioning that the stamps being cultural ambassadors of a country. He was thrilled to know about ‘My stamp’. He pointed out that after exploring this new horizon of ‘My Stamp’, India Post can generate more financial resources for itself and for Government of India. Shri Shambhunath Singh, the Vice- Chancellor of Patna University was also addressed the gathering. In his speech he emphasized about how stamps are the symbol of sovereignty of any country. He felt proud that for organizing such exhibition the venue inside the university campus was chosen. Shri Anil Kumar, Director of Postal Services, proposed the vote of thanks.

Welcome address by the Chief Post Master General Bihar, Smt Kaveri Banerji

(From Left to Right: Shri Anil Kumar, Director Postal Services; Smt. Kaveri Banerji, Chief Post Master General, Bihar Circle; Shri Devanand Kunwar, Governor of Bihar, Shri Shambhunath Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Patna University & Shri M. Abdali’ Director Postal Services.)

Governor displaying His ‘My Stamp’

In the inaugural function a Special Cover on “Folk Paintings of Bihar” and a Stamp Booklet on “Faces of Buddha” was released by the distinguished guests. The first ‘My Stamp’ with the photograph of the Governor of Bihar, issued in this Expo, was presented to His Excellency.

Release of Special Cover by the distinguished guests

Address by the Governor

After the formal inauguration the Governor visited the Exhibition hall and shown keen interest in some exhibits. There are 315 frames of exhibits are in display. In competition classes most of the exhibit belongs to Thematic Class or Youth Class.

Exhibit Frames displayed inside the Hall

There are several exhibits of fame is exhibited in invitee class. Besides the philatelist of Bihar, other philatelist from different parts of India is also visiting. The thematic exhibit of Dr. Satyendra Agrawal entitled ‘A Rose is a Rose is a Rose is a Rose……..’ and Shri Bagri’s exhibit on ‘Map’ are also on display in invitee class. Some rare philatelic artifact, such as ‘Inverted Head’ and ‘Letter written by Mahatma Gandhi’ is also being displayed.

For School Children Painting, Letter Writing and Dance Competition were also organized. More than thousand participants participated in these competitions.

The functions and exhibition were well covered by both the print and electronic media.

New Stamp from India…

2012-02-10T17:10:00.001+05:30

India International Centre

Image : Mansoor B. Mangalore

India Post released a stamp of India International Centre on 09th February 2012 to commemorate its golden jubilee.

President Mrs Pratibha Patil on Thursday released a commemorative stamp to celebrate the golden jubilee of India International Centre (IIC) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The centre completed 60 years on January 22.

The India International Centre (IIC) is a well known non-official organization situated in New Delhi. It was founded in 1958, and inaugurated in 1968. It is a unique establishment in that it serves as a meeting place for the various cultural and intellectual offerings the city has to offer, while maintaining its non-official character, non-aligned motivations and remains uncommitted to any particular form of governmental, political, economic or religious affiliation.

New Special Cover

2012-02-10T14:47:00.001+05:30

Stamp EXPO – 2012 , Patna

Folk Painting of Bihar

Stamp Booklet : Faces of Buddha

:Ashwani Dubey from Patna

Club News

Advertise in “Year Book of Indian Philately”

Dear Friend,

You must have seen a couple of editions of the “Year Book of Indian Philately” and must have liked them. The feedback and responses are very encouraging. We are inspired to do better and more, and trust us, you will find every next issue of the Year Book more informative, more interesting & more preserving. You must also have realized that a lot of hard and sincere work is required to make this happen. Another vital resource which is required for this type of task is the finances.

At the moment we are making all the shortages good by ourselves, but we wish to break-even at the least to sustain the work. Philately is our passion and we do not mind spending for it, but rising costs of production / publication have forced us to look out for the alternates and helping avenues.

In this context we take this opportunity to request you to please look around you and see if any advertisements are available around you or your influences, which can be secured for your favorite publication - the “Year Book of Indian Philately”. This will help us immensely to do further better and to our fullest capabilities for the promotion of this great hobby.

Rates for the advertisements can be sent / negotiated on hearing from you.

We have added a novelty to this request for advertisements. We will provide the advertiser, copies of the Year Book editions (any of his choice), worth equal to the value of the advertisement he provides, (T&C applied). This translates into absolutely no spending on account of the advertisement published in the Year Book. He will have the opportunity to recover the entire cost of the advertisement by selling the copies allotted to him in the process.

Now, is there still any reason to shy away from this “never before” opportunity to advertise in a world class journal?

Do we need to mention here that your advertisement in the Year Book of Indian Philately will reach a large number of serious and capable segments of the Philatelic fraternity the world over and will be preserved as a ready reference for the times to come? In every sense of the word this is an unique & unparalleled opportunity for an advertiser of any reputed product or service, philatelic or otherwise.

It will not be out of context to mention here that every time the Year Book has participated in any competitive exhibition, it has won an award there. Medals at the INDIPEX 2011 at New Delhi, at PHILA NIPPON 2011 at Yokohama in Japan, at CHINA 2011, at Wuxi in China and at SINE 2011, again at New Delhi, are among the latest laurels.

We look forward for a positive, encouraging and prompt response from you.

Thanking you, sincerely,

Madan Middha

Editor / Publisher

For advertisement in “Year Book of Indian Philately” Contact Mr Madan Middha email : madan_middha@yahoo.co.in

New stamps from Poland

2012-02-09T20:35:00.001+05:30

200th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF ZYGMUNT KRASIŃSKI

To be issued on 19 February 2012

Count Napoleon Stanisław Adam Ludwig Zygmunt Krasiński Paris, France, 19 February 1812 – 23 February 1859, Paris, France), a Polish count, is traditionally ranked with Mickiewicz and Słowacki as one of Poland's Three National Bards — the trio of great Romantic poets who influenced national consciousness during the period of Poland's political bondage.

He is best known for his philosophical Messianist ideas. His drama, Nie-boska Komedia (The Un-Divine Comedy, 1835), portrays the tragedy of an old-world aristocracy defeated by a new order of communism and democracy, and is a poetic prophecy of class conflict and of Russia's October Revolution and his drama, Irydion (1836), deals, in the context of Christian ethics, with the struggle of a subjugated nation against its oppressor.

70th ANNIVERSARY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL ARMY

To be issued on 14 February 2012

Club News

BRPEX-2012 : Stamp exhibition in Bareilly (UP)

Today BRPEX-2012, District level Philatelic Exhibition started at Bareilly from 9th to 11 Feb 2012, with 100 frames. Mr. Dinesh Sharma of Lucknow is a member of Jury.

2nd National Numismatic Exhibition - 2012

The exhibition will be held on 17th, 18th & 19th February 2012

Entry for Public will be open at 10:00 a.m on all the 3 days.

The President Convention Center, The Bell Hotel #88, Next to City Railway Station,

Opposite to Majestic Bus Station, Bangalore - 560023

Entry for the Exhibition cum Fair of Coins, Bank Notes & Stamps is absolutely Free.

For more information like Exhibits, Floor Layout, Dealers Stall Rent, Accommodations information, please visit www.marudhararts.com.

A stamp for Mars?

2012-02-09T10:02:00.001+05:30

The competition began !

CNES, French Space Agency, and the French Post Office, recognizing the interest of collectors, especially younger ones, for space are launching a competition to create a stamp which will make its route to the planet Mars! The French Post offers young people to invent a visual design of the stamp to write to the "Red Planet".

The design competition takes place from January 30 to April 16, 2012, for youth from 10 to 17 years. Numerous prizes are await of the winner, including a trip for two to Guyana provided by CNES and the opportunity to attend a launch of the Ariane rocket!

The design of the stamp to Mars can be achieved through different techniques such as collage, painting, drawing with crayons, markers.

Press Clippings

: Ashwani Dubey - Gorakhpur

New cancellation on Mahatma Gandhi

2012-02-08T22:33:00.001+05:30

Arrival of Gandhi Ji in Gorakhpur

A pictorial cancellation was given by Gorakhpur Postal Division today on 8th February to commemorate the arrival of Gandhiji at Gorakhpur on 8 Feb 1922.

After the incident of Chauri Chaura on 4 February1922 Mahatama Gandhi called back his Asahayog Andolan and came to Gorakhpur on 8th February1922 ,but district administration did not allow him to go Chauri Chaura then a public meeting was held by Gandhi Ji in Gorakhpur on 8th February 1922.

SSP, Gorakhpur Postal Division - Aalok Ojha issuing the cancellation on Mahatma Gandhi ’s arrival at Gorakhpur on 8 February 1922

:Sandeep Chaurasia, Ashwani Dubey - Gorakhpur

200th Birth Anniversary of Charles Dickens..

2012-02-07T23:02:00.001+05:30

To be issued on 19 June 2012 by Royal Mail

Today (7th February 2012 ) is 200th birth anniversary of great novelist Charles Dickens. In celebration of the life and works of Charles Dickens, the Royal Mail today revealed a sneak preview of two stamps – officially launching in June – to celebrate the bicentenary of the novelist’s birth.

The two stamps feature illustrations from his first novel, The Pickwick Papers (originally serialised and entitled The Posthumous Papers of Pickwick) and his 1838 novel, Nicholas Nickleby.

The character of Mr Pickwick forms a set of six stamps featuring original illustrations adapted from Character Sketches from Charles Dickens, by Joseph Clayton Clarke and originally published around 1890.

The Nicholas Nickleby stamp will be part of a special Miniature Sheet of four stamps of illustrations by Hablot Knight Brown, (known as Phiz ), who illustrated ten books by the author.

The full set of ten new stamps will be issued on 19 June and will feature iconic characters from some of his most famous novels, including Oliver Twist, David Copperfield and A Tale of Two Cities.

Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth on February 7, 1812. In 1836 he married Catherine Hogarth, they had ten children.At the age of nine his family were imprisoned in Marshalsea Debtor’s Prison in Southwark for his father’s debts, while Dickens went to work in a blacking factory. He later used the prison as one of the settings for Little Dorrit. His first novel The Pickwick Papers was published in 1836.

In 1837 Catharine’s 17-year-old sister Mary died in Dickens’s arms becoming the inspiration for the death of Little Nell in The Old Curiosity Shop.On June 9, 1865, Dickens survived the Staplehurst rail crash. The First Class carriage he was travelling in was the only one of seven not to plunge off the bridge. Dickens helped to tend the wounded and used his experience later in the ghost story The Signalman.

His final unfinished novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood was published after his death. The identity of the murderer was never revealed. Dickens was interred at Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey, despite his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral

His best-selling novel, A Tale of Two Cities has sold over 200 million copies. Between 1992 and 2003 Dickens was featured on the reverse of the Bank of England £10 note together with a scene from The Pickwick Papers. Dickens’ most autobiographical work was also his favourite – David Copperfield.

Such was the interest generated by the serialisation of his work, a huge crowd gathered at the dock in Boston to await the ship that carried chapter 71 of Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Shop. The only person said to be able to predict the conclusion of Dickens’ complex plots was the American author and poet Edgar Allan Poe.

Dickens is regarded as the most ‘adapted’ author of all time, all of his novels have been adapted for the cinema or television and in addition to modern versions, around 100 silent films were made – a third of which still exist.

Between 1992 and 2003 Dickens was featured on the reverse of the Bank of England £10 note together with a scene from The Pickwick Papers.

Indian theme on foreign stamps

2012-02-07T13:08:00.001+05:30

Canada Post issued a postage stamp on Sikh Canadians on 19 April 1999.

Canadian Sikhs

Canadian Sikhs are the largest religious group among Indo-Canadians. Accordingly to latest census, there are about 5 - 8 lakh Sikhs in Canada. Sikhs have been in Canada since at least 1887.

Ever since the year 1900, Sikh members started to contribute to the Canadian economy. However, it was not until the year 2000 that this contribution was noticeable. Sikhs have made significant contribution to the Canadian economy in terms their professional and business advances. The Sikh community is represented in all professional fields; medical, legal, technological, academic, etc. Sikhs are driven by their desire to enhance themselves and their communities.

In the 1960s and 1970s tens of thousands of skilled Sikhs, some highly educated, settled across Canada. As their numbers grew, Sikhs established gurdwaras in every major city of Canada.

In 2002, the Gur Sikh Temple was designated a national historic landmark by prime minister Jean Chrétien on July 26 of 2002. It is the only Gurdwara declared a national historic landmark outside of South Asia. In 2007 the temple was completely renovated and reopened. In 2011, the Gur Sikh Temple in Abbotsford celebrated its one hundredth birthday. To celebrate, the Government of Canada is funding the building of a museum dedicated to Canadian Sikhism. During the anniversary celebration, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave a speech to the Punjabi Community as to how the Gur Sikh Temple is a shrine to all immigrants into Canada, not just Sikh ones.

- Kenneth Sequeira - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Club News

Philatelic Societies of India

The Deccan Philatelic Society

The Deccan Philatelic Society in Pune was formed on 3 August1988 is dedicated to the cause of promotion of philately.

The Deccan Philatelic Society has successfully organised 2 philatelic exhibitions in the city of Pune. Cancellations on different subjects have been sponsored by the Society on various occasions. Philatelic Workshops are conducted by the society, in the schools to promote the philately amongst the school children. Members of the society have participated in the State, National and International level exhibitions and have won many awards. Members of Deccan Philatelic Society won 5 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze medals at Mahapex-2012.

Management Committee consists of Colonel J Dutta (President), P J Lewis (Secretary), Dr Anjali Dutta (IPP), Mr. Pratisad Neurgaonkar, Col Ashwin Baindur and Ms Jayoti Dutta. The Society publishes the much acclaimed Deccan Philatelist in full colour.

The Deccan Philatelic Society meets every first Sunday of the month at 10.30 a.m.

Contact address :

Deccan Philatelic Society, A-12 Sacred Heart Town, 75/2 Wanowrie, Pune 411 040

email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com

The Army Philatelic Society

The Army Philatelic Society (TAPS) was formed in 2003 to promote philately in the Indian Army among the serving, retired, released personnel and their families. Civilians interested in military philately are also made members.

The Society has brought out many Special Covers on the army as well as published the acclaimed book The Rare Stamps of the World. Two monographs on APS Covers and the Fiscals of Jamkhandi have been published by the Society. The Society publishes the Journal of The Army Philatelic Society twice a year in full colour.

Management Committee consists of Brig P K Gulati (President), Colonel J Dutta (Vice President), Dr Anjali Dutta (Secretary), Ms Anisha Gulati (Treasurer),Brig F T Rangwala, Brig R K Singh, VSM, and Col Ashwin Baindur.

Philatelic Workshops are conducted by the society, in the schools to promote the philately amongst the school children. Members of the society have participated in the State, National and International level exhibitions and have won many awards. Members of The Army Philatelic Society won 4 gold, 3 silver medals and 3 bronze medals at Mahapex-2012.

Official Address:
L-335, Tarapore Towers,New Link Rd, Oshiwara,Andheri (W), Mumbai 400 053.

email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com