News : August 2013

Philatelic Exhibition on Jainism theme & Special Cover on 61st Pratishtha Mohotsav of Shri Godijee Jain Mandir, Pune - 31st August 2013.

Jainism Philately Group, Pune Chapter organised Jainism Theme Philatelic Exhibition from 31st August to 2nd Sept. 2013 in association with Jain Social Group at Oswal Bandhu Samaj, Near Seven Love Square, Pune. JPG Pune Chapter President Mr. Hemant Bafna exhibited his beautiful collection of stamps, covers and coins related to JAINISM along with the coloured enlargements.

Mr. Sudhir Jain (Satna), National Chairman, Jainism Philately Group inaugurated this exhibition in the Holy presence of Param Pujya Acharya Harikant Surishwarji Maharaj. Mr. Pramod Kumar Jain (Puducherry) National Vice President JPG, Mr. Deepak Modi (Jalna), Mr. Balchand Sancheti and Mr. Achal Jain were special guests. The exhibition is first-of-its kind in the city. Aim behind organising such an event is to spread knowledge about Jainism through commemorative stamps and special covers released by the Department of Post from time to time since Pre Independence. The exhibition, coinciding with Paryushan Mahaparva, hailed as the most important event among the Jain festivals.

On this occasion a special cover was issued on 31st August 2013, to commemorate 61st Pratishtha Mohotsav of Shri Godijee Jain Mandir, Pune (also known as Sangh Mandir). Postal Department provided a special cancellation on this occasion. A grand function was organised for release of this cover in the premises of beautiful Godiji Parshwanath Temple, Pune. Mr. Meena, PMG, Pune Circle was the chief guest and Mr. Sudhir Jain, National Chairman, Jainism Philately Group was special guest in the release function. Mr. Chandubhai Shah, Chairman, Godiji Mandir Trust, Mr. Pramod Kumar Jain, Vice Chairman JPG, Mr. Deepak Modi, General Secretary JPG, Mr. Mithalal Jain, Secretary JPG Pune Chapter etc. were other dignitaries present in the function. Godiji Mandir was beautifully decorated for this function and large gathering attended the function in the Holy presence of Pujya Viveksaar Maharasab and Gyanesh Vijayji Maharajsab.

Cost of Special cover is Rs. 30/- per cover which will be sent by Speed Post. Postage & packing charges will be Rs. 40/- up to five covers. For order of Special Covers please contact (1) Shri Hemant Bafna (President, JPG Pune Chapter) (M): 9890929000 / 9623529000, Email: bafna_hemant@yahoo.in (2) Shri Mithalal Jain (Secretary, JPG Pune Chapter), (M): 9822098880, Email: dipenpanna@yahoo.co.in

Courtesy: Ankit Agrawal, Pune & Sudhir Jain, Satna

Special Cover on Freedom Fighters and Reformers of India - 30th August 2013

Philatelic Exhibition on Freedom Fighters and Reformers of India is organised from 30th August to 10th September 2013 at University Museum of Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar. On the occasion a Special Cover was issued on Freedom Fighters and Reformers of India on 30th August 2013.

Postage Stamp to commemorate martyrdom of Beant Singh

The Postal Department will issue a stamp to commemorate the martyrdom of Beant Singh, late Chief Minister of Punjab who was assassinated on august 31, 1995 at Chandigarh. Decision to this effect has been taken following a request by the family of Beant Singh sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Disclosing this Gurkirat Singh grandson of Beant Singh MLA from Khanna said that they have been informed by the prime minister office about the release of the stamp in the first week of September. The Prime Minister will release the stamp in Delhi.

Source: Punjab Newsline

Special Cover on Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra - 21th August 2013

A special cover and a special cancellation on Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra was released on 21 August 2013, at Hotel Madhuban, Rajpur Road, Dehradun by Shri Vijay Bahuguna, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and Shri Tarun Vijay, MP, Rajyasabha. Chief Postmaster General, Uttarakhand Circle Shri Ramanujan presented the album to the dignitaries. Abhai Mishra, Rajesh Varma, Madhukar Jhingan and Savita Jhingan were present from the philatelic fraternity. "Kala Samman" was bestowed on Abhai Mishra and Rajesh Varma for serving the cause of philately by the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.

Two Customised sheetlets of My Stamps on Nanda Devi peak and four horned ram (khadu) were also issued on 19 Aug 2013.

The special cover and the customised My Stamp sheetlets can be ordered from the Senior Post Master, Dehradun GPO-248001 (Ph. 0135-2655141).

Courtesy: Abhai Mishra, Dehradun

New Stamp Release : Raj Bahadur - 21.08.2013.

India Post issued a commemorative stamp on freedom fighter and former Union Minister Raj Bahadur on 21st August 2013. The stamp was released at Jaipur by Governor Margaret Alva at a function organised to commemorate birth centenary of the late leader. Paying rich tribute, Ms Alva hailed his political career and services and said 'I was among those young Congress MPs who had taken preliminary lessons on politics from leaders like Mr Raj Bahadur, in early 70s.

Raj Bahadur was a leader of Indian National Congress and a minister in the Indian government. He was three times elected to Lok Sabha from Bharatpur Lok Sabha constituency. He also served as Minister of Telecommunications for year 1956 - 57. He was elected to Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from Bhar in 1980. Raj Bahadur also served as India's ambassador to Nepal. He died on 22 September 1990 in New Delhi.

Courtesy: Rainbow Stamp Club

Permanent Pictorial Cancellation introduced at Puducherry on Sri Aurobindo - 15.08.2013.

The department of posts introduced a permanent pictorial cancellation at Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry on 15th August 2013, to mark the birth anniversary of the revolutionary-turned-philosopher-saint Sri Aurobindo. The design of the cancellation is based on the symbols of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. A philatelic counter was also opened at Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry Post Office.

The design was similar to the one used in postage stamp on Sri Aurobindo released on August 15, 1964. The pictorial cancellation was formally launched by Postmaster General Mervin Alexander (Chennai City region) and managing trustee of Sri Aurobindo Ashram Shri Manoj Das Gupta on 15th August evening. Despite its release, people could not avail themselves of the cancellation on the first day as it was a government holiday.

Courtesy: Rainbow Stamp Club

Special Cover issued to mark Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Dental Education in South India at Chennai - 14.08.2013.

Dental Education in South India was started on 10th August 1953 at Dental wing of Madras Medical College. This is the only Government Dental College of Tamilnadu which caters the entire public of Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, parts of Kerala and Karnataka with quality Dental education and delivers Dental treatments like extractions, fillings, dentures, minor and major oral surgeries including Dental implants. It celebrated the diamond jubilee from 10th August 2013. On the occassion, a special cover was released on 14th August 2013 at Chennai.

Courtesy: Rainbow Stamp Club

Thailand 2013, the World Stamp Exhibition: Indian Award Winners:

We congratulate Indian Award Winners of ‘Thailand 2013’, the World Stamp Exhibition held at Royal Paragon Hall, 5th floor, Siam Paragon Shopping Complex, Bangkok from 2nd to 14th August, 2013.

Name of Exhibitor	Title of Exhibit	Marks	Medal
Pradip Jain	Mahatma Gandhi	83	Vermeil
Virendra Sharma	British India Queen Victoria Postal Stationery	86	Large Vermeil
Rajesh Bhura	Mahatma Gandhi	70	Silver
Nawal Kishore Tatiwala	Gems & Jewellery	70	Silver
Brijmohan Modi	The History Of Architecture With Culture And Heritage.	76	Large Silver
Mrinal Mathur	From Wheel To Car	70	Silver
Bibhudatta Mishra and Shanti Swarup Rath	Dakatikata Sangraha & An Unique Flow of Knowledge	61	Bronze
K. Ramachandirann	Indian Postal History - Focus on Tamil Nadu	67	Silver Bronze

Commemorative Stamp on Kerala Legislative Assembly - 7th August 2013.

India Post released a commemorative stamp on Kerala Legislative Assembly on the occasion of its 125th Anniversary on 7th August 2013.

The evolution of Kerala Legislative Assembly begins with the formation of a Legislative Council in the princely state of Travancore in 1888. This was the first Native Legislature in Indian sub continent, outside British India. The Legislative Council of Travancore had undergone many changes by years. By the meantime people’s participation in the Assembly was widely sought. All those efforts led to the formation of one more representative body, namely the Sri Moolam Popular Assembly of Travancore. This Assembly of the representatives of the landholders and merchants, aimed at giving the people an opportunity of bringing to the notice of Government their requirements, wishes or grievances on the one hand, and on the other, to make the policy and measures of Government better known to the people so that all possible grounds of misconception may be removed. That was on October 1, 1904. Though the popular assembly contained representatives of tax- payers, it finally became a people’s representatives body. Political awareness and people agitations were aggressive and the authorities were forced to include people’s representatives into the popular assembly. On May 1, 1905, a regulation was issued to grant to the people the privilege of electing members to the Assembly. Of the 100 members, 77 were to be elected and 23 nominated, for tenure of 1 year.

After India’s independence responsible governments were formed in Travancore and Cochin. In 1949 the merger of Travancore and Cochin as Travancore-Cochin, formed the first Legislative Assembly, the Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly composed of 178 members of the Legislative bodies of Travancore and Cochin. The Malabar region had representatives in the Madras Legislative Assembly.

Source: http://niyamasabha.org

Commemorative Stamps on 100 Years of Cinema

India Post has announced vide the notification dated 29th July 2013 as follows regarding sale of Commemorative Stamps on 100 Years of Cinema.

“In continuation of notification dated 06.05.2013 placed on website it is further notified that the Commemorative postage Stamp on 100 Years of Indian Cinema will be available for sale of the Philatelic Bureaux in third week of August, 2013."

Download Notification

Source: www.indiapost.gov.in

[Download digital copy of August 2013 newsletter]