News : October 2013

Special Cover on 150 year of Coorg Education Fund (1863-2013) - 29th October 2013.

The noble thought of providing good education to boys and girls of Coorg was the primary objective of Rev. G. Richter, the first Principal of Mercara High School which was founded in 1855. The Reverend, in his wisdom and vision, realised that the best way to kindle young minds for education was to provide financial support to needy and deserving students. He was instrumental in persuading the erstwhile British authorities for a grant of land. Consequently the authorities, considering the general enthusiasm of the Coorgs for education, gifted 317 acres of land in Kannangala and Guyya Village. A coffee plantation, started in 150 acres of this land, was aptly named, ‘School Estate'.. The revenue from the plantation was used to give scholarships and in the year 1863 the Mercara High School Endowment Education Fund was established. IN 1883 another education fund came in existence under the name of Kodava Education Endowment Fund. Later in 1916 both the funds were merged and named as Kodava Education Fund. In 1954 it was reconstituted and renamed as Coorg Education Fund.

A Special cover was issued to mark 150 years of Coorg Education Fund on 29th October 2013 at Madikeri.

Courtesy: Sreejesh Krishnan, Thiruvananthapuram

Special Cover to mark World Acupuncture Day - 24th October 2013.

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day is observed annually on October 24. It is part of an effort designed to increase public awareness of the progress, promise, and benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

A special cover was issued at Chennai to mark World Acupuncture Day on 24th October 2013.

Courtesy: Rainbow Stamp Club

Commemorative Stamp on Ruchi Ram Sahni - 24th October 2013.

Ruchi Ram Sahni (April 5, 1863 – June 3, 1948) was a Punjabi freedom fighter having a wide influence as an educationist and creator of scientific temper in the pre-partition Punjab. He was a scientist, an innovator, an enthusiastic educationist, a fierce patriot, a devoted social worker and the catalyst behind popularizing science education in Punjab. During the Punjab Enquiry held by the Indian National Congress, following the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre, he had an opportunity to work with leaders like Motilal Nehru (1861-1931), C.R. Das (1870-1925), Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (1861-1946) and others.

India Post issued commemorative stamp in memory of Professor Ruchi Ram Sahni on 24th October 2013. Stamp was released by Punjab education minister, Sikander Singh Maluka on the inaugural day of three-day seminar on “Making of Modern Punjab: Education, Science and Social Change in Punjab”, held at Punjab University Auditorium, Chandigarh. Chandigarh MP, Pawan Kumar Bansal, former UGC chairperson, Yashpal, PU vice-chancellor (VC) professor, Arun K Grover and Chief Postmaster General, Kuldeep Singh were also present in stamp release function.

Commemorative Stamp on Bhakra Dam - 22nd October 2013.

Commemorative stamp marking the Golden Jubilee of Bhakra Dam was released on 22nd October 2013 by Union Minister Harish Rawat at the function organised at Nangal township in Punjab, by Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to mark the Golden Jubilee of Bhakra Dam. The dam was dedicated to the nation by the then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru on 22nd October 1963. Built on river Sutlej, the 225.55-meter high concrete dam was termed as a technological marvel when it was completed in 1963. The dam itself is now located in Himachal Pradesh, close to the Punjab-Himachal border, 13 km from Nangal town.

Earlier two stamps were issued on Bhakra Dam. A definitive stamp in denomination of Rs. 5 was issued on 15th March 1967 and a commemorative stamp was issued in denomination of 60 p. on 15th December 1988.

CGGANDHIPEX 2013 - 20th October 2013.

Chhattisgarh Philatelic Society organised an Exhibition 'CGGANDHIPEX 2013' on 20th October 2013 at Raipur. Stamps, Coins and other items releted to Mahatma Gandhi were displayed in the exhibition. On this occasion a Special Cover on Dandhi March was also released.

Special Cover issued to mark 150th Anniversary of State Bank of India, Kozhikode Branch – 15th October 2013.

The Kozhikode main branch of the State Bank of India, the first bank in Malabar region, which was originally established as The Bank of Madras, is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

The Bank of Madras was established in 1843 to facilitate the financial administration of the Madras Presidency. The Bank of Madras started its operations at Kozhikode on 15th October, 1863, following the decision of its Board to open the first branch in the Malabar. After the Swadeshi movement affected the business of the Presidency banks, all the three banks, the Bank of Madras, Bank of Bombay and Bank of Calcutta were amalgamated and the Imperial Bank of India was formed in 1921. The Imperial Bank was nationalized in 1955 and became State Bank of India.

A special cover was released on 15th October 2013 to mark 150 years of the Kozhikode branch of State Bank of India.

Courtesy: Sreejesh Krishnan, Thiruvananthapuram

Special Cancellation on Vijaya Dashmi Durga Pooja at Gorakhpur - 14th October 2013.

A Special Cancellation issued on the occasion of Vijaya Dashmi Durga Pooja at Gorakhpur by Gorakhpur Postal Division on 14th October 2013.

Courtesy: Aswani Dubey, Gorakhpur

India Post Launches ‘Instant Cash’ International Money Transfer Service. Signs Agreement with Wall Street Exchange to offer the Service Across India.

India Post (Department of Posts) has signed an agreement with Wall Street Exchange (a company of the Emirates Post Group of UAE) for launch of an International Electronic Money Transfer service through ‘Instant Cash’ product of the Emirates Post Group.

The service was launched recently by Ms. P. Gopinath, Secretary, Department of Posts, by receiving the first payment from United Arab Emirates at a function organized by her Department for signing the tie-up between the Department of Posts and the Emirates Post Group. The service will be rolled out nationally in a phased manner and will be made available at approximately 17,500 post offices across India by next month. The service will be provided through the International Financial System (IFS) of Universal Postal Union. This tie-up offers the Indian diaspora worldwide - especially in the gulf region - a safe, secure and reliable money transfer service for their families back home. This new service has its own significance going by the fact that globally, India is the largest recipient of remittances with over USD70 billion annually, half of which come from the Gulf.

‘Instant Cash’ is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Emirates Post Group, and its services are available in 59 countries through more than 60,000 locations. They provide instant money transfer service so that the money is available to the customers within minutes of completing the transaction.

The salient features of the service are as follows:

• Recipients will be able to receive their payment at any of the identified 17,500 post offices by producing the unique transaction number along with their identity and KYC documents;
• Money will be available for payment immediately;
• Safe and secure transactions through established International Financial System of Universal Postal Union.

India Post is the largest postal network in the world and has completed 158 years of existence. During this long journey it has undergone continuous transformation according to the needs of the citizens. It boasts a network of 1.55 lakh Post Offices in the country, of which more than 1.39 lakh are in the rural area. Besides mail, it also provides various financial services like small savings instruments under Post Office Savings Bank and Money Remittance, both domestic and international.

Courtesy: PIB

Special Cover on Mahatma Gandhi issued at Lucknow - 12th October 2013.

A Special Cover was issued on Mahatma Gandhi at Lucknow G.P.O. on 12th October 2013 to mark Philately Day and philatelic exhibition 'AHIMSAPEX-2013', a two day philatelic exhibition organised on Mahatama Gandhi and Freedom Fighters at Lucknow.

Courtesy: Rainbow Stamp Club

Special Cover on ‘Save the Earth’ released on Philately Day at Mumbai – 12th October 2013.

As part of National Postal Week celebrations program, 12th October 2013 was celebrated as "Philately Day" & "Save the Earth". Shri Jayant Kumar Bhantia IAS, Chief Secretary Government of Maharashtra was the Chief Guest on the occasion. A special cover on "Save the Earth" was released by Shri. Jayant Kumar Bhantia IAS to mark the Day. Tree plantation was also arranged in the premises of Mumbai G.P.O on the occasion.

Miniature Sheet on Mahatma Gandhi issued on Philately Day - 12th Oct. 2013.

India Post issued a Miniature Sheet on Mahatma Gandhi in denomination of Rs. 20 on 12th October 2013, on the occasion of Philately Day.

Courtesy: Sreejesh Krishnan, Thiruvananthapuram

Special cover on 50 Years of Textile Committee - 11th October 2013.

Textiles Committee Act, 1963 which received the President's assent on 3rd December, 1963 and was published in the Gazette of India on December 4, 1963. The Textiles Committee, as an organisation, started functioning from 22nd August, 1964. The Textiles Committee is a statutory body with perpetual succession and is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The Textiles Committee's main objective is to ensure the quality of textiles and textile machinery both for internal consumption and export purposes.

Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Textile Committee was held at Prabhadevi, Mumbai on 11th October 2013. Hon'ble Shri. K S Rao, Union Minister of Textile was the Chief Guest on the occasion and Ms. Panabaka Laxmi, Union Minister for State for Textile was the Guest of Honour. As part of Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Textile Committee a Special Cover was released on the occasion by Shri. K S Rao, Union Minister of Textile. Col. K. C. Mishra, Chief Postmaster General of Maharashtra and Goa represented India Post for the occasion.

Cover Courtesy: Jigar Desai, Mumbai

Philatelic Exhibition at Thiruvananthapuram - 10th Oct. 2013.

In connection with National Postal Day a mini philatelic exhibition was organised at Thiruvananthapuram G.P.O., in association with Ananthapuri Philatelic Association from 10th October 2013. Exhibits on postal history and postal services were on display from the begining of Postal services and communication, like, megha sandesha, letter writing by shakunthala to latest services of India Post. Exhibition also highlighted 125th anniversary of First issues of Travancore Anchal Stamps. The first stamps of Travancore Anchal issued on 16.10.1888 in 3 denominations of 1 Chakram, 2 Chakrams and 4 Chakrams.

Courtesy: P. Mohanachandran Nair & Sreejesh Krishnan, Thiruvananthapuram

Army Cover to mark Diamond Jubilee of Air Force Station Begumpet - 8th Oct. 2013.

Army Postal Service issued Army Cover to mark Diamond Jubilee of Air Force Station Begumpet (1951-2011) on 8th October 2013.

History of Begumpet Airport dates back to the early 30s when the Hyderabad Aero Club was formed and it became the airfield for Nizam of Hyderabad's aircraft. The airport was further developed with the provision of a proper airport terminal building in 1937. During the Second World War, the flying club was taken over by the RAF for its training purposes and No.1 Elementary Flying Training School was soon established. In Oct 1951, No.1 Air Force Academy moved to Begumpet from Ambala and flying training commenced under the Indian Air Force Management once again. In 1956, the AFA, now redesignated as Air Force College moved out of Begumpet, and the station was named "Air Force Station, Hyderabad".

Cover Courtesy: Vijay Seth, New Delhi

Special cover on wildlife conservation issued at Bhopal - 7th October 2013.

Wildlife Conservation Week was observed in the state of Madhya Pradesh from 1st to 7th October, 2013 to create awareness about wildlife Conservation among people. Various competitions were held during the wildlife conservation week and its concluding ceremony was organized at Van Vihar National Park on 7th October 2013. During the function Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, Anthony De Sa unveiled a special cover issued by postal department on wildlife conservation. A tigress protected in the state with her four cubs has been displayed on the special cover.

Courtesy: Ankit Agrawal, Pune

Special cover to mark 50 Years Celebrations of Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad - 6th October 2013.

Nehru Zoological Park, also known as Hyderabad Zoo or Zoo Park, is located near Mir Alam Tank in Hyderabad. It is one of the most visited destinations in Hyderabad. It was opened to the public on 6 October 1963. The Nehru Zoological Park is run by forest department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and is named after the first prime minister of the country, Jawaharlal Nehru. The zoo occupies 380 acres are and nearly 100 species of birds, animals and reptiles are housed at the zoo, including indigenous animals.

Nehru Zoological Park completed 50 glorious years of its establishment. And on this event, Zoo Park had planned Golden Jubilee celebrations from 6th - 10th October, 2013 as Zootsav. The program was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N. Kiran Kumar Reddy. He also released a Special Cover on Golden Jubilee soon after the inaugural function.

Courtesy: Sreejesh Krishnan, Thiruvananthapuram

Maxim Cards on Wild Flowers of India

A set of 12 beautiful Maxim Cards on Wild Flowers of India prepared by a philatelist from Thiruvananthapuram. Please contact Mr. John Emanuel Boben, Email: annakutty.03@gmail.com (M) +919495059324 or Mr. Sreejesh, Email: sreejesh.nt@gmail.com (M) +919400423402 for more information.

Courtesy: Sreejesh Krishnan, Thiruvananthapuram

Special Cancellation on World Animal Day at Gorakhpur - 4th October 2013

A Special Cancellation issued on the occasion of World Animal Day at Gorakhpur by Gorakhpur Postal Division on 4th October 2013.

World Animal Day is celebrated each year on 4th October. It started in Florence, Italy in 1931 at a convention of ecologists. On this day, animal life in all its forms is celebrated, and special events are planned in locations all over the globe. The 4th of October was originally chosen for World Animal Day because it is the feast day of Francis of Assisi, a nature lover and patron saint of animals and the environment. Numerous churches throughout the world observe the Sunday closest to October the 4th with a Blessing of the Animals.

Courtesy: Aswani Dubey, Gorakhpur

Special Cancellation on Mahatma Gandhi at Gorakhpur - 2nd October 2013

A Special Cancellation was issued on Mahatama Gandhi at Gorakhpur on 2nd October 2013. Alok Ojha, S.S.P(Post) Gorakhpur Region released the cancellation. A stamp exhibition was also organised on Mahatma Gandhi from 1 - 2 October 2013 to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti.

Courtesy: Aswani Dubey, Gorakhpur

Exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi at Bangalore - 2nd to 31st October 2013

As a tribute to the "Father of the Nation", Bangalore Metro Rail and Department of Posts, Bangalore in assistance with Karnataka Philatelic Society, Bangalore has organised an exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi at the Exhibition hall, Basement of Mahatma Gandhi Railway Station, M. G. Road, Bangalore 560 001 from 2nd October to 31st October 2013. Philatelic collections on Mahatma Gandhi, photographs and literature on Mahatma Gandhi are exhibited in the exhibition. Department of Post also opened a special counter at the venue. Exhibition will remain open from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. Entry is free.

For more details contact: karnatakaphilatelicsociety@gmail.com

Courtesy: Mani M. Krishnan

Special Cover issued to mark 100 years of Mahila Seva Samaja, Bangalore – 1st October 2013.

Mahila Seva Samaja was established in 1913. It is a registered society incorporated in 1914 under The Mysore Societies Regulation No. III of 1904. Founder of Mahila Seva Samaja was Smt. Parvatiamma Chandrashekar Iyer. The founding members of Seva Samaja works for the upliftment of destitute women. Mahila Seva Samaja has blossomed into an educational institution that inculcates a tradition of selfless service and imparts education which inspires practical action throughout life.

To mark 100 years celebrations of Mahila Seva Samaja, a special cover was issued at Bangalore on 1st October 2013.

Courtesy: Rainbow Stamp Club

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