News : February 2018

Surpex-2018, District Level Philatelic Exhibition – 23rd and 24th February 2018.

A district level philatelic exhibition ‘Surpex-2018’ was held at Surat on 23rd and 24th February 2018. Exhibition was inaugurated by Shri Satish Sharma, Police Commissioner of Surat. During the exhibition three special covers were released.

Special Cover on Prem Prakash Panth – 23rd February 2018.

Prem Prakash Panth is among the most progressive religious faith of Sindhis of recent times. This religious panth was established by famous saint of Sindh Swami Teoonram ji Maharaj in 1887 at Tando Adam in Nawabshah district of Sindh, presently part of Pakistan.

A Special Cover was released on Prem Prakash Panth on 23rd February 2018.

Special Cover on ‘Karuna’ for animal in distress – 23rd February 2018.

“Karuna” was founded by Mr. Arvind Shah to help distressed animals from agony in 1999. “Karuna” for animals in distress, is a non profit-non governmental charity organization working for the benefit of mute & innocent animals. The NGO is involved in a wide spectrum of animal welfare activities, having more concentration on Free onsite medical and surgical treatments for strays. On an average 250 animals get benefited by this service per day through “karuna” Mobile clinics in areas of Mumbai like Mulund, Thane, Virar, Andheri and Surat. The organization makes concrete efforts for rescue and treatment of animals in trouble.

A Special Cover on Karuna NGO was released on 23rd February 2018.

Special Cover on Surat Smart City – 24th February 2018.

Surat is one of the most dynamic city of India with one of the fastest growth rate due to immigration from various part of Gujarat and other states of India. Surat is the 8th largest city of India in terms of population and largest in non-capital cities. As per city mayor’s foundation report, Surat is the 4th fastest growing city globally.

Smart city Mission was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 25 June, 2015. Surat city was selected among 100 cities to be developed as smart city in India due to various achievements, initiatives and all inclusive approach. Surat Municipal Corporation ranked 4th among 20 winning cities in India in 2017.

A Special Cover was released on Surat Smart City on 24th February 2018.

Courtesy: Timir Shah, Vadodara

Special Cover on 32nd All India Postal Badminton Tournament (2017-18) – 19th February 2018.

The five-day All India Postal Badminton Tournament 2017-18, hosted by Bihar postal circle, was held at Pataliputra Sports Complex, Kankerbagh, Patna from 19th to 23rd February 2018. Over 140 participants from 18 postal circles took part in the Tournament.

A Special Cover was released to commemorate 32nd All India Postal Badminton Tournament (2017-18) on 19th February 2018 at Patna. (Special Cover Approval No. BH/06/FEB/2018).

Courtesy: Lalit K Mishra, Patna

Special Cover on Shree Bahubaliswamy Mahamasthakabisheka Mahotsava - 17th February 2018.

The word Mahamasthakabhisheka is a combination of three words viz: Maha (great), Masthaka (head) and Abhisheka (anointing) which literally means ‘the head anointing ceremony’. Unlike the other idols the ceremony is called Mahamasthakabhisheka and not Masthakabhisheka. This is because the ceremony is performed only once in 12 years on the contrary the abhisheka to the Gommata idol at Gommatagiri is performed every year. The earliest one on record took place in 1398 A.D. and the latest in 2006 A.D.

On the occasion of grand inauguration of Mahamastakabhishek of Gomateshwara Bahubaliswamy, a special cover was released on 17th Feb. 2018 at Shravanabelagola. The Special Cover was released by the holy hands of Pujya Bhattarak Charukirti Swamiji, head of Shrikhetra Sravanabelgola. Jainism Philately Group was instrumental in release of this cover and it’s Karnataka State Convenor Mr. Mahaveer Kundur has designed the Special Cover and cancelation. (Special Cover Approval No. KTK/11/2018).

Special Cover is available with JPG member Mr. Kiran Upadhye (email: brahmakiran@gmail.com).

Courtesy: Sudhir Jain, Satna

Special Cover on 40th Biennial All India Conference - 10th February 2018.

The All India Association of Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents Posts (AIAIASP) was registered under Trade Union Registration No. 2595 dated 22.03.1980. The association, consisting of 4011 members, is functioning with the sole objective of protecting the legitimate interests of its members throughout the country. Its aim is to safe guard and promote the common services interest, rights and privileges of members. It claims to work in the interest of country, department and society. This is the only association representing the entire cadre with hundred percent membership and it is duly recognized by the Department of Posts.

On the occasion of 40th Biennial All India Conference of the All India Association of Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents Posts, a Special Cover was released on 10th February 2018 at Rajgir (Bihar). (Special Cover Approval No. BH / 05 /FEB /2018).

Courtesy: Lalit K Mishra, Patna

Special Cover on The Heritage Buildings of Allahabad – Anand Bhawan – 6th February 2018.

A Special Cover was released on 6th February 2018 on The Heritage Buildings of Allahabad - Anand Bhawan at Allahabad. The cover was released by Chief Guest for the occasion Dr. Ravi Kiron, Director Anand Bhawan, Mr. M. U. Abdali, Postmaster General, Mr. S. K. Rai, Director Postal Services, Mr. Subodh Pratap Singh, SSPO and Mr. Pramod Kumar Bansal, President of Prayag Philatelic Society. The Special Cover was issued by Prayag Philatelic Society.

The Anand Bhawan is a historic house museum in Allahabad, focusing on the Nehru Family. It was constructed by Indian political leader Motilal Nehru in the 1930s to serve as the residence of the Nehru family when the original mansion Swaraj Bhawan (previously called Anand Bhawan) was transformed into the local headquarters of the Indian National Congress. Jawahar Planetarium, the planetarium is situated here, which has been striving to inculcate scientific temper among masses through its sky shows on astronomy and science. Anand Bhawan was donated to Indian government in 1970 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the granddaughter of Motilal Nehru and daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Courtesy: Rahul Ganguly, Allahabad

Champex-2018 Philatelic Exhibition and Special Covers – 3rd & 4th February 2018.

In the background of Champaran Satyagraha Centenary, Champex - 2018 philatelic exhibition was organized on 3rd and 4th February 2018 at Motihari, divisional head quarter of East Champaran district of Bihar.

On 3rd February two special covers were issued. The first cover and cancellation feature the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Pillar. The foundation stone of the pillar was laid on June 10, 1972.The Champaran Satyagrah of 1917 was a bold experiment with Truth and Ahimsa. The 48 ft tall memorial pillar, designed by Nandalal Bose, is made of Chunar stone and stands exactly on the place where Gandhiji was produced before the Sub Divisional Magistrate on April 18, 1917 for violating prohibitory orders on connection with his nonviolent struggle for indigo peasant against the Britishers. (Special Cover Approval No. BH/02/FEB/2018).

The second cover feature the Radhakrishna Sikaria Educational, Social & Spiritual Institution, Motihari. (Special Cover Approval No. BH-04/FEB/2018).

The special cover and cancellation issued on 4th February features the Kesaria Stupa. This is the tallest stupa in the world. Rising to a height of 104 ft with diameter of 1400 ft, it is one ft taller that than the Borobodur stupa. (Special Cover Approval No BH/03/FEB/2018).

During the exhibition four picture postcards were released.

Courtesy: Lalit K Mishra, Patna