tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46575610786037709932024-03-13T06:52:51.518-04:00Better PhilatelyPhilatelic services and organization of philately needs to improve across various countries. Some posts could also provide interesting information and my analysis of philatelic products.Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-24934471653559183932020-08-23T15:16:00.000-04:002020-08-23T15:16:08.608-04:00BetterPhilately Wishlist for India Post Stamps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Update (23 Aug 2020): A few minor things added and updated below.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: orange;">Update (02 Feb 2020): Some more stamps from my wish list have been issued over the last few months. I've also added a few more subjects that I believe deserve to be commemorated on India Post stamps.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: magenta;">Update (08 Sep 2019): Some of the stamps on my wish list have been issued recently. I've added some more subjects and details that I hope are considered when finalizing the stamp issues over the next few years.</span><br />
<br />
Update (23 Jun 2019): I've been making minor updates to this list. A few of the stamps on the wish list have been getting approved, so that's a cool thing. I'm hoping India Post takes input from stamp collectors in building out the stamp issue program for the next several years and keeps the average cost for collectors somewhat manageable.<br />
<br />
Original Post (04 Oct 2018): This post will be a source to aggregate stamp subject suggestions or ideas that India Post can use to design stamp programs for future years. I have posted some of this information in couple of other posts and on the twitter feed as well. The list is simply organized by year, and separately lists some other personalities, events and themes that I'd like to see being issued as postal stamps. Feel free to leave your ideas in the comments section below. When I make modifications, those will all be mentioned at the bottom of this post.<br />
<br />
<b>2018</b><br />
19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche<br />
Acharya Bodhidharma<br />
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (Approved)<br />
Chandrakant T. Patel<br />
Dhanraj Bhagat<br />
L. L. Narayan<br />
Laxmanrao Inamdar<br />
Ramanand Sagar<br />
Sikander Bhakt<br />
Srimant Sankardev<br />
Vinda Karandikar<br />
<div>
<br />
100 Years of Kheda Movement<br />
100 Years of Sabarmati Ashram<br />
The Maihar Band (100 Years)<br />
The Yoga Institute, Mumbai (100 Years)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>2019</b><br />
Amrita Pritam<br />
Chandrashekhar Saraswati Mahaperiyavar<br />
I. K. Gujral<br />
Kasturba Gandhi (75th Death Anniversary)<br />
Maharani Gayatri Devi<br />
Maniram Dewan<br />
Raja Todarmal<br />
Rana Kumbha (600th Birth Anniversary)<br />
Shivmangal Singh Suman<br />
Sudhir Phadke<br />
Vijaya Raje Scindia <span style="color: magenta;">(Approved)</span><br />
<br />
50 Years of Rajdhani Express<br />
Auckland House School, Shimla<br />
CMC Ludhiana<br />
High Court of Punjab & Haryana Centenary<br />
ISRO - Golden Jubilee (Magalyaan, Chandrayan and Vikram Sarabhai)<br />
La Martiniere Girls’ College, Lucknow (150 Years)<br />
Margazhi Music Season (Brahma & Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabhas)<br />
Rajkumar College, Rajkot (150 Years)<br />
<div>
Sherwood College, Nainital</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>2020</b><br />
Pandurang Shastri Athavle<br />
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman<br />
36th International Geological Congress<br />
Modern School, New Delhi<br />
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee<br /><br />
<b>2021</b><br />
75 Years of India's Independence<br />
India-Bangladesh: Joint Issue (50 & 75 Years of Independence)</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Army War College, Mhow</span><br />
<br />
<b>Other Events & Organizations</b><br />
Bishop Cotton School, Bengaluru<br />
<div>
Bombay Scottish School, Mumbai</div>
Dayalbagh<br />
Gir Wildlife Sanctuary<br />
<br />
<div>
<b>Thematic Issues</b></div>
<b>Ancient Universities</b> - Nalanda, Vikramshila, Takshashila, Odantapuri, Vallabhi, Nagarjunkonda<br />
Architecture<br />
Art & Culture<br />
<b>Caves </b>- Ajanta, Borra, Ellora, Elephanta, Kanheri, Badami, Bhimbhetka, Kandagiri, Undavalli, Udayagiri<br />
Dams and Reservoirs<br />
<b>Famous Libraries</b> - Allahabad Public, Saraswathi Mahal, Amar Mahal, Asiatic Society Mumbai, Goa, Kerala, Karnataka and Telangana State Central libraries<br />
<b>Festivals</b> - Kullu Dussehra, Holi, Chhath Festival, Janmashtami (Krishna Jayanti), Baisakhi, Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Utsav, Eid Mubarak<br />
<b>Horses</b> - Spiti and Kati<br />
<b>Indian Lakes</b> - Bhoj Tal, Chilika, Dal Lake, Damdama, Hussain Sagar, Loktak, Naini Tal, Nal Sarovar, Pichola, Pushkar Lake, Sambhar, Suraj Tal, Vembanad, Wular<br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><b>Indian Perfumes</b> - Musk, Saffron, Khus, Kewra, Vetiver, Champa</span><br />
Indian Traditions<br />
<b>Joint Stamp Issues</b> with Australia, Bhutan, Germany, Nigeria, Oman, Switzerland, UK, UAE, USA<br />
Jyotirlinga Temples (12 designs)<br />
<b>Landmark Bridges</b> - Dhola Sadiya, Bogibeel<br />
<b>Luxury Trains</b> - Palace on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, Golden Chariot, Maharajas Express<br />
<b>Master Healers of AYUSH</b> - Rajendra Lal Dutta, <span style="color: magenta;">P. S. Varier</span><span style="color: orange;">, B. K. S. Iyengar</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><b>Medicinal Flowers of AYUSH -</b> Saffron, Rose, Marigold, Violet, Avaram Senna, Hibiscus, Jasmine, Thumba, Neelkamal, Nagchampa, Palash, Sahijana (Drumstick)</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">Musical Instruments</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Museums of India - <span style="color: orange;">Napier Museum, Bhau Daji Lad Museum, National Rail Museum, CSM Vastu Sangrahalaya, Gass Forest Museum, Watson Museum</span><br />
<b>Natural Heritage</b> - National Parks and Tiger Reserves<br />
<b>Post Office Heritage Buildings</b> - <span style="color: magenta;">Patna GPO, Bhagalpur HPO, PTC Darbhanga, Mandi HPO, Panaji HPO, Amritsar HPO, Darjeeling HPO, Varanasi HPO, Circle Offices in Bengaluru, Lucknow and Trivandrum</span><br />
Railway Bridges - <span style="color: orange;">Godavari Arch Bridge, Vembanad Bridge, Farakka Barrage, Digha-Sonpur Bridge</span><br />
Railway Station Buildings<br />
<b>Social Causes</b> - Blood donation, Organ donation, Heart health, Child safety, Prevent child mortality, Epilepsy awareness<br />
<b>Textiles</b> - Chanderi, Maheshwari, Paithani, Jamdani, Kota, Sambalpuri, Angami Weaves, Tat<br />
<b>Toy Trains </b>- Neral Matheran Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway<br />
<br />
<b>Other Personalities</b><br />
Ashok Singhal<br />
Babasaheb Apte<br />
Banda Singh Bahadur<br />
B. D. Jatti<br />
Balasaheb Thackarey<br />
Balasheb Deoras<br />
Balraj Madhok<br />
Chinmayananda Saraswati<br />
Dattopant Thengadi <span style="color: #cc0000;">(approved)</span><br />
Dadu Dayal<br />
Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy<br />
Dayanand Saraswati<br />
Eknath Ranade<br />
Gopal Swarup Pathak<br />
Ghulam Sarwar<br />
J. Jayalalithaa<br />
Kaka Hathrasi<br />
Kesahavdas<br />
K. R. Narayanan<br />
Khushabhau Thakre<br />
Madhukar Rao Bhagwat<br />
Madhvacharya<br />
Makhanlal Chaturvedi<br />
Marnopant Pingley<br />
Mohammad Hidayatullah<br />
M. S. Golwalkar<br />
Nimbakacharya<br />
N. Sanjeeva Reddy<br />
P. V. Narasimha Rao <span style="color: #cc0000;">(approved)</span><br />
Pandurang Kane<br />
Rajendra Singh<br />
Ramchandra Das Paramhans<br />
Raskhan<br />
Sachchidananda Vatsyayan 'Agyeya'<br />
Satguru Ram Singh<br />
Shivmangal Singh Suman<br />
Sita Ram Goel<br />
Siyaram Sharan Gupt<br />
Swami Abhedananda<br />
Swaraj P. Gupta<br />
V. P. Singh<br />
Jnanpith Award Winners<br />
Cartoonists - Sudhir Pillai, Abu Abhraham, Mario Miranda<br />
Musicians/Singers - G. M. Durrani, Mahendra Kapoor, P. B. Sreenivas<br />
<br />
<b>Issued by India Post</b><br />
150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (02 Oct 2018)<br />
200 Years of Paika Rebellion (24 Dec 2018)<br />
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (Special definitive on 25 Dec 2018)<br />
Mahamati Prannath (25 Jan 2019)<br />
Vedanta Desikan (01 May 2019)<br />
Jallianwala Bagh Incident Centenary (13 Apr 2019)<br />
Maharshi Mahesh Yogi (30 Aug 2019)<br />
Master Healers of AYUSH - Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Vaidya Shastri Shankar Daji Pade, Vaidya Bhaskara Vishwanath Gokhale, Vaidyabhushanam K Raghavan Thirumulpad, Rajvaidya Shri Brihaspati Dev Triguna, Swami Kuvalayananda, Hakim Md. Abdul Aziz Lakhnawi, Vaidya Yadavji Trikamji Acharya, Dr. Dinshaw Mehta, T. V. Sambasivam Pillai (30 Aug 2019)<br />
Accessible Elections (Election Commission) (MyStamp 13 Apr 2019)<br />
Queen Heo Hwang-ok - Suriratna (30 Jul 2019)<br />
<span style="color: orange;">International Labor Organization Centenary (22 Jan 2020)</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">50th International Film Festival of India (MyStamp 20 Nov 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (1869-2019) (02 Oct 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">50 Years of Commercial Nuclear Power – Tarapur (MyStamp 28 Nov 2019)</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: orange;">Doordarshan (60 Years) (MyStamp 16 Sep 2019)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange;">Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh (08 Oct 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">Guru Nanak Dev (550th Parkash Utsav) (09 Nov 2019)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange;">Blood donation (Apollo Hospitals MyStamp 2019)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange;">ASSOCHAM (MyStamp 20 Dec 2019)</span></div><div><span><span style="color: magenta;">Conference of the Parties to Convention on Migratory Species </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">(MyStamp 17 Feb 2020)</span><br style="color: black;" /></span></div>
</div>
Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-76688782524997598492020-08-23T15:15:00.000-04:002020-08-23T15:15:56.408-04:00India Post Approved & Pending Stamp Proposals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Update (23 Aug 2020): Added new updates below.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: orange;">Update (02 Feb 2020): Added new updates below.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: magenta;">Update (07 Sep 2019): Added updates for pending, approved and recently issued stamps. </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Update (15 Jan 2019): Now showing the stamps on Greeting (2001) as issued in 2001 itself. Blog reader had pointed out, and I'm in agreement with the suggestion.</span><br />
<br />
Update (05 Jan 2019): Added the list of approved stamps (2017-19) from the last PAC meeting of India Post in 2017. Many of the approved subjects were issued in 2017 and 2018, but the remaining subjects could be used for issuance in 2019 and beyond. I've included stamps on Jamshedpur and CIPET that were recently approved as well.<br />
<br />
Original Post: I will post details for stamp subjects and proposals that have been submitted to India Post over the last two decades. This can be used as a source to track approved stamp subjects and dead issues.<br />
<br />
<b>Stamp Issues Approved, but Not Released</b><br />
2001<br />
Set of 4 stamps on Dances of India<br />
Set of 4 stamps on Hitopadesha and Jataka Tales (Approved)<br />
<br />
2005<br />
India-Oman Joint Issue<br />
SAARC Charter Day<br />
<br />
2006<br />
Himalayan Lakes – Loktak, Suraj Tal, Naini Tal<br />
Landmark Bridges – Coronation Bridge, Kandrour Bridge, Laxman Jhula, Godavari Bridge<br />
Pramathesh Barua<br />
<br />
2007<br />
Battaqh Ali Ansari<br />
<br />
2008<br />
Festivals of India – Kulu Dussehra<br />
Infantry Soldier – Year of Infantry<br />
Jammu & Kashmir Light Regiment<br />
Maulana Atikur Rehman Alvi<br />
Mahanamrata Brahmachari<br />
<br />
2009<br />
Architectural Splendor – Ujjayanta Palace, Patwon ki Haveli, Mattancherry Palace<br />
Buddha Jayanti<br />
Caves (Tracing Civilizations) – Bhimbetka, Barabar, Udaigiri, Nagarjuna<br />
Children’s Fables – Vikram & Betal, Mogli, Tenali Rama, Birbal<br />
Hill Stations (Colonial Heritage) – Gulmarg, Darjeeling, Ooty, Shimla<br />
Endangered Species – Ganges River Dolphin, Nilgiri Tahr, Lion Tailed Macaque, Himalayan Musk Deer<br />
Greetings – Christmas, New Year<br />
House Boats – Kerala, Kashmir<br />
National Gallery of Modern Art<br />
Seasons of India<br />
Shakti Temples – Kalighat, Meenakshi, Vaishno Devi, Kamakhya (Approved)<br />
Unique Villages of India – Toda, Kutch<br />
UN Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities<br />
<br />
2012<br />
Asiatic Black Bear and other wild animals (Set of 4 stamps)<br />
Boats of India (Set of 4 stamps)<br />
Flowers of India (Set of 2 stamps)<br />
Government College, Ajmer<br />
Railway Bridges of India (Set of 4 stamps)<br />
Traditional Embroideries of India - Chikankari, Kutchi, Kashmiri, Phulkari, Kantha<br />
Tribal Dwellings (Set of 4 stamps)<br />
<br />
2013<br />
Dr. Nilratan Sircar<br />
India-Peru Joint Issue<br />
South Asian Postal Union<br />
<br />
2014<br />
Machali, The Tigress<br />
<br />
2016-17<br />
Gaurishankar Govardhan Joshi 'Dhumketu' (Approved)<br />
Lala Thunthee Mull<br />
M. Balamuralikrishna<br />
Raja Todarmal<br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Sant Pipaji Maharaj<br />
Swami Karpatri Ji<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Aquaculture</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Birds: Endangered & Critically Endangered<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Boats of India<br />
Bridal Costumes of India</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Jataka Tales</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Mangalyan</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Mehandi (Lawsona inermis)<br />
Minerals of India<br />Palace on Wheels<br />
Puppets</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Shaktipeeth Temples<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">Tribes of India<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Wildlife – Flora & Fauna<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br />
2018-19<br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Acharya Bodhihdharma & Efflorescence of Zen Culture</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Acharya Konda Laxman Bapuji<br />
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat<br />
Dr. B. P. Radhakrishna<br />
Girdharilal Bhargava</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Pandit Savai Gandharva<br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Raja Jailal Singh</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Vijaya Raje Scindia</span></div>
<br />Aga Khan Foundation<br />
Eastern Naval Command (50 Years)<br />
HMS Minden & HMS Trincomalee (1810-1811)<br />
Induction of Pilatus PC-7 Mk II<br />
University of Mysore</div>
</div>
<br /></div>
<b>Pending Stamp Proposals</b><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: black;">2017 Proposals</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">All India Management Association</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Architectural Heritage of Pune</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Bangiya Sahitya Parishad</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Blue Star Limited</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">CMC Ludhiana</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Erani Martyrs</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Federation of Gujarat Industries</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (50 years)</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Guntur Municipality (150 years)</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Haifa Victory</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Institute of Company Secretaries of India</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Madras High Court Heritage Building (125 years)</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Musical Instruments (Paid by Datta Peetham)</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">National Commission for Women</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">National Housing Development Corporation</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Nilgiri Mountain Railway</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana (50 years)</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Rann Utsav</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Sangam (Prayagraj)</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">St. Michael High School, Patna</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">World Blood Donors Day</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">World Thalassemia Day</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: black;">2018 Proposals</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">36th International Geological Congress (IGC)</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">70 Years of Olympic Hockey Gold Medal</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Akhil Bharatvarshiya Jaiswal Jain Mahasabha</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Dhola Sadiya Bridge of Assam</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Epilepsy</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Golden Jubilee of Howrah Rajdhani Express</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Honey Bee</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Kolkata GPO</span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: black;">Queen Pineapple (Tripura)</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: magenta;">2019 Proposals</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">All Saint' College, Nainital (150th Anniversary)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Acharya Shanti Sagar Maharaj</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Dr. Rafiuddin Ahmed</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">I. K. Gujral (100th Anniversary)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">International Widows' Day</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (Bi-centenary)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">ISRO (50th Anniversary)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Kishori Das Vajpayee</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">La Martiniere Girls' College, Lucknow (150th Anniversary)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">M. S. Naicker</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Mysore V. Doraiswamy Iyengar</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Nadar Saraswathi Primary School, Theni</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">National Service Scheme (50th Anniversary)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Rao Jaimal Rathore</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Sherwood College, Nainital (150th Anniversary)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Shivakumara Swami Ji</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Thangasseri Fort, Kollam (500 Years)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Ustad Allarakha Khan (100th Anniversary)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Venkatarama Reddy (150th Anniversary)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Vikram Sarabhai (100th Anniversary)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Wazir Mohammad Hakla</span><br />
<br /><b>Stamps Eventually Issued</b><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">2001 - Set of 2 stamps on Greetings (Issued on 18 Dec 2001)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">2018 - Professor Ram Chand Paul (Issued on 06 Mar 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">2018 - Vedanta Desikan (Issued on 02 May 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">2018 - Aero India 2019 (Issued on 23 Feb 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">2018 - MyStamp - Accessible Elections (Karnataka CEO) (Issued on 13 Apr 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">2018 - Kumbh Mela 2019 (Issued on 02 Feb 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">2018 - Master Healers of AYUSH (Issued on 30 Aug 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">2018 - Central Institute of Plastics Technology and Engineering (Issued on 24 Jan 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">2016 - India's Participation in World War I (Issued on 20 Aug 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">2016 - Indian Perfumes (Issued on 01 Aug 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">2016-17 - Embroideries of India (Issued on 19 Dec 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">2018 - Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (Issued on 26 Dec 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">2018 - International Labor Organization (Issued on 22 Jan 2020)</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">2019 - The Samaja (Odia Daily) (Issued on 04 Oct 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">2019 - MyStamp - National Institute of Bank Management, Pune</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">2018 - MyStamp - 60 Years of Doordarshan (Issued on 16 Sep 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">2018-19 - Mathew M. Kuzhiveli (Issued on 22 Nov 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">2016-17 - Four Dhamas (Char Dham) (Issued on 29 Nov 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">2016-17 - Fragrant Stamps (Chocolate, Strawberry) (Issued on 01 Aug & 15 Oct 2019)</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">2016-17 - Historical Gates of India Forts (Issued on 19 Oct 2019)</span><br /><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">2018-19 - Jamshedpur (Issued on 17 Feb 2020)</span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">2016-17 - Musical Instruments (Issued on 25 Jun 2020)<br />2016-17 - Terracotta Temples of India (Issued on 08 Aug 2020)</span><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>Dead Stamp Issues</b><br />
O. P. Jindal<br />
Devaraj Urs<br />
Jyoti Basu<br />
Bhupesh Gupta</div>
Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-20580974386433556912020-08-16T09:30:00.000-04:002020-08-16T09:30:15.698-04:00Errors in UNESCO World Heritage Sites Stamps India 2020<p>I'm posting after a long break, but hope this will be a fresh start. During yesterday's Independence Day celebration, India Post issued a set of stamps (3rd in a series) on UNESCO world heritage sites. These stamps were intended to showcase selected cultural sites that have been inscribed on the list comprising over 1000 sites from around the world. Like previous 5-6 years of crowd-sourced stamp images, photographs were submitted by public through a competition on the MyGov platform. These competitions are typically being organized 1-2 months in advance of the actual stamp issuance, always delivering half baked designs. This particular stamp issue was no exception. </p><p>Total of five cultural sites were selected:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Churches and convents of Goa - Church of Bom Jesus</li><li>Historic city of Ahmadabad - Sarkhej Roza</li><li>Group of monuments at Pattadakal</li><li>Khajuraho group of monuments - Javari Temple</li><li>Qutb Minar and its monuments, Delhi</li></ol>Several elements are inconsistent and incorrect with these poorly designed stamps, and I request that India Post recall this stamp issue. Firstly, there are some gross errors in the stamp images. The stamp on Churches and convents of Goa shows an image of Se Cathedral, but describes it as Church of Bom Jesus. Information and images found on the internet clearly prove this is a mistake. Also, it's Basilica of Bom Jesus, not Church of Bom Jesus. Next is the stamp on Khajuraho temples. The stamp shows and image of Vamana temple, but is described as Javari temple. The second panel below clearly shows the difference between the two temples. Again, quick searches on the internet will be enough. <p></p><p>Third error is some what technical, so it may need further verification. Nomination documents for Historic city of Ahmadabad that can be found on UNESCO World heritage web site says that Sarkhej Roza is outside the nominated world heritage site property. Why was this shown on the stamp then?</p><p>Lastly, the stamps are so poorly designed. Low quality fonts were used and placements of the words are not even on all the stamps either. The stone wall shown on Khajuraho temple stamp could have been easily cropped to highlight the actual temple more. There was also no need to put Qutb Minar on a stamp again - it has already been seen on several previous postal stamps issued by India Post.</p><p>An overall disaster, this stamp issue should be immediately recalled and new images, whether crowd sourced or not, should be selected, errors rectified and printed. Not cool, India Post.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsfATQelztE3kV_yjEvbjvvbaf8waMUgQ7XfRu1b7ihHGZqihZvWONw1fcY1vrjfzl6dcO3Rf4YlAxx3dVEDv15QNIO0IKR77hokBWZA-8jvI9yk8CaViZTBR7VCoLJz9xpuWt_dlbV_g/s945/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="849" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsfATQelztE3kV_yjEvbjvvbaf8waMUgQ7XfRu1b7ihHGZqihZvWONw1fcY1vrjfzl6dcO3Rf4YlAxx3dVEDv15QNIO0IKR77hokBWZA-8jvI9yk8CaViZTBR7VCoLJz9xpuWt_dlbV_g/s640/Picture1.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EFGqDelqfNSSXJGtOF-6UEFlJw2c9jGcNmcnqBtlMpdgvvO_YdJJZlkq9LWWvYWjdlG2CQDBBM5MYOp9l3TdG0DSXz1e6rb_4Lk8voKVt08Fw7yZn9iw5HOsBbrF_tSRd2XL1nbwnvAo/s1107/Picture2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="947" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EFGqDelqfNSSXJGtOF-6UEFlJw2c9jGcNmcnqBtlMpdgvvO_YdJJZlkq9LWWvYWjdlG2CQDBBM5MYOp9l3TdG0DSXz1e6rb_4Lk8voKVt08Fw7yZn9iw5HOsBbrF_tSRd2XL1nbwnvAo/s640/Picture2.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNt4uatjSwc26ByaimN8k1SdBwT7vhi9FKnsod9FzDzs2K6GS2thu90wE1F3Ps5cEbr5Pe05vC_D6Tn4M0YYxX53oyIUWE3YUb4lQzpkm01bIIPMZLQw-3V5vV9fharjKXASLmsJ8-0FD/s1836/Picture3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1836" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNt4uatjSwc26ByaimN8k1SdBwT7vhi9FKnsod9FzDzs2K6GS2thu90wE1F3Ps5cEbr5Pe05vC_D6Tn4M0YYxX53oyIUWE3YUb4lQzpkm01bIIPMZLQw-3V5vV9fharjKXASLmsJ8-0FD/s640/Picture3.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjziAMHZZmrU0nMDIB8mgCJMaCuNIA968c11OByKiStRn63UBPESaoaRicbv4qLtGQy1f_-Fm1OHHgawD4hXcuMSUZ6k-E1DFeAs5UgnO_WFQ2hOyWoSuQ2xXRcHG1itfjuPyIdQAFKfUGo/s1080/1173930_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjziAMHZZmrU0nMDIB8mgCJMaCuNIA968c11OByKiStRn63UBPESaoaRicbv4qLtGQy1f_-Fm1OHHgawD4hXcuMSUZ6k-E1DFeAs5UgnO_WFQ2hOyWoSuQ2xXRcHG1itfjuPyIdQAFKfUGo/s640/1173930_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-81068968789740214262020-02-02T00:30:00.002-05:002020-02-02T01:15:11.487-05:00India Post 2020 - Stamp Releases and Designers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Coming Soon...</div>
Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-66469570898811228452020-02-02T00:29:00.003-05:002020-02-02T01:15:02.086-05:00India Post 2019 - Stamp Releases & Designers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Coming soon...</div>
Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-83965298317310746552020-02-02T00:28:00.001-05:002020-02-02T01:17:14.456-05:00India Post Stamp Release Updates (Jan-Jun 2020)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Coming soon...</div>
Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-38282221629082075592019-09-22T16:41:00.001-04:002020-02-02T01:14:46.173-05:00Gandhi 150: The Global Indian through Postal Stamps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Update on 22 Sep 2019: Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary celebrations were kicked of in October last year and will continue until late 2020, a two year long series of commemorative and remembrance events celebrating the father of India's independence movement. Several countries and philately companies are issuing postal stamps on Gandhi. I will update the list and also add pictures as more get added. Leave a comment if there's more information to share with fellow collectors.<br />
<br />
#Bapu150 #Mahatma150 #Gandhi150<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKfwG2agpZqOPab6oqCwiDCJdUia6OzJSj_cBN9fK8EOF2PO-RfF2XfDTukYnl03FErWzKKR1Sr8YvHdinGniHN0Uue00N-NIZE1PhnCyrvs8mAbHvAPitTKu7KYw8IAbtoCKASWf-vap/s1600/Picture1bapu150.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1565" data-original-width="1123" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKfwG2agpZqOPab6oqCwiDCJdUia6OzJSj_cBN9fK8EOF2PO-RfF2XfDTukYnl03FErWzKKR1Sr8YvHdinGniHN0Uue00N-NIZE1PhnCyrvs8mAbHvAPitTKu7KYw8IAbtoCKASWf-vap/s640/Picture1bapu150.png" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">List of Stamps issued on Mahatma Gandhi's 150th Birth Anniversary (1869-2019).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-69231969856280475282019-02-02T22:28:00.000-05:002020-02-02T01:14:26.908-05:00India Post Stamp Updates (Jan-Jun 2019)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #e69138;">Update (02 Feb 2019): Firstly, a list of stamps being issued in 2019 can now be found at the end of this post. I will keep adding new releases down below. The year began with the stamp release on CIPET Golden Jubilee by the Vice President of India at an event in Chennai (24th Jan). The stamp was very poorly designed, and is actually worse than the one on BRBRAITT (April 2017). </span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138;">MoS Communications dedicated the stamp on Mahamati Prannath the very next day in New Delhi. Prannath Ji was a spiritual leader in the 17th century. King Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand was among his followers. His 400th birth anniversary was celebrated in October 2018 and I'm assuming due to excessive number of stamp issues last year, this was moved out to this year. I'd have liked to see a full color image on the stamp, similar to the one on Sant Eknath (2003), but the designer chose muted pastel colors instead. The next two stamp issues provided much needed relief.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138;">Satish Gujral, a well known contemporary artist designed a stamp on Financial inclusion, which was issued by MoS Communications and the Finance Minster in the presence of Mr. Gujral on 30th Jan to celebrate 2 years of the launch of India Post Payments Bank. The stamp shows the artists' take on digital payments, and a postman delivering mail. It was a nice change from the mundane artwork of several artist that have been working with India Post for many decades.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138;">Soon after, on 2nd Feb, MoS Communications dedicated another stamp, this time on the on-going Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. I'm yet to confirm this, but the stamp was likely designed by Kamleshwar Singh and shows several aspects of the mega religious gathering like bathing in the holy Ganga, tent city, a pontoon bridge, a railway/road bridge, pilgrims and temples. I'm hoping all of the future stamp issues will have artists use such detailed research, original artwork and thoroughness.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138;">Commemorative stamps have been approved on Aero India 2019 (air show and expo in Bengaluru) and Professor Ram Chand Paul. I had informed collectors about the stamp on Paul in early December on Twitter. Somehow the stamp on Republic Day on nonviolence theme was not issued, and there's no clarity on the issue date. A customized MyStamp sheetlet was also issued by the Jharkhand government in mid-January showing Sohrai, a winter harvest and cattle festival.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Forthcoming Stamp Issues</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;">20-23 Feb - Aero India 2019</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;">28 Feb - Professor Ram Chand Paul</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Update (19 Jan 2019): Some stamp issues are lining up for issuance in January. The first one appears to be on 50 Years of Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology to be released on 24th January. It will be a Rs 41 stamp in sheets and miniature sheet formats. Next day, 25th January will see the stamp on Mahamati Prannath being released. It's likely the Republic Day crowdsourced stamps will be issued soon after as well. I've included the following stamp subjects in the list below: Children's Day, Independence Day and Republic Day. Will there be a stamp on Kastruba Gandhi's 75th death anniversary in February? </span><br />
<br />
Original Post (15 January 2019): Just beginning to build out the list of approved stamp subjects for the new year. It appears than India Post is continuing to use stamp subjects that were approved a couple of years back, especially the non-personality ones to plan new released. I actually don't mind this approach because it doesn't throw many surprises and relegate approved issues to the back burner. I know several stamp designers have been working on these remaining stamp subjects, so let's hope these come to light. On the other hand, stamps on personalities have been added as the years have gone by, with no particular bias toward the ruling federal government. It has generally been an even distribution for various states and types of personalities.<br />
<br />
I've seen some social media posts with a definitive stamp on Atal Bihari Vajpayee (Rupees 2) being sold in some post offices. This is a welcome move. The stamp was possibly released on 25th December 2018, but that's yet to be confirmed.<br />
<br />
Do share your thoughts about stamp subjects and releases for 2019. Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<u>Approved Stamp Subjects</u><br />
<u>Non-personality Stamp Issues</u><br />
Aquaculture</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Birds: Endangered & Critically Endangered<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Boats of India<br />
Bridal Costumes of India<br />
Four Dhamas (Char Dham)</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Fragrant Stamps (Chocolate, Strawberry, Fruits and Vegetables)<o:p></o:p><br />
Historical Gates of Indian Forts<br />
Indian Fashion (Series 2)</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Indian Perfumes</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Jataka Tales<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Mangalyan</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Mehandi (Lawsona inermis)<br />
Minerals of India<br />
Musical Instruments (Chimta, Dotara, Ektara, Khartal, Tumbi)<br />
Palace on Wheels<br />
Puppets</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Shaktipeeth Temples (Kalighat, Kamkhya, Meenakshi, Vaishno Devi)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Terracotta Temples of India<br />
Traditional Embroideries of India<br />
Tribes of India<br />
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Series 2)<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Wildlife – Flora & Fauna<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br />
Aga Khan Foundation<br />
Children's Day<br />
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (60 Years)<br />
Eastern Naval Command (50 Years)<br />
HMS Minden & HMS Trincomalee (1810-1811)<br />
Independence Day<br />
Jallianwala Bagh Incident Centenary<br />
Jamshedpur (India's First Industrial City)<br />
India’s Participation in World War I<br />
India-South Korea: Joint Stamp Issue<br />
Induction of Pilatus PC-7 Mk II<br />
Republic Day (Nonviolence/Ahimsa Parmo Dharma)<br />
University of Mysore</div>
<u><br /></u><u>Personalities</u><br />
Acharya Bodhihdharma & Efflorescence of Zen Culture</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Acharya Konda Laxman Bapuji<br />
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat<br />
Dr. B. P. Radhakrishna<br />
Gaurishankar Govardhan Joshi 'Dhumketu'<br />
Girdharilal Bhargava<br />
Guru Nanak Dev (550th Prakash Utsav)<br />
Lala Thunthee Mull<br />
M. Balamuralikrishna<br />
Mahatma Gandhi (150th Birth Anniversary)</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Pandit Savai Gandharva<br />
Raja Todarmal<br />
Sant Pipaji Maharaj<br />
Swami Karpatri Ji<br />
Vedanta Desikan<br />
<br />
<u>India Post Commemorative Stamp Issues 2019</u><br />
24 Jan - Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology<br />
25 Jan - Mahamati Prannath<br />
30 Jan - Financial Inclusion<br />
02 Feb - Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj<br />
19 Feb - IIT (BHU)<br />
23 Feb - Aero India 2019<br />
06 Mar - Ram Chand Paul<br />
09 Mar - Kubernath Rai</div>
</div>
Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-80065998746995885992019-01-23T01:46:00.000-05:002020-02-02T01:14:09.269-05:00India Post 2018 - Stamp Releases & Designers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Click on the images below to enlarge and right click to save.<br />
<br />
Update (23 Jan 2019): Details for India Post stamp issues from October to December 2018 was slow to trickle in, but it appears that design and printing information is now available. Print quantity for most of the stamp issues were increased to about 0.5 million, and only a couple of them were printed in smaller quantities (0.3 million). Stocks for all the stamp issues were generally available in the post offices, except some major delays from the printer (SPP, Hyderabad). India Post appears to have realized this issue late in the year and started indenting some issues with ISP Nashik as well. I truly hope CSP Kanpur and EPP/MSP Chennai, two private printers that supplied postal stamps until 2014, will be used again. It will not only improve supplies to post offices, but will improve paper and print quality and security features as well. Both these printers have superior printing equipment than the government presses. MyStamp lists with most of the print quantities are listed below as well. I've tried to verify the print quantity and designer info, but do let me know if there are any errors. I'll be happy to update.<br />
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Update (14 Oct 2018): I've finally managed to get around posting details for commemorative stamps and MyStamps issued by India Post from January until September. India Post's philately department was posting regular updates on social media until March this year and has gone completely missing since then and that has made finding print quantities and stamp artist information much difficult. Information brochures don't reach post offices in time to gather this either. Anyways, the tables below cover most of the year, but I will likely add a couple more updates, depending on the number of stamp issues in the last quarter of this year. Until then, enjoy.</div>
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Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-70362671120105402752019-01-20T21:21:00.000-05:002020-02-02T01:13:53.065-05:00India Post Stamps 2000-2018<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Update (20 Jan 2019): It had been a while since I'd updated this post, especially total number of India Post stamps etc from 2017 were still pending. Given the massive number of stamps and philatelic products, I was somewhat unsure about categorizing some of the stamps. The tally is finally complete, including last year, which was another blockbuster with 117 commemorative stamps. I've further expanded the MyStamp list to split personalize and customized/corporate MyStamp sheetlets. These products have been evolving over the last few years, and I thought it best to separate the two. If there's any confusion or clarification needed, please let me know in the comments below. Hope this list helps shed some light on the trends in India philately.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjU6JyeCVeLUmGqMHdD8kTo0d5RLpJ350JR75YdbtZq6k0U2ZHj_bF8I79WegfFwh_4n50noVsFL6Pv-BAO7HBGY2gA4V_v7V5Di68hZZ8TDAd7ZTmuso8aJkVIGeb0m7BPDHikTIA21F/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjU6JyeCVeLUmGqMHdD8kTo0d5RLpJ350JR75YdbtZq6k0U2ZHj_bF8I79WegfFwh_4n50noVsFL6Pv-BAO7HBGY2gA4V_v7V5Di68hZZ8TDAd7ZTmuso8aJkVIGeb0m7BPDHikTIA21F/s640/Picture1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Update (06 Feb 2017): Here's an update to the count of total commemorative/MyStamps, which now includes totals from 2016 as well. There was a huge increase in the cost of stamps and sheetlets issued last year along with the introduction of customized MyStamps sheetlets. Do check lists of <a href="http://www.betterphilately.com/2016/02/se-tenant-stamps-of-india.html">se-tenant stamps</a> and <a href="http://www.betterphilately.com/2016/03/mystamps-personalized-customized-stamps.html">MyStamps</a> for further details.<br />
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Update (15 May 2016): Given that so many MyStamp sheetlets have been released in 2016, it was considered prudent to separate MyStamp sheetlets. Pricing for MyStamps are not fixed so, the lowest known price will be included going forward.<br />
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Original Post (29 Jan 2016): Here's a count of commemorative and special postage stamps issues by India Post from 2000 to 2015. For the reader's reference the list also shows face value of the stamps. If there are errors in the list below, just leave a comment.<br />
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Note:<br />
1. Definitive stamps are not included.<br />
2. MyStamps have all been issued in Sheetlet format and are included in the Sheetlet count. Each MyStamp is valued at Rs 25 because that appears to be the most common retail price for these personalized/customized stamps.<br />
3. Each se-tenant stamp issue is counted only once (even if multiple se-tenants can be formed from a given issue). For e.g. Social & Political leaders stamp from 2000 was available in strip and block se-tenant formats, but is only counted as one.<br />
4. Souvenir sheets and Siamese Twin issues are included in Miniature sheets as well.<br />
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Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-38545632322026371842019-01-20T02:01:00.000-05:002020-02-02T01:13:37.959-05:00Se-tenant Stamps of India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Update (20 Jan 2019): Just wanted to update the se-tenant list of stamps to include issues from 2018. There were much fewer se-tenant stamp issues last year when compared with 2017. Two se-tenant commemorative stamps, one souvenir sheet (se-tenant of 4) and two MyStamp sheetlets with se-tenants were issued throughout the year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXm4HmgFww3mBut8JlSziAPKqZoXeD1l7S9jJBjH6C0qtFhV_hvDIQbIoGD1lyHOh6McQCg7tIS_c6SggynM1DyZ3TAXknbNapoxLezyj9HXo9Vq84bAoW81NBTWnMeLJELtPUET5sOYI/s1600/Picture1aa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXm4HmgFww3mBut8JlSziAPKqZoXeD1l7S9jJBjH6C0qtFhV_hvDIQbIoGD1lyHOh6McQCg7tIS_c6SggynM1DyZ3TAXknbNapoxLezyj9HXo9Vq84bAoW81NBTWnMeLJELtPUET5sOYI/s1600/Picture1aa.png" /></a></div>
Update (21 Jan 2018): I've got around to update this list as well. Last year (2017) was so huge, but this list was relatively easily compiled. There were 11 true se-tenant issues, majority of them issued as miniature sheets only. There were no separate fill panes for these stamps and thus they were considered as se-tenant stamps. Two stamps, Deekshabhoomi of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Banaras Hindu University were the only issues that were issued as se-tenant full sheets. Overall, it was a good year for se-tenant stamp collectors. Do check the formatting rules for the table below in the previous update.<br />
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Update (07 Jan 2017): An updated list of se-tenant stamps of India from 1974-2016 is being posted here. This list should serve as a basic reference for se-tenant stamp issues for Republic of India stamp collectors. Specialized se-tenant collections will need additional details, but that's beyond the scope of this blog post. A few minor changes have been made to the format of the list as well. The list is separated in a few sub-sections by the year of stamp issuance, 1970-1989 is divided by each decade (1970s, 1980s etc) and then year-wise from 1990 onward. <b>A quick break down for the 'format' column: Se-tenant implies a pair of 2 stamps, Se-tenant of 3 or higher could be in different formats such as vertical or horizontal strips, blocks etc.</b> All care has been taken to provide accurate information, but as always, if there are any errors, just leave a comment and it will be fixed.<br />
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A list of se-tenant stamps of India from 1974-2015 is posted here. This list should serve as a basic reference for se-tenant stamp issues for Republic of India stamp collectors. Specialized se-tenant collections will need additional details, but that's beyond the scope of this blog post. The list is separated in two main sections: 1970 to 2000 is divided by each decade (1970s, 1980s etc) and then year-wise from 2000 onward. A quick break down for the 'format' column: Se-tenant implies a pair of 2 stamps, Se-tenant of 3 or higher could be in different formats such as vertical or horizontal strips, blocks etc. All care has been taken to provide accurate information, but as always, if there are any errors, just leave a comment and it will be fixed.The total number of se-tenants should also correspond to the list in <a href="http://betterphilately.blogspot.com/2015/11/india-post-stamps-2000-2014.html">another post</a>.<br />
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Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-73169510715320777372019-01-20T01:45:00.000-05:002020-02-02T01:13:21.018-05:00MyStamps: Customized & Personalized Stamps of India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: purple;">Update (20 Jan 2019): It's time for another update to the MyStamp listing. In addition to listing all issues from 2018, I've been able to find print quantities for several more sheetlets. Like 2017, a large number of customized/corporate MyStamps were printed by India Post last year as well. This trend appears to continue even in 2019, but given the exorbitant cost to complete this collection, and Scott Catalog not listing the customized stamps, I'm not sure about purchasing all sheetlets this year. It would be best if India Post could make single MyStamp sets available for collectors. The Indian Journal of Ophthalmology MyStamp printed in 2017 is still nowhere to be seen and I haven't heard anything about its availability so far. Let me know if you'd like to see any other details or want to share other MyStamp information with fellow collectors.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggeMLFmXewHgqls5OIpVAWqly0yCNxzrauxs10gs393_YIfw5KteFCK86wLnoqCGKgvL8rROTsuo6Njo8jc73iDBoiLMWBzotq1nFG0ELBc6wlU61NXH1J1Q-Rg9VvejwWume7qfwP22k/s1600/Picture2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="737" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggeMLFmXewHgqls5OIpVAWqly0yCNxzrauxs10gs393_YIfw5KteFCK86wLnoqCGKgvL8rROTsuo6Njo8jc73iDBoiLMWBzotq1nFG0ELBc6wlU61NXH1J1Q-Rg9VvejwWume7qfwP22k/s640/Picture2.png" width="294" /></a></div>
Update (28 Jan 2018): Two things I should have pointed out earlier - one for the LIC MyStamp and another for Indian Journal of Ophthalmology MyStamps. The MyStamp on Life Insurance Corporation of India was released in 2016, but I've recently learned that LIC may have ordered another print of 8000 sheets in 2017. I will confirm this soon, but this is likely to have happened. The second mention is for the IJO MyStamp, which was printed in 2017, but never issued by the proponent. Given that the stamp has not been made available for purchase or no release event has occurred, I may wait until 2018 or later to include on the list of MyStamps. That's all. There are new MyStamp sheetlets already being released, but that discussion is for a later date.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">Update (21 Jan 2018): Given that most of the MyStamp issues from 2017 are known now, I've updated the list below. This past year saw further increase in the total number of MyStamp sheetlets put out by India Post, albeit one less personalized sheet when compared with 2016. Before I go further about some new things about the MyStamp issues from last year, let me make it clear that these are new and valid postal stamps and are likely to be part of a complete Republic of India collection. India Post is ripping off collectors by selling the sheets at such high premium. Now, for some new observations from 2017. The personalized sheet on Rose (issued on Valentines Day) had a floral fragrance embedded on the sheets, which was the first time on a MyStamp sheet. In order to celebrate Dr. MGR's birth centenary, Tamil Nadu state government ordered customized sheetlets for 4-5 events in various districts. The main stamps show monuments from these districts, but the blank label has an image of MGR. A complete collection of these sheets will be a good item for MGR fans. Yet another personality, second one after V. Ramakrishna in 2016, Banarsi Dass Gupta was depicted on a customized MyStamp sheet. Last point is about the design of MyStamps. Majority of these stamps were decently designed, but the Wedding wishes, Happy anniversary and Happy birthday stamps needed more thought than just printing in different fonts. I've started to collect data for print quantity of these stamps, which you can see below. If there is anything else that you'd like to share, let me know in the comments below.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2uhy1Zxxk5bgtf61W_qosxv2hs75NF5cyXTl6ZH2Fy6gTfcR5FHmC9D-09QbAjpXlTdvRT5TA-Df6OXNR65MrYa66hgIXyKpD1bgn8eSkNHWSnGw0UqcsNiF3o5S4lZepwf5zKCjP_px/s1600/Picture21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1046" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2uhy1Zxxk5bgtf61W_qosxv2hs75NF5cyXTl6ZH2Fy6gTfcR5FHmC9D-09QbAjpXlTdvRT5TA-Df6OXNR65MrYa66hgIXyKpD1bgn8eSkNHWSnGw0UqcsNiF3o5S4lZepwf5zKCjP_px/s200/Picture21.png" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on image to enlarge and right click to save</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Update (07 Jan 2017): The updated list of MyStamps for covering all of 2016 is posted below. In the last quarter of 2016, seven new MyStamp sheetlets were put for sale. Among them was the first MyStamp on a personality (V. Ramakrishna of KCP Limited, Chennai). Majority of the rest were corporate institutions, barring the one on World AIDS Day 2016. The MyStamp on ECGC and Indian School of Business was released by the President of India, the one on World AIDS Day 2016 by the Health Minister of India, V. Ramakrishna by the Urban Development Minister of India, National Insurance Company and State Bank of Mysore by the respective companies' leadership. </span><span style="color: #38761d;">The cost of collecting one sheetlet of each kind in 2016 exceeded Rs 10,000 and will likely deter stamp collectors from purchasing these stamps if the cost and number of issues remain similarly high in 2017. Let's wait and see what the cataloging companies list for these new MyStamps.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqrWEUGddSVwnKOmidI6Rx7XvE15dpRLSXMN7-y3zY_wbsFeya1mcWlIHZ2GetweshL6GW2enxmlbN4rpuqee-NPpxb1VK-UcvGNyj5BuqMWywkuS2WsEL2sEhejK04xxfqQcdlLL55u8/s1600/mystamps2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqrWEUGddSVwnKOmidI6Rx7XvE15dpRLSXMN7-y3zY_wbsFeya1mcWlIHZ2GetweshL6GW2enxmlbN4rpuqee-NPpxb1VK-UcvGNyj5BuqMWywkuS2WsEL2sEhejK04xxfqQcdlLL55u8/s200/mystamps2016.png" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click on the image to enralge</td></tr>
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<span style="color: orange;">Update (25 Sep 2016): Quite a few MyStamp sheetlets have been issued in the last few months. Most of these stamps have been made available for purchase on ePostOffice. Prices for these sheetlets vary between Rs 300 and Rs 1000, with most of the customized sheets being sold for Rs 500. The list below is now being categorized as Personalized and Customized along with the known sale price. Curiously, the Western Union MyStamp was released in May 2016, but not made available for sale until July and the design on the sheetlet being sold is different from what was published in news articles back in May. </span><span style="color: orange;">Customized MyStamps are here to stay. In reply to a question in Lok Sabha, MoS Communications informed the house that this was a planned scheme introduced by India Post to allow corporate and educational institutions to order a minimum of 5000 MyStamp sheetlets with a logo or design of their choice. No wonder a spate of customized sheetlets have been released this year.</span><span style="color: orange;"> Collecting MyStamp sheetlets is indeed an expensive affair, so hopefully collectors can buy individual MyStamps from the secondary market to complete their collections. Linn's that publishes the Scott catalog has listed MyStamps with catalog numbers. See below for the catalog numbers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKiSgh2MrpzhQK2v0bw_OyPxXd_D05oPcX7Z75UAAPuMJ370RneY2cLaw5qBQHmu8Iw1VQJBQSxVqq0VPiBqvDNgkFQK1naqAIEP63aMDzyGvXG0_hAfbo05vYo_D2Smw7_-9n3Q1_mob/s1600/mystamps.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKiSgh2MrpzhQK2v0bw_OyPxXd_D05oPcX7Z75UAAPuMJ370RneY2cLaw5qBQHmu8Iw1VQJBQSxVqq0VPiBqvDNgkFQK1naqAIEP63aMDzyGvXG0_hAfbo05vYo_D2Smw7_-9n3Q1_mob/s200/mystamps.png" width="151" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytv64tRfAJKA70TLJWvQC7DGfHwsWCRusz3lGhYERsdtVLHyKVInsz7Zgp3UhM0vOC3XZbCWVA3j0AKnWUgvcBjb7huHX5QpJuFenB0sXujsKtzBot9JV0freLmZu7aLewzS-6LbNEIon/s1600/Linn%2527s+Stamp+News+Weekly%252C+Monday%252C+August+15%252C+2016%252C+pages+from+72+to+72.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytv64tRfAJKA70TLJWvQC7DGfHwsWCRusz3lGhYERsdtVLHyKVInsz7Zgp3UhM0vOC3XZbCWVA3j0AKnWUgvcBjb7huHX5QpJuFenB0sXujsKtzBot9JV0freLmZu7aLewzS-6LbNEIon/s320/Linn%2527s+Stamp+News+Weekly%252C+Monday%252C+August+15%252C+2016%252C+pages+from+72+to+72.png" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott Catalog Numbers for India's MyStamps (Linn's Stamp News)<br />
Click on the images to enlarge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-4V-Psr80l43TaKBdlfzoFiL9PUl6QOpEirkYyo16aieM7Ab6CgIPXSPtb1GLMVm4jIISHVTXaycWXXS17G2gfM3AnTocLM8qs_7AV2I5RgaH8gN3PFWsV8SZnZZSxRrbRbTzzjOYg1y/s1600/western+union.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-4V-Psr80l43TaKBdlfzoFiL9PUl6QOpEirkYyo16aieM7Ab6CgIPXSPtb1GLMVm4jIISHVTXaycWXXS17G2gfM3AnTocLM8qs_7AV2I5RgaH8gN3PFWsV8SZnZZSxRrbRbTzzjOYg1y/s320/western+union.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Union MyStamp - Original design (left) and stamps sold on ePostOffice (right)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue;">Update (26 Mar 2016): MyStamps have all been issued in sheetlet format. Some of the sheetlets contain more than one design as well, forming se-tenants of 2 or 4. Each of the MyStamps released so far have been in Rs 5 denomination. MyStamps are sold as complete sheetlets only, individual stamp are not sold by the post office. Price of each sheetlet ranges from Rs 240 to Rs 300, rendering cost of each stamp to be between Rs 20 and Rs 25. Most of these stamps released after 2012 have been made available only in the relevant postal circles. For e.g. Ajanta Caves (2014) sheetlets were available only in Mumbai Maharashtra Circle, Red Fort (2014) in Delhi Circle and so on. This poses a challenge for philatelists to complete their Republic India collection. Now that ePostOffice is working well, it would be ideal to put up these sheetlets for sale online making it much easier to purchase MyStamps.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;">On a different note: Although, the Avila Convent, Coimbatore MyStamp release was delayed from 21 Mar, it was issued the very next day on 22 Mar 2016, by the Postmaster General and Jagat Shah (Mentor on Road) in Coimbatore. The school is selling the sheetlet in two different packs for Rs 1000 and Rs 2000. Similar to the recent Hindustan Aeronautics MyStamp sheetlet, this is also a customized stamp sheetlet and surprisingly contains Avila's email and website as well.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;">This approach of issuing customized MyStamps can be clearly seen to be going the Customized Greeting Card route that India Post had ventured in the early 2000s. Given that the MyStamps are actual stamp and not just pre-paid envelopes, it is important for India Post to restrict the total number of such customized postage stamps being released in a year. It is highly recommended that these stamps be made available to a stamp collectors at a minimum price and online.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
Original Post: By now all philatelists with interest in Republic of India (Post-independence) stamps would be aware of MyStamps that India Post has been issuing since early 2011. The first set of stamps were released during the Indepex 2011 International Stamp Exhibition held in February 2011 in New Delhi. After success at this premier stamp show, other regional stamp exhibitions asked for the same stamps to be distributed in other cities as well. Since 2012, other philatelic events and even philatelic bureau have been providing there personalized or customized stamp sheetlets for collectors.<br />
<br />
MyStamps have blank space next to an official India Post stamp. The post office upon submission of a photograph prints the image in the empty column of stamps on the sheet of MyStamps. Initially, it was unclear whether the MyStamp themes were modifications to previous issues or were new stamp releases. Over the last few years, it has become clear that one needs to collect MyStamps in order to have a complete collection of Republic India stamps.<br />
<br />
Below is a list of MyStamps issued by India Post. Recently, the first customized MyStamp sheetlet was released to celebrate 75 years of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicmE1_sMJBjhpj19r_5BwYBGUyB9_18_XgdCbAwRuELov_mgCyqPVIhuHU5Egt6GxUUFh3IooK3TuumgOtfAkncq8fe-sfeb0HnJ0Hx19FbDz-c5EFPIvLn8GVeO_83Hhyq0gYwpcjk0I/s1600/MtStamps.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicmE1_sMJBjhpj19r_5BwYBGUyB9_18_XgdCbAwRuELov_mgCyqPVIhuHU5Egt6GxUUFh3IooK3TuumgOtfAkncq8fe-sfeb0HnJ0Hx19FbDz-c5EFPIvLn8GVeO_83Hhyq0gYwpcjk0I/s200/MtStamps.png" width="140" /></a></div>
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Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-76612135843158090152018-11-25T17:10:00.000-05:002020-02-02T01:12:45.110-05:00India Post Stamp Updates (Oct-Dec 2018) - Archived<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
ARCHIVED POST<br />
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<a href="https://www.betterphilately.com/2017/12/india-post-stamp-updates-2018-jan-jun.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> to the first half of 2018<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Last Update (05 Jan 2019): This will be the final post for 2018 stamp issues. India Post delivered a surprise December with 10 stamp issues, majority in last two weeks of the month. After the stamp on Sabri Khan, the ones on Rajkumar Shukla and Gulabrao Maharaj were issued in quick succession. The stamp on Rajkumar Shukla was prematurely available since April 2018 and I'd shared images of letters posted with this stamp much earlier than the issue date on Twitter. MoS Communications dedicated the stamp on Shukla in New Delhi. A stamp was issued on Raj Kumar Shukla in 2000 as well. Print quantity of that stamp in 2000 was only 0.1 million and currently sells at a high premium. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">A stamp on philosopher and saint Gulabrao Maharaj was dedicated at a ceremony in Amravati district in Maharasthra. This stamp was approved and issued with no unexpected delays or problems. I'd shared issuance date of this stamp in late-September itself (<a href="https://twitter.com/BetterPhilately/status/1043513555025301504" target="_blank">click here</a>).</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Prime Minister of India had dedicated the National Police Memorial to the country on 21st October this year. This day is celebrated as Police Commemoration Day (Customized MyStamp was issued in Oct 2017). Within two months of inauguration of this memorial, the Prime Minister dedicated two stamps on the National Police Memorial at a Police officials conference in Kevadia Colony (where Statue of Unity is situated), Gujarat. The stamp was designed by Alka Sharma and is probably among the only decent design by this artist in the last several years.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">A stamp on Paika Rebellion (Paika Bidroha) to celebrate its 200 years was issued on 24th December by the Prime Minister of India in Bhubaneswar. The bicentenary was actually completed in March 2017 itself, so the stamp issue was about 1.5 years delayed. Subir Das designed the stamp, which will likely be his last (information sheet shows his name as Late Subir Das). Alka Sharma helped design the first day cover. The stamp and FDC used images from a memorial in Odisha, and wasn't creatively the best. The stamp Vellore Mutiny (2006) was rather nicely done.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Another two personality stamps were issued last month. One on spiritual duo of the Swaminarayan-Gunatit sect of Hinduism, Kakaji and Pappaji Maharaj and the other on Maharaja Suheldev. Stamp on Kakaji and Pappaji was diamond shaped and dedicated at an event in Vadodara district, Gujarat during Kakaji's birth centenary celebrations. India Post had issued a stamp Kakaji Maharaj in March 2003 as well. This new stamp now includes Pappaji as well. India Post officials were present at the event in Gujarat. Prime Minister of India also dedicated a stamp on King Suheldev in Ghazipur (UP). Issuance of this stamp was announced by MoS Communications in February this year.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Now about the blockbuster stamp issues. It began with initiation of a new stamp series on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The first issue in the series was on Hill Forts of Rajasthan including Amer, Chittorgarh, Gagron, Jaisalmer, Kumbhalgarh and Ranthambore forts. Brahm Prakash designed the stamps in his classical style that uses photos of places/objects. The miniature sheet was in the stamp of UNESCO's logo, becoming the second odd-shaped sheet from India Post. The previous one was on Hockey World Cup in November 2018.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Prime Minister of India dedicated a record fourth stamp in December. This one was a set of three stamps to commemorate 75 years of first flag hoisting in Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar islands) by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The stamps were appropriately done by Sankha Samanta, depicting several details of the events that may have occurred in 1943 when Netaji visited Port Blair. The first stamp shows his arrival at the airport and receiving a guard of honor. The second stamp shows Netaji saluting the Indian flag and the third stamp has Cellular Jail as the main subject. Netaji had visited Cellular Jail in 1943 and this national monument has remained important for Indian freedom struggle. Similar to the Gandhi 150 stamp issue in October, denominations of these three stamps total to Rupees 75 symbolic of the 75th anniversary of this event. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Yet another series of stamps appeared to have begun. This one on Indian Fashion. Suresh Kumar designed the first set of four stamps titled Indian Fashion - Through the Ages. The stamps show clothing and fashion from Harappan age to the Indian princely states. The stamps cover Harappa, Mohenjo-drao, Mauryan, Sunga, Mughal (Nur Jahan), Awadh (Ghazi-ud-din Haider) periods and Indian princely states.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">The final commemorative stamps for the last year were a follow up on the Geographical Indication (GI) stamps. This set of stamps were on Handicrafts of India. All the five stamps show GI registered handicraft products. These along with the Handlooms of India stamps (August 2018) are probably among my favorite of 2018 and were designed by my favorite stamp artist, Kamleshwar Singh. Layout of these five stamp miniature sheet was identical between the Handicraft and Handloom stamps. Blue pottery of Jaipur, Palakkad Maddalam, Karnataka bronzeware, Kutch embroidery and Sikki grass products of Bihar are the five products shown on the handicraft stamps. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Couple of other customized/corporate MyStamp sheetlets were issued as well. This wraps up another mega year in Indian philately. The year saw 117 commemorative stamps totaling to Rupees 1068 were issued. Along with these, 23 miniature sheets (Rupees 876) and 20 sheetlets (Rupees 2295) were also issue. The year saw only 5 se-tenant stamps being issued (CISF, Safdarjung Hospital, Prithviraj Chauhan, MyStamp-Andhra Tourism and MyStamp-IIT Bombay). Let me know if you need any additional information; I will try to find. Happy New Year.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><b>India Post Commemorative Stamps in Dec 2018:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">18 Dec - Rajkumar Shukla</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">19 Dec - Gulabrao Maharaj</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">22 Dec - National Police Memorial</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">24 Dec - Paika Rebellion</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">28 Dec - Kakaji & Pappaji</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">29 Dec - Maharaja Suheldev</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">29 Dec - Hill Forts of Rajasthan (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">30 Dec - 75th Anniversary of First Flag Hoisting at Port Blair</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">31 Dec - Indian Fashion - Through the Ages</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">31 Dec - Handicrafts of India (GI Registered Handicrafts Products)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><b>India Post Customized/Corporate MyStamp issues in Dec 2018:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">15 Dec - MyStamp - Bangalore Club</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">18 Dec - MyStamp - SBI Hyderabad Branch (150 Years)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232;">Update (16 Dec 2018): The typical last-minute rush to issue many stamps in December is on again. This is quite typical with India Post, when several stamps are printed, but delayed in issuance. All these stamps end up being released in December, to avoid confusion in the following year.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Toward the end of last month, a set of five stamps was issued during the Hockey world cup that is being played in Bhubaneswar (Odisha). Kamleshwar Singh did the design, which had some elements of local temples, deities etc on the miniature sheet that was shaped like an Olive Ridley turtle. It appears to be the first odd shaped miniature sheet issued by India Post. The stamps were issued by the Chief Minister of Odisha with government officials.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f1c232;">The first half of December did not see much activity, but many issues are planned for the remainder of the month. It began with the issuance of a stamp on Sarangi musician, Ustad Sabri Khan on 13th December by MoS Communications in New Delhi. This stamp was proposed for issuance in July-August this year, and I'd shared two stamp designs by Kamleshwar Singh back then on Twitter. One of these designs was issued as the final design.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Several MyStamps were also dedicated or put for sale in the last few weeks. Prime Minister of India issued the corporate MyStamp on 75 Years of Dainik Jagran, a news daily in Hindi in early December. Coincidentally, commemorative stamps have been issued by India Post on two previous editors (Narendra Mohan and Puran Chandra Gupta) of the newspaper and the new MyStamp shows both the editors as well. Another corporate MyStamp was issued in New Delhi on Maulana Azad Dental Institute. I recently also found a personalized MyStamp on Red Panda being sent to post offices, but I'm yet to see completed sheets out with collectors.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>India Post Forthcoming Commemorative Stamps in Dec 2018:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">18 Dec - Rajkumar Shukla</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">19 Dec - Gulabrao Maharaj</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">22 Dec - National Police Memorial</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">24 Dec - Paika Rebellion</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">28 Dec - Kakaji & Pappaji</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">29 Dec - Maharaja Suheldev</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">30 Dec - 75 Years of Azad Hind Government (First Flag Hoisting in Port Blair)</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>India Post Commemorative Stamps in Nov-Dec 2018:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">28 Nov - Odisha Men's Hockey World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 (5 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">13 Dec - Ustad Sabri Khan</span><br />
<b style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></b>
<b style="color: #f1c232;">India Post Customized MyStamps in Nov-Dec 2018:</b><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">07 Dec - MyStamp - Dainik Jagran</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">11 Dec - MyStamp - Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">November - MyStamp - TNPL - Paper from Bagasse</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">December - MyStamp - Red Panda</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Update (25 Nov 2018): It's been a quiet period last two months for new postage stamps from India Post. Barely any new stamps were issued in most of October and November. It must be a good reprieve for stamp collectors that were inundated with new stamps over the last two years. There are scored of pending stamp issues, which have been delayed or postponed. Maybe some of these will be issued in December 2018, let's see. I'm hoping a properly vetted stamp issue program is put out for 2019 and shared with collectors. In the meanwhile, here's a list of the few stamps that were released recently.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>India Post Commemorative Stamps in Nov 2018:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">03 Nov - 3rd Battalion The Rajputana Rifles (1818-2018)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">14 Nov - Children's Day - Communal Harmony (2 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>India Post Customized MyStamps in Oct-Nov 2018:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">29 Oct - MyStamp - World Stroke Day</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">11 Nov - MyStamp - Union Bank of India</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Oct - </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">MyStamp -</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> Hyundai</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Oct - MyStamp - ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad</span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Update (20 Oct 2018): Apart from the circular stamps to start Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary celebrations, not much has happened in October. India's Prime Minister dedicated stamps in 7 designs showing different facets of Mahatma Gandhi's life during a sanitation event on 2nd October. These were the first ever circular stamps issued by India Post. A miniature sheet comprised of all 7 stamps (denominations of stamps symbolically total to Rupees 150) and individual sheets of 20 stamps each were issued. Similar to the Ramayana stamp issue last year, these stamps were showcased at all of India's embassies abroad. </span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Many new stamp proposals and subjects have been approved for issuance, but not much has been done about fixing release dates. In response to an RTI application earlier this year, India Post had indicated a tentative release plan for several stamps, but most of that has not been followed through. Instead of issuing well designed commemorative/special stamps, a steady stream of corporate MyStamps are being issued. These customized MyStamps are quite expensive, and are less likely to be listed in stamp catalogs.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>India Post Commemorative Stamps in Oct 2018:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">02 Oct - 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>India Post Customized MyStamps in Sep-Oct 2018:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">30 Sep - MyStamp - Dr. MGR & Selvi Jayalalithaa Memorial</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">04 Oct - </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MyStamp -</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Rayat Shikshan Sansthan</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">05 Oct - </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MyStamp -</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Narayan Seva Sansthan</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">12 Oct - </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MyStamp -</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">National Human Rights Commission</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Oct - </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MyStamp -</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> Taj Connemara</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Oct - </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MyStamp -</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> Hyundai</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Oct - </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MyStamp -</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> ICMR - National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138;">Update (14 Oct 2018): I'm back to add details for commemorative stamps issued in September and possibly cover MyStamps as well. The first stamp in September was issued in Bengalurur on freedon fighter Mahadevappa Mailar (1911-1943). Mailar was the only representative from Karnataka on Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March in 1930. He was shot by the British along with two others while they were attempting to loot a temple in Haveri, Karnataka. The stamp was requested to be issued by Jagadish Shettar, former CM of Karnataka and MoS Communications obliged by being present at the dedication ceremony. Even though a sheetlet of 9 stamps has been issued, it doesn't seem to be available for sale on ePostOffice or many post offices. I wonder if SPP Hyderabad is still backlogged with this product like the Solar System miniature sheet, which has been unavailable for the last 7 months.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138;">Yet another joint stamp issue was released in September - that's fourth straight month of joint stamps this year. Joint stamps between India and Serbia were planned to be released on 9th October, but then rescheduled for issuance in early September when India's Vice President was to travel to Serbia for an official visit. The trip was postponed due to the demise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and as a result the stamp was dedicated a bit later on 15th September when the trip finally happened. I've written a <a href="https://www.betterphilately.com/2018/09/serbia-india-joint-stamp-issue-2018.html" target="_blank">detailed post</a> on these stamps showing Swami Vivekananda and Nikola Tesla, which was definitely a good choice by both the postal administrations. I don't really like the miniature sheet and first day covers prepared by India Post - there's not creativity in either. Gulistaan was the credited designer.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138;">Two other stamps - Hislop College, Nagpur and Sant Ganinath were issued later in September. Minister of Shipping and Roads was present at the ceremony in Nagpur and MoS Communications dedicated the stamp on Ganinath in his parliamentary constituency, Ghazipur. The stamp on Ganinath was decently designed, showing the sage as an incarnation of Lord Shiva, but the one on Hislop College was among the worst stamp designs in recent times. I don't really understand why such low quality work is being approved for printing. Colleges typically have buildings that can be shown on stamps, worst just the logo may suffice. Vinita Sinha, who also did the stamp on Damodar Hari Chapekar designed this dull and lackluster stamp. It's quite disappointing that even though Kamleshwar Singh and Sankha Samanta work with India Post, but are not being engaged often enough to lead the design process.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138;">On to MyStamps now. Let me make it clear that the customized corporate MyStamp sheetlets are probably not as important to collect, but the ones that can be personalized may be good to buy. India Post has been continually put both types of MyStamps for sale over the last few months. A series of 12 sheetlets, one each for zodiac signs was made available for purchase since early July. So was a sheetlet on the Ridge in Shimla. This is the second set of MyStamp sheetlets on Zodiac signs, after the first one in 2011 issued during Indepex 2011. August saw two personalized sheetlets being issued - one on Kurinji flower and another one on Victoria Memorial, Kolkata. Kurinji flower blooms once in 12 years, and a commemorative stamp was released on its last mass flowering in 2006. This is also the second MyStamp on Victoria Memorial after the one in 2015, albeit a new design and a larger MyStamp this time around. For some unknown reason, ePostOffice has stopped selling personalized MyStamp sheetlets and is only selling the corporate ones with pre-printed tabs.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138;">Lastly, the least interesting, customized MyStamp sheetlets. These are the expensive stamps issued at the behest of organizations or companies by making a payment to India Post. There is very little interest in stamp collectors to buy these and Scott catalog is not listing these either. I cover them, just in case some collectors plan to complete their MyStamp collection, given this is still valid postage. July saw a new size of MyStamp being issued. It was on Christ University Bangalore's golden jubilee. The sheet still contains 12 stamps, but the stamps are much longer than the standard size. Indian Paper Traders Association got a MyStamp printed and released on Paper Day, so did Ashok Leyland, the truck manufacturer. Lilavati Hospital got two types of MyStamp sheetlets printed and issued whereas Jharkhand Government paid to get a stamp on Karma Parab, a festival in Jharkhand.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138;">This catches up to end of September for India Post stamps. Leave me a message below if there are any questions or comments. Apart from the circular stamps on Mahatma Gandhi, there hasn't been much activity to report in October.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Update (01 Oct 2018): Here you go. I'll start describing the stamp issues chronologically as they were issued from July onward. The stamp on ICAI - the organization dealing with certified accountants was nicely designed by one of my favorite stamp artists, Kamleshwar Singh. The stamp design clearly elucidates the role of ICAI and that occasion for issuance. It was issued in New Delhi by the President of India to celebrate 70 years of the institute. Will a stamp be issued on the Company Secretary Institute's golden jubilee as well?</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Next was a stamp on the 90th birth anniversary of classical singer M. L. Vasanthakumari of the Carnatic music tradition. She was one among the trinity of modern Carnatic singers - other two being M. S. Subbulakshmi and D. K. Pattammal, both were earlier seen on stamps from 2005 and 2014, respectively. Sankha Samanta designed the stamp that was issued in Chennai Music Academy by India's defense minster and MoS Communications. Carnatic musician Sudha Raghunathan led the efforts to get the stamp proposal approved and issued. I remember Ms. Raghunathan also being present at the event for M. S. Subbulakshmi stamp release event at United Nations as well. Well done, madam.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">The stamp on Damodar Hari Chapekar, freedom fighter from Pune was issued by the Speaker of Lok Sabha. This stamp along with one on Rajkumar Shukla were prematurely available in some post offices and I've seen several examples of these stamps being used on cover before official issue date. Surprisingly, the stamp on Rajkumar Shukla is yet to be issued and is being freely sold on eBay. I wish the stamp on Chapekar was issued as one that included all three Chapekar brothers and not just the elder one. Their heroic fight against the British rule was a combined effort and it would've been best to recognize them together, as previously done for Murmu brothers (2002) and Pandiar brothers (2004).</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">The second joint with South Africa within this year was issued in Johannesburg when the Prime Minister of India was traveling for the 10th BRICS Summit. The stamp sheet celebrates the birth centenary of Nelson Mandela and 125th year of Mahatma Gandhi's Pietermarizburg Station Incident. I've posted additional details for this and other joint issues with South Africa <a href="https://www.betterphilately.com/2018/07/south-africa-india-joint-stamp-issues.html" target="_blank">here</a>, but here's another point to note. India Post's souvenir sheet for this issue is the size of regular printer paper, which is almost four times the size of South African sheet. I've also noted comments on Twitter about poor paper quality used by SPP Hyderabad. I really hope miniature sheet size is reduced in the future to make them aesthetically pleasing and friendly for stamp collection albums and stock sheets.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Hepatitis B and C are the major types of hepatitis and these two infections may not show for a long period. Timely testing and treatment are required to overcome potential threats from the disease. On World Hepatitis Day (28th July), India Post launched a stamp to create awareness about a new federal government program on Viral Hepatitis Control. The stamp deigned by Suresh Kumar shows a pair of hands acting as a protection for the liver and graphics depicting treatment and hygiene in the bottom half of the stamp.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">August began with a set of stamps being issued on National Handloom Day (7th August). A well designed issue, again by Kamleshwar Singh, showed five textiles/products that have Geographical Indication registrations. Textiles/products included were Baluchari saree, Kashmir Pashmina, Ikat, Pochampally and Bhagalpur silk. The dedication ceremony was held in Jaipur, where the main event for Handloom Day was held. Initially the Textile minister, MoS Communications and Rajasthan Chief Minister were to attend, but none of them showed up and instead MoS Textiles came late for a brief stopover. So much, for weavers and artists.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">India Post had solicited entries for a photography competition in June and July to showcase some holiday destinations in the country. Several thousand pictures were received and a two stamps along with a miniature sheet were issued on Independence Day (15th August). Crowdsourcing for ideas including the ones on stamps has been a consistent feature of this federal government and is a welcome change. The only gripe with these stamps was the denominations being high for no apparent reason and no mention of the actual placed shown on the stamps and philatelic products.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">The stamp on Patna University, which was originally planned for issuance in January/February was finally released by HRD Minister in the centenary closing event in Patna on 25th August. Brahm Prakash designed the stamp exactly the same way as the one on Banaras Hindu University stamp last year - by creating a collage of university buildings. I don't mind this style, but once was enough. Anyways, this is an important school, and the stamp was worth the wait.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Finally, the much delayed joint stamp issue with Armenia was dedicated at an event in Yerevan on 29th August. After the delay in March and June, I was informed by the HayPost staff about a late-August release, and that turned out to be true. I was surprised to see that the Armenian dance form was changed last minute and that resulted in India Post having to redo its first day cover as well. The original plan was to include Manipuri and Berd dances, but eventually Aremnia decided to go with Hov Arek instead of Berd. I've posted details for the joint stamps <a href="https://www.betterphilately.com/2018/01/armenia-india-joint-stamp-issue-2018.html" target="_blank">here</a>, go check it out.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">That covers July and August commemorative stamps. I'll post more details for September issues as well as all the MyStamps shortly.</span><br />
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Update (30 Sep 2018): I know its been three months since this post was last updated, but I've been busy at work; also thinking of a couple of better ways to organize future stamp subjects and the BetterPhilately wish list. So here's the path I have in mind: I will continue to share information about the current and announced issues in individual posts, but maintain a separate post for wish list and another one for stamp proposals that have been submitted to India Post and may be considered pending. I have a list of over 500 stamp proposals that were given to India Post over the last decade. These can eventually all be categorized as dead proposals or the ones that still have potential. I will start doing this within 2018. Here's a quick list of stamps that were issued from July to September. I'll come back later and add some interesting details or anecdotes for each of the issues.<br />
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<b>India Post Commemorative Stamps in Jul-Sep 2018:</b><br />
01 Jul - The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (70th Year)<br />
03 Jul - M. L. Vasanthakumari<br />
08 Jul - Damodar Hari Chapekar<br />
26 Jul - India-South Africa: Joint Issue (Mahatma Gandhi & Nelson Mandela)<br />
28 Jul - National Viral Hepatitis Control Program<br />
<br />
07 Aug - Handlooms of India - Geographical Indication registered (5 designs)<br />
15 Aug - Holiday Destinations in India (2 designs)<br />
25 Aug - Patna University (1917-2017)<br />
29 Aug - India-Armenia: Joint Issue (Manipuri and Hov Arek dances)<br />
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03 Sep - Martyr Mahadevappa Maliar<br />
15 Sep - India-Serbia: Joint Issue (Swami Vivekananda and Nikola Tesla)<br />
15 Sep - Hislop College, Nagpur<br />
23 Sep - Sant Ganinath<br />
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<b>India Post Personalized MyStamps in Jul-Sep 2018:</b><br />
07 Jul - MyStamp - Zodiac Signs (12 sheetlets)<br />
09 Jul - MyStamp - 'The Ridge' Shimla, Himachal Pradesh<br />
15 Aug - MyStamp - Kurinji<br />
Aug - MyStamp - Victoria Memorial, Kolkata<br />
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<b>India Post Customized MyStamps in Jul-Sep 2018:</b><br />
11 Jul - MyStamp - Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India<br />
01 Aug - MyStamp - Paper Day (1st August)<br />
24 Aug - MyStamp - Lilavati Hospital (Purple background)<br />
24 Aug - MyStamp - Lilavati Hospital (Blue background)<br />
07 Sep - MyStamp - Ashok Leyland - Ennore Plant (70 Years)<br />
18 Sep - MyStamp - Karma Parab<br />
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<b>Stamps Approved for Issuance</b><br />
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<u>Thematic Issues</u><br />
Aquaculture</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Birds: Endangered & Critically Endangered<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Boats of India<br />
Bridal Costumes of India<br />
Four Dhamas (Char Dham)</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Fragrant Stamps (Chocolate, Strawberry)<o:p></o:p><br />
Historical Gates of Indian Forts</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Indian Perfume</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Jataka Tales<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Mangalyan</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Mehandi (Lawsona inermis)<br />
Minerals of India<br />
Musical Instruments (Chimta, Dotara, Ektara, Khartal, Tumbi)<br />
Palace on Wheels<br />
Puppets</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Shaktipeeth Temples (Kalighat, Kamkhya, Meenakshi, Vaishno Devi)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Terracotta Temples of India<br />
Traditional Embroideries of India<br />
Tribes of India<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Wildlife – Flora & Fauna<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br />
<u>Other Issues</u><br />
Aga Khan Foundation<br />
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (60 Years)<br />
Eastern Naval Command (50 Years)<br />
HMS Minden & HMS Trincomalee (1810-1811)<br />
India’s Participation in World War I<br />
Induction of Pilatus PC-7 Mk II<br />
University of Mysore</div>
<u><br /></u>
<u>Personalities</u><br />
Acharya Bodhihdharma & Efflorescence of Zen Culture</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Acharya Konda Laxman Bapuji<br />
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat<br />
Dr. B. P. Radhakrishna<br />
Gaurishankar Govardhan Joshi 'Dhumketu'<br />
Girdharilal Bhargava<br />
Lala Thunthee Mull<br />
M. Balamuralikrishna</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Pandit Savai Gandharva<br />
Professor Ram Chand Paul<br />
Raja Todarmal<br />
Sant Pipaji Maharaj<br />
Swami Karpatri Ji<br />
Vedanta Desikan<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;"><u>Stamps Issued from the approved proposals</u></span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (02 October)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">3rd Battalion Rajputana Rifles (03 November)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Children's Day - Communal Harmony (14 November)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Utkal University - 75 Years (27 November)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Odisha Men's Hockey World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 (27 November)</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Ustad Sabri Khan (13 December)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Rajkumar Shukla (18 December)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Gulabrao Maharaj (19 December)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Kakaji & Pappaji Maharaj (28 December)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Maharaja Suheldev (29 December)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Paika Rebellion (24 December)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">UNESCO Heritage Sites (29 December)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Indian Fashion Industry (31 December)</span></div>
</div>
Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-82501046246498462612018-10-15T00:13:00.003-04:002020-02-02T01:17:40.119-05:00United States 2018 - Stamp Releases & Designers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #444444;">Click on the images to and right click to save. Print quantities of 20 million or less are highlighted in yellow.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">I've not been able to post much about United States postal stamp this year. It was a busy year with some unplanned travel and work, but given the regular and detailed updates on usps.com, Linn's and APS, collectors are always able to find the relevant information, unlike India Post stamps. I'm posting print quantities and stamp artist details for all stamps issued in 2018 in the table below. I've noticed that over the last few years the number of stamps with less than 20 million print run has increased a lot, likely reflecting reduced use of stamps and mail. </span><span style="color: #444444;">Surprisingly there was no postal stationary released and a butterfly stamp that was previewed last year was not issued this year either. Has that series ended? We'll have to wait to hear from the post office for more details. Let me know in the comments below if anything is missing or you'd like to see something else posted on here.</span><br />
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Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-75326778920720785882018-10-14T17:12:00.001-04:002020-02-02T01:12:31.293-05:00France-India: Joint Stamp Issues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Other than Russia, South Africa and Iran, France is the only other country to have issued two or more joint stamp issues with India.<br />
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The joint issue in 2003 (released on 29th November) showed identical designs, one each from India and France. India's national bird peacock and a rooster from France were selected to be shown on the stamps. The stamps were considered to deliver a message of renewal through these significant birds and the artwork in myriad of colors. I've been searching for the source of these designs for a couple of weeks, but I've finally managed to get accurate information for both the stamp images.<br />
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The stamp from France depicts a 15th century artwork in the Book of Hours (Heures a l'usage de Rome in French) created in Provence, France. Two artists, Barthelemy d'Eyck (also known as the Master of the Annunciation of Aix-en-Provence) and Enguerrand Quarton (1410-1466) illustrated this book consisting of 225 leaves, 10 large miniatures and 24 calendar illustrations. Book of Hours is Christian prayer book that was particularly popular in the middle ages. This French Book of Hours contains several illustrations showing months and zodiac signs. The rooster depicted on the stamp was likely done by d'Eyck. This book is currently in Morgan Library's collection in New York City. See an image of the page from this book below.<br />
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The stamp design from India shows peacock from the back of a 19th century Sarpech jewelry (turban ornament). This handmade sarpech used gold and precious stones done in an intricate art form called Minakari. Minakari was developed and promoted during the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's rule, and used gems and precious stones, and enamels to make jewelry, royal thrones etc. Minakari is still used to make jewelry, especially in Jaipur and uses flowers, plants, and animal forms as the main design elements. The sarpech shown on the stamp is likely a 19th century piece from Rajasthan, which consists of three clusters, a hexagonal center piece and two rectangular pieces, each showing chrysanthemum flowers and a peacock.<br />
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Indian stamp was designed by Kamleshwar Singh and was printed in sheetlets of 8 se-tenant pairs along with miniature sheets containing both the stamps. La Poste of France printed individual stamps in sheets of 30 each, which were designed by Claude Jumelet. I've seen the date of issue in France shown as 01st December, but that's the general sale date, and the first day issue date remains the same in both the countries.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBfLaaAXXuU-bZNHx4kdEvikHQ00E8fgYYccEaaiDCTBwPXVBlRf5VsIxl9uTOVajA3zEEZPWYc9Ni3ovX6sjRyVD12ih6ozSEPDMNB3ZBtEwl4ZWk9LJbXW7TMYwsqzgiHCGnbyenfUp/s1600/franindia2003.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1145" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBfLaaAXXuU-bZNHx4kdEvikHQ00E8fgYYccEaaiDCTBwPXVBlRf5VsIxl9uTOVajA3zEEZPWYc9Ni3ovX6sjRyVD12ih6ozSEPDMNB3ZBtEwl4ZWk9LJbXW7TMYwsqzgiHCGnbyenfUp/s640/franindia2003.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">France-India joint stamp issue from 2003</td></tr>
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After 12 years of the first collaboration, India and France celebrated 50 years of cooperation in space science by issuing another joint stamp. The stamps, again one from each country, showed two satellites - Megha-Tropiques and SARAL, on one stamp each. India's space agency ISRO and France's CNES have cooperated in space research since an early agreement in 1964 to build and launch sounding rockets in India. Increased cooperation eventually led to launch of the Megha-Tropiques satellite in 2011 and SARAL in 2013.</div>
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Megha-Tropiques launched in October 2011 was intended to study water cycle and energy exchanges in the tropics. The satellite is expected to provide insight into the contribution of the water cycle to the tropical atmosphere. The main aim appears to be to understand life cycle of convective systems that influence tropical climate and their role in energy and moisture budget of the atmosphere in the tropical regions.</div>
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SARAL or the Satellite with ARgos and ALtika payloads was launched in February 2013 to study ocean circulation and sea surface elevation. The two main payloads were built by CNES along with one from ISRO. The satellite launched using ISROs' PSLV rocket will help in marine meteorology, climate and environmental monitoring, sea state and seasonal forecasting, oceanography, earth systems and climate research and protection of biodiversity and maritime security.</div>
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France's La Poste printed individual stamps in sheets of 42 each. Like most other joint issued in France, La Poste put a presentation pack for sale along with two types of pre-stamped envelopes and a brochure with cancelled stamps from both countries. India Post printed the stamps in individual sheets with 45 stamps in each sheet along with a miniature sheet with both the stamps. Sankha Samanta designed the stamp showing SARAL satellite and David Ducros of France did the artwork for the stamp showing Megha-Tropiques satellite. These stamps were issued at an event on 10th April 2015 when the Prime Minister of India traveled to France for an official visit.</div>
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If you found this to be an interesting read, do leave comments or suggestions below.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEige53rbu9teSTSmvT4Nrj-IMjWSGAWNFtVLG8gN2i1qhJjkvP2Jp0GAby4mKrI6oax9HcNqoJr-JMZfuqxO3MnIZOkygNlxSSW4OvYQFaWwueQBiW83JNMxDj4T103VSq8EknpDt8N3LYX/s1600/franindia2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1275" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEige53rbu9teSTSmvT4Nrj-IMjWSGAWNFtVLG8gN2i1qhJjkvP2Jp0GAby4mKrI6oax9HcNqoJr-JMZfuqxO3MnIZOkygNlxSSW4OvYQFaWwueQBiW83JNMxDj4T103VSq8EknpDt8N3LYX/s640/franindia2015.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">India-France joint issue (2015) on 50 years of cooperation in space science</td></tr>
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Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-51289258535761600992018-09-29T09:32:00.001-04:002020-02-02T01:13:02.193-05:00Belarus-India: Joint Stamp Issue (2017)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Belarus and India issued a joint stamp on 12th September 2017 to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations. After the former Soviet Union was re-organized into several independent countries in 1991, India established diplomatic relations with the 15 new countries over the next couple of years. So, the 25th year of establishing these relations were celebrated in 2016-2017, including the joint stamp with Belarus i 2017 and a belated one with Armenia in late 2018 <a href="https://www.betterphilately.com/2018/01/armenia-india-joint-stamp-issue-2018.html" target="_blank">(see here)</a>. These two issues along with the one with Russia in 2017 <a href="https://www.betterphilately.com/2017/10/russia-india-joint-issue.html" target="_blank">(see here)</a>, are the three joint stamp issues with former Soviet republics that have so far been commemorated with India.<br />
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The theme for the joint stamp with Belarus was quite simple: National Symbols. Belarus has been issuing similar stamps with a host of other nations over the last few years, some joint and some unilaterally. Many recent stamps from Belarus just show national emblems from two countries and not much else. Belarus national emblem has several elements including an outline map of Belarus, partial globe showing Eurasia, partial sun emanating golden sun rays, stalks of wheat adorned by flax flowers and clovers. Remainder of the symbol is wrapped with red and green ribbons and official name of Belarus is inscribed at the bottom.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, India's national emblem is quite simple. It contains a two dimensional adaptation of the Ashokan Lion Capital from Sarnath. The original sculpture shows four lions facing in four directions, symbolizing courage, power, confidence and pride. This resides on a circular base, which shows the Ashokan Dharma Chakra (wheel) and several animals including a horse, bull, elephant and lion. This entire sculpture is placed on a blooming lotus. The official symbol is a 2D adaptation shows a few limited features. A motto meaning Truth Alone Triumphs from the Hindu Upanishads is inscribed under the lion capital emblem.<br />
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Given Belarus Post Office has been using the same stamp format showing national symbols for the last few years, it's safe to assume Belarus designed the stamp and India Post used the same design. India Post issued the stamp in individual sheet of 45 stamps (Rupees 25 denomination) along with a miniature sheet containing one stamp. Kamleshwar Singh deigned the miniature sheet that shows the Lotus Temple in New Delhi and the National Library in Minsk. Belarus version of the stamp was issued in sheetlets of 6 stamps, with an element of embossing and red hot foil showing the National Library and Lotus Temple in the selvage. Belarus stamp was issued as minimum postage for international mail in 60,000 copies. India Post issued a total of 0.5 million stamps in individual sheets and 0.1 million souvenir sheets.<br />
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The stamps were dedicated at a ceremony in New Delhi when the President of Belarus was visiting India for an official visit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXw0xXfZDq3Dnezng1erukRYbswjzf05mxkxP9q-5oUvQwVoG2HDXep_HwfDVncij4aaoEh4sCP7WMVOIdRNdHa0twjqeuuX0YutZWhugEkzpLM2GekXrM1nV0utR5reYVvbLUdsCXV82/s1600/914_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1587" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXw0xXfZDq3Dnezng1erukRYbswjzf05mxkxP9q-5oUvQwVoG2HDXep_HwfDVncij4aaoEh4sCP7WMVOIdRNdHa0twjqeuuX0YutZWhugEkzpLM2GekXrM1nV0utR5reYVvbLUdsCXV82/s320/914_001.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">India-Belarus: Joint Stamp Issue - Souvenir Sheet from India Post</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93SjWVfmAsk_8ksAMbFItyrRuwWoFVGIRhw5qsoufJRloF0bnk0QbC7hiG3UlU9JVM1xG4OzrhscauAhjHaQ52pM7Iv2qC7DUQvdH_klhnMHZzAGo_3tK619DBkGnYi4fJfPIcoFpk30M/s1600/209_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1388" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93SjWVfmAsk_8ksAMbFItyrRuwWoFVGIRhw5qsoufJRloF0bnk0QbC7hiG3UlU9JVM1xG4OzrhscauAhjHaQ52pM7Iv2qC7DUQvdH_klhnMHZzAGo_3tK619DBkGnYi4fJfPIcoFpk30M/s320/209_001.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheetlet from Belarus Post Office showing National Library, Misk and Lotus Temple, New Delhi</td></tr>
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Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-77552760329225721822018-09-22T22:39:00.002-04:002020-02-02T01:12:17.092-05:00Serbia-India: Joint Stamp Issue (2018)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Updated on 22 Sep 2018: A joint stamp issue between India and Serbia was announced by Serbia Post Office as early as January this year, but India Post officials did not confirm the existence of this stamp set, despite repeated requests, until it's very issuance on 15th September. The stamp were originally planned for release on 9th October, but were later scheduled for release on 3rd September during an official trip of the Vice President of India to Serbia. Due to the national mourning period in late-August for the former Prime Minister of India Vajpayee, the dates of this trip were adjusted and changed to 15th September. So, even though these were issued a few weeks earlier than originally known, there was a minor last minute delay.<br />
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The stamp subject for the joint stamp issue is quite interesting. The Serbian side chose well known inventor and engineer Nikola Tesla and the Indian government chose the well known philosopher and spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda. On the surface this appears to be a complete mismatch; with a scientist and a religious philosopher, but Tesla and Vivekananda have something in common and shared a friendship. Serbia and India are celebrating 70 years of their diplomatic relations and 2018 is also 125th year of Swami Vivekananda's landmark speech on Hinduism during the World Religion Parliament in Chicago (1893). So, kudos to the postal administrations for this well thought commemoration.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiQCVNqF8nY42WxAXdwD8vewaT9wBpXUUlo3is6X_gDeWDxuPcWGK99RefaDFBnjChQfOFJw282nCtBBcZlclopZUB73wddeA-NK97-GdD53hB2nEQXhyLzVlicHz9wQORwo33MytDWOh/s1600/ms-224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="763" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiQCVNqF8nY42WxAXdwD8vewaT9wBpXUUlo3is6X_gDeWDxuPcWGK99RefaDFBnjChQfOFJw282nCtBBcZlclopZUB73wddeA-NK97-GdD53hB2nEQXhyLzVlicHz9wQORwo33MytDWOh/s320/ms-224.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">India-Serbia: Joint Issue (2018) - Swami Vivekananda & Nikola Tesla</td></tr>
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The stamp on Tesla was designed by Boban Savic 'Geto' of Serbia and the one on Vivekananda was done by Gulistaan, an artist working with the Indian Post Office. Stamps from the Serbia Post Office were printed in sheetlets of 4 se-tenant pairs (65,000 stamps each). In addition to the two individual stamp sheets (45 stamps each), India Post also issued a souvenir sheet comprised of the two stamps. I'm still awaiting details on the print quantity for the Indian stamps, but will add it here once available.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zB_sy94owswH6BAmQxStUA080_yvAQMC3VG5IiKMDGwSBViTxtF1rJwQo5n1vjO1x_ieeTWdAE0bhYaH1Zz1DJ0o8zKRVAcATBjDh1teeZk_ip26IRw5WkWqk9c2B5eUU878e6IQu7rz/s1600/IMG_5309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="852" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zB_sy94owswH6BAmQxStUA080_yvAQMC3VG5IiKMDGwSBViTxtF1rJwQo5n1vjO1x_ieeTWdAE0bhYaH1Zz1DJ0o8zKRVAcATBjDh1teeZk_ip26IRw5WkWqk9c2B5eUU878e6IQu7rz/s400/IMG_5309.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serbian version of the Joint Stamp Issue with India</td></tr>
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I've noticed several collectors wonder about the links between Tesla and Vivekananda, so it was worth looking for some information about their connection and friendship. Apparently it all began in February 1896 in New York City, when Tesla and Vivekananda met after a play by actress Sarah Bernhardt. After discussions and exchanges about Akasha, Prana and Kalpa, Swami ji and Tesla's friendship seems to have begun. Vivekananda believed that if Tesla can prove matter can be reduced to energy, the concept of Vedanta would be backed by Western science as well. Tesla continued his research to prove this, and was influenced by Vivekananda in later years, even using Sanskrit words Akasha and Prana for matter and energy, respectively. Neither Tesla was fully successful in proving this theory, nor Vivekananda was alive much longer to observe this. But, there was clear connect between the East and West and is nicely represented in these stamps.</div>
Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-57443192512962617372018-09-14T21:17:00.000-04:002020-02-02T01:12:01.683-05:00Armenia-India Joint Stamp Issue (2018)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Update (14 Sep 2018): After so many delays and rescheduled dates, the joint stamps between Armenia and India were dedicated at a ceremony in Yerevan, Armenia on 29th August 2018. Thanks to HayPost officials, the late-August date timing that I'd shared here and on Twitter was accurate. Even though the stamp subject of dances remained, Armenia appears to have changed their dance form at the last minute. India Post first day covers that were initially printed showed Berd dance, but the final stamps show Hov Arek dance form, so the FDCs were likely reprinted. The new envelopes from India Post show some architectural elements from unknown monuments.<br />
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Armenia Post issued the stamps in a sheetlet of 5 se-tenant pairs. HayPost's website stamps.am is selling singles and sheetlets, albeit higher than face value price, which is quite surprising. FDCs have been printed, in an unknown quantity and are not available on their website. Armenian FDCs show Etchmiadzin Cathedral and Taj Mahal. India Post on the other hand printed both the stamps in individual sheets of 45 stamps each, along with a miniature sheet with both the stamps. Suresh Kumar Achari and Vahagn Mkrtchyan designed the stamps for their respective postal administrations.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fwYMcHW0vVxrSYuWfZX4q4ZHbbVAgn3Ub_TApTQRFufkpVXjl1ai4gxeucEU-K7_J4R20fI-3TbCkRwlxjUbe61z2MpOBvAmTnGhrlHhxjhT-_UV7_oGYKe4brtqMrhvNY3CvzZS_0Av/s1600/Picture1armind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="924" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fwYMcHW0vVxrSYuWfZX4q4ZHbbVAgn3Ub_TApTQRFufkpVXjl1ai4gxeucEU-K7_J4R20fI-3TbCkRwlxjUbe61z2MpOBvAmTnGhrlHhxjhT-_UV7_oGYKe4brtqMrhvNY3CvzZS_0Av/s320/Picture1armind.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The joint stamp show Manipuri dance from India and Hov Arek dance from Armenia. India Post had issued a stamp on Manipuri dance previously in 1975 as well. I don't like the font used on the Indian stamps and it'd not even mentioned about Hov Arek being an Armenian dance. Armenian stamps have better overall design, but they messed up the Indian Manipuri dance stamp by adding the background details even on the white portion of the stamp. Anyways, I truly hope no more dances are used for Indian joint stamps; this was the fifth one since 2006.<br />
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Hay Post issued 40,000 stamps of each design (280 Armenian Dram each), printed at Cartor Security Printing in France. Indian stamps were printed in SPP, Hyderabad (5 Rupees and 25 Rupees denomination), but print quantity details are still awaited - I will add it here once I get my hands on a brochure.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indian miniature sheet showing two stamps from the Armenia-India joint stamp issue</td></tr>
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Manipuri dance: This classical Indian group dance, also known as Jagoi originated in the North-Eastern state of Manipur and is based on Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism themes of Hindu religion. This traditional dance includes slow, lyrical and graceful movements to the tune of Pung (drum), kartal, harmonium, sembong, pena and flute. Lyrics are typically devotional songs using Jayadeva's, Vidyapati's or other medieval poets writings in Sanskrit, Braj or Maithili languages. The dance is also inspired heavily by Radha-Krishna Raas. Female dances dress like brides in Poltoi and Kumil, which is a barrel-like skirt whereas male dancers wear dhotis.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Armenian stamps from the Armenia-India: Joint Issue (2018)<br />
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Hov Arek dance: Armenia's Hov Arek or Areq is performed using a lyrical folk song by the same name written by composer and priest Komitas. It is considered among the 100 most important songs in Armenian cultural heritage. I'm surprised at the choice of this dance, because it appears to be more of a song than a well known dance itself. In my opinion, Berd would have been a clear pick from the national dances of Armenia. Use the links below if you want to look at a couple of videos showing these dances.<br />
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Links to Youtube videos: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IylOcN2tUR8" target="_blank">Hov Arek</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RISY7LU3u0" target="_blank">Manipuri</a><br />
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Update (07 Jul 2018): First day covers for the Indian version of this stamp have been printed and appear to depict Jagoi Manipuri dance from India and Berd from Armenia (like I had predicted in January this year). This issue has been delayed several times and the from the last update, HayPost Armenia indicated they are trying to get it done in August 2018. Let's see where this ends up. Looking forward to a good stamp design.<br />
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Update (21 Jan 2018): Just to be clear, the currently proposed date for issuance is 21st March 2018.<br />
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Original Post (17 Jan 2018): I've been trying to get details for the joint stamp issue between India and Armenia over the last year and a half. This stamp issue was discussed in bilateral meetings since 2016 and will likely materialize this year. I've been able to confirm from Haypost and India Post that the theme for this joint issue will be Dances. In the recent past, India has used dance as a subject for joint issues with Cyprus (2006), Mexico (2010), Portugal (2017) and Russia (2017). It would have been nice to see some more creativity from the India Post officials to find similarities between the two cultures and then select a subject. All these Indian dance forms can easily be commemorated on a separate set of stamps dedicated to Dances of India.<br />
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Diplomatic contact between Armenia and India were established in 1992 and the stamp issue will likely celebrate 25 years of this relationship. The joint stamp is currently scheduled for issuance in third week of March 2018, but I will confirm this as soon as additional information is available.</div>
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Possible Armenian Dance forms: Kochari, Berd or Trahag</div>
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Any guesses for Indian Dance forms?</div>
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Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-50698126854627538772018-07-07T22:03:00.001-04:002020-02-02T01:08:12.196-05:00South Africa-India Joint Stamp Issues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Update (29 Sep 2018): A total of three joint stamp issues have now been issued between India and South Africa, possibly among the most India Post has with any country other than Russia. Two of these were released in June and July this year itself. Two of the three collaborations have also prominently featured Mahatma Gandhi, a key figure in India's freedom movement who spent his formative years in South Africa as a lawyer.<br />
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The first joint stamp issue was released in 1995, couple of years after South Africa held its democratic elections. The theme for this commemoration was closing of 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Both countries issued identical stamps, designed by Alan Ainslie and the Indian Post office. The stamps showed Gandhi as young barrister in South Africa and as Mahatma during the 20th century freedom struggle in India. Along with individual stamps, India issued a souvenir sheet containing the se-tenant stamp pair, but South Africa's miniature sheet contained only one stamp. At a later date in June 1997, South Africa issued a second souvenir sheet with the stamp that was not on the first souvenir sheet (see images below).<br />
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After a gap of 23 years, philatelic cooperation picked up again this year. Since early 2017, the Indian embassy had been planning a joint stamp issue with South Africa and I'd shared some initial plans on Twitter as well. I'd thought a set of 4 stamps showing Deendayal Upadhyaya, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo (all three birth centenaries from 2016-2018) and Mahatma Gandhi (150th birth anniversary) would be issued at once, but there were two separate issues in store.<br />
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A set of 2 stamps designed by Alka Sharma for India Post was issued in early June during the 125th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's Pietermaritzburg Station Incident. These stamps commemorated 20 years of strategic partnership and 25 years of diplomatic relations, while showing images of Deendayal Upadhyaya and Oliver Tambo on the stamps. Background image in the souvenir sheet shows national flowers of both countries (lotus and protea) along with unknown mountains. Stamps and souvenir sheets for both the countries were printed at SPP Hyderabad, and surprisingly South Africa post office is yet to receive their supplies, almost four months after actual issuance. It is not confirmed, but South Africa will likely only put souvenir sheets for sale and no individual stamps.<br />
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Deendayal Upadhyaya (1916-1968) was an eminent thinker and political leader of India's right of center ideology post-independence. He espoused the thought of integral humanism and social welfare of poor, downtrodden ('last person in line'). Even though he lived only 50 years, his philosophy left a deep impact on developing a new idea of India.<br />
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Oliver R. Tambo (1917-1993) was a socio-political leader from South Africa that led African National Congress (ANC), the foremost political organization fighting Apartheid. Tambo started his political journey in 1943 forming the youth wing of ANC. The youth wing had developed new ways of protests and was working in tandem with ANC. Tambo was appointed as the secretary of ANC in 1955, deputy president in 1958. He was then tasked to garner support from other countries and international organizations by traveling abroad. He was then appointed as acting President of ANC in 1967, and president in 1969, a position he held until 1991. For majority of his life in ANC, Tambo was working in exile, but returned to South Africa in 1990, after having spent 30 years out of his home country. He handed over the reigns of ANC to Nelson Mandela, who was eventually also elected as the first President of post-Apartheid South Africa in 1991.<br />
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The third and most recent stamp set shows Pietermaritzburg train station located near Durban in South Africa. In June 1893, Mahatma Gandhi, then Mohandas K. Gandhi, was removed from a first class train compartment due to his color and asked to moved to end of the train. The young Gandhi did not board the train and spent the night at the station waiting room. This event led to Gandhi fighting for racial equality for Indians in South Africa, eventually giving birth to Satyagraha - the concept of non-violent resistance or holding firmly to the truth using civil resistance. This year is 125th anniversary of the train station incident, and is being commemorated on the identical stamp sheets issued by both the countries.<br />
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Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) was also a socio-political leader from ANC like Oliver Tambo that led protests and political movement to fight Apartheid in South Africa. He started in the youth wing of ANC in 1944, going on to become its president in 1951. His struggle to abolish Apartheid took shape from 1952 onward, where he devised various plans for defying the minority white government, some actions even turning violent. After several skirmishes and arrests, Mandela was imprisoned at Robben Island from 1964 to 1982. He was transferred to other prisons until his release in February 1990, totaling to 27 years of incarceration. Immediately after release, he begins negotiations with the government to end racial discrimination and establish an equal democracy. He was elected as the first President of democratic South Africa in 1994, a position he held until 1999. Thereafter he immersed in social improvement through his foundation. He continued to remain in public life, until his passing due to ill health in late 2013. Mandela was awarded the Bharat Ratna and Nobel Peace Prize for his work in abolishing Apartheid peacefully and establishing a new democracy in South Africa.<br />
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It appears that India Post designed the June 2018 stamps (Alka Sharma), and South African artists did the July 2018 issue (Thea Clemon and Alan Ainslie). Nenu Gupta from India is also credited with the July 2018 stamps, but that's likely for adjusting the images and fonts. The basic design likely came from South Africa. These stamps have tried to commemorate so many events and personalities, it's difficult to clearly explain everything. See below for all possible reasons that I think can be cited.<br />
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List of events for 2018 India-South Africa joint stamp issues:<br />
1. 20 Years of Strategic Partnership (1997-2017)<br />
2. 25 Years of Diplomatic Relations (1993-2018)<br />
3. 50 Years of Deendayal Upadhyaya's passing (1968-2018)<br />
4. Birth Centenary of Deendayal Upadhyaya (1916-2016)<br />
5. Birth Centenary of Oliver Reginald Tambo (1917-2017)<br />
6. Birth Centenary of Nelson Mandela (1918-2018)<br />
7. 125th Year of Mahatma Gandhi's Pietermaritzburg Station Incident (1893-2018)<br />
8. 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (1969-2019)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Latest collaboration between India & South Africa post offices for a joint stamp issue (July 2018)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmFodRZAaDQQZFT_e3aGSxYHcP6nbl-t3_g26xBaKf0nb8ck0u1ip6D4YAl0Ia1I9epBNqvGc-Nq2pFudY5GoGlszsOKxK5WGR50GD6LMq9WOs9gMmamqTtfS6Z33z5NRPUGoCYsill33/s1600/s-l1600+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1164" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmFodRZAaDQQZFT_e3aGSxYHcP6nbl-t3_g26xBaKf0nb8ck0u1ip6D4YAl0Ia1I9epBNqvGc-Nq2pFudY5GoGlszsOKxK5WGR50GD6LMq9WOs9gMmamqTtfS6Z33z5NRPUGoCYsill33/s320/s-l1600+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second joint stamp issue between India and South Africa (June 2018)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2_zAu-FtspoQf7egUcbk3BWHL7oblb0Nb4mSVfZzU9AvbdqScI_dZMGWGdbDUo-vFLIdXhHGTW3qxw8lVSGpOIl2WeLJoAVga8JR-3noTwj6MqpgmPxCHw7J0gK9LM22RPbs_C-G3l3a/s1600/Picture123.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1310" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2_zAu-FtspoQf7egUcbk3BWHL7oblb0Nb4mSVfZzU9AvbdqScI_dZMGWGdbDUo-vFLIdXhHGTW3qxw8lVSGpOIl2WeLJoAVga8JR-3noTwj6MqpgmPxCHw7J0gK9LM22RPbs_C-G3l3a/s400/Picture123.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joint Issue between India and South Africa issued in 1995 and another souvenir by SA Post in 1997</td></tr>
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Update (07 Jul 2018): I will post details for all the joint stamps issued between India and South Africa here. I've previously shared - on another post and on Twitter - with fellow collectors that the two countries have been working on commemorating several personalities in 2018 and turns out there will be two joint issues in 2018 itself - one each in June and July.</div>
Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-60409721469018078422018-07-01T15:20:00.000-04:002020-02-02T01:07:57.521-05:00India Post Stamp Updates (Jan-Sep 2018) - Archived<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">ARCHIVED POST</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="https://www.betterphilately.com/2018/09/india-post-stamp-updates-oct-2018-onward.html" target="_blank">Click here for the second part.</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Update (01 July 2018): This was a long break of almost two months, but I will try make up for it by sharing a ton of new information that has come through during this time. This update will be in three parts, new issues in May and June, forthcoming stamp issues and lastly some trivia.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Over the last two months, a total of seven stamps were issued, some personalities and some special commemorative stamps. In May, two personalities from Southern India - businessman M. V. Arunachalam and socio-political leader C. Kesavan were honored with India Post stamps. Stamp on Arunchalam was issued by the Governor of Tamil Nadu and the one on Kesavan by the Governor of Kerala. The stamp on Lions Clubs Centenary was dedicated at a simple ceremony by the Vice President of India in New Delhi. All these three stamps were decently designed, not much to talk about. Early in June, Prime Minister of India released a set of stamps in 4 designs on World Environment Day. The stamp designed by Suresh Kumar Achari depict the theme, Beat Plastic Pollution. I did not really like the stamps, but some collectors seem to appreciate the artwork. My personal preference would have been to have one stamp and the miniature sheet to extend the theme beyond the stamp. The next stamp was a joint stamp issue between India and South Africa. India's Foreign Minister visited South Africa in early June and dedicated the stamps at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station, where Mahatma Gandhi was removed from a train compartment in 1893 due to racial discrimination. Two other stamps, one on Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha and Scott Christian College were issued at events in Chennai and Nagercoil, respectively. Many more stamps are planned for issuance in the remainder of this year. Details for new stamp subjects are below.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Like I had shared information for several new stamp subjects in January this year, I'm able to report that about 15 new additional have been made to India Post's stamp program for 2018. Since you're first hearing from me, don't forget to mention BetterPhilately when you use this information on other social media platforms. I've observed that many collectors have used my lists on their profiles and websites without proper mention of BetterPhilately. No meeting of the Philatelic Advisory Committee, a body that considers and recommends stamp issuance, has been held since late 2016. Thus, giving a free reign to the Minister of Communications to approve proposals that are routinely received by the Department of Posts. I don't know specific issue dates for the new stamps, but see the list below for all the additions. The stamp on Eastern Naval Command will be of Rs 15 denomination, while the one on Kakaji-Pappaji Maharaj will cost 5 Rupees. At the bottom of this post, I've been maintaining a comprehensive list of thematic and other stamps that have been approved since 2016. The newest additions are highlighted in blue, but I will incorporate these in the regular font during the next update.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHcbxqv85rtc2hi9l6wB4Z1bOV3rxTTLLAXwGMP81bE4FeKYh8MLeRriFtIwfWkUH3N5yvSiHFV2NrKOjePn6S2qkL8t8LyBTaZ8dLdWeneom225WctXD89vXfBEKRaw01blCi7bYhwvc/s1600/2018Picture3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="1600" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHcbxqv85rtc2hi9l6wB4Z1bOV3rxTTLLAXwGMP81bE4FeKYh8MLeRriFtIwfWkUH3N5yvSiHFV2NrKOjePn6S2qkL8t8LyBTaZ8dLdWeneom225WctXD89vXfBEKRaw01blCi7bYhwvc/s400/2018Picture3.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Share with fellow collectors and tell them you found it on BetterPhilately</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">In addition to getting these stamp subjects figured out, I've been gathering other information to share as well. The main focus was to get clarity for print quantity of commemorative stamps and Mystamps and availability of stamps in post offices. There was some confusion about the print quantity of the CISF stamps from March this year. The stamp was issued as a se-tenant, but the proponent got one of the two stamps printed in sheets with only one design. I shared the details on a tweet <a href="https://twitter.com/BetterPhilately/status/1006051721636872192" target="_blank">earlier</a>. I also found that severe delays in printing and delivery of Indian Cuisine, ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit and Solar System stamp sheetlets from the Hyderabad printing press may have been because the printer was inundated with last minute requests and was unable to complete past orders. It took 3-4 months for these delays to go away, but if India Post wants to keep stamp collectors interested, this should not recur.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I've been trying to complete an accurate list of customized and personalized MyStamp issues as well as the print quantities. I will add the updated list under the MyStamp post soon. During this time, it was discovered that a set of 12 personalized MyStamp sheetlets on Zodiac Signs were printed and will be soon put for sale in post offices. Another few personalized MyStamp sheetlets on Shimla Ridge, Vaishno Devi temple and Pushkar Fair are not easily available and it would be ideal if ePostOffice starts selling these as well. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>India Post Commemorative Postage Stamps in May & June 2018:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">15 May - M. V. Arunachalam</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">23 May - C. Kesavan</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">25 May - Lions Clubs International Association (Since 1917)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">05 Jun - World Environment Day (4 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">07 Jun - India-South Africa: Joint Stamp Issue (Deendayal Upadhyaya & Oliver R. Tambo)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">17 Jun - Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, Madras (100 Years)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">28 Jun - Scott Christian College, Nagercoil</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>India Post Customized MyStamps in May & June 2018:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">13 May - Shri C. U. Shah Medical College & Hospital (Gujarat)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">22 May - BSF Wives' Welfare Association (Silver Jubilee)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">26 May - Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Mysuru (Vishwam Museum)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Update (05 May 2018): Here's a rundown of news on Indian postage stamps from the last few weeks. India Post has not been sharing details for new stamp issue dates, but dedicating previously unannounced stamps. I will try to gather updates for fellow collectors soon and share on Twitter or over here. In the meanwhile, if you get dates or subjects for new stamps, do leave a comment below</span><span style="color: #b45f06;">.</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">The stamp on DRDO Diamond Jubilee, which was originally scheduled for issuance in early January was finally dedicated on 11th April by the Defense Minister of India at a defense exposition at Mahabalipuram, near Chennai. The stamp was well designed by Kamleshwar Singh, showing various military equipment and DRDO Bhawan on a colorful background. This and other designs by Kamleshwar Singh just goes on to show the need for India Post to use talented artists like Singh.</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">The next stamp issue on Goan Tiatr was planned for issuance in 2017. The stamps and a miniature sheet were printed and several images were available on the internet. The stamps were likely withdrawn as result of the misspelled word 'Tiatr' as 'Tiater'. One would have assumed the stamp design to have been updated with the correct spelling and reprinted, but India Post for unknown reasons changed the designs completely and issued the new stamps along with a miniature sheet on 17th April in Panaji. The stamp information bulletin mentions Gulistaan as the stamp designer, but I'm not sure who designed the old 2017 version. The stamp printed in 2017 captured the essence of Goan theater and key personalities of Tiatr well, but the new stamps are quite simple and unappealing. Another point to note: Unlike the ICAR-CPCRI stamps from 2017/18, the Goan Tiatr stamps printed in 2017 haven't appeared online for sale.</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">The Prime Minister of India dedicated a commemorative stamp on Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, a political leader from Uttar Pradesh on 25th April in New Delhi to commence the birth centenary year. This stamp was among the several stamps on personalities approved for issuance in 2018. I had shared this news early in mid-January. The stamp and FDC nicely capture important facets of Bahuguna's life including his origins in the hill state of Uttarakhand.</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">The last two stamps in April were previously unannounced and a damp squib from a design perspective. A se-tenant of 2 stamps was dedicated on 75 years of Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi and a souvenir sheet of 4 stamps on Prithviraj Chauhan were released by MoS Communications in Ghazipur. The two stamps on Safdarjung Hospital were designed by Anuj and Ashoo Sharma, likely associated with the hospital. The stamps show several images of the past when the hospital was started as American Hospital along with an image of the main building spread on both the stamps. I wish there was come more detailed text, and better images used for developing this stamp design. I am also not entirely sure on the need for a se-tenant stamp on a hospital in New Delhi just completing 75 years of its existence. The stamp set on Prithviraj Chauhan is even more shocking. A stamp on this warrior king from Rajasthan could be developed with great detail, but the designer Alka Sharma chose to take a bust of the ruler and place it on four stamps with different background color and denomination. Little to no effort was put in covering some other facets of the king's life or rule. That said, the souvenir sheet was much better with coins and paintings shown with a picture of Taragarh Fort taken from the internet. Hoping the next stamp issues are more intricately designed and printed.</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Surprisingly no news for customized or personalized MyStamp was seen throughout April, and that was a much needed breather. I've been gathering information on several blank first day covers that are reaching various philatelic bureaus for stamp issuance this year. There are no major surprises than the subjects that are already covered at end of this post as well as what I share on Twitter. It seems possible that the joint issue with South Africa could now include Nelson Mandela as well. I had previously shared that Deendayal Upadhyaya and Oliver Tambo were two of the personalities selected for the stamp issue. Including Mahatma Gandhi cannot entirely be ruled out either, given his 150th birth anniversary celebrations will begin later this year.</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">I've also seen that the much awaited stamp sheetlets for the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit and the Solar System stamp issues are available for purchase in several post offices and on ePostOffice. The ASEAN-India sheetlet set contains 11 sheets with 20 stamps each (total Rs 1100) and the Solar System sheetlet set contains 8 sheets with 25-30 stamps each (total Rs 1150). All these sheets are being sold at face value, even on ePostOffice.</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>India Post Commemorative Postage Stamps (April 2018)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">11 Apr - Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO 60 Years)</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">17 Apr - Goan Tiatr 125th Anniversary (Since 1892)</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">25 Apr - Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">27 Apr - Safdarjung Hospital</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">28 Apr - Prithviraj Chauhan</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">Update (14 April 2018): I've been struggling to find time for adding new information, but it will get better in the next two weeks. In the meanwhile, India Post is back to thee same tardy ways of the old. Stamp issues are being scheduled with no notice, then delayed and postponed, yet again with no clear justification. Information on several forthcoming stamps was circulated on social media and I've added that information in the approved/possible list of stamp issues at the bottom of this post.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">The month of March saw one large commemorative stamp, on the eight known planets of our solar system. The stamps designed by Suresh Kumar Achari were depicted in a pattern similar to the orbits and distance from the sun. It was a decently designed stamp issue, but I wish India Post had worked with ISRO to depict images of at least earth and Mars taken by Indian space missions. The United States Postal Service has issued stamps on space exploration with actual images of planets in 1991 and 2016 in coordination with NASA. Pluto had not been explored in 1991, so the stamp on Pluto was inscribed with 'not yet explored'. By the time the next stamp on Pluto was released in 2016, NASA had reached the now dwarf planet and used an actual image with an inscription - Pluto, Explored. I digressed, but thought this was an interesting anecdote. The Indian solar system stamps were apparently printed in the form of sheetlets and miniature sheets, but the sheetlets have not been made available for purchase after almost of month of issuance. Why such delay from the printer, SPP Hyderabad? Sheetlets for ASEAN India Commemorative Summit from January 2018 haven't been put for sale either. My personal recommendation is to use CSP Kanpur and EPP Madras, the two private security printers along with the SPMCIL printing presses to print postal stamps. The private printers, especially CSP Kanpur has done some amazing work with India Post in 2001-2004 period.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">Several MyStamp sheetlets was also issued or made available for sale last month. Two of these issues, on Andhra Pradesh Tourism and Kumbh Prayagraj had been known to exist since late January, but were neither dedicated at a ceremony nor sold anywhere, so I'm going to consider these issued in March 2018, since they were put on ePostOffice last month. On the note of MyStamps, editors from Linns (Amos Media) that prints Scott Catalog has recently issued a note that Scott will only assign catalog numbers to personalized MyStamp issues and not for the pre-printed customized MyStamp issues that corporate, individual or organizations can obtain from India Post (minimum 5000 sheetlets). This was an important clarification, because the cost of collecting customized MyStamps is exorbitant and philatelists may not be interested in adding these to their Republic of India collection.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;"><b>India Post Commemorative Stamps in March 2018</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">05 Mar - Biju Patnaik (1916-2016)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">08 Mar - Central Industrial Security Force (2 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">20 Mar - The Solar System (8 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;"><b>India Post Customized MyStamps in March 2018</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">10 Mar - Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (2 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">23 Mar - Hyderabad International Airport</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">Top 12 Tourist Destinations of Andhra Pradesh (12 designs): Tirumala Temple, Kanakdurga Temple, Vijayawada; Srisailam Temple; Gandikota-Grand Canyon; R. K. Beach, Visakhapatnam; Tribal Museum, Araku; Chrandragiri Fort; Pulicat Lake; Pavithra Sangamam; Borra Caves; Amaravati; Papikondalu</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">Kumbh Prayagaj</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;">Update (18 Mar 2018): It's been quite a while since the last update. I'd been busy with work and traveling as well. A few stamps were issued in the second half of February, but no surprises as such. I'd shared information on some of these stamp subjects earlier and most of those hold true.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;">India and Iran jointly released a pair of stamps during the visit of the President of Iran to New Delhi on 17th February. The theme for these stamps was maritime linkage showing Deendayal Kandla and Chabahar Shahid Beheshti ports, one from each country. The stamp subject was a welcome change from the oft used dance theme. The stamp on film producer B. Nagi Reddi was the second one released in February. The Vice President of India dedicated this stamp in Chennai on the 23rd February. The third and final commemorative stamp of the month was dedicated by the Prime Minister of India to celebrate the golden jubilee of Auroville, an international township near Pondicherry (Puducherry). Though the stamp design was well received, the word Jubilee was incorrectly spelled as 'Jubliee' on the actual stamps. I've been highlighting typos in Indian stamps for almost a decade now, but to no avail. India Post should implement a proof reading team within the philately department and hold the stamp designer and other staff accountable for such silly errors.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;">Early in March, a stamp on Biju Patnaik (5th March) and the CISF golden jubilee were also issued in Bhubaneswar and New Delhi respectively. The Biju Patnaik stamp design was pretty similar to the one issued in 1999. Brahm Prakash designed this stamp and I'm curious why the inscription 1916-2016 was necessary on the stamp released in 2018. It may be understood by some ardent followers of Biju Patnaik that his birth centenary was celebrated in 2016, but makes no sense from a design perspective. There may have been delay in realizing the political value in issuing this stamp, but the art work could have been updated to '1916-1997', showing the late leader's lifespan. Kamleshwar Singh came to India Post's rescue though. He designed a beautiful se-tenant of stamps on the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that was issued on 8th March during the 49th raising day celebration in New Delhi. It's among some of the best stamp designs issued in the recent past.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;">A couple of MyStamp sheetlets were also issued in the last few weeks. The first one on Kalinga Institute of Technology was issued in Bhubaneswar and another one the famous Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai was also put on sale sometime in February. I'm surprised with the Mumbai temple MyStamp issuance because when I tried to purchase this sheetlet in Mumbai in the last week of February, the staff at Mumbai GPO was unaware of its sale. Hopefully it will be made available for purchase soon.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>India Post Commemorative Stamps in February 2018</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">17 Feb - India-Iran Joint Issue (Deendayal Kandla & Chabahar Ports)</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">23 Feb - B. Nagi Reddi</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">25 Feb - Auroville International Township (Golden Jubilee)</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>India Post MyStamps in February 2018</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">16 Feb - Kalinga Institute of Technology (KIIT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">Shree Siddhivinayak Ganesh Temple, Prabhadevi, Mumbai</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Update (11 Feb 2018): The first month of the new year was fairly decent. India Post issued five stamps in January, several thematic/commemorative stamps and one personality. Most of these stamps were dedicated in the last week of January. The first one was a joint issue between India and Vietnam, which was dedicated in New Delhi on 25th January by India Post and Vietnam Post officials. I've already posted a separate post (click here to read) for this joint issue, which showed Buddhist monuments from both countries. That same day, India's Prime Minister along with Heads of State/Government from 10 ASEAN countries dedicated a set of stamps with 11 designs during the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit 2018 in New Delhi. I am planning to write a separate blog post for this stamp issue, which was prepared by one of my favorite stamp designers, Sankha Samanta. The next stamp issue on Potter's Wheel was put on sale on ePostOffice on 26th January. This stamp issue, as has been the trend for last several years was crowdsourced. These stamps were issued in two designs with a miniature sheet. </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Even though some of the stamps were properly designed, majority of the stamp stocks haven't yet made it to the post offices. India Post's ePostOffice has been selling some of the stamps, but first day covers and brochures have seen excessive delays. Delivery of online stamp orders from ePostOffice is also slowing down, with most packets taking 4-5 weeks to reach collectors. India Post boasts of a huge network of transport and postal carriers, and if ePostOffice has to show improved growth, both the website and the actual delivery time needs to be significantly improved.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">The final stamp in January on Dr. Talimeren Ao was simultaneously dedicated in Guwahati (Assam) and Kohima (Nagaland) on 28th January by the Governors of both the state. Dr. Talimeren Ao, born in 1918 was India's soccer team captain in 1948 London Olympics and a civil surgeon.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">I've been able to confirm one of the MyStamp sheetlets on Akshar Deri, Gondal of Swaminarayan organization, but not the others. If any of you come across other MyStamp sheetlets listed below, let me know. I will wait for release events or special covers etc. to finalize the issue dates for these MyStamp sheetlets.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>India Post Commemorative Stamps in January 2018:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">08 Jan - ICAR-CPCRI (2 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">25 Jan - India-Vietnam Joint Issue (Sanchi Stupa & Pho Minh Pagoda)</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">25 Jan - ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit 2018 (11 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">26 Jan - Potter's Wheel (Republic Day 2018; 2 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">28 Jan - Dr. Talimeren Ao</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>India Post MyStamps in January 2018:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">22 Jan - MyStamp - Akshar Deri, Gondal</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">MyStamp - Andhra Pradesh Tourism</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">MyStamp - Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">MyStamp - Kumbh Prayagraj</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;">Update (20 Jan 2018): Like I'd said in the last update, I can share details for personalities that will be honored with India Post stamps in 2018. Some of these are carry over from 2016-17 and I'm hoping these get issued finally. Some other details, especially for joint issue stamps are evolving fast. It's likely that joint issue stamps with Armenia, Vietnam and Serbia will be issued this year along with South Africa. I may end up writing a new blog post to track all joint issues with India. For now, I've updated the lists below. There are three ways I'm tracking stamp subjects - approved stamp issues, possible stamps and BetterPhilately wish list. </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;">The next stamp issues will likely be around the Republic Day on 26th January, which is when the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit is also being held. Heads of State/Government from all 10 ASEAN countries are visiting India as chief guests for the Republic Day parade, an honor reserved for close friends of the Indian State. A set of 10-11 stamps, showing cultural connect with each country will be issued. I made a list of some things that link India with the ASEAN countries (<a href="https://twitter.com/BetterPhilately/status/953987473096441861" target="_blank">click here to see on Twitter</a>). It's possible that these could be depicted on the stamps, let's see.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;">I've also been reading on social media that the joint issue with Vietnam will be dedicated sometime next week as well. Like you may have seen, I've already confirmed the proposed date for the Armenia-India joint issue as 21st March 2018 with a theme of dances in another blog post. Serbia also announced that a joint issue with India will be issued on 09th October.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudvoWAUNDTAZIXMXCF5zznuek92Cr5EMTTJySXVj0IezxQA9JZE-TZQDTbRDQWsYGMqTQutfZ2G7GSVEbUI4TSdhfKTejQE2OhBsPKdoJ_ZnvOWBcZ9mYjAfuv9Gm30YwwSfLRQsBC6Cd/s1600/Person18ure1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudvoWAUNDTAZIXMXCF5zznuek92Cr5EMTTJySXVj0IezxQA9JZE-TZQDTbRDQWsYGMqTQutfZ2G7GSVEbUI4TSdhfKTejQE2OhBsPKdoJ_ZnvOWBcZ9mYjAfuv9Gm30YwwSfLRQsBC6Cd/s200/Person18ure1.png" width="157" /></a></div>
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">Update (16 Jan 2018): I've been sharing details for stamp subjects on the blog and on Twitter, which can be used from 2017-2022 to develop a good issue program. Some of the subjects are nearing their anniversary events and will likely be commemorated with postal stamps. Take a look at the list below. I will soon share additional details for some personalities that are likely to be on India Post stamps this year as well. Like always, do mention BetterPhilately in conversations on social media using #BetterPhila.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-xVUcrYkTrtfpcel87iBqbfxXsD3lcFe2QMHDNn3yxIaNhOkEtYMClKY-8rRRftHC3-DkQTLgbs-j1TtmPzPP55bPPHzG7w7vpoWDPW4suvFDRph2yWJ9ed2guQpdNbZv3-VWTC2c_lA/s1600/2018Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="1424" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-xVUcrYkTrtfpcel87iBqbfxXsD3lcFe2QMHDNn3yxIaNhOkEtYMClKY-8rRRftHC3-DkQTLgbs-j1TtmPzPP55bPPHzG7w7vpoWDPW4suvFDRph2yWJ9ed2guQpdNbZv3-VWTC2c_lA/s400/2018Picture1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possible India Post stamp issues (2018).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #990000;">Update (15 Jan 2018): We are still waiting on details for stamps to be issued in 2018, but the year began with the first release on 08th January. Last year, two stamps viz. ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute and Goa Tiatr (125th anniversary) were printed, but never put for sale. It appeared that India Post took cognizance of the typos on both the stamps. Like I had pointed out on the Twitter feed, ICAR-CPCRI stamp had an error in the Hindi acronym of ICAR, and the Goan Tiatr stamp spelled 'Tiatr' incorrectly as 'Tiater'. The ICAR-CPCRI stamp was re-printed with minor design changes and issued in Kasargod earlier this month. The Union Cabinet Minister for Statistics and Program Implementation was present along with postal officials and institute staff. The interesting piece is that copies of the old stamp (with 2017 year printed) are being sold for $40 or Rupees 7500 on eBay. I wonder how many of these old stamps slipped out illegally. I've posted images of both the 2017 and 2018 stamps below.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">In other news, it appears that a stamp (possibly, on Ramayana) will be issued on 25th January, during the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in New Delhi. India and South East Asian countries have a lot of common cultural aspect, Ramayana being one of them.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Possible Stamp Issues</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) - 60 Years</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit (Ramayana)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbWmqlzVFQoxM4yng8d0jM-DxGd6wQjIOgCINbLl2eXdK9CCiWyelAxJUcBazzeXnfIXjEt2Ygtv1oP8HeTk3RbLUJmaXLvqzLOnUY3Qt-0H4SnTB8O62Amd4PJ_o5byhwqDTUjWg9E5Q/s1600/s-l1600+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1479" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbWmqlzVFQoxM4yng8d0jM-DxGd6wQjIOgCINbLl2eXdK9CCiWyelAxJUcBazzeXnfIXjEt2Ygtv1oP8HeTk3RbLUJmaXLvqzLOnUY3Qt-0H4SnTB8O62Amd4PJ_o5byhwqDTUjWg9E5Q/s200/s-l1600+%25283%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqPUTgGBBqY4CvsBNvGq1Ao4MLXdvWiuYeCZfrmpv8id3oHOwELH6VkhQUI76yzhM7frXt9CSNJn2EO4W9CYt0tESO7ETfl_q2zgE5qtAhAyJB2ggN-BI3-yfSyeYqFoaZJ3NDmkTJM9K/s1600/s-l1600+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="1600" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqPUTgGBBqY4CvsBNvGq1Ao4MLXdvWiuYeCZfrmpv8id3oHOwELH6VkhQUI76yzhM7frXt9CSNJn2EO4W9CYt0tESO7ETfl_q2zgE5qtAhAyJB2ggN-BI3-yfSyeYqFoaZJ3NDmkTJM9K/s200/s-l1600+%25284%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ICAR-CPCRI (Central Plantation Crops Research Institute) - New stamp from 2018 (above) and the old print from 2017 (below). There are minor design differences in the two sheets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Original Post (27 Dec 2017): I will start posting details for possible stamp issues and other updates for 2018 in a few weeks, but I'm carrying over several stamp subjects that were either or approved or considered for issuance and could be released in 2018. Let me know if you have other details to share with fellow stamp collectors. Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
<b>BetterPhilately Wish List</b><br />
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<div>
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Amritlal Nagar</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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B. D. Jatti<o:p></o:p></div>
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Balasaheb Thackarey<o:p></o:p></div>
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Balasheb Deoras<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bhairon Singh Shekhawat<br />
Chinmayananda Saraswati<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eknath Ranade<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gopal Swarup Pathak<o:p></o:p></div>
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Guru Nanak Dev - 550th Parkash Utsav<br />
I. K. Gujral<o:p></o:p></div>
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J. Jayalalithaa<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
K. R. Narayanan<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Khushabhau Thakre<o:p></o:p></div>
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Laxmanrao Inamdar<br />
Mohammad Hidayatullah<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
N. Sanjeeva Reddy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Nelson Mandela<br />
P. V. Narasimha Rao</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Shivmangal Singh Suman<o:p></o:p></div>
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Siyaram Sharan Gupt<o:p></o:p></div>
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Srimant Sankardev<br />
Swami Abhedananda<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Swami Karpatri<br />
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<div>
</div>
</div>
V. P. Singh<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br />
19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche<br />
Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh<br />
Amrita Pritam<br />
B. K. S. Iyengar<br />
Chandrakant Patel<br />
Dhanraj Bhagat<br />
L. L. Narayan<br />
Maharani Gayatri Devi<br />
Maharshi Mahesh Yogi<br />
Maniram Dewan<br />
Queen Heo Hwang-ok (Korean queen from Ayodhya)<br />
Ramamand Sagar<br />
Sikander Bakht<br />
Sudhir Phadke<br />
Vinda Karandikar</div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
100 Years of Kheda Movement<br />
100 Years of Sabarmati Ashram<br />
150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi<br />
50 Years of Commercial Nuclear Power - Tarapur<br />
Bhagvadgita<br />
Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute<br />
Bose Institute<br />
Dayalbagh<br />
Gir Wildlife Sanctuary<br />
High Court of Punjab & Haryana Centenary<br />
International Film Festival of India (Golden Jubilee)<br />
Joint Issue Stamps with India: Bulgaria, Serbia, South Korea & UN<br />
Jyotirlinga Temples<br />
ISRO - Golden Jubilee (Magalyaan and Chandrayan)<br />
Osmania University, Hyderabard (100 Years) - MyStamp<br />
Rajkumar School, Rajkot<br />
Ravenshaw University, Cuttack (150 Years) - MyStamp<br />
Sherwood College, Nainital<br />
The Maihar Band (100 Years)<br />
The Yoga Institute, Mumbai (100 Years)<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<b>Stamps Approved for Issuance</b><br />
<u>Thematic Issues</u><br />
Aquaculture</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Birds: Endangered & Critically Endangered<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Boats of India<br />
Bridal Costumes of India<br />
Four Dhamas (Char Dham)</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Fragrant Stamps (Chocolate, Strawberry)<o:p></o:p><br />
Historical Gates of Indian Forts</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
India’s Participation in World War I<br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Indian Fashion Industry</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Indian Perfume<br />
Jataka Tales<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Mangalyan</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Mehandi (Lawsona inermis)<br />
Minerals of India<br />
Musical Instruments (Chimta, Dotara, Ektara, Khartal, Tumbi)<br />
Palace on Wheels<br />
Puppets</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Shaktipeeth Temples (Kalighat, Kamkhya, Meenakshi, Vaishno Devi)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Terracotta Temples of India<br />
Traditional Embroideries of India<br />
Tribes of India<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
UNESCO Heritage Sites<br />
Wildlife – Flora & Fauna<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br />
<u>Other Issues</u><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Aga Khan Foundation</span><br />
Children's Day - Communal Harmony<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (60 Years)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Eastern Naval Command (50 Years)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">HMS Minden & HMS Trincomalee (1810-1811)</span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Induction of Pilatus PC-7 Mk II</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Paika Rebellion (200 Years)</span><br />
University of Mysore<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<u>Personalities</u></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Acharya Bodhihdharma & Efflorescence of Zen Culture<br />
Acharya Konda Laxman Bapuji<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Dr. B. P. Radhakrishna</span><br />
Gaurishankar Govardhan Joshi 'Dhumketu'<br />
Girdharilal Bhargava<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Kakaji & Pappaji Maharaj</span><br />
Lala Thunthee Mull<br />
Maharaja Suheldev</div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
M. Balamuralikrishna<br />
Rajkumar Shukla<br />
Raja Todarmal<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Sabri Khan Sahib</span><br />
Sant Pipaji Maharaj<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Vedanta Desikan</span><br />
<br />
<u><span style="color: #38761d;">Stamps from Approved List or BetterPhilately List issued in 2018</span></u><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICAR)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">India-Vietnam: Joint Issue</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit 2018</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Dr. Talimeren Ao</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Republic Day (Potter's Wheel)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Auroville (Golden Jubilee)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">B. Nagi Reddi</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">CISF - Central Industrial Security Force</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Solar System</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Goan Tiatr</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">M. V. Arunachalam</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">C. Kesavan</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Lions Clubs International Centenary</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">India-South Africa: Joint Issue (Deendayal Upadhyaya & Oliver R. Tambo)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">M. L. Vasanthakumari</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Chapekar Brothers (Damodar Hari Chapakar)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">MyStamp - Shilma Ridge</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">MyStamp - Zodiac Signs (12 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Indian Handloom Production (Geographical Indicators registered)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Mahadevappa Mailara</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Patna University (1917-2017)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">India-Armenia: Joint Issue</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Independence Day - Holiday Destinations in India</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Hislop College, Nagpur</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Sant Ganinath</span></div>
</div>
Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-76015529073327251742018-05-12T23:16:00.001-04:002020-02-02T01:07:38.464-05:00India-Iran Joint Stamp Issue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
India and Iran jointly dedicated the second joint stamp issue between the two countries on 17th February 2018. The stamps in two designed were dedicated by the Prime Minister of India and the President of Iran at a bilateral event in New Delhi, during the latter's State visit to India. This joint issuance celebrates the maritime trade links between India and Iran, showing ports. The Indian port of Deendayal Kandla and Iranian Beheshti Chabahar port are depicted on the two stamps in identical designs.<br />
<br />
I don't have details for the Iranian version other than pictures of the souvenir sheet, first day cover and a postcard. Information sheet for the Indian version lists Kamleshwar Singh as the stamp/FDC designer and Alka Sharma made the cancellation design. India Post issued two stamps and a miniature sheet along with first day covers. The Indian stamps were printed in 0.501 million quantity for each design and 0.1 million miniature sheets. The stamps were printed at Security Printing Press, Hyderabad.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mHHXgzVNm9TQpjy9pP7Ot5LjT67Z1VeRqFWUx3wJ745khqSRj28ls03_0LJFLazwq5swXLWE3jDaiUlULa0_DAe3OeIM-enURnQSVoMUPxeSCRuv_AADxaGitD_hU2RGvZBmSmGZYE3j/s1600/iranind1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1343" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mHHXgzVNm9TQpjy9pP7Ot5LjT67Z1VeRqFWUx3wJ745khqSRj28ls03_0LJFLazwq5swXLWE3jDaiUlULa0_DAe3OeIM-enURnQSVoMUPxeSCRuv_AADxaGitD_hU2RGvZBmSmGZYE3j/s320/iranind1.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joint Stamp Issue between Iran and India (2018): Kandla & Chabahar Ports</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The stamps show a graphical representation of the two ports with ships and port equipment on both sides. Deendayal Kandla is a major port located in the Indian state of Gujarat in operation since the 1930s. India and Iran have been working on developing several births in Chabahar port in Iran and the first shipment of wheat was sent to Afghanistan from Kandla to Chabahar in late 2017. The Shahid Beheshti port in Chabahar, located in the Sistan & Baluchestan province is geographically close to India and at a geo-strategic location in the Gulf of Oman. The two countries are working to further develop this as an important trade route to reach the Central Asian markets.<br />
<br />
The souvenir sheets have numerous port cranes in the background, line drawings of maps of both the ports on top and two historical monuments in the bottom. The two columns shown are the Ashokan Pillar from Vaishali, India and a Griffin column from Persepolis, Iran.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrCNXYxpUn265Acigvhx4KxsSwgwc0QpQJy8uOd2Y6RH-ZSgxpsUU1eDvx9HuPNrP1r-MqU-d3Q93NCeXkZjg-hH1bDshqu31Ca5UcIRBpENen1p_uXWF55Hpkvzd4md7sJoSoTmLAgtM/s1600/Persepolis_griffons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1050" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrCNXYxpUn265Acigvhx4KxsSwgwc0QpQJy8uOd2Y6RH-ZSgxpsUU1eDvx9HuPNrP1r-MqU-d3Q93NCeXkZjg-hH1bDshqu31Ca5UcIRBpENen1p_uXWF55Hpkvzd4md7sJoSoTmLAgtM/s320/Persepolis_griffons.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstDALO-yOD8bucbNb5zl5DxemfL365yN9P0_kUfX2a0fikJS-2T-8-2N4ZBnqcLMRJIF5vHQQ1UF0h7f87E9ezW0dcrmOFisVLL-1GohFmtSLjQWIdjX5cxkY6Y0PJ0TVUa37n21BtqBe/s1600/vaishalias-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstDALO-yOD8bucbNb5zl5DxemfL365yN9P0_kUfX2a0fikJS-2T-8-2N4ZBnqcLMRJIF5vHQQ1UF0h7f87E9ezW0dcrmOFisVLL-1GohFmtSLjQWIdjX5cxkY6Y0PJ0TVUa37n21BtqBe/s320/vaishalias-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
India and Iran had issued their first joint stamp issue, fourteen year ago, back in August 2004. This first set of stamps jointly commemorated famous poets from both nations - Hafiz from Iran and Kabir from India. I imagine that the details for this joint issue was worked out after the state visit of then Iranian President in January 2003.</div>
Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-50738012062768308892018-03-22T22:55:00.000-04:002020-02-02T01:11:41.265-05:00Can Philatelists help India Post plan for 2018-2022? (Archived)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">ARCHIVED</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">I'm moving over to two new posts - a BetterPhilately wishlist and another one with India Post's pending stamp proposals. This was necessary because both the lists were getting quite long and it was difficult to maintain clear distinction between my suggestions and pending proposals. Clink on the links below to see the new posts:</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="http://www.betterphilately.com/2018/10/betterphilately-wishlist-for-india-post.html" target="_blank">BetterPhilately Wishlist</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://www.betterphilately.com/2018/10/india-post-pending-stamp-proposals.html" target="_blank">India Post Pending Stamp Proposals</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Updates on 20 Sep 2018</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Updates on 09 June 2018</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Updates on 23 March 2018</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span>
Update (21 Jan 2018): This is a new post, but with majority of the old dates and such removed. I'm starting to track old approved issues and ideas for new stamp subjects here. I've added a new sub-section for issues that are unlikely in the near future, but may be revived at a later date. You can see the previous version by <a href="http://www.betterphilately.com/2015/03/can-philatelists-help-india-post-plan.html" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.<br />
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Text from the old blog post: There are numerous stamp issues that were put out by India Post for release in a particular year, but have not yet been released. Since the subjects were shared with the public, I am assuming these issues were approved for release. Many of these morphed into different stamp subjects. There could be various views about the list below, but one can be objective about it to help increase accountability and transparency in the process of selecting and issuing stamps.<br />
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I will try provide perspective to some of the stamp subjects hoping that these stamp releases languishing in Dak Bhawan (India Post HQ) will see the light of day. The stamp for Mumbai Stock Exchange was to commemorate 125 years of the stock exchange. Was this pulled out because it could be seen as an anti-poor move? Other issues for 2001 should be brought back, redesigned and released. Especially, the Jataka Tales and Hitopadesha stamps. The Panchatantra Stories stamps released in 2001 were quite popular and I remember hearing from our philatelic bureau those stamps being the highest seller for 2001. The Jataka Tales and Hitopadesha stamps can be released in two sets and complete a Folktales of India series (comprising of all these three folktales).<br />
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Joint issues were planned with Oman (2005) and Peru (2013), but were never released. I believe the issue with the Peru joint issue was that Peru released their stamp in March and India Post was not ready with its version. Although planned to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, the joint issue with Oman was also not released as planned.<br />
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SAARC could have had two stamp issues - one for 20 years celebration in 2005 and the other one for South Asian Postal Union. SAARC has had a troubled history with little progress made on the ground. It would not be surprising if the Charter Day issue was abandoned due to political reasons. The SAPU stamp was overcast with the Wild Flowers of India issue during the APPU Congress in New Delhi (2013). In the past some SAARC stamps had good themes and designs - Year of Youth (1995), Year of Shelter (1991), 10 year celebrations (1996). Planning to release the pending issues will add to the new vigor with neighborly relations.<br />
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Pramathesh Barua was part of the Legendary Filmmakers series planned for release in 2006. Neither was this series started, not was a stamp released on Barua. Instead, stamps on most other filmmakers were released individually (A. V. Meiyappan, Bimal Roy, Mehboob Khan, Ritwik Ghatak, L. V. Prasad).<br />
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On the other hand, the Himalayan Lakes, Landmark Bridges and Horses of India series were put in place, but some of the originally included subjects were not released. It would be ideal if these series can be continued with newer additions along with the ones that were intended for release but not included in the first issuance. A similar issue existed with stamps issues under the Festivals of India and Textiles of India stamp series. Honest opinion for Textiles stamps - Tat and Chanderi textiles were dropped to include Kalamkari (Andhra; Panbaka Lakshmi was MoS Textiles in 2009) and Apa Tani textiles (Arunachal; attempt to include North-East India).<br />
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A large set of stamp subjects (Calendar Stamps) were publicized in 2009 in the short lived Phila Post magazine. None, make note, none of these stamps have been released so far. Like the India Post-PCI collaboration on the magazine, PAC's idea of Calendar Stamps did not take off. The stamp subjects were terrific and would have done yeomen service to spread Indian culture across the world, but sadly nothing was achieved.<br />
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This post is getting quite long. I will rest my case here. This list should be used for furthering discussions with India Post and Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad (MoCIT) about stamp issues and recommendations for future releases. These stamp subjects alone should provide enough material for the next few years, leading up to the 75th Year of India's Independence (Amrut Mahotsav in 2022).<br />
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Update (10 Sep 2016): A sub-section has been added toward the end of this post to list all the stamps that eventually get released from the proposals listed below. A few minor updates to some stamp subjects have been added as well. Appreciate the feedback and comments from all the readers. Keep'em coming.<br />
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Update (06 Aug 2016): Just re-organized this post while keeping all the information unchanged. Dates and colors indicated below will allow easy navigation. Black font was the original post and additions or updates are in different colors and each color represents a specific date. Post a comment if there's a question. Enjoy.<br />
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<b>Stamp Issues Approved, but Not Released</b><br />
2001<br />
Set of 4 stamps on Greetings<br />
Set of 4 stamps on Dances of India<br />
Set of 4 stamps on Hitopadesha and Jataka Tales (Approved)<br />
<br />
2005<br />
India-Oman Joint Issue<br />
SAARC Charter Day<br />
<br />
2006<br />
Himalayan Lakes – Loktak, Suraj Tal, Naini Tal<br />
Landmark Bridges – Coronation Bridge, Kandrour Bridge, Laxman Jhula, Godavari Bridge<br />
Pramathesh Barua<br />
<br />
2007<br />
Battaqh Ali Ansari<br />
<br />
2008<br />
Festivals of India – Kulu Dussehra<br />
Infantry Soldier – Year of Infantry<br />
Jammu & Kashmir Light Regiment<br />
Maulana Atikur Rehman Alvi<br />
Mahanamrata Brahmachari<br />
Textiles of India – Tat, Chanderi, Ikat, Paithani, Maheshwari, Jamdani, Kota, Sambalpuri, Angami Weaves<br />
<br />
2009<br />
Architectural Splendor – Ujjayanta Palace, Patwon ki Haveli, Mattancherry Palace<br />
Buddha Jayanti<br />
Caves (Tracing Civilizations) – Bhimbetka, Barabar, Udaigiri, Nagarjuna<br />
Children’s Fables – Vikram & Betal, Mogli, Tenali Rama, Birbal<br />
Hill Stations (Colonial Heritage) – Gulmarg, Darjeeling, Ooty, Shimla<br />
Endangered Species – Ganges River Dolphin, Nilgiri Tahr, Lion Tailed Macaque, Himalayan Musk Deer<br />
Greetings – Christmas, New Year<br />
Horses of India – Spiti and Kati<br />
House Boats – Kerala, Kashmir<br />
National Gallery of Modern Art<br />
Seasons of India<br />
Shakti Temples – Kalighat, Meenakshi, Vaishno Devi, Kamakhya (Approved)<br />
Unique Villages of India – Toda, Kutch<br />
UN Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities<br />
<br />
2012<br />
Asiatic Black Bear and other wild animals (Set of 4 stamps)<br />
Boats of India (Set of 4 stamps)<br />
Flowers of India (Set of 2 stamps)<br />
Government College, Ajmer<br />
Railway Bridges of India (Set of 4 stamps)<br />
Traditional Embroideries of India - Chikankari, Kutchi, Kashmiri, Phulkari, Kantha<br />
Tribal Dwellings (Set of 4 stamps)<br />
<br />
2013<br />
Dr. Nilratan Sircar<br />
India-Peru Joint Issue<br />
South Asian Postal Union<br />
<br />
2014<br />
Machali, The Tigress<br />
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The following subjects should be/are being considered for release in the next few years as well:<br />
<b>BetterPhilately Wish List</b><br />
<div>
2016</div>
Banda Singh Bahadur<br />
Bishop Cotton School, Bengaluru<br />
Delhi High Court - Golden Jubilee<br />
Gaurishankar Govardhan Joshi 'Dhumketu' (Approved)<br />
<br />
2017<br />
100 Years of Kheda Movement<br />
100 Years of Sabarmati Ashram<br />
200 Years of Paika Rebellion <span style="color: blue;">(Approved)</span><br />
Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh<br />
Amritlal Nagar<br />
Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute<br />
Bombay Scottish School, Mumbai<br />
Dayalbagh<br />
Gir Wildlife Sanctuary<br />
Hindu School, Kolkata<br />
India-UN Joint Issue: International Day of Yoga<br />
Laxmanrao Inamdar<br />
Presidency University, Kolkata<br />
Queen Heo Hwang-ok (Korean queen from Ayodhya)<br />
Swami Abhedananda<br />
<br />
2018<br />
50 Years of Commercial Nuclear Power - Tarapur<br />
Bhagvadgita<br />
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat <span style="color: blue;">(Approved)</span><br />
Bose Institute<br />
Chandrakant Patel<br />
ISRO - Golden Jubilee<br />
Jyotirlinga Temples<br />
Maharshi Mahesh Yogi<br />
Maniram Dewan<br />
Osmania University, Hyderabard (100 Years) - MyStamp<br />
Rajkumar School, Rajkot<br />
Ramamand Sagar<br />
Ravenshaw University, Cuttack (150 Years) - MyStamp<br />
Sikander Bakht<br />
Srimant Sankardev<br />
The Maihar Band (100 Years)<br />
The Yoga Institute, Mumbai (100 Years)<br />
Vinda Karandikar<br />
<br />
2019<br />
150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi <span style="color: #6aa84f;">(Approved)</span><br />
High Court of Punjab & Haryana Centenary<br />
Sherwood College, Nainital<br />
St. Aloysius Senior Secondary School, Jabalpur<br />
Amrita Pritam<br />
Maharani Gayatri Devi<br />
Guru Nanak Dev - 550th Parkash Utsav<br />
International Film Festival of India (Golden Jubilee)<br />
<br />
2020<br />
36th International Geological Congress<br />
ASSOCHAM<br />
Modern School, New Delhi<br />
Pandurang Shastri Athavle<br />
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman<br />
<br />
2021<br />
75 Years of India's Independence<br />
India-Bangladesh: Joint Issue (50 & 75 Years of Independence)<br />
<br />
<b>BetterPhilately Wish List (Personalities)</b><br />
B. D. Jatti<br />
Balasaheb Thackarey<br />
Balasheb Deoras<br />
Chinmayananda Saraswati<br />
Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy<br />
Eknath Ranade<br />
Gopal Swarup Pathak<br />
I. K. Gujral<br />
J. Jayalalithaa<br />
K. R. Narayanan<br />
Khushabhau Thakre<br />
Mohammad Hidayatullah<br />
N. Sanjeeva Reddy<br />
P. V. Narasimha Rao<br />
Shivmangal Singh Suman<br />
Siyaram Sharan Gupt<br />
V. P. Singh<br />
<br />
<b>Dead Issues</b><br />
Bhupesh Gupta<br />
D. Devaraj Urs<br />
Jyoti Basu<br />
International Year of Pulses<br />
FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017<br />
<span style="color: magenta;">St. Mary's School, Pune</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">St. Mary’s Convent Inter College, Allahabad</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<b>Stamps, Eventually Issued</b><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Auroville (Golden Jubilee) - Released on 25 Feb 2018</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">CISF - Central Industrial Security Force - Released on 08 Mar 2018</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">B. Nagi Reddi - Released on 23 Feb 2018</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Oliver Reginald Tambo - Released on 07 Jun 2018</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Lions International Centenary - Released on 25 May 2018</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Patna University - Released on 25 Aug 2018</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Nelson Mandela - Released on 26 Jul 2018</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha - Released on 17 Jun 2018</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">India-Armenia: Joint Issue - Released on 29 Aug 2018</span></div>
Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-33694085054534728742018-02-09T01:32:00.001-05:002020-02-02T01:11:27.533-05:00Viet Nam - India: Joint Stamp Issue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In a surprise move, India and Viet Nam released a joint stamp issue on 25th January, 2018 in New Delhi showcasing two historical monuments associated with Buddhism. Sanchi Stupa from India and Pho Minh Pagoda from Viet Nam were depicted on the two stamps, which were issued from both countries in identical designs. Viet Nam and India celebrated 45 years of diplomatic relations, 10th anniversary of Strategic Partnership and 1 year of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017. I tried to find the genesis of the joint stamp issue and it turns out that these stamps were planned for issuance since early March 2017, but were never really reported in Indian news. I found several news briefs from Viet Nam that describe cooperation between the postal authorities during the visit of the Vietnamese Communications Minister to India early last year. That this stamp was finalized in 2017, was partially confirmed with images of the Indian souvenir sheet that were dated 2017 and have minor design changes in the final stamp issued in late-January (see below).<br />
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These stamps were dedicated at a joint ceremony on 25th January in New Delhi by postal officials of both the countries. The Indian stamp was designed by Brahm Prakash and the Pho Minh Pagoda stamp by Nguyen Du & Do Lenh Tuan. India Post issued the two stamps in panes of 45 stamps each and a souvenir sheet of 2 whereas Viet Nam issued the two regular perforated stamps, a set of imperforated stamps and a set of stamps overprinted as Specimen. Both the countries issued first day covers cancelled in New Delhi & Ha Noi.<br />
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Viet Nam & India have enjoyed warm ties since ancient times, going back 2000 years. Trade, cultural and religious connections have led to flourishing relations since time immemorial. Buddhism has played a vital role in bringing both the nations closer and it makes sense to have chosen monuments associated with Buddhism to commemorate on joint stamps.<br />
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The Pho Minh Pagoda/Temple is located in North Viet Nam, about 100 kms south of Ha Noi. The stamp specifically shows Pho Minh Tower, which is a lotus shaped monument built in 1305 during the rule of the Tran Dynasty. The top of the tower is believed to connect earth with the rest of the universe. This temple complex consists of a pond and other buildings built in the 12th century during Ly and Tran Dynasty rules. The Indian monument of Sanchi Stupa is the oldest stone building in India, built in 3rd century BC by King Ashoka. The Stupa complex comprises of the main structure, which is a hemispherical dome, but several smaller temples and monuments are present on this UNESCO World Heritage (1989) site as well. The main stupa is surrounded by a circular wall and four gateways in four directions. The monuments in Sanchi are located on a small mountain, and the area is quiet, ideal for solitude and for monks to pray.<br />
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One can purchase the Indian stamps from ePostOffice (online) and by contacting Vietnam Stamp Company on Facebook, which is selling Vietnamese stamps close to face value.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WL1Rb3BtAyUmfbiObui75s-vN3PNxyI9tXQXk8etmlKbMoYpEsHxYfm6EI6_tzEx8m8IVGXqNwJQsw_cS-izYaukXbf_rn7igzZlfqhtY2J3La_2CI3sxsGBN2wSDwelR2H6oGxp7BKo/s1600/Picture5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="614" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WL1Rb3BtAyUmfbiObui75s-vN3PNxyI9tXQXk8etmlKbMoYpEsHxYfm6EI6_tzEx8m8IVGXqNwJQsw_cS-izYaukXbf_rn7igzZlfqhtY2J3La_2CI3sxsGBN2wSDwelR2H6oGxp7BKo/s320/Picture5.png" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Identical stamps for Viet Nam-India Joint Stamp Issue (2018).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrD1MdXS7qtuX2tsJ_ddurDlUR5lm1Rdck1s0DS4a43nFdXK_onQ9pSAwTVF5JdmYYcSj0v_LZVG_VeMy43Wi5fjIT5ISKAmfNP5rXyzOWeO_JBXyMV2q7OsSUb2rCX3Z7UQTtOgDdC3E/s1600/Picture4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="749" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrD1MdXS7qtuX2tsJ_ddurDlUR5lm1Rdck1s0DS4a43nFdXK_onQ9pSAwTVF5JdmYYcSj0v_LZVG_VeMy43Wi5fjIT5ISKAmfNP5rXyzOWeO_JBXyMV2q7OsSUb2rCX3Z7UQTtOgDdC3E/s320/Picture4.png" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">India Miniature Sheet for the joint issue with Viet Nam. Check out the design version from 2017 (above).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybNHXoVP_p_KWrkf33Mm0q9CicuoNWwwAMzM4t6IZfp6mByjegwqe1OCpPgTQoyMYHliJvyxl6udqLFRs5qQH1utQIK9c39m3P8EXzMkPdH_gBx6qeGm4TryfNIqFc554WhCmbxKWTXVY/s1600/Picture6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="891" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybNHXoVP_p_KWrkf33Mm0q9CicuoNWwwAMzM4t6IZfp6mByjegwqe1OCpPgTQoyMYHliJvyxl6udqLFRs5qQH1utQIK9c39m3P8EXzMkPdH_gBx6qeGm4TryfNIqFc554WhCmbxKWTXVY/s320/Picture6.png" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Specimen & Imperforate stamps from Viet Nam for the joint issue with India.</span></td></tr>
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Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-81181456714988017892018-02-04T14:47:00.000-05:002020-02-02T01:11:16.785-05:00Papua New Guinea - India Joint Stamp Issue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: purple;">Update (04 Feb 2018): Papua New Guinea stamps finally arrived in late-January. PNG Post is selling individual stamps, miniature sheet and first day covers along with stamps from India as well. I've noticed several different images of the Indian version of the stamps, mainly differences in denominations that may have been planned earlier. This joint stamp issue had been pending issuance for almost 2 years prior and it's possible that PNG Post had some old images of the Indian stamps. Anyways, see all the images below.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRRkaSB8ukb-xEYg0ZE9c494GUKKfO661HMQ_zk8r6fTbSqFn18PyVu_XNnX32Io2DsktxP7aeCR_uHoBk-8bN_N8qqf4He5QQa_JtYnqsy_2r4JsDKWuJeitkl2fNGHd4fCANqPGouS8/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="544" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRRkaSB8ukb-xEYg0ZE9c494GUKKfO661HMQ_zk8r6fTbSqFn18PyVu_XNnX32Io2DsktxP7aeCR_uHoBk-8bN_N8qqf4He5QQa_JtYnqsy_2r4JsDKWuJeitkl2fNGHd4fCANqPGouS8/s640/Picture1.png" width="409" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">India-Papua New Guinea: Joint Stamp Issue (2017). The stamp designs appear to have been finalized in 2016 with various different denominations for the two stamps (Top and middle). Finally, the stamps were printed as shown above (bottom)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="543" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZSGBx71MPBEXyZ84TM_RkSniYEOX0drYZsodddcWFY10-ukxlECNRD8npljVGVf3Jd5CxpOfT-9brEfEJZDzKb3jY0Rr3tAvNvbM3ur51LvnInZgvUms2BXQOhA8S1vqPmMwV0q76Mxd/s400/Picture2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Papua New Guinea stamps from PNG-India Joint Stamp Issue (2017). The Bird of Paradise stamp was issued in two denominations.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZSGBx71MPBEXyZ84TM_RkSniYEOX0drYZsodddcWFY10-ukxlECNRD8npljVGVf3Jd5CxpOfT-9brEfEJZDzKb3jY0Rr3tAvNvbM3ur51LvnInZgvUms2BXQOhA8S1vqPmMwV0q76Mxd/s1600/Picture2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<span style="color: #38761d;">Update (15 Jan 2018): As many of you may have noticed, the joint issue between Papua New Guinea and India Post was hurriedly issued on 30th December 2017. Since the stamps were already printed, it looked like India Post went ahead and put them out for sale before end of the year. I've also learned that the Indian government printed stamps for Papua New Guinea Post as well, but as of 15th Jan all the stamps haven't arrived in Port Moresby yet and that's why not made available for purchase. Stamp designs that were first reported on BetterPhilately in November 2016 have not changed and are a good set for thematic collectors as well. I'm posting an image of the Indian version below as well.</span><br />
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<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSv7HqEUQAEYnx7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSv7HqEUQAEYnx7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232;">Update on 17 Dec 2016: PNG Post has posted an update on its website rescheduling the release date for this joint stamp issue to 03rd April 2017. This happens to be exactly one year after the originally planned released for April 2016. See the links below for these updates.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232;">PNG Post - http://www.postpng.com.pg/collections/view/india-papua-new-guinea-joint-stamps</span></div>
<span style="color: #f1c232;">New article - http://www.thenational.com.pg/india-png-to-release-stamp/</span><br />
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Update on 14 Dec 2016: This joint issue is likely postponed to 2017 or indefinitely. Papua New Guinea has taken off the stamps from its pending released for 2016 and India Post has obviously not confirmed the issue date so far. Stay tuned for more on this.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Update on 24 Nov 2016: Papua New Guinea will also release individual stamps for each bird. Denomination for the peacock stamp appears to be same (K1.45), but the Bird of Paradise stamp will likely be issued in two denominations (K6.60 and K10.00). Higher denomination stamp will be on the souvenir sheet and K6.60 denomination appears to be part of the stamp set.</span><br />
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Original Post: India and Papua New Guinea (PNG) are likely to issue a joint stamp issue in the next few weeks. This stamp issue was originally scheduled for release in late September, but has been delayed numerous times. This stamp issue was rescheduled for release on 22nd November, but has likely been postponed again. The new release date is not known yet.<br />
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Both the countries will commemorate their relationship on two stamps by depicting the National Birds of Papua New Guinea and India; Peacock and Bird of Paradise, respectively. Artwork for the souvenir sheet from PNG Post Office can be seen below. PNG Post will also release two stamps along with the souvenir sheet. Details from India Post are still awaited.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoxDLQQCaWsyt2YDk3bDrN63Q4Zo25KvSx8288ejafKnE49PtydT_Rq4MXlQFO5TjrkSx2EQMOvRR0cpQ7Q1w4LPg9nBzLBgXV4umgdouIPHKGeVMf3hbhSbPGfwMqaYxXVQVsMqjdIaZ/s1600/PNG+India.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoxDLQQCaWsyt2YDk3bDrN63Q4Zo25KvSx8288ejafKnE49PtydT_Rq4MXlQFO5TjrkSx2EQMOvRR0cpQ7Q1w4LPg9nBzLBgXV4umgdouIPHKGeVMf3hbhSbPGfwMqaYxXVQVsMqjdIaZ/s400/PNG+India.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papua New Guinea-India: Joint Issue<br />
PNG Post Souvenir Sheet</td></tr>
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Better Philatelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899093588668882692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4657561078603770993.post-67767637256518889582018-01-28T10:19:00.000-05:002020-02-02T01:11:04.659-05:00India Post Stamp Subjects for 2017 (Jul-Dec 2017) - Archived<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: black;">Update on 28 Jan 2018: This will be final addition to this post for last year. I'd been meaning to write a few details for three stamp issues from December. The first one was the joint issue between Papua New Guinea & India. I have another post on this joint issue, which can be found <a href="https://www.betterphilately.com/2016/11/papua-new-guinea-india-joint-stamp-issue.html" target="_blank">here</a>. The stamp issue was on the theme of National Birds of both the countries and was overall well designed, but poorly planned execution. This joint issuance had been in works for over two years and India Post kept delaying for unknown reasons. Stamps for both the countries were printed at the Security Printing Press, Hyderabad and PNG Post had a hard time locating some of the stamp supply boxed sent to Port Moresby from India. Given that the stamps were already printed, and no proper release event was organized, India Post decided to issue the stamp on 30th December, before the year was over and the stamps would have had to be re-printed. The print quantity of the Indian stamp is quite low (0.21 Million stamps each) and if I may suggest, a full pane of 45 stamps for both the denomination may be a good buy for the future.</span><br />
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Two other stamp sets, one on Stepwells and the other one on Indian Hand Fans were hurriedly issued in December as well. The Hand Fan stamps were printed and were illegally being sold on eBay since September. So it was no surprise that the stamps were put for sale before 2017 was over. Jatin Das who owns a vast collection of Indian Hand Fans (his collection is called Pankha, which is Hindi for fan) designed the stamps. The entire set of Hand Fans stamps consists of 17 designs. It's a bit confusing, but let me try to explain. The main set comprises of 16 designs (square stamps), and one of these designs is on Embroidered Hand Fan from Gujarat. This same Embroidery Hand Fan stamp is also printed in portrait format in a miniature sheet with just one stamps. That's how a total of 17 designs were designated. One other design, Painted Hand Fan from Rajasthan was also released as a single stamp miniature sheet, but the same stamp is also included in the set of 16 designs. I will be writing more about this issue in details in another post, so do check back on the blog.<br />
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The final stamp set that I wanted to mention is the one on Stepwells (or Step Wells) of India. Brahm Prakash designed the stamps (like most other large set of stamps in 2017), which is not among my favorite, because these stamps just use edited images and no new art work to prepare the stamps. This set of stamps also contained 16 stamps, depicting stepwells from different states of India. While I will try to write a separate post on these stamps as well, it's worth mentioning that the stamps were printed in three different formats - a miniature sheet of 16 designs, mixed sheetlets and individual sheetlets. The problem lies with the individual sheetlets because only 3150 sheetlets of each design were printed and one is not able to find this set anywhere in the post offices or ePostOffice. The entire set of sheetlets from 2017, which had the scarce sheetlets as well, were made available for a few days on ePostOffice. As more orders started coming in, the postal officials in all their wisdom combined the 2017 set of sheetlets with the largely unpopular set of sheetlets from 2016 to try sell deadstock. This new combo set has remained for sale for almost two weeks now, with no signs of selling out. So, this brings and end to an uber-expensive year in Republic of India stamps. Here's hoping that 2018 will be better planned, with fewer stamps and lower denominations.<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">Update on 21 Jan 2018: My apologies for delays in posting details for stamps released in December 2017. I'd mainly been waiting on accurate printing information to share and it took longer than expected. India Post also issued excessive number of stamps in the last week of December and it's been difficult to figure out the basics of collecting all of these issues. Anyways, given the number of stamps issued in the last few weeks, I will likely write this in two parts. First up, see the list of stamps issued in December 2017.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;"><b>Recent Stamp Issues (November/December 2017)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">29 Nov - MyStamp - Brihadeeswarar Temple (Dr. MGR Birth Centenary)</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Nov - Happy Anniversary</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Nov - Happy Anniversary</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Nov - Happy Birthday</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Nov - MyStamp - Pushkar Fair</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Nov - MyStamp - Dargah Sharif, Ajmer</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">07 Dec - INS Kalvari (Indian Navy Submarine Arm Golden Jubilee)</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">08 Dec - MyStamp - NMDC Limited</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">15 Dec - Centenary of 'Mahasamadhi' of Shirdi Sai Baba</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">18 Dec - MyStamp - Banarsi Dass Gupta Birth Centenary (1917-2017)</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">23 Dec - MyStamp - Shri Sai Baba Samadhi, Buti Wada</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">26 Dec - </span><span style="color: purple;">Dr. Shambhunath Singh</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">28 Dec - Dr. Shivajirao G. Patwardhan 'Dajisaheb'</span></div>
<span style="color: purple;">29 Dec - Dadabhai Naoroji</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">29 Dec - Stepwells (16 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">30 Dec - India-Papua New Guinea: Joint Issue (2 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">30 Dec - Indian Hand Fan - Embroidery (Gujarat) - 1 design in Miniature Sheet</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">30 Dec - Indian Hand Fans (16 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">31 Dec - Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Dec - MyStamp - Indian Space Research Organization</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">I'd thought November was over, but it turned out that many MyStamp sheets (mostly personalized) were put for sale towards the end of the month. Most of these are not on sale in ePostOffice, reasons for which I don't clearly understand.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">The month of December began with a much awaited stamp to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Indian Navy's submarine arm. The President of India dedicated one stamp on INS Kalvari, in two formats (full pane and sheetlet of 3). The stamp and sheetlet were well designed and it's no surprise that most good designs come from Kamleshwar Singh (and Sankha Samanta often as well). Honestly, there was no need for a sheetlet, it could have been a miniature sheet with single stamp. It was likely a commercial decision, to sell more stamps.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">Until the very end of the month, there was long lull of almost three weeks before commemorative stamps were issued again. In the meanwhile, three MyStamps were issued. Its a coincident that all three of the MyStamps were dedicated by the Vice-President of India. The one on 60 years of NMDC was dedicated in Hyderabad on 8th December, whereas the one on Basarsi Dass Gupta and Shirdi Sai Baba were issued on 18th and 23rd December in New Delhi and Shirdi, respectively. </span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">A few personality stamps were also issued in December. The one on Hindi poet and freedom fighter, Dr. Shambhunath Singh was originally scheduled for issuance on 09th November, but MoS Communications, finally issued the stamp in Varanasi in late December. The stamp on Dr. Shivajirao Patwardhan was issued on its scheduled date in Amaravati. I had shared the issue date many months back and it turned out to be accurate. Two other stamps, both nicely designed by Sankha Samanta were issued as well. The stamp on Dadabhai Naoroji was scheduled for issuance much earlier, but after all the delays it was finally dedicated at an event in Ahmedabad. The stamp on Justice Mahajan was the last stamp of 2017, which was issued in New Delhi by the Finance Minister of India.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">This leaves some notes about the Stepwells, India-Papua New Guinea joint issue and the Indian Hand Fan stamps. I will try to make time this coming week to post these and close out 2017. Even though, this past year was tremendously expensive and somewhat unnerving for Republic of India collectors, there were many more stamp issues that were discussed and eventually not issued. Many of these have been moved to the forthcoming months and years. I've already posted several details for 2018, and I've moved many of the remaining stamp subjects to that post as well. I can confirm that the MyStamp on BHU/Madan Mohan Malaviya that MoS Communications had promised in June 2017 is not being planned. The stamps on ICAR-CPCRI and Goan Tiatr were likely withdrawn and will be re-printed before release in 2018.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple;">Other stamps like the MyStamp on Indian Journal of Ophthalmology was printed but never put for sale in 2017. Barring this, the stamp on Raja Todarmal and GG Joshi Dhumketu were also not issued. I'll move most of these to the updates for 2018.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Update on 03 Dec 2017: I've waited a few days for India Post to share information for forthcoming stamp issues in December, but given their slowness, here's the update from November, including possible stamps that could be released in the last month of this year. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">The first stamp was issued on 01st November in Bengaluru to commemorate a Kannada poet, a Telugu poet and a temple in Andhra Pradesh. Even though, I was unable to establish any connection between the three stamps, the designs by Kamleshwar Singh were well planned (as always). Each stamp showed important facets of the subject. Members of Parliament from Karnataka dedicated the stamps, which were originally planned for issuance by a Federal Cabinet Minister (Ananth Kumar).</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Then came a mega stamp issue, the largest set of stamps this year celebrating Indian food. The Prime Minister of India dedicated a miniature sheet containing 24 stamps showing popular Indian dishes on 03rd November at World Food India Conference in New Delhi. Foods shown on the stamps were randomly picked from all over the country and categorized in four groups. This mega stamp issue also consisted of four more miniature sheets (6 stamps each) and four sheetlets (24 stamps each). I've listed the dishes on the stamps below.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgN_q29budF-V3aPtO76HnJl0sHN8oFrjwf3uJH6S9kaiyNOZWeyURPdC6YPZvXUaHTwYsgxK47XbVscDvrs2v_Og5y1wTWwag5J_oji0WfEVF9rqmE4qQeiDmzXc9_jiX7hiHBJV2OAo/s1600/foodindia1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="1600" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgN_q29budF-V3aPtO76HnJl0sHN8oFrjwf3uJH6S9kaiyNOZWeyURPdC6YPZvXUaHTwYsgxK47XbVscDvrs2v_Og5y1wTWwag5J_oji0WfEVF9rqmE4qQeiDmzXc9_jiX7hiHBJV2OAo/s400/foodindia1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #990000;">Two other stamps that were known before, Children's Day and Mahabharat were issued in November as well. Two stamps and two miniature sheets (each Rs 15) were issued on Nest theme to celebrate Children's Day. Honestly, these crowdsourced stamps have become excessive each year, and I wish this would be limited to one design and smaller denominations. The second mega stamp issue this past month was the one to commemorate another Indian epic, Mahabharat. Bharati Mirchandani designed three miniature sheets in collaboration with Santok Ba, Lakshmikanta Dash and Meena Mani. The stamps were dedicated at a conference on Bhagvad Gita in Kurukshetra by MoS Communications and Governor of Haryana on 27th November. If I can get clear images of the stamps, a blog dedicated to the Mahabharat and Ramayana stamps designs can be easily written for the readers.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">As has been the trend over the last few months, several MyStamp sheetlets, consisting of two personalized sheetlets on Vaishno Devi Temple and Wedding wishes as well as two customized sheetlets on NBCC (India) Limited and Maluti Terracotta temples were released. The Vaishno Devi stamp was released by the Governor of Jammu & Kashmir in Jammu, the NBCC stamp by MoS Communications in New Delhi and the Maluti temples sheet by the President of India in Ranchi. Even though the customized sheetlets have been put on sale, the two personalized MyStamps have not been made available on ePostOffice at the time of writing this update. There has been some news about potential MyStamp sheetlets on Ananada Nilayam Vimana (Tirumala) and Sabarimala Temple, but these have not been confirmed.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Recent Stamp Issues</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">01 Nov - Adikavi Nannaya, Draksharamam Temple and Kavi Muddana</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">03 Nov - Indian Cuisine (24 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">08 Nov - MyStamp - Vaishno Devi Temple</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">14 Nov - Children's Day: Nest (2 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">15 Nov - MyStamp - Terracotta Temples of Heritage Village Maluti (Jharkhand Tourism)</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">15 Nov - MyStamp - NBCC (India) Limited</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">17 Nov - MyStamp - Wedding Wishes</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">27 Nov - Mahabharat (18 designs)</span><br />
<b style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Forthcoming Stamp Issues</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">07 Dec - Indian Navy Submarine Arm (Golden Jubilee)</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">12 Dec - Gurishankar Govardhan Joshi 'Dhumketu'</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">18 Dec - Babu Banarsi Dass Gupta</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">28 Dec - Dr. Shivajirao G. Patwardhan 'Dajisaheb'</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Dadabhai Naoroji</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Dr. Shambhunath Singh</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Goan Tiatr: 125th Anniversary (2 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">India-Papua New Guinea: Joint Issue (2 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Indian Hand Fans (more than 16 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Step Wells of India</span><br />
<b style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Uncertain Stamp Issues</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">MyStamp - Indian Journal of Ophthalmology</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">MyStamp - Banaras Hindu University / Madan Mohan Malaviya</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Pilatus Induction</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Raja Todarmal</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Update on 29 Oct 2017: First off, some updates for the next several weeks. India Post has yet to issue several stamps like Mahabahrat, Hand Fans, Step Wells, India-Papua New Guinea joint issue and other personalities and there are only two months left in the calendar year. The next two months could turn out to be quite expensive, so be prepared to shell out a few thousand bucks to keep the collections updated. In early November, India Post will issue stamps on Indian Cuisine, which appears to be a set of 24 designs. Let's see what foods make the cut and what designs are in store for the collectors. </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">I've also gathered that another joint issue, this one with Armenia, could be released in December and possibly again on the theme of dances. If this comes true, it would be the sixth joint issue this year and the third on dances.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">No jumbo stamp issues were released by India Post this month, and that could provide a breather to collectors before the last two months of the calendar year begin. Several of the best designed stamps of the year were released in October; all by Kamleshwar Singh. A stamp on the Silver Jubilee of the Rapid Action Force of the CRPF was issued in Meerut by the Home Minister of India on 07th October. A stamp was also issued to commemorate the centenary of the 3rd battalion of the Kumaon Regiment on the 23rd October. General Bipin Rawat of the Indian Army dedicated this stamp in Pithoragarh, the battalion's home base. </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">One of the stamp that I had been requesting for issuance was on Nanaji Deshmukh. This stamp was finally issued by India Post on 11th October. The Prime Minister of India dedicated the stamp at a function held in New Delhi.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">A beautiful set of two stamps was quietly put for sale to commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Russia on 26th October. The stamps depict Bhavai and Beryozka folk dances; one from each country. Russia issued stamps in two designs on the same date, albeit in a different design. Kamleshwar Singh designed these stamps, as well as the ones on Rapid Action Force and 3 Kumaon (Rifles). All these three stamp issues are among the most intricately planned and created. Kudos to the designer for using this medium to truly miniaturize art work and showcase the theme to its full potential.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Two stamps were also dedicated in Mumbai to celebrate 75 years of operations at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Officials from India Post and the Mumbai Airport took part in the event held on 15th October. This was the same date when JRD Tata flew the first international flight in India from Karachi to Mumbai in 1932. This is when Air India or Tata Airlines was born. The stamps were unimpressive. I was expecting the stamps to show some history and the transition from a military base to the current world-class airport terminal, but instead the stamp designer chose to ignore the history and used glossy images supplied by the current operator to advertise the new terminal. Truly, a wasted opportunity.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Several MyStamp issues were also released over the last few weeks. The Governor of Jharkhand dedicated the MyStamp on Central Institute of Psychiatry in Ranchi. The MoS Communications did the same for the sheetlet on Indian Buildings Congress and the Home Minister of the state of Telangana released the MyStamp on Telangana Police. Given that India Post has settled on Rs 500 for each of these customized MyStamp sheetlets, the cost for collecting all MyStamps is quite exorbitant.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Recent Stamp Issues</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">07 Oct - Rapid Action Force (25 Years)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">10 Oct - MyStamp - Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">11 Oct - Nanaji Deshmukh</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">15 Oct - </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">Chharapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai (75 Years)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">17 Oct - MyStamp - Indian Buildings Congress (Silver Jubilee)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">21 Oct - MyStamp - Telangana Police (Police Commemoration Day)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">23 Oct - 3 Kumaon (Rifles)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">26 Oct - India-Russia: Joint Issue (Bhavai and Beryozka dances)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Forthcoming Stamp Issues</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">01 Nov - Adikavi Nannaya Bhatta, Draksharamam Temple and Kavi Muddana</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">03 Nov - Indian Cuisine</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">09 Nov - Dr. Shambhunath Singh</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">14 Nov - Children's Day (Theme: Nest)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">07 Dec - Indian Navy Submarine Arm (Golden Jubilee)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">12 Dec - Gurishankar Govardhan Joshi 'Dhumketu'</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">28 Dec - Dr. Shivajirao G. Patwardhan 'Dajisaheb'</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Dadabhai Naoroji</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Goan Tiatr (125th Anniversary)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">India-Papua New Guinea: Joint Issue (2 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Indian Hand Fans (more than 16 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Mahabharat (18 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Step Wells of India</span><br />
<b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Uncertain Stamp Issues</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">MyStamp - Indian Journal of Ophthalmology</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">MyStamp - Banaras Hindu University / Madan Mohan Malaviya</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Pilatus Induction</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Raja Todarmal</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Update on 07 Oct 2017: Just a quick update on new India Post stamp issues in October. Several new stamps will be released in the next few weeks. Three of these were previously unannounced. A stamp will be issued on 07th October to commemorate 25 years of the Rapid Action Force, which is a specialized police force of the Central Reserve Police Force in India's Home Ministry. A stamp will also be issued on 23rd October on 100 years of 3 Kumaon (Rifles) regiment of the Indian Army.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">A postal stamp will be issued on Nanaji Deshmukh on 11th October to celebrate completion of Nanaji's birth centenary. I've been asking for a stamp issue on this personality on Twitter for over a year now. Glad, it's finally approved.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">A set of two stamps will also be issued 15th October to commemorate 75 Years of the International Airport in Mumbai. I've posted the stamp designs on BetterPhilately Twitter feed (<a href="https://twitter.com/BetterPhilately/status/916523118230933504" target="_blank">see it here</a>). The stamp designs are quite ordinary. Neither of the stamps depict the airport buildings in its entirety, and it's hard for me to believe that despite Kamleshwar Singh and Sankha Samanta being available as designers, but India Post keeps churning out some random stamp art. Let's see if the miniature sheet looks any better.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">There will likely be other stamp issues in October, albeit unannounced.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Forthcoming Stamp Issues</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">07 Oct - Rapid Action Force (25 Years)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">11 Oct - Nanaji Deshmukh</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">15 Oct - </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">Chharapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai (75 Years)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">23 Oct - 3 Kumaon (Rifles)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">08 Nov - Raja Todarmal</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">14 Nov - Children's Day</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">07 Dec - Indian Navy Submarine Arm (Golden Jubilee)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">12 Dec - Gurishankar Govardhan Joshi 'Dhumketu'</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">28 Dec - Dr. Shivajirao G. Patwardhan 'Dajisaheb'</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Dadabhai Naoroji</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Goan Tiatr (125th Anniversary)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">India-Papua New Guinea: Joint Issue (2 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">India-Russia: Joint Issue</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Indian Hand Fans (>16 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Mahabharat (18 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">MyStamp - Indian Journal of Ophthalmology</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">MyStamp - Banaras Hindu University / Madan Mohan Malaviya</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Pilatus Induction</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Step Wells of India</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Update on 01 Oct 2017: September turned out to be quite good with several new issues being dedicated and put for sale. </span><span style="color: #38761d;">The eagerly awaited stamp set on Ramayana (11 designs) was finally issued on 22nd September by the Prime Minister of India in Varanasi. India Post also sent the stamp set to more than 40 embassies around the world to sell the stamps to the Indian diaspora. Images of the stamps had been in circulation since June this year with several speculated release dates, but what came as a surprise was the issuance of the stamp set in two miniature sheets. The stamp set was printed in a sheet with green selvage and another one with a maroon background. India Post refers to the maroon one as a sheetlet, but that's an incorrect nomenclature. Anyways, the stamps were well designed by Sankha Samanta and printed in ample quantity to reach all collectors.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;">Two joint issues were dedicated in the last month. I had wondered about this first during the last update. A joint stamp was dedicated on 12th September by the Prime Minister of India and the President of Belarus in New Delhi to celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Both countries issued one stamp with the same design showing the respective national symbols. The stamp design was quite ordinary, similar to what Belarus has been issuing all of 2017, showing national symbols. Given the similarity of other Belarus joint issues, it's safe to assume the stamp was designed in Belarus. India also issued a miniature sheet, designed by Kamleshwar Singh. It depicts the Lotus Temple (New Delhi) and the National Library of Belarus (Minsk). The stamp designer's creativity was clearly visible, and I wish he had designed the stamp as well. This could have easily been among the better designs this year.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;">The other joint issue was the much awaited one between Canada and India, which was issued on 21st September in New Delhi and Toronto. The two countries had decided in February 2017 to prepare a joint issue on Diwali and keeping the plan unchaged, two stamps, one design each from India and Canada were issued to celebrate the festival of lights. Alka Sharma designed the Indian version and Gerald Querubin of Entro Communications designed the stamp from Canada. What made this joint issue special was the issuance of the Siamese twin miniature sheet - Canada Post printed a souvenir sheet that contains one Indian stamp and a Canadian stamp. India Post had done a Siamese twin issue for the first time in 2015 with Singapore Post. Kudos to the philately team that planned this issue. The only gripe with this stamp set was the Indian design on Diwali. This is the third stamp on Diwali (2008, 2012 and 2017) and could have easily depicted something more stylized or another feature of the festival. Alka Sharma had designed one of the other Diwali stamps (joint issue with Israel in 2012) and there are striking similarities in the Canada joint issue as well. I truly wish Kamleshwar Singh or Sankha Samanta had got this project.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;">Several days after two MyStamps were quietly released in Tamil Nadu in early-September, I found out that these were part of a series of customized MyStamp sheetlets to celebrate Dr. MGR Birth Centenary. So far, four such sheetlets have been issued (Kancheepuarm, Tiruvallur, Vellore and Nagapattinam districts). I'm curious if the state administration ordered the pre-requisite 5000 for each event or if all the sheetlets were in one order. India Post also put two other MyStamp sheetlets (Mathura Refinery and Sringeri Math) on sale on ePostOffice, but no dedication ceremonies have been held so far.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;">In other news, the joint issue with Russia is now certain to be issued, either in 2017 or next year, with folk dances being the theme. It would be a nice change if India Post considers a larger variety of topics for these joint issues. Fellow collectors have suggested ideas like monuments, prominent political or sports leaders, famous cuisines etc. and we hope to see a change next time around. </span><br />
<b style="color: #38761d;"><br /></b>
<b style="color: #38761d;">Recent Stamp Issues</b><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">03 Sep - MyStamp - Pazhaverkadu, Tiruvallur District (Dr. MGR Birth Centenary)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">09 Sep - Vellore Fort (Dr. MGR Birth Centenary)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">12 Sep - India-Belarus: Joint Issue - National Symbols</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">18 Sep - Vulnerable Birds</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">20 Sep - MyStamp - Nagapattinam District (Dr. MGR Birth Centenary)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">21 Sep - India-Canada Joint Issue - Diwali</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">22 Sep - Ramayana (11 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Sep - MyStamp - Mathura Refinery</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Sep - MyStamp - Dakshinamanya Sri Sarada Peetham</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">Forthcoming Stamp Issues</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">08 Oct - Pilatus Induction</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">08 Nov - Raja Todarmal</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">14 Nov - Children's Day</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">07 Dec - Indian Navy Submarine Arm (Golden Jubilee)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">12 Dec - Gurishankar Govardhan Joshi 'Dhumketu'</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">28 Dec - Dr. Shivajirao G. Patwardhan 'Dajisaheb'</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Chharapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai (75 Years)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Dadabhai Naoroji</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Goan Tiatr (125th Anniversary)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">India-Papua New Guinea: Joint Issue</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">India-Russia: Joint Issue</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">MyStamp - Indian Journal of Ophthalmology</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">MyStamp - Banaras Hindu University / Madan Mohan Malaviya</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Step Wells of India</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Traditional Indian Hand Fans</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #bf9000;">Update on 10 Sep 2017: Even though India Post hasn't announced dates for any new stamp issues, I've added a few more possible stamp issues in 2017. The President of Belarus will be visiting India on a state visit on 11-12 Sep 2017. Could the India-Belarus joint issue be dedicated during his visit? Belarus Post has announced issuance of one stamp, but there is no update from India Post.</span><br />
<b style="color: #bf9000;"><br /></b>
<b style="color: #bf9000;">Forthcoming Stamp Issues</b><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">21 Sep - India-Canada: Joint Issue - Diwali</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">08 Oct - Pilatus Induction</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">08 Nov - Raja Todarmal</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">14 Nov - Children's Day</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">07 Dec - Indian Navy Submarine Arm (Golden Jubilee)</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">12 Dec - Gurishankar Govardhan Joshi 'Dhumketu'</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">28 Dec - Dr. Shivajirao G. Patwardhan 'Dajisaheb'</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">Birds: Vulnerable (Series 2)</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">Chharapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai (75 Years)</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">Dadabhai Naoroji</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">Goan Tiatr (125th Anniversary)</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">India-Belarus: Joint Issue</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">India-Papua New Guinea: Joint Issue</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">India-Russia: Joint Issue</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">MyStamp - Indian Journal of Ophthalmology</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">MyStamp - Banaras Hindu University / Madan Mohan Malaviya</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">Ramayana (11 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">Step Wells of India</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">Traditional Indian Hand Fans</span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">Update on 02 Sep 2017: There were no new stamps issued by India Post in July, but there were three commemorative and two MyStamp sheetlets issued in August. The first set of stamps was issued by the President of India to commemorate 75 Years of Quit India Movement. This set of stamps comprised of 8 designs by Sankha Samanta. Personally, eight designs for this event appeared excessive and several images on the stamps were did not appear iconic or necessary. A small set of two stamps could have been enough. After a long hiatus, these stamps were printed at the security press in Nashik, but seemed to have grey tones where black ink should have been used.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">India Post had organized a photography competition in July 2017 using the theme 'Beautiful India'. Three images were selected based on the entries received and issued as stamps in 2 designs along with a miniature sheet on 15th August, India's Independence Day. The stamps were quite ordinary with no specific mention of the locations or the photographers details. Other than the Taj Mahal on the miniature sheet, the two stamp designs can be easily mistaken for any other country.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">The same day, on 15th August, India Post sprung a surprise with the issuance of stamps in 4 designs on Caves of Meghalaya. Suresh Kumar Achari designed these four stamps, which were issued as individual sheets of 45 stamps and as a miniature sheet as well. The stamps depict four caves of Meghalaya, but the stamp designs are quite hard to comprehend. It could be because photographs of the caves were used instead of paintings and printing quality of the Hyderabad security printing press is poor as well. The theme of these stamps was interesting, but better art direction and printing would have made these high quality products.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">Other than these commemorative stamps, two MyStamp sheetlets were also issued. The first one was to celebrate 111 years of Indian Bank and the other one was to celebrate Kancheepuram District, Mahabalipuram Shore Temple and birth centenary of Dr. M. G. Ramachandran. The stamp on Indian Bank was dedicated at a ceremony in Chennai and the one on Kancheepuram was dedicated in Kilambakkam, near Chennai.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">Towards the end of August, India Post just gave a vague update on several forthcoming stamp issues and these are listed below. Other than the date for India-Canada Joint Issue stamp on Diwali, no other stamp issue dates are known.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">Update on 31 Aug 2017: It's been a couple months since this post was updated, but India Post appeared to be in a hiatus for several weeks in July-August as well. There was not much new information to share. Several new stamp issues are planned for issuance later this year. Here's a quick summary for stamps issued since July 2017. I will provide more details for each issue over the next few days in another update.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Recent Stamp Issues</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">09 August - 75 Years of 1942 Freedom Movement (Quit India Movement)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">15 August - Beautiful India</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">15 August - Caves of Meghalaya</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">20 August - MyStamp - Indian Bank</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">30 August - MyStamp - Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram, Kancheepuram District (Land of Lakes)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Forthcoming Stamp Issues</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">21 September - India-Canada: Joint Issue - Diwali</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Birds: Vulnerable (Series 2)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Chharapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai (75 Years)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">India-Belarus: Joint Issue</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">India-Papua New Guinea: Joint Issue</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Indian Hand Fans</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">MyStamp - Indian Journal of Ophthalmology</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">MyStamp - Banaras Hindu University / Madan Mohan Malaviya</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Ramayana (11 designs)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Step Wells of India</span><br />
<br />
Update on 01 Jul 2017: This post will provide updates for India Post stamp issues from July to December 2017. News and information for the first six months can be found <a href="http://www.betterphilately.com/2016/10/india-post-stamp-subjects-for-2017.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Forthcoming Stamp Issues</b><br />
India-Papua New Guinea: Joint Issue<br />
Ramayana (11 designs)<br />
MyStamp - Indian Journal of Ophthalmology<br />
MyStamp - Banaras Hindu University / Madan Mohan Malaviya<br />
<br />
<b>Stamps Approved for Issuance</b><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Aquaculture</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Birds: Endangered &
Critically Endangered<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Boats of India<br />
Bridal Costumes of India<br />
Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICAR)<br />
Four Dhamas (Are these Char Dhams?)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Fragrant Stamps (Chocolate, Strawberry)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Goan Tiatr<br />
Historical Gates of Indian Forts<br />
Holiday Destinations<br />
India’s Participation in World War I<br />
India-Armenia: Joint Issue<br />
Indian Fashion Industry</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Indian Perfume<br />
Jataka Tales<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Mangalyan</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Mehandi (Lawsona inermis)<br />
Minerals of India (Innovative)<br />
Musical Instruments (Chimta, Dotara, Ektara, Khartal, Tumbi)<br />
Palace of Wheels<br />
Pilatus Induction<br />
Puppets</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Shaktipeeth Temples (Kalighat,
Kamkhya, Meenakshi, Vaishno Devi)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Solar System<br />
Terracotta Temples of India<br />
Traditional Embroideries of India (Innovative)<br />
Tribes of India<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
UNESCO Heritage Sites<br />
University of Mysore<br />
Wildlife – Flora & Fauna<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Acharya Bodhihdharma &
Efflorescence of Zen Culture<br />
Acharya Konda Laxman Bapuji<br />
Bhupesh Gupta<br />
D. Devaraj Urs<br />
Gaurishankar Govardhan Joshi<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Jyoti Basu<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Lala Thunthee Mull<br />
M. Balamuralikrishna<br />
O. P. Jindal<br />
Raja Todarmal<br />
Sant Pipaji Maharaj<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b>BetterPhilately Wish List</b><br />
Amritlal Nagar</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
B. D. Jatti<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Balasaheb Thackarey<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Balasheb Deoras<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Chinmayananda Saraswati (1916-1993)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Eknath Ranade<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Gopal Swarup Pathak<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
I. K. Gujral<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
J. Jayalalithaa<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
K. R. Narayanan<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Khushabhau Thakre (1922-2003)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Mohammad Hidayatullah<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
N. Sanjeeva Reddy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
P. V. Narasimha Rao</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Shivmangal Singh Suman<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Siyaram Sharan Gupt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Swami Abhedananda<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
V. P. Singh<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
100 Years of Kheda Movement<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Auroville (Golden Jubilee)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Bhandarkar Oriental Research
Institute<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Bishop Cotton School, Bengaluru<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Bombay Scottish School, Mumbai<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Dayalbagh<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Gir Wildlife Sanctuary<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Human Organ Donation Awareness
Programme<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Lions International Centenary<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Presidency University, Kolkata</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b>Stamps Issued from the Approved
List</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
350th Anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
India-Portugal: Joint Issue<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Samrat Vikarmaditya<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Headgears of India<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Beetles of India<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Yogoda Satsanga Society of India<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
The Poona Horse<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Means of Transport through Ages<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Republic Day (Nature India)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Deekshabhoomi of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Eminent Writers: Krishan Chander,
Balwant Gargi, Kummari Molla, K V Puttappa, Bhisham Sahni, Viswanatha
Satyanarayana, Srilal Sukla, Tarigonda Vengamamba<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Srimad Ramanujacharya<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Jhala Manna<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Srimad Rajchandra<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Fragrant Stamp (Coffee)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Banaras Hindu University<br />
1942 Freedom Movement<br />
Caves of Meghalaya</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Independence Day - Beautiful India (Photography Contest)<br />
<div>
India-Belarus: Joint Issue<br />
Vulnerable Birds<br />
<div>
India-Canada: Joint Issue</div>
<div>
</div>
Ramayana<br />
India-Russia: Joint Issue<br />
Kavi Muddana<br />
Nannaya Bhatta & Draksharamam Temple<br />
Indian Cuisine<br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
Children’s Day<o:p></o:p><br />
Mahabharat<br />
Dr. Shivajirao G. Patwardhan<br />
<div>
Step Wells of India (Rani ki Vav, Agrasen Baoli, Chand Baoli, Adalaj ni Vav, etc.)</div>
<div>
Dr. Mehr Chand Mahajan</div>
<div>
India-Papua New Guinea: Joint Issue</div>
<div>
Traditional Hand Fans<br />
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<b>Stamps Issued from BetterPhilately Wish List</b></div>
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M. G. Ramachandran (Birth Centenary)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Montfort Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Yercaud</div>
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100 Years of Champaran Movement<br />
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Submarine Arm of Indian Navy (Golden Jubilee)<br />
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