Indian theme on foreign stamps

 

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

Canadian Sikhs

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

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

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

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

- Kenneth Sequeira -  Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Club News

Philatelic Societies of India

The Deccan Philatelic Society

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

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

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

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

Contact address :

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

email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com

The Army Philatelic Society

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

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

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

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

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

email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com

 

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Gaya Stamp Festival 2012

 

 

Shri Vishnu Charan Dharamshila, Gaya

 

GAYA STAMP FEST 2012 was organized by the Bihar circle of India Post from 4th to 5th Feb 2012 at GAYA  in Bihar State, after a gap of 8 yrs. A special cover t 04/02/2012 was released on the occasion by the Commissioner Magadh Division on 4 February 2012.The theme of the cover is Vishunpad Mandir & Pind dan, and cacellation is Vishnupad Mandir sthit Bhagwan Vishnu Charan. Anil K Saxena, distinguished philatelist of Gaya exhibited his collection in the festival and was honoured by the Postal authorities and the local administration .

 

- Dainik Jagran – 5 Feb 2012

Anil K Saxena-Gaya : email  saxenaak273@yahoo.co.in   Ph  09431272010

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Stamps on Indian theme….

 

 Sacred Animals of Hinduism

 

Guinea Bissau Post issued a beautiful Souvenir Sheet and a set of four stamps in the year 2010 featuring Sacred Animals of Hinduism. Issues  from Guinea Bissau and some other African countries are always very controversial among serious stamp collectors whether to include them in collection or not. As these stamps are issued on themes which are not related with the subjects of their own country. So many of the issues are regarded as illegitimate issues and are not preferred by advance collectors to display them in their exhibits.  But  these are legitimate issues of Guinea Bissau and appear in the catalogue. It is a beautiful issue which any Indian would love to have  in his/her collection !!

: Image : Eli Moallem, Israel

About Guinea Bissau…

The Republic of Guinea-Bissau  is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west.

   

It covers 36,125 km² (nearly 14,000 sq mi) with an estimated population of 1,600,000.

Guinea-Bissau was once part of the kingdom of Gabu, as well as part of the Mali Empire. Parts of this kingdom persisted until the 18th century, while a few others were part of the Portuguese Empire since the 16th century. It then became the Portuguese colony of Portuguese Guinea in the 19th century. Upon independence, declared in 1973 and recognised in 1974, the name of its capital, Bissau, was added to the country's name to prevent confusion with the bordering Republic of Guinea.

Only 14% of the population speaks the official language, Portuguese. A plurality of the population (44%) speaks Kriol, a Portuguese-based creole language, and the remainder speak native African languages. The main religions are African traditional religions and Islam, and there is a Christian (mostly Catholic) minority.

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New Special Covers…

 

VAIGAIPEX – 2011 , Madurai

The above postmark of 29.11.2011 shows Golden Lotus Pond at Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai.

Date of Issue : 29 .11.2011

 

The above  postmark of 28.11.2011 shows temple tank (theppakulam) of Mariamman Temple at Vandiyur, Madurai.

Date of  Issue : 28.11.2011

 

:Kasinath R  http://shipthemegallery.blogspot.com/

: Radha Ramlingam, Thiruannamalai

                                          

Special Covers – Chinar 2011, Srinagar

 

: Hemant Jain, Mandla (MP)

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Stamp on Holy Bible …

 

 

 

The Brazilian Post has issued a block of commemorative stamps for Christmas 2011 featuring Holy Bilble'. The upper stamp has the image of an open Bible with the Planet Earth as background. At the lower stamp the closed Bible on a beam of light represents the word of God.

At a background image of the block, the universe is represented as a symbol of God's creative power. The drawings of Christian symbols on the sides have specific meanings: the dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, wheat and grape represent bread and wine, the body and blood of Jesus, lamb symbolizes Christ (as mentioned in the Bible - Lamb of God), the cross represents the Holy Trinity, and fish (called Ichsthys - fish in Greek) is an acronym for the phrase Iesus Christus Soter Theou Yicus, which means Jesus Christ, Son of God the Savior, the symbol used for identification and communication among Christians.

From our Readers…

11.11.11 in different forms

: Ashwani Dubey, Gorakhpur

: Vijay Modi, Himmatnagar - Gujarat

Exhibits

Here I am sharing last part of my  Rainbow Collection  If any one wishes to exchange  philatelic items on Rainbow …..is most welcome !! –

 

 

 

From page 13-16

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New Stamps on Christmas

 

Date of Issue : 31 October 2011

Australia Post and Christmas Island  issued new stamps on 31st October 2011 for this year’s Christmas celebration.

This year's Christmas issue from Australia Post includes two stamps with a religious theme and three that focus on the more secular elements of Christmas.

The beautiful religious stamps show two episodes from the Biblical story. In the 55c stamp the Virgin Mary, dressed in her traditional deep blue robe, gazes tenderly at the newborn baby Jesus. In the $1.50 stamp, the three Kings or Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, are shown journeying from the east to Bethlehem in order to worship the Christ Child. They are dressed in rich robes as befits their royal station. The guiding star can be seen in the night sky.

Stamp and Coin Cover

The three secular stamps offer an alternative to those who celebrate the festive season but who would prefer not to focus on the religious aspect of Christmas. Many people identify Christmas with the Christmas tree and the excitement of opening elaborately wrapped presents early on Christmas morning. The decorative Christmas star is a reference to the bright star that the Wise Men followed from the east. 

 

 

Date of Issue : 31 October 2011

Festive designs appear on new Christmas Island stamps to celebrate  this year’s Christmas.  The stamp issue takes a light-hearted approach to Christmas, integrating symbols of Christmas with the island’s natural environment in a humorous graphic manner.

55c Pulling crackers.
In a classic Christmas Island setting and surrounded by a number of delighted birds and a green sea turtle, Father Christmas and a Red Crab pull a Christmas cracker. A lovely Ridley’s Orchid hangs among the Christmas lights while a Christmas Island Frigatebird, a Golden Bosunbird, an Abbott’s Booby and a Green Sea Turtle look on.

$1.50 Father Christmas arrives on Christmas Island.
Christmas Island is known for its snorkelling sites. Father Christmas has taken time out to do some snorkelling before arriving on the island to be met by a number of excited crabs, birds and fish, including an Eastern Reef Egret, a Red-footed Booby, a Moorish Idol and a Whitelined Cod.

 

: Australia Post

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New Stamp from India

 

Chitrapur Math

Date of Issue : 9 October 2011

Image : Mansoor B.- Mangalore

India Post issued  a postage stamp on Chitrapur Math on 9 October 2011. 

Chitrapur Math is the central Math (community temple) for the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin sect. This Math is located in Shirali in North Kanara area of Karnataka and has been there since 1757. The other Maths of this community are located in Gokarn, Karla, Mangalore and Mallapur. All the Maths have the insignia of the saffron flag .Shri Chitrapur Math is the beacon of spirituality to the Chitrapur Saraswat Samaj which has spread all over the globe today. Lord Bhavanishankar is the Aradhya Daivat (presiding Deity) of the Math.

The Advait philosophy enunciated by Shri Shankara Bhagavatpada (Adi Shankaracharya) is the foundation of Sanatana Dharma . The resplendent Guru Parampara of the Math traces its origin from Lord Dakshinamoorti Himself. Shankara Bhagavatpada who came in the 8th century and the eleven Yateeshwars, who have graced the Peetha of our Math over the last 300 years, have devoted their life time to rejuvenate the community spiritually and guide people in their Sadhana, which has the attainment of Moksha as its ultimate goal.

A Vaidik Pathshala and a Goshala, are just two of the many activities initiated by the Math to propagate Sanatana Dharma and all-round welfare of the Samaj. The Math also reaches out to help through charitable and developmental activities such as Annadan, promoting education, health care, offering vocational guidance, opportunities and assistance to become self-reliant and so on.

 

New stamp on World Post Day 2011

 

Czech Republic issued a new stamp on 5 October 2011 to commemorate World Post Day which is celebrated on October 9.The annual World Post Day held on October 9th commemorates the 1874 creation of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in Bern, Switzerland. The original name was General Postal Union. The main goal of the UPU has been and continues to be to safeguard development of the international postal communication network and create uniform conditions for international mail exchange.

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New Stamp on Christmas..

Date of Issue : 1 November 2011

 

Christmas – Stained Glass

The art of creating coloured glass is ancient, and was originally practiced by both the Egyptians and the Romans. Stained glass, or sometimes thin slices of alabaster set in wooden frames to create a similar effect, has been used in churches and other stately buildings the world over since the Middle Ages. At a time when much of Europe was illiterate, churches in particular took advantage of the use of stained glass—frequently depicting vivid and expressive scenes from the Bible—to visually reinforce their teachings. An art-form in itself, stained glass is often referred to as ‘pictorial art’ or described as ‘illuminated wall decorations.’

Three of this year’s Christmas commemorative stamps from Canada Post  showcase scenes from the magnificent stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Kingston, ON, which was built nearly a century and a half ago. The windows were originally imported from England. Over the years, several installation projects, additions and changes have been undertaken. This work includes a complete restoration of the windows, which began in 1993, done on site by glass and installation artist Mark Thompson, using much the same methods employed for the past thousand years.

The scenes for the stamps are chosen to depict the story of Jesus’ birth.

Club News

Spl cover on floating post office, Biscoe School released during CHINAR 2011

 

Srinagar, Sep 27: The second day function of Chinar 2011 J &K Philatelic Exhibition organized by Department of Posts, J &K Circle, continued and special cover on Floating Post Office, Kesar (Saffron) were released by Chief guest  Lt. Gen. K T Parnaik (GOC northern command).

John Samuel, Chief Postmaster General while releasing the special cover on Tyndale Biscoe School said that department of posts is opening two more post offices, one at Changla Pass in Leh and other at Khardongla Leh (world`s highest point of motorable road).

Special covers  on Kesar , floating post office andTyndale Bisco were releasedAround 450 Students from various schools participated in the Letter Writing Competition arranged by the Department on the theme of “Letter to my mother”. Workshop on Philately for students was conducted in the afternoon followed by Group Discussion on  topic ‘Future of Post Offices’.

Today special covers on Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Dal lake were  released and Quiz Contest for students was held besides workshop for students .

 

 

 Sacred Stamp Award award for Croatian Post

Croatian Post received a special award this week for a stamp entitled "400 years of the Capuchins in Croatia" by Ariane Norsic. The 29th International philatelic awards which includes as category for sacred art on postage stamps known as "San Gabriel", was held in Legnago, Italy.

The competition saw Croatian Post singled out as among the best in the world for stamps containing religious messages. Philatelic award Winners are selected annually, by an international jury composed of eleven philatelists.

Danilo Bogon, the main organizer and coordinator of the international philatelic awards, highlighted the exceptional quality of Croatian postage stamps in their visual communication. The stamp found favour with the jury, who admired the way in which the Capuchin Order and the importance and role of Leopold Mandic had been depicted.

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Holiday stamps from USA…

 

To be issued on 13 October  2011

Non denominated (44¢) Holiday Baubles special forever stamps will be issued on 13 October at the National Postage Stamp Show in New York City.The U.S. Postal Service’s cheery Holiday stamps feature four colorful ornaments sure to add to the joys of the season. These festive baubles may also inspire fond memories of beloved ornaments from childhood—objects that still have the power to enchant us today. The stamps go on sale Oct. 13.

A double-sided booklet of 20 and an ATM pane of 18 of the four Holiday Baubles special forever stamps will be issued Oct. 13 at the National Postage Stamp Show in New York City.

On the same day at the stamp show, in a double-sided booklet of 20, a Christmas Madonna and Child by Raphael special forever stamp will be issued.

On Oct. 14, the second day of the stamp show, two additional holiday special forever stamps will be issued for Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. These stamps will be issued in separate panes of 20.

From Our Readers…

PERSONALIZED STAMP ON BHAGWAN MAHAVIR

United State Postal Service provide personalized stamps service. Recently I had visited USA and ordered for such personalized stamp on Bhagvan Mahavir. These stamps are valid for postage in USA at any time.

- Sudhir Jain, Satna (MP)

 

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