EUROPA 2009 - Astronomy - Serbia - 5 May 2009

Shimla May 2009 Issue No. 17

Monthly e-Stamp Bulletin Edited by Jeevan Jyoti for free circulation among philatelists

Readers are requested to send reports of philatelic activities in their area for publication. Short write ups by the readers about their journals, societies, publications and philatelic requirements can be sent for inclusion in this bulletin to j.jyoti9@gmail.com or rainbowstamp2008@gmail.com and by post to –

Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Director, Great Himalayan National Park, Shamshi, Distt. Kullu. PIN 175126. (H.P.) India

Note- This bulletin is only for circulation among a limited group of philatelists without any commercial purpose. The bulletin will be sent to the readers only on request. Those who wish to receive it regularly please reply giving the name of your city/country with the subject SUBSCRIBE RAINBOW

Dear Philatelists,

This is the 17th issue of Rainbow Stamp News. During the past months I have tried to bring out this newsletter timely and hope all of you have been enjoying it. Here is the season of International Exhibitions again. My best wishes to all the participants and congratulations to those who have won awards in China 2009. It's a great pleasure that I have received lot of response from India and abroad about this newsletter. Some persons have also subscribed it who are not philatelists but tempted to pick up this hobby after going through the newsletter. This is a real achievemnt for me that I am able to reach non - philatelists too and making them to become a stamp lover through this newsletter. The purpose of this newsletter is to promote philately everywhere and among every class and age group of people. As I mentioned in my first newsletter that it is not a very specialized newsletter or meant for only serious collectors but for all the lovers of philately and of course for those who ever had the charm and dream of collecting stamps in their childhood but could not continue it. Sometimes it may give nostalgia to many people who in school days used to exchange stamps with their classmates or friends. . It may boost up many to revive this wonderful hobby. The main objective of this newsletter is to keep this hobby alive when we have very fast means of other entertainments and keep the collectors updated about stamp collecting and making Stamp collection as the part of everyday life........This is all for this month........Till Next month .......Happy Collecting !

--Jeevan Jyoti

Contents

§ Recent Indian Issues
§ In The News
§ What one expects from India Post and its Philatelic Bureau – Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap
§ Beginners’ Section
§ Specialized Section
§ New Issues from Other Countries
§ The Lighter Side
§ Blogs & Websites on Philately
§ Promotional Section
§ Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters/ Editor’s Mail Box

Recent Indian Issues

6 March 2009 Pterospermum acerifolium – Rs 5
12 March 2009 Krantiveer Shahid Baburao Puleshwar Shedmake – Rs 5
13 March 2009 Dr Krishna Kumar Birla – Rs. 5
29 April 2009 Spices of India - (Rs 5 x 4 + Rs 20) + M/s Rs 40

30 April 2009 R. Sankar – Rs 5


New Stamp Booklets
Bharatiya DakTikit Sangstha of Kolkata has brought out following 2 stamp booklets in the series of Stamp booklets on Cinema theme

: Cinema Makeup -- Mae West
: Costume in Cinema - Marilyn Monroe

The booklets are designed by well known artist, Shri Dipok Dey and are released in the limited quantity of 200 only. These are available at Stamps of India

Special Cover – Postmark

Mar 8: Bidasar, Save Girl Child
Mar 8 : Opening of Centenary building in memory of His Holiness Sri VR Mahadesikan

Mar 19-20: Jaipur District Philatelic Exhibition, 2 Covers

Mar 24: Mumbai, Rotary Club of Bombay 80 Years
20 April 2009 Trichy, 150 Years of Railways in South India,
24 April 2009 Mumbai, Golden Jubilee of Indo American Society

In The News

Hong Kong 2009
The 23rd FIAP Asian International Stamp Exhibition is under the patronage of Federation of Inter Asia Philately (FIAP) and organized by the Hong Kong Philatelic Society. Hong Kong Post is the main sponsor for this event. The Exhibition will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai. Approximately 600 frames will be on display. The Exhibition will open on Thursday, May 14, 2009 and close on Sunday, May 17, 2009. Mr. Dhanjanay Desai of Ahmedabad is the National Commissioner from India and Mr. Sunder Bahirwani of Hyderabad is the member of Jury from India. The list of exhibits from India and abroad can be viewed at http://www.hkpsoc.com/hk2009/exhibits.html

This is a specialized FIAP exhibition in six exhibition classes only - total 800 exhibition frames tentatively classified as below:

§ 666 frames for competitive class in the Traditional Class, Postal History Class, Thematic Philately Class, Youth Philately Class, One Frame Class and Philatelic Literature Class

§ 48 frames for the Court of Honour

§ 100 frames for 10th Inter-school stamp exhibits competition


Total of 814 frames of top class exhibits

Venue: Hall 5G, Level 5, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai.

Daily Theme:

· 14 May 2009 (Thurs): Youth Day
· 15 May 2009 (Fri): Friendship Day
· 16 May 2009 (Sat): Collector Day
· 17 May 2009 (Sun): Family Day

Date stamps: Four different pictorial postmarks, one for each day Hong Kong 2009 Temporary Post Office date stamps
Sales of stamps and stamp products by Hong Kong Post: $50 Sheetlet and First day Cover on opening day 14 May 2009.

Souvenir covers by the organizer:

· A set of four souvenir covers titled "Board Games", one for each day will be released by the organizer Hong Kong Philatelic Society for the exhibition. Tangram (Chinese: Qi Qiao Ban) is a dissection puzzle made by cutting a square into seven pieces. The challenge is to put these pieces together to form different shapes, and the number and variety of shapes that can be formed is only limited by imagination. Chinese Chess (Chinese: Xiang Qi) is widely played in Chinese communities. The board is a symbolic representation of a battlefield with a river in the middle separating the two armies at the beginning of the game. The objective is to capture the general of the opponent. Chinese Checker (Chinese: Dan Zi Tiao Qi) is a game for two to six players. The board is in the shape of a hexagram with holes for marbles to rest on. Each marble is moved by placing it in an adjacent hole or by jumping over another marble. The first player to move all his marbles across the board to fill up the star point directly opposite is the winner. Flying Chess (Chinese: Fei Xing Qi) is a simple board game for two to four players. Each player has four plane pieces in his chosen colour. The objective is to fly all four planes to the depot at the centre of the board. The players take turn in rolling the dice to determine the number of steps their planes move. The first player to land all his planes on the depot wins.

China 2009

If philately is alive & progressing it is in China. It (CHINA 2009) has established new landmark in organized Philately which will be difficult to beat by any country in many years to come. This is my observation about China 2009 ! - Yogesh Kumar, Member of Jury (Postal History Group) – China 2009

An FIP General World Stamp Exhibition, China 2009, was held from April 10 to 16, 2009 in Luoyang City, Henan Province, China. The exhibition marked the 60th anniversary of the founding of PR China, and was staged in collaboration with the State Stamp Bureau of PR China. New Zealand issued a Miniature sheet to commemorate this event on 1 April 2009. This grand exhibition was visited by about 0.6 million visitors, while the opening ceremony was attended by approx.50000 people which was held in a stadium. There were following participants from India.

Heartiest Congratulations to Participants !

Name of Participants - Exhibits - Award - Marks

Ramalinga Rao - Railways - SB - (66)

Santosh S . - The Lord of Jungle - B - (63)

Gautam - Cycling - B - (63)

Mirnal Mathur - Cars on Stamps - B - (60)

Nikhil Mundra - Mahatam Gandhi`’s world tour on Lufthansa air lines FF as always – D - (55)

Dheeraj Chaijanya –Thotakura - Means of Transport – D - (58)

Chiranjie Chakraborty - Transport -B - (61)

Phila Korea 2009
24th Asian International Stamp Exhibition is going to be held in Seoul, Korea from July 30 – Aug 4, 2009. Mrs. Damyanti Pittie is the National Commissioner and Indian Juror for the exhibition.

Stamp Mania 2009

The First National One Frame Philatelic Exhibition ”Stampmania 2009" is going to be organized by Baroda Philatelic Society from 18th to 20th December 2009 at Vadodara. The venue of the exhibition has been selected. It will be held at Shree Saurashtra Leuva Patel Seva Samaj, Alembic Road, Vadodara. Approximately 400 frames (200 x 2 ) will be displayed in the exhibition. The official website of the exhibition www.stampmania2009.com has already been launched. Details of the Exhibition Prospectus & Entry Forms in pdf format are now available at website. Collectors can get detailed information at the website or may write to Mr. Prashant Pandya or Mr. Timir R. Shah . E-Mail Prashant Pandya: info@vadophil.org Timir R. Shah: admin@vadophil.org

The options to download Entry Form in pdf format is provided on website, which you can fill and print electronically. Printed Entry Form duly signed may be sent to STAMPMANIA 2009 Secretariat with particulars of Entry Fees. Alternately you can fill online Entry Form at the website and for confirmation and for your record purpose print it and send one copy duly signed with particulars of fees to STAMPMANIA 2009 Secretariat. Hit Submit button to submit the Entry Form online.Three options for making payment of Entry Fees has been provided. You can send the fees by Demand Draft or AT PAR Cheque in favour of Baroda Philatelic Society, Can send fees by Money Order or you can deposit the amount in any branch of BANK OF BARODA in Account No. 01900100006809 of Baroda Philatelic Society.

Last Date for Submission of Entry Forms is 31.07.2009
Please visit http://www.stampmania2009.com/ to read articles on “what is One Frame Exhibit” and Social Philately?

Stamp Exhibition in Cuttack
The Cuttack Club,a heritage club of the Country established in 1865.This year it observed its 144th anniversary. A philatelic exhibition was organized among its members. Mr. Pradip Mohanty, Dr. Tanmay Mohanty and Mr. Lagnajit Roy organized the exhibition. It was continued from 2nd April to 4th April 2009. Dr. Pradip Padhi and Md. Shakil, Members of Orissa Philatelic Association were also invited to display their exhibits. One special cover was released with a special cancellation.

A Pigeongramme was sent to commssioner of Police inviting him as Guest of Honor in the function which was held on 4th April, 2009.The Exhibition was inaugurated by Major General Mr. B.P.Das AVSM (rtd) and he released the cover. Mr. Bimal Kishore Mohaptra, Mr.L.I. Parija and other senior members of the club were also present in the Function.

For details contact: Mr.Pradip Mohanty, Hon.Secretary ,Orissa Philatelic Association, Keonjhar Colony, Kanikachhak, Cuttack-753008
e-mail: oriphil@gmail.com & mohantypradip@hotmail.com Ph. 09861032965

New CD - Rom stamp from Bhutan
Bhutan Postal Corp. LTD announced its second issue on 21 February 2009 in a series of world's first CD-ROM postage stamps with web portal. The stamps are mini-CDs that fit into exquisitely decorated, self-adhesive envelopes. When affixed to a larger envelope, the CD-ROM stamp can be used as postage. When inserted into a computer, the CD-ROM plays an 8-minute video about Bhutan, and also offers a web portal to www.BhutanToday.net, with news about Bhutan in real time. This is another unique stamp in the list of Extra ordinary stamps and a new item for collectors of unique stamps.

New Blogs

Recently two new beautiful blogs have been created by well known philatelists of Gujarat.These blogs are Prashant Pandya Ka Phila Jagat by Mr. Prashant Pandya of Vadodara and
Se-tenant Stamps of India by Mr. Shrikant Parikh of Ahmedabad. Just log on to these beautiful Blogs. Both of them are very nice and informative.

New Max Card
Here is the new Max Card designed by our distinguished member Mr. Hemant Kumar Jain of Jabalpur based on stamp issued on dt.10-12-08 to commemorate 60 Years of Universal Declaration of Human Rights". For more details about this beautiful card Contact Mr. H.K. Jain E - Mail: jainhk60@gmail.com

Life dedicated to Philately…

Life Time Achievement Award
The Indo French Philatelic and Numismatic Association (IFPNA) decided to honor two eminent persons every year in order to recognize those who dedicate their life for philately by presenting the prestigious Life Time Achievement Award in Philately. Last year IFPNA honored two philatelists, Noren Singh Nahar of Pondicherry and Manmohan Singh of Bangalore.

Mr. Manmohan Singh is life member of various philately clubs and societies around India, born at Amritsar on 27th September 1946, His father Sardar Manohar Singh was also an eminent philatelist during his time. He joined stamp trade in 1968. He runs a stamp shop in Bangalore. Vannarpet Viveknagar Post. Those who wish to meet Mr. Manmohan Singh may contact at -
Mr. Manmohan Singh, No.955, 25th Cross, 22nd’A”Main, Opp.2nd Sector Park, HSR Layout, Bangalore-560115 – INDIA Phone: +91 80 32919964 Mobile: +91 93412 13173
Email - philaindia@gmail.com

Uttarakhand - A Philatelic Journey
"Uttarakhand - A philatelic journey" is an ideal example of constructive collaboration between philatelists and Postal officials. The book authored jointly by two well known philatelists of Dehradun Mr. Abhai Mishra & Mr. Rajesh Varma, is published by Uttarakhand Circle of India Post. Mr. Abhai Mishra is a senior scientist at Image Analysis Center, Dehradun and was a member of the 22nd Indian Antarctic Expedition in 2001-2002.

It covers the Uttarakhand region, starting from the hand struck postage stamps of Almora. The book has been developed in a Thematic manner so that it can be attractive to the general public. It covers topics like Personalities of the region, National Parks, Educational Institutions, Flora & Fauna, Mountain Peaks, Places of pilgrimage etc.

The authors have tried to document all the philatelic exhibitions of Utarakhand. Separate section on APS covers is also available. Other than the commemorative stamps, it also lists all the special covers issued in the region. It is a profusely illustrated book, with lot of images. The book will be highly appreciated by not only the philatelic community but also by the public in general. The book is available at Philatelic Bureau, Dehradun and also can be obtained from Stamps of India

Beginners’ Section

What is a First Day Cover?
A First Day Cover (FDC) is an envelope or card bearing a stamp which is cancelled on the day the stamp is initially placed on sale by the postal authorities. A FDC with the Lafayette stamp (A) i s shown with an Charleston, SC, First Day Of Issue cancel (B) and a cachet (C), pronounced ka-shay, which tells us something about the stamp.

What is a the Significance of the Cachet?.
The cachet enhances the cover by complementing the stamp and can be attractive, educational, humorous, and other things. There are many different cachets for each new stamp -- such as two Babe Ruth types shown.. The choice adds an exciting dimension to the hobby.

How do I Choose a Cachet?
The designs come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They may be printed, engraved, thermographed or produced by a variety of other methods. Some collectors make their own. One collecting challenge is to see how many different cachets can be found for a particular stamp.

First Day Cover Collecting Is...
Unlike stamp collecting, FDC collection is also very popular among philatelists. Collectors may make their own covers or collect covers in many dozens of different ways -- the result is a personal involvement that is extremely gratifying.

- Commodore Kapre, New Delhi

Specialized Section

Little known facts about Stamps:

WHO IS FIRST (part II)

- © Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal


In first part of this article I tried to compile the available information regarding postage stamp forerunners of one Penny and two Pence stamps of Great Britain, went on sale on 1 May 1840 and became postally valid on 6 May 1840 crowned with the title of “World’s First Adhesive Postage Stamp”.

Along with these postage stamps, Mulready Envelope and Letter Sheets with imprinted stamps were also made available to the public and also known as the “First Postal Stationeries of the World”. Are they first?

AQ Sheets
The first postal stationery item issued by a government is thought to be the AQ Sheets, introduced by the Republic of Venice in 1608, about two centuries prior to the Mulready Envelope and Letter Sheets. According to July 1967 issue of Postal History Journal, “In November 1608 the printing of special postal stationery known as Taglio was decided by the Venetian government. Each Taglio carried symbolization of the Winged Lion of St. Mark with the letter “A” on one side and the letter “Q” on the other. These two letters being an abridgment of the word “Acqua” designating the authority which had originally requested the implementation of the programme” No postal markings is known on these sheets, but the writer of the article published in Postal History Journal, John F.Rider illustrated a September 4, 1609 usage of an AQ Letter sheet.

For a long time it was considered to be postal stationery but according to Vito Salierno, II Nuovo Corriere Filateico #19, October 1978, these sheets are rather revenue items introduced to raise funds for works of Lagoon following the many floods of nearby rivers.

Saradinia Stamped Postal Paper
The government of Sardinia, located off the western coast of Italy, issued stamped postal paper on November 7, 1818 at post offices and vendors of tobacco merchants (that earned a commission for their sale) across the island in three values 15, 25 & 50 centesimi denominations to account for the distance a letter was to travel. The release was meant to tax private mail couriers. Anyone found transporting mail not on these letter sheets was subject to fines and imprisonment.

The stamps were imprinted in ink with round, oval and octagonal devices, each of which contained a horse bearing a Cherub-like rider blowing a Post horn. Later these devices were embossed on ornately watermarked sheets called Cavallini. They remained in use until March, 1836, when the postal laws changed.

Though Sardinia sheets are assumed as for only taxes but the imprinted design of a boy blowing a post horn favours its possible postal use. It is interesting to note that even these days’ tobacco merchants in Italy used to sell postage stamps for which postal department pay a commission.

Few examples and the original documents providing for their introduction and use are well preserved in the Swiss PTT Museum in Berne.

Treffenberg’s Postal Wrapper
Philatelic literature also includes the Swedish army colonel, Curry Gabriel Treffenberg’s proposals of a postal wrapper of a writing paper size with two stamps as the value of the sheet side by side containing some appropriate emblems difficult to imitate. One stamp deeply pressed into the paper i.e. embossed and the other printed with ink.

Proposal got significant support when put in the Assembly of Swedish Nobles in 1823, but the government rejected this idea.

Sydney Letter Sheet
New South Wales issued prepaid letter sheets in November 1838 with colourless embossed images impressed on to the letter sheet of a design showing the Royal Coat of Arms on the seal of the colony with the additional words “GENERAL POST OFFICE” It was an outcome of the initiative taken by the Postmaster General of the British Colony of New South Wales. This sold for 2d each or 1s3d per dozen including all charges for payment and delivery at the General Post Office and were valid for letter within the Sydney Local Post district and continued in use until May 1852. The Hanoverian coat of arms was approximately 29 mm in diameter. Since the embossing was hard to see in most of the cases, letter sheets were applied Crowned FREE frank, not because they were free but to avoid further charges to the addressee.

Many examples of this cover still exist and have pride of place in various philatelic collections. The V.P. Manwood collection of New South Wale s 1838-1860 sold in an auction during 1995, have example of 5 letter sheets out of which two were unused and one the earliest known example of November 29, 1839 piece.

Feather Letters
In the 18th century a system of attaching feathers to the seals of letters was introduced to indicate the need for speed in the carriage of letters and is well known in early Finnish history (Since the 1760s) as well as Swedish. Sweden, however, had the interesting tradition of attaching two small feathers to the letter by a wax seal. This indicated the need for speed in transit. If black and white feathers were combined this implied "Very urgent. Travel night and day!"
Can we put them also in this race of “Who is First “?P

LABELING MAILS (POSTAL LABELS)
-By Naresh Agarwal

(contd. from the last issue….)

2. NATURE OF DELIVERY: These labels highlight the nature of delivery of mail such as Express mail delivery, Airmail Express mail delivery, Special delivery, Recorded delivery, Registered delivery etc.

REGISTERED MAIL LABELS:

These labels are used on postal covers carried through registered mail. Significantly printed “R”, issuing post office name, registered number and the postage paid are normally highlighted on it. These may have printed numbers or hand written by the clerk, or may have computer print details highlighting this information. Nature of registration is also some times printed. Items must have a Registered Mail bar code that allows the item to be tracked. Each item of Registered Mail purchased and deposited at a post office must bear a bar coded Registered Mail Label.

Registered labels affixed on covers

SPECIAL DELIVERY LABELS :
These labels are used on the mail rated as “Special Delivery”. Special delivery refers to speedy delivery of the mail. Additional postage entitles the delivery of mail by a special messenger rather than by scheduled delivery.This label highlights this class of delivery.

Cover affixed with Special Delivery label

EXPRESS DELIVERY LABELS :
As the name suggests, express delivery is the fast delivery of mail. The label highlights the word “EXPRESS DELIVERY” with express word being prominent.



In general, all express labels are printed in red color as opposed to airmail labels in blue. Above are the labels from Royal Mail, UK.

RECORDED DELIVERY LABELS:

Recorded mail delivery labels highlight the recorded delivery with record slip /register number printed on it. It may also reflect the name or number of the recording office.

Cover showing recorded delivery label

CERTIFIED MAIL DELIVERY LABELS:

This type of delivery is certified by the mail receiving office specifying the receipt of mail by them for onward transmission. Labels are affixed on the mail as certified mail

3. NATURE OF MAIL: These labels highlights the nature and carriage of mail such Air Mail, RMS, Express mail service, speed post service, EMS, Ship mail. Labels displaying this comes under this class e.g. Parcel Post labels, Pneumatic mail labels, Rocket mail labels, Daily mail labels etc.


AIR MAIL LABELS :

Airmail labels are used to indicate that a letter is to be sent by Air. Some times these are printed on the covers too. These are Multilanguage, multi shapes, multi sizes, pictorial, perforated imperforated, have different and multicolor printing, different designs ( The usual design is a plain blue oblong, with the phrases such as "AIR MAIL" and/or "PAR AVION" in white letters. However, at various times, Airlines and hotels have produced more elaborate designs, some quite attractive.

The airmail label may be omitted if airmail stamps are used on the letter, and in some cases even this is not necessary if a country sends out all its foreign mail by air. In some countries, such as, the United Kingdom you may simply write "PAR AVION -- BY AIR MAIL" on the envelope, even though etiquettes are available free from post offices. As flying the mail becomes the rule rather than the exception, the airmail label also becomes superfluous and more collectible. Interesting on cover, these small (usually) Cinderellas also are sought after in their mint state. Not just aviation buffs can appreciate the adhesives that directed "Via Air Mail" in many different languages, styles and colors.)

Cover showing plain dark blue airmail Label Different Airmail Labels

ZEPPALINE MAIL LABELS:

As the name suggests, these labels are affixed on Zeppelin mail and normally depicts zeppelin on them

Mail cover with Graff Zeppelin Label affixed

PARACHUTE MAIL LABEL:

Form of air mail whereby mail is delivered by free-fall parachute from an airplane is parachute mail.Labels are affixed on the cover to identify the nature of delivery and carriage.

To be contd….

Dandi March – An Idea that Changed the World
- By Ilyas Patel

Introduction
The heart-stirring Salt March is one of the most glorious chapters in the history of our country. It was a battle of right against might, an example of human courage and will. It spread the idea of mass civil disobedience and made the people aware of its potentiality. It engulfed the nation with a spirit of one-ness and unity. In essence, it succeeded in achieving what Gandhiji had fought for all his life – total independence for India. It is regarded as one of the most celebrated non-violent events in the history of mankind.

Historical Background
Extensive literature is available that discuss how our country achieved independence and therefore the author does not wish to reproduce that detailed account for our struggle to achieve it. The author firmly believes that behind Gandhiji’s historical Dandi March there are cascade of events that prompted Gandhiji to open a new front of war using his firm principles of non-violence. In the history of world politics, Dandi March is the first mega event in which non-violence is used as a powerful tool to oppose the government.

The first organized attempt to achieve our independence was the revolt of 1857 which is popularly known as “The Great Indian Revolt of 1857.” It is called as a “Sepoy Mutiny” by the British historians whereas historians of our country call it as “First War of Independence.” The revolt was a failure due to improper planning and organization. On British side, it resulted in to transfer of powers from East India Company to the British Crown and in 1858 India came under the British Rule during the reign of Queen Victoria. With passage of time, the imperialism and racial policy adopted by the British ignited many national leaders of that time to start demonstrations and organize meetings to protect their rights. During those early days of nationalism, there was no all India organization to protest against the British Government in India. Though it is hard to believe, the first person who came forward to help Indians was a Scottish. Allan Octavian Hume (1828-1912), than Secretary to the Govt. of India was a sympathizer of Indians. His pronounced sympathies with the Indian people brought him in to conflict with the government and he was retired in 1882 without adequate reasons. In the very next year, he initiated moves for the creation of a political organization of the Indian people through which they could approach the British Government for constitutional reform and better treatment. It was at the initiative of Mr. Hume that the Indian National Congress was founded in 1885. Soon Indian National Congress (INC) became a powerful tool for political consciousness and supreme force for national movement. It started its activities for independence by organizing its first meeting at Bombay under the Presidentship of Shri W. C. Bonnerjee, which was attended by 72 members.

During the formation and consolidation stage of All Indian National Congress, Gandhiji was in South Africa where destiny involved him in the politics of South Africa. It changed the course of action of Gandhiji’s life, which he took up sincerely and attained it wholly. In South Africa he organized Indian community and tested his principles of non-violence rested on truth. Gandhiji returned to India on January 9, 1915 and founded his Satyagraha Ashram at Kochrab, Ahmedabad on May 25, 1915. Later on he founded Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad in July 1917 and lived there from 1918 to 1930. From this point to the declaration of Dandi March, several events took place that disturbed Gandhiji but, only chronology of events in which he was actively involved is reproduced here below.

April 1917 - Champaran Satyagraha
1918 - Ahmedabad Mill workers and Kheda Peasant Satyagraha.
April 13, 1919 - Massacre at mass meeting at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, Gandhiji implored people to calm.
1920-21 - Khilafat and Non-cooperation Movements.
Feb. 5, 1922 - Chauri Chaura incident and withdrawal of Non-co-operation Movement.
Dec. 1924 - Presided over Belgaum Congress
Dec. 1928 - Attended Calcutta Congress where a draft Constitution of India was adopted on December 31, 1928.
Dec. 1929 - Gandhiji’s resolution on Complete Independence was adopted at open session of Lahore Congress along with immediate boycott of legislatures.

Salt Act (1882) and Salt Tax

As added information, Penal Section of the Salt Act which reads as under is reproduced:

- Any person convicted of an offence under Section 9, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months.
- All contraband salt, and every vessel, animal or conveyance used in carrying contraband salt shall be liable to confiscation.
- Any salt-revenue officer guilty of cowardice shall on conviction before a magistrate be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three months.

The tax on locally produced salt was 240 pies on a mound of salt, which cost only 10 pies to produce. That is, the taxation rate was 2400 % and therefore, Gandhiji decided to break the Salt Law which prohibited private individuals producing salt from seawater.
At midnight on December 31 1929, the Indian National Congress unfurled the flag of independence on the banks of Ravi at Lahore. The Indian National Congress, led by Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, issued the Declaration of Independence on January 26 1930. After proclaiming the Declaration of Independence of India on January 26, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi came to an impasse in his political career focused on freeing India from British rule. He was actively and impertinently searching a topic that was most appropriate for his campaign against government. Beginning in February 1930, his thoughts swayed towards the British salt tax, one of many economic improprieties used to generate revenue to support British rule, as the focal point of non-violent political protest. The prominent reasons to select Salt Tax were; (i) absolute monopoly on salt production and sell by the British, (ii) in temperate climates of India, salt was invaluable to the people, many of whom were agricultural laborers and required the mineral for metabolism in an environment of immense heat and humidity where sweating was profuse, and it was occurring throughout low-lying coastal zones of India, (iii) it was easily as well as readily accessible to them who were instead forced to pay money for it which they could easily collect themselves for free, and (iv) most importantly it met the important criterion of appealing across regional, class, and ethnic boundaries. Everyone needed salt, and the British taxes on it had an impact on all of India. Led by an "inner voice" during this period of strategical uncertainty, Gandhiji used the British Government's monopoly of the salt tax as a catalyst for a major "Satyagraha" campaign. One of Gandhi's principal concepts, "satyagraha" goes beyond mere "passive resistance"; by adding the Sanskrit word "Agraha" (resolution) to "Satya" (Truth). For him, it was crucial that Satyagrahis found strength in their non-violent methods.

Choosing the salt tax as an injustice to the people of India was considered an ingenious choice because every peasant and every aristocrat understood the necessity of salt in everyday life. It was also a good choice because it did not alienate Congress moderates while simultaneously being an issue of enough importance to mobilize a mass following. The idea of defying salt-tax to achieve independence was not palatable to the then President of INC Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (Ill. 1). But when it turned out to be an unbelievable successful movement, he confessed very frankly about his doubts and praised about the capabilities of the Gandhiji in organized mass movement. Similar to Panditji’s opinion, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Ill. 2) was also in doubt about its success and was not agreed with it. In spite of his reservations, Sardar Patel took the responsibility of finalizing the route to Dandi. Even this place Dandi was also selected by him with his colleagues Mohanlal Pandya and Ravishankar Maharaj (Ill. 3) and he finalized the program of the entire route and made all arrangements. While finalizing the route, he was also delivering his speech for public awareness. He was arrested on March 7 at Ras village while making one such speech for which he was not permitted by the authorities (pre-Dandi March arrest). The historical Dandi March took place on this route only and thus Gandhiji walked on Sardar Patel’s route.

The place selected by Gandhiji for his symbolic defiance of the provisions of the Salt law was Dandi, a seaside village in Gujarat. The main reason to select this was that that it was the farthest end of Gujarat seacoast and was surrounded by villages and town with the tried workers for satyagraha. The people of Karadi, Navsari and nearby villages had shown special enthusiasm for the struggle. The second intention was to extend travel time of the march so that it may gain wide publicity, spread to larger extent and creates more public awareness within the country. He decided to march the entire distance of about 385 kilometers (241 miles) from Ahmedabad. In an effort to amend the salt tax without breaking the law, on March 2, 1930 Gandhi wrote to the Viceroy, Lord Irwin: "If my letter makes no appeal to your heart, on the eleventh day of this month I shall proceed with such co-workers of the Ashram as I can take, to disregard the provisions of the Salt Laws. I regard this tax to be the most iniquitous of all from the poor man's standpoint. As the Independence movement is essentially for the poorest in the land, the beginning will be made with this evil." The unfeeling reply from the Viceroy provoked Gandhiji to exclaim: “On bended knees I asked for bread and I have received stone instead.” On the eve of the historical march, in his evening prayer meeting Gandhiji took a pledge; “I will die a crow’s death, I will die a dog’s death; but I will not return to the Ashram empty handed, without Swaraj”. In the same lecture he also said that “there are all chances that this is being my last lecture to you. In the morning if I will be permitted to march by the government, even though, this is being my last lecture on the holy bank of the River Sabarmati, or otherwise, this may be the last lecture of my life.” And Gandhiji never returned to Sabarmati. He was assassinated a few months after independence and could never make the promised return to Sabarmati. What a great misfortune!

At the time of Dandi March, the age of the Gandhiji was 61 years. For smooth and ease in walking during the march with all his essentials carrying in his shoulder bag, Gandhiji selected a wooden stick 54 inch long and 1 inch in thickness. Gandhiji with stick in his hand later on became his symbolic identity (Ill. 4 and 5).

To be contd…..

New Issues from other countries

Australia

1 April 2009 Indigenous Culture – 5 val.
400 Years of Cocos (Keeling Islands) – 4 val



Andorra

27 March 2009 – Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers – M/s

Azerbaijan

2 April 2009 ECO Summit – 1v.

2009 – EUROPA Astronomy 2 Val + M/S




Belarus

15 April 2009 EUROPA 2009 Astronomy – 2 val.

Bhutan

20 March 2009 Punakha Dzong Cantilever Bridge - val + M/s

Canada

9 April 2009 Global Warming – 2 x 54c

Croatia

27 March 2009 Save Poles and Glaciers – 2 val + M/s

30 March 2009 Easter – 3.50

Czech Republic

6 May 2009 EUROPA Astronomy – 17 Kc




22 April 2009 – 150th anniversary of the Former Pardubice – Liberec South – North German junction line – 10kc


Guernsey

28 May 2009 Europa 2009 Astronomy – 2 val

Hong Kong

7 April 2009 China 2009 – 1 M/s

Ireland

24 April 2009 Francis Bacon – 55c

Lativia

2 April 2009 Europa 2009 Astronomy – 2 val

Lithuania

25 April 2009 EUROPA 2009 – 2 x 2.45 Lt

New Zealand

1 April 2009 China 2009 – M/s - 50c $1.00, $1.50, $2.00.

1May 2009 50th Anniversary - Auckland Harbour Bridge



Pakistan

11 March 2009 10th ECO Summit at Tehran - Rs. 5

23 March 2009 Golden Jubilee - Habib Public School – Rs. 5




28 March 2009 – National Year of Environment – 4 val

Poland

22 April 2009 Polish Year in Israel – M/s – 3zt.



Portugal
11 March 2009 Eight hundred years of Franciscan Order – 1val + M/s
24 April Biodiversity – 4 v + 2 Min. sheet




Sri Lanka
5 March 2009 Moors Sports Club – Rs 5 + A. P. De Zoysa – Rs 5
9 Mach 2009 Railway Running Shed – Dematagoda – Rs 5
13 March 2009 Gate Mudalyar M.S. Kariapper –Rs 5
31 March 2009 University of Vocational Technology – Rs 5

Ukraine
17 April 2009 Astronomy – 2 val

Reader’s Right

Editor’s note- The aim of this stamp newsletter is to provide instant information and facts on philately to the readers and not to hurt anyone’s feelings. Readers may express their views, anguish and resentment through this column on philately. The platform is not used for any vested interest to cause derogatory to philately. When writing your views be sure that it should be related to philately only.

Inverted Jenny ...……. Interesting related story

-Hemant V. Kulkarni, USA

Just received the recent Rainbow stamps Newsletter and noted the item on a British auction of the most famous 'Inverted Jenny' US error stamp. Here are two interesting related items. First one is related to George W Bush's second term Presidential 'election-balloting' and received a great deal of publicity. The second is a 'copycat attempt' to issue three US commemorative stamps on the occasion of a philatelic convention. It has three different pictures which are intentionally printed upside down.

-

K. Birla Stamp
This is in reference with the recent stamp release on well-known industrialist KK Birla (Mar 13, 09). The vernacular spelling of Shri Birla's name is different when compared to the one appearing on the postage stamp released to honour his father, leading industrialist and educationist, Shri G D Birla (June 11, 1984). It makes one curious about the two different spellings on postage stamps issued by the same-old India Post. It may be just another case of ignorance or it may also be at the behest of the Birla family who may use both the versions of the spellings.But it definitely creates a variety for us, philatelists!

- Niket Bubna, US

The Lighter Side

When it was USSR…..
In most countries it is uncustomary to publish stamps featuring living people. But sometimes such stamps are published. M. Gorky was the first in the USSR to be featured on a stamp. Two stamps devoted to the 40th anniversary of his literary activity were published in 1932. They bore the same picture but were of different colors and costed differently. M.I.Kalinin, I.V.Stalin, L.I.Brezhnev, Indira Gandhi and Nelson Mandela were featured on the stamps. Stamps also depicted the first Heroes of the Soviet Union and the first spacemen. But the only plain man, who was also featured on a stamp, was rather unlucky. In 1956 a stamp devoted to Eivazov, one of the oldest Azerbaijanis, was published. The text read "A 148-year-old collective farmer Eivazov Muhamed Bagir Ogly". But soon it turned out that the farmer's name was not Muhamed but Mahmud. The foul stamp was immobilized and a new one was published, which bore the right name. It was in the late 1980s that the USSR stopped publishing lifetime stamps.

What origin is the word philately?
Greek. The word philately is Greek in origin. Philately means the study of postage stamps. A philatelist is someone who studies stamps and a philatelomaniac is a person who takes stamp collecting to a mania. Before stamps, receivers of mail would pay the price of the mail given to them. Most people wouldn't accept mail because of the high prices.

Who came up with the word philately?
Georges Herpin. Georges Herpin was a French stamp collector who wrote "The Collection of Postage Stamps" in November of 1864. He was the first President of the French Philatelic Society


Do you know?

-The first postage stamps did not come with a sticky back. People used their own glue or paste or figured out other ways to keep the stamp on the envelope.

-The most popular US postage stamp sold over 120 million copies. It was a 1993 stamp of rock singer Elvis Presley.

-The only country to print stamps without its name on them is Great Britain. This is okay because they invented the stamp. -The first postcards were released on January 1 1872. The text on each postcard read: "The postal authorities are not responsible for the contents of the letter".


Blogs & Websites on Philately

http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com/ – This is a new blog on se-tenants stamps of India by Mr. Shrikant Parikh of Ahmedabad.

http://prashantpandya.blogspot.com/ - A new Blog in Hindi by Mr. Prashant Pandya of Vadodara. It is the only blog for philately in Hindi and created to have awareness about philately amongst philatelists as well as non philatelists .

www.stampsofindia.com/ – This is the website of India with complete information on Indian stamps.

http://stampcollectingroundup.blogspot.com/ - Interesting news, resources and links about stamps, stamp collecting and postal operations.

http://www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/ – This is the e – Stamp Club Blog to bring philatelists together on blogosphere and share views with each other.

http://wwwmyfavouritestamps.blogspot.com/ - A blog on my favourite stamps.


ZEPPELIN STUDY GROUP - meeting at PIPEX 2009 stamp show at Portland, The ZEPPELIN STUDY GROUP is meeting at PIPEX 2009 stamp show at Portland, Orgeon (USA). Meeting date is Sunday May 24, 2009. If you plan to attend that meeting, please get in touch with Dickson Preston who is organizing the meeting. Dickson can be reached by email dicksonp@u.washington.edu Further details online at http://www.ezep.de/meet/pip.htmlwww.

http://www.ezeptalk.de/ -new board for zeppelin mail and airship memorabiliaA new board for zeppelin mail and airship memorabilia was launched some days ago. At www.eZEPtalk.de you will find a board where you can post and discuss everything about zeppelin mail and airship memorabilia. If you have a question or if you simply want to share a nice cover, please do so at eZEPtalk.de. You can also respond to questions or participate in discussions started by other board members.


On-line Exhibit on International Virtual Philatelic Exhibition EXPONET –
http://www.exponet.info/
http://www.japhila.cz/hof/exponet_menu.htm

Promotional section

New Max Cards
Here are some new Max Cards on Kalka - Shimla Railway.The 105-year-old railway line that meanders through the hills between Kalka and Shimla, covering 102 tunnels and 800 bridges, has been officially declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.The Kalka-Shimla railway line was built in 1898 during British rule to connect the then summer capital of India, Shimla, with other parts of the country. The two-feet-six-inches narrow gauge railway line that covers a distance of 96 km was officially opened for traffic Nov 9, 1903. It is a big attraction for the tourists visiting Shimla. These Max Cards have been prepared by Mr. Mahendra Sharma of Guwahati .

-Tenth Aniversary of Japhila e-zine: http://www.japhila.cz/2009/pictures/10_japhila.jpg Printing sheet on sale: 16 eur with R-postage / 10 pieces 15 eur with R-postage
Write on: janik@japhila.com

-P.K. Prathapchandran E – Mail pkprathapachandran@gmail.com

I am a senior engineer aged 67 & also senior philatelist. I am a Life Member of The Religious Stamp Exchange Club of Kochi, One of the earliest Philatelic clubs in Kerala, started in the early Seventies. I was in the club from the beginning, along with M/s. V.O. Antony, O.B. Menon, Louis brothers, M.R. Pai etc.. Of the over 1,000 members now my membership No. is 27, most of those seniors to me 26 are not with us now! The club functions even now actively with regular monthly meetings and publishing informative journal, periodic postal auction etc. I am interested in getting some Block-of-Four India Stamps. I have a lot of India First Day Covers for disposal & request if any one is interested in covers may contact me.

Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

Stamp of India Collectors’ Companion - India’s first and most updated weekly e-newsletter edited by Madhukar and Savita Jhingan from Stamps of India, New Delhi. E-mail: mjhingan@yahoo.com Website: http://www.stampsofindia.com/

ITS Stamp News – Jan – March 2009, Quarterly Newsletter - Editor -Suraj Jaitly, Published by Indian Thematic Society, Ludhiana E –Mail – indianthematicsociety@gmail.com

Phila Post – Jan - Mar 2009, Quarterly Philately Journal, Executive Editor: Manju Kumar, Director, Philately Division, India PostPublished by L.B. Associates (Pvt.) Ltd., H-108 Sector 63, Noida- 201301. Subscription Rs. 40 by M.O. for 4 issues.


Editor’s Mail Box

Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap, Switzerland
Thank you very much for forwarding me the April issue of Rainbow Stamp News. The article by Dr. Satyendra Agrawal, is very interesting and informative to all philatelists. As your magazine contains a lot of illustrations of the stamps and other philatelic materials, and that too, in original colours, it makes the reading not only interesting but also useful. I must thank you and appreciate your selfless dedication to the growth of philately in India.

Prashant Pandya, Vadodara
I have gone through your news letter. You have given very nice information in it. It is good that you are providing information about stamps of foreign countries with images. That helps to thematic collectors. Dr. Jagtap's article is also very good article on Indian Stamps. Beginners' Section is always helpful to new comers and especially school children. Other articles are also very good. I am happy that philatelists are coming forward to give articles in newsletters.

RAINBOW STAMP CLUB

This is a blog of e-stamp Club http://www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/ . The idea of this blog is to extend philatelic fraternity in all corners of the world. Readers may write about themselves with their collecting interests and share new ideas with other philatelists. Those who are interested may send following details for publication on blog. If they wish they may also send their photo for publication. New Post on recent issues, news on stamp activities and Contribution by members are published everyday on this blog.

Name…………………………………………
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E-Mail………………………………………..
Postal Address…………………………….
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Brief write up about yourself……………

Readers may also express their views on any philatelic matter which will be published under Club News at Rainbow Stamp Cub Blog. Philatelic Clubs and Societies may also send brief write ups. News about new issues of India and abroad and other information related with Philately are regularly posted on this blog. Readers may send reports on new issues, special covers, cancellations & philatelic activities of their area for inclusion in this Blog. - Editor


Courtesy- News and Image Resource to this issue - Stamps of India, Dipok Dey- Kolkata,Yogesh Kumar – Bareilly, Jagannath Mani – Bangalore; Abhai Mishra- Dehradun Shrikant Parikh- Ahmadabad, Prashat H. Pandya-Vadodara , Pradip Jain- Patna; Hemant Kumar Jain- Jabalpur, Mobile Philately – Deepak Modi


· For PDF Version of Rainbow Stamp News reply with the subject Subscribe Rainbow PDF

Address for communication: Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Director, Great Himalayan National Park, Shamshi, Kullu (H.P.) PIN 175126

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· Last date for receiving write ups – 25th of every month. Kindly send images in jpg compressed format & text in MS Word only.

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A Request to Readers & Contributors-

-Please do not send the text in scan form. Send your write ups in MS Word only.

-Please do not send forwarded messages for promotional section if you want to give any information for promotion please write personally with brief write up. As this newsletter is not used for any commercial purpose in any manner.

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"The philatelist will tell you that stamps are educational, that they are valuable, that they are beautiful. This is only part of the truth. My notation is that the collection is a hedge, a comfort, a shelter into which the sorely beset mind can withdraw. It is orderly, it grows towards completion, it is something that can't be taken away from us" - Clifton Fadiman in Any Number Can Play.


Till Next Month Happy Collecting……………………………………………………………………..

Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti, from Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) India.