Rainbow October 2015

 

Great Scientific Discoveries and Inventions

150th Anniversary of the Discovery of the Laws of the Heredity by Gregor Johann Mendel

Date of Issue : 4 August 2015

100 years since the creation of theory of relativity by the genius of all times Albert Einstein

Date of Issue : 7 September 2015

 

Dehradun October 2015 Vol. VIII Issue # 94

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 and by post to –

Ms. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248002. 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 Reader,

I am pleased to release October 2015 Issue of Rainbow Stamp News. From this issue I am going to introduce a new column in Rainbow “ Doon Philatelic Diary ”. Since Rainbow Stamp News is now published from Dehradun it is my pleasure to start this new column by noted philatelist of Dehradun, Mr Abhai Mishra. I am sure all the Readers would like this new section of Rainbow. On Gandhi Jayanti a special article by Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal in this issue, just enjoy it !

An Earnest Request

I am overwhelmed with the love and honor you all bestow on RAINBOW. I am happy to receive philatelic articles from reputed and veteran philatelists of India and abroad for publication. With due apologies I would state that some of the articles cannot be published being of very big in size with heavy images in PDF . It may please be noted that the magazine size is limited and so despite my all willingness, I am unable to publish those articles. Kindly send compressed images in JPG format and text in MS Word only. Any news item or Article in PDF will not be accepted. The size of the article must not exceed 1 MB and number of pages ( A4 Size) should be restricted to 12.

Please send your feedback about this issue. This is all for this month. More in next issue.

Until Then……Happy Collecting !!!

                                                                                                                                       -- Jeevan Jyoti

 

Contents

§ From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal

§ Recent Indian Issues

§ In The News

§ Doon Philatelic Diary

§ Beginners’ Section

§ Specialized Section

§ Lighter Side

§ New Issues from Other Countries

§ Philatelic Clubs and Society

§ Blogs & Websites on Philately

§ Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletter

From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal

Funding to philatelic societies for promotion of philately

In one of the mail to the editor of this esteemed Rainbow Stamp News forwarded to me for my interest, shows the serious concern on funding for various stamps exhibitions by the respective governments. In the mail the person writes “I read with interest various comments on the above issue. Now a days various Postal authorities are not organizing Philatelic Exhibitions, they just gave grants, while expenditures are going up, specially rent of Exhibition Halls. But in China all expenses of Philatelists R born by the Govt. of China, it is not the isolated case in Nepal their Federation got annual grant from the Govt. , this year it was Rs.120000/= . While in India we don`t got anything from India Post/Govt.”

In India, government does not share or grant any fund to any of the private or recognized society, if any for organizing any philatelic exhibition. Through several million of rupees are spent every year for organizing various level exhibitions all over India. The quality of exhibitions is never up to the mark in comparison to the money spent. I think Indian government should also think on these lines. Let’s discuss the various pros and cons of such funding.

First of all I truly appreciate the fund Indian govt. spends on promotion of philately by way of organizing exhibitions all through India throughout the year. I don’t know the real figures of money being spend on these but I understand ,It must be in few millions, if not over crore of rupee. But if I assess the outcome of this exercise, it forces me to think that it is time that the higher ups such as Director Philately and CPMGs need to rethink their philatelic promotional strategies. Genuinely, I don’t find any appreciable promotion in comparison to the money spent. Huge amount is spent just for booking halls, attending guests, inaugural and closing functions, transport, hospitality and very costly gifts, memento and awards etc.. Not to comment on how the money is spent, I just want to say that this huge amount can be spent in different way to get better outcome and better promotion of philately.

Change is the law of nature. Change in any field must be appreciated. In India there are several philatelic societies. Some are big and some are small. Some are old and some are new. Some are prospering / growing and some are dying. But each and every one is doing every bit of them to promote philately at their level. These societies have given various renowned philatelists. These societies / clubs are the trees where philatelists are born, nourished and grown. But these trees need to be watered and fed. The feed is nothing but money. Various societies just fail to grow and die because of lack of fund. Lack of philatelic promotional activities.

I suggest that DOP should recognize various societies and start funding those. Their activities of such societies should be monitored. The societies / clubs should work in line with NGO with all their activities focused on philatelic promotion by different ways. Fund for organizing various philatelic activities such a philatelic workshops, exhibitions, printing of literature etc. only should be spent. In brief, I want to say that government should share its burden of holding various philatelic activities with the reputed and recognized societies by funding them appropriately. To say it is just like out sourcing to get better results.

Let’s hope the change is on the way……………………..

- Naresh Agrawal : email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in

Recent Indian Issues

· 21 June 2015 – International day of Yoga – Rs 5

· 17 July 2015 - Nabakalebara 2015 – Rs 5

· 10 September 2015 – 10^th World Hindi Conference

· 15 September 2015 - 50th Anniversary of 1965 War 3 X Rs 5

· 30 September 2015 – Dr BR Ambedkar n Constitution of India – Rs 5

· 1 October 2015 – Mahant Avaidyanath – Rs 5

Recent Special Covers

 

10th Swargarohan Anniversary of Jain Saint Pujya Jayanand Muni Maharaj – 30 September 2015

B. R. Jain – 13 September 2015

Thewa Art – 13 September 2015

Meera Temple, Chittorgarh Fort – 11 September 2015

JCI 100 Years Celebrations – 31 August 2015

Special Cover in commemoration of the First World War – 29 August 2015

View : Special Covers

In The News

Serbian stamp designed by an Indian Child !!

Serbian stamp designed by 10 year old Indian Child Dhanui Mihirbhai Doshi, featurung Joy of Europe. the stamp will be issued on 2nd October 2015.

Children are our future, happiness and joy therefore we cherish and care about these cute little creatures. Serbia Post introduced a great stamp issue that celebrates “JOY OF EUROPE” – one of those events that underline the importance of our future generation.

“JOY OF EUROPE” is the biggest and the oldest international event of children’s creativity, organized ever since 1969 on the occasion of the Children’s Day. Every year at the beginning of October the children from a range of European countries come to Belgrade to dance, sing, act, display their works of art, but first of all, make friends and have a good time. There is almost no European country whose children have not been here as a guest at this 46-year long event “Joy of Europe”.

A part of “Joy of Europe” since 1998 has been the international art competition under the same name, with the topic always being “The Dictionary of Friendship”. A great writer and children’s friend Duško Radović put together fifteen universal symbols (child, Europe, bread, play, book, love, mother, peace, father, song, friend, bird, joy, freedom, sun) connecting children all around the world by dancing, singing and finally by image.

For the fourteenth time since its foundation, the exhibition of the International Art Competition presents the most successful works of young artists from Serbia and abroad who with their colourful palette of artwork make the international event Joy of Europe even more beautiful. Every year, the prized works evidence the authenticity of visual culture of childhood, developing sensibility of both the audience and the professional public for this form of artistic expression.

At the contest, the children works are divided into five categories for children between five and eighteen. Over the time, the contest expanded much beyond the boundaries of Europe, bringing together children and youth from the entire world. The best works find their place also on the special issue stamp “Joy of Europe”.

This year, the work of ten-year-old child from India, Dhanui Mihirbhai Doshi, the winner of the art competition, is used as a template for the art solution of the stamp. The art work of six-year-old Konstatin Krnjić from Serbia, found its place on a vignette, and as a motif on the envelope are also shown the works of Alice Panchal (5 years) from Australia, Tomaš Kaleja (13 years) from Slovakia, Lora Muteva (10 years) from Bulgaria and Tomaš Bilý (13 years) from Slovakia.

Best Europa stamp 2015 - Jury prize

The 2015 Best Europa stamp - Jury prize was awarded this week-end in Brussels’ town hall.This was the fifth edition of this neutral and artistic prize.
Eight experts of the philatelic world were invited to join the jury and judge the Europa stamps based on their expert opinion.
This year's winner is Russia with the following stamp :

2nd – Sweden (under stamp)

 

3rd - Latvia (1.71 € value)

This year's Jury was composed of (from the left to the right:

• Andrée Trommer, General secretary of the Fédération internationale de philatélie (FIP), Luxembourg
• Olaf Neumann, Designer, Germany
• Stefan Klein, Designer, Germany
• Botond Szebeny, PostEurop's Secretary General, Hungary
• Guy Coutant, Pro Post, Belgium
• Eric Contesse, Philatelist expert, timbredujura.blogspot.com, France
• Arie Piet, Enschedé Printing, the Netherlands
• Antonio Manuel Amaral, PostEurop's coordinator (not part of the jury) • Jürgen Haepers, Philatelist expert, europa-stamps.blogspot.com, Switzerland

News Source – Europa Stamps

Lederhosen with Swarowski crystals – not an item of clothes but a postage stamp !

Lederhosen ornamented with Swarowski crystals – very extraordinary choice for the theme of a new postage stamp by Austria Post, but it has already attracted attention of thousands of collectors.

2004 saw the release of the first commemorative stamp with Swarovski crystals, a world innovation presenting the Swarovski Crystal Worlds. The collaboration with the internationally famous company Swarovski, which has been producing top-quality crystals in the Tyrolean town of Wattens for over 120 years, is being continued in this present unconventional issue: a commemorative in the form of a pair of Alpine lederhosen made of Alcantara leather decorated with Swarovski crystals.

The combination of Swarovski crystals and a pair of lederhosen is actually obvious. Both are a kind of symbol of the Alpine world and are often associated with Austria. For instance, lederhosen are part of the basic wardrobe for many a Tyrolean. They are usually made out of deerskin, sewn by hand and short for daily wear or in the form of knickerbockers for special occasions.

Braces serve to ensure that the trousers sit well and often have fine embroidery work on the cross-piece. The buttoned fly flap is also typical of traditional lederhosen as worn by Emperor Franz Joseph when out hunting over 100 years ago, and the trouser legs are often decorated with edelweiss or oak-leaf embroidery.

Many traditional costume associations are today dedicated to the preservation of the traditional costumes in Austria’s provinces, while events such as the Munich Oktoberfest have helped to make the dirndl and the lederhosen modern once again, although in less traditional designs. Incidentally, the buttons on real lederhosen are usually made of buckhorn and not Swarovski crystals.

The high-quality leather stamp with sparkling Swarovski crystals thus combines two traditions characteristic of Austria in a completely new way to create a very special miniature work of art.

Stamp Designing Competition by Aligarh Muslim University

The Aligarh Muslim University has announced a Stamp Designing Competition for the students of the University as a part of Sir Syed’s Bicentenary Celebrations to be held in 2017. The entries should bring out the educational mission of Sir Syed as vividly as possible.

Coordinator of the Stamp Designing Competition, Dr. Juhi Gupta, Centre for Women’s Studies has urged all the bonafide students and research scholars of University schools and departments to participate in the event in a large number and send their entries along with a latest bonafide certificate issued by the Principal of the concerned school, college or the Chairman of the Department of study.

The correspondence address, contact number and E-mail ID of the participants must be provided on a separate sheet attached along with the design, which needs to be original and not already published in any book, magazine, newspaper and internet etc.

Three best winners will be awarded with a cash prize of Rs. 10,000/- for First, Rs. 3,000/- for Second and Rs. 2,000/- for Third paces judged by a jury whose decision will be final.

The entries need to be submitted at the office of the Public Relations Officer, AMU, Aligarh-202002 latest by 31st December 2015.

The Department of Post and Telegraph, Government of India will be requested to release the commemorative stamp selected from the best three of the stamp designing competition.

Drawing Competitions & Philatelic Quiz Competition at Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur Postal Division organized a drawing competition and divisional level philatelic quiz competition on 6th September 2015 and a regional level philatelic quiz competition on 13th September 2015 at Gorakhpur.The winner of these competitions will participate in 1st zonal level philatelic exhibition Uttarpex-2015 organized by UP & Uttarakhand Postal Circle from 29th October to 1st November 2015.

Young man received a book of stamps as a compensation for Post Office’s mistake

Royal Mail has apologized after compensating a customer with a book of stamps when his passport got lost in the post.

Barman Tommy Brown, 22, of Blake Road, West Bridgford, had to fork out more than £110 for a replacement despite using special delivery.After the Post intervened, the company said it would reimburse Mr. Brown for the replacement and delivery charges. Mr Brown, who is flying to south-east Asia and India for four months , sent his passport to the Indian Visa and Consular Service, confident it would reach its destination.But, when he received a letter less than a week later saying his passport was not enclosed he got confused.He said: “I spoke to the people in the Post Office, lovely people, they double checked and said, ‘the passport’s in there’.

“I would say it was about five or six days later I had a letter from the Indian Visa Consular saying, ‘unfortunately we have been unable to give you a visa because you haven’t included your passport’.”

Mr. Brown opened a case with the visa office and Royal Mail to try to find out if it had been lost along the way. They found nothing so Mr. Brown went through the claims process at Royal Mail, hoping his ‘special delivery’ would cover at least some of the cost of a replacement.

After sending receipts, including proof of posting, Mr. Brown received another letter saying the Royal Mail could only offer him a book of stamps.

Mr. Brown will now have to make a stop at the Indian High Commission as part of his trip to pick up his visa.Although the matter was resolved in the end, he said it had still been an annoying experience.

He added: “It’s nice to know that big businesses care about people. “It’s a little frustrating that I had to go through the newspaper but, overall, it’s fantastic, I couldn’t really ask for anything more”.

Royal Mail spokeswoman Ronit Wolfson said: “Given the circumstances, we are covering the cost of the replacement passport and the cost of postage as a gesture of goodwill. We apologize sincerely to the customer for any inconvenience that has been caused”.

After all, Mr. Brown is not irritated as this book of stamps can become a precious philatelic collection after several years.

Sourced by www.nottinghampost.com

Rare stamps were discovered before being disposed

An unassuming house-wiping activity ended up being truly a benefit for Mangesh Karale, a daily paper seller in the city, as he discovered 1,000 uncommon stamps gathered by his predecessors and going to be tossed into a waste container by his wife. Amazing story, isn’t it?

On discovering the stamps, Mangesh chose to keep those for a specialist’s recommendation and was astonished to take in their – an astounding Rs 20 lakh, or significantly more.

“The accumulation includes stamps as old as 100 years, some may be significantly more. The stock book of the stamps has the new and utilized stamps of British provinces as a part of Hong Kong, Dominica in West Indies, Indian states, alongside nations as French settlements, Netherlands and provinces and different other European nations”, he said.

The uncommon Indian gathering has stamps worth an anna or two. The American gathering, then again, fluctuates anything between a penny and 50 pennies, each. Additionally, there’s an exceptional stamp of Iwo Jima.

Karale said he had known about his progenitors, who had worked in people in general works division, had the interest of philately. Be that as it may, until the revelation of this uncommon accumulation, all it was a story to tell and get notification from his grandma, who is currently 93-year-old.

He said a couple of months prior, while cleaning the house, his wife had discovered the accumulation. Uninformed of the significance of the stamps, she spoke the truth to discard the stock in the waste box. Luckily, he chose to get the stock investigated from the specialists. “I had reached some private philatelists, through whom I came to think about the fortune that I had it at home”, he said.

He included that with the reputation from the private philatelists, he is as of now getting offers for the stock book worth lakhs. “One private philatelist from Mumbai had drawn nearer me with the offer of Rs 28 lakh a couple of days back. Be that as it may, I am not certain what to do now. I might want to organize displays on the accumulation and let understudies know of what the stamp gathering once used to be. In the period of email and online networking, such a presentation will unquestionably help understudies comprehend the historical backdrop of stamps over the world”, Karale said.

He, then again, did not discount the possibilities of offering the stock on the off chance that he shows signs of improvement arrangement than the Rs 28-lakh offer.

Dinosaur Provincial Park error stamp was reissued by Canadian Post

Canada Post has reissued a stamp showcasing Dinosaur Provincial Park in southeast Alberta after the original error version that depicted the image from a different part of the province.

And Brad Tucker, executive director of Canadian Badlands Tourism, couldn’t be happier with the photo used in the reprint.

“One of my pictures is on a stamp”, Tucker said excitedly. “I’m not saying this because it’s my image, but I think it’s a good choice”.

He said the photograph, taken about four years ago in an area known as Valley of the Moon, features the unmistakable badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park, distinct from the badlands in Drumheller or Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park. It was one of the many photos he snapped for the province when he worked for the park.

“I’m impressed with how they (Canada Post) handled this. Boy, they turned it around quickly”, he added.

The original stamp was released in early July as part of Canada Post’s latest collection meant to celebrate the country’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and also featured Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and Wood Buffalo National Park.

It didn’t take long for Alberta government and local tourism officials to notice that the photo of the hoodoos ‒ distinct columns of sandstone rock ‒ adorning the stamp was actually taken in East Coulee near Drumheller, about an hour-and-a-half drive northwest of the famous park.

Tucker said many people get confused because Drumheller, home of the Royal Tyrrell Museum, houses many of the fossils discovered in the park.

The postal service quickly apologized for the flub, removed the stamp from its online store and its 6,300 post offices, and reached out to parks officials for assistance in selecting a new image for the reissue. The new stamp was released Friday.

“We learned from this experience and overall we take great pride in our stamp program”, Anick Losier, Canada Post spokeswoman. “It’s world renowned so we don’t take these mistakes lightly. This is why we put a lot of effort into correcting mistakes and making sure our processes are going to be robust”.

Tim Chamberlin, Alberta Parks spokesman, said department staff supplied Canada Post with about five different photos to choose from.

“It’s a wonderful image. It’s a great depiction of one of the unique attributes that define Dinosaur Provincial Park”, Chamberlin said of the new stamp.

“We’re very pleased that Canada Post has included Alberta parks in their series. Obviously the image has the potential to reach a global audience and that could spark an interest and visits to our province and the park, which is obviously a good thing”.

Tucker said the image mix-up is a good opportunity to draw attention to Dinosaur Provincial Park and to Drumheller, adding “both are amazing places to visit”.

Sourced by www.calgaryherald.com

Recent Stamp Exhibitions

PHILATAIPEI 2016 : World Stamp Championship Exhibition

Mr. Anil Suri is appointed the National Commissioner for India of PHILATAIPEI 2016 World Stamp Championship Exhibition being held at Taipei, Taiwan from October 21 to 26, 2016. This is fourth World Stamp Championship show which will be the highest level of competition in philately where the best philatelists in the world will compete for awards.  There will be 3 finalists: The World Champion, First Runner Up and Second Runner Up.  The World Champion is therefore recognized as having won the highest award in the world's stamp competitive exhibitions. The first WSC was held in Singapore in 2004 and incidentally Anil Suri was also the National Commissioner for India for this. The 2^nd and 3^rd WSC were held in Israel 2008 and Indonesia 2012 respectively.

The World Stamp Championship takes the competition beyond Grand Prix at FIP world philatelic exhibitions. The eligibility to participate in the World Stamp Championship Class that is limited to Traditional Philately and Postal History is having won Gold, Large Gold, Grand Prix National, Grand Prix International, Grand Prix d'Honneur or Grand Prix d'Exposition at the exhibitions with patronage or auspices of FIP. The restrictions imposed vide FIP GREX 9.1 and 9.6 applicable to the FIP Championship Class and Grand Prix d'Honneur respectively do not apply to the World Stamp Championship Class.

GREX Article 9.1 - Participation in the FIP Championship Class is restricted to exhibits which have received 95 or more points in FIP World Exhibitions in any three separate years during the previous 10 years.

GREX Article 9.6 - On receiving the Grand Prix d'Honneur in the FIP Championship, or having completed eligibility under Article 9.4, an exhibit may only be shown out of competition by the same owner.

PHILATAIPEI 2016 will have following classes in addition to the World Stamp Championship Class: Traditional, Postal History, Postal Stationery, Aerophilately, Thematic, Revenue, Youth, Literature, One Frame and Modern Philately.

The Entry Fee for One-Frame Exhibit is US$120, and for Literature the Fee is US$90 per exhibit. The participation is free for Youth Class. The Entry Fee for all other classes is US$80 per frame.

The forms will be made available soon. The last date for submitting the forms is January 15, 2016.

Those interested in participating may please contact the National Commissioner for India of PHILATAIPEI 2016 World Stamp Championship Exhibition, Anil Suri, E-70 Kalkaji, New Delhi 110019, email: anilksuri@email.com , Mobile 9811176908.

World Stamp Show-NY 2016

World Stamp Show, New York 2016 will be held from 28th May to 4th June 2016 at New York, USA

Shri Dhananjay Desai of Ahmedabad  is Commissioner  for this exhibition. He may be contacted for participation at email : dhananjay_47@yahoo.co.in

Website of exhibition : http://www.ny2016.org/

Bulletin of exhibition can be downloaded from :

http://www.ny2016.org/SubMenu/Official_Bulletin.aspx?id=517

Application form is available at : http://www.ny2016.org/SubMenu/Exhibit_Application.aspx?id=515

Date :  May 28-June 4, 2016

Venue : Jacob Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001 on Level 3 taking up 294,000 square feet.

Over 200,000 beginner through advanced stamp collectors, their families and friends are expected to attend this once-a-decade event.The exhibition is being organized Under the patronage of the American Philatelic Society with major support from The Collectors Club of New York and The Philatelic Foundation along with their members.

Hong Kong 2015

Mr Ajay Kumar Mittal has been appointed National Commissioner for HONG KONG-2015 31st Asian International Stamp Exhibition) going to be held from 20th November to 23rd November 2015.

Mobile : 9811032311, 9311332311
Email : ajaymittal1957@gmail.com

Obituary

With profound grief We are sorry to inform all the readers that Mr. Y R Shah, a very senior Philatelist of Bangalore, & member of GC of PCI, passed away on 28^th September 2015. Our deepest condolences to all family members. May his soul rest in peace.

(Born 14.10.1931  - Died 28.09.2015)

Mr YR Shah a popular name in the field of Indian Philately, started stamp collecting hobby at the age of 12, as a Philatelist Mr. Y.R. Shah had tremendous knowledge on not only Indian Philately but World Philately.  The earlier interest of whole world, thereafter he concentrated on British Commonwealth and Finally began seriously on Indian Philately covering from Postal History to the Modern Stamps.

‘Shresthi', is a familiar name since 2003 on eBay.  The real name is Y.R. Shah by which name known to many Philatelists not only in India but in many overseas countries since last 50 years. Mr Shah won many awards at national and International stamp exhibitions.

He has also been a story writer and his stories were published in Vernacular newspapers and magazines at Gujarat and Bombay at much earlier age.  Mr. Shah was also a serious photographer and had won acclaim for his photography.

Nerws from Philatelic Societies

Baroda Philatelic Society Governing Council for 2015-2016

Annual General Body meeting of Baroda Philatelic Society was held on12th July 2015 at society’s office. The following Governing Council members were nominated for the year 2015-2016.

President: Shri Prashant H. Pandya
Vice President: Shri Suresh Thakkar
Hon. Secretary: Shri Timir R. Shah
Joint Secretary: Shri Mohan P. Vaze
Treasurer: Shri Ashwin C. Shah
Librarian: Shri Kalidas H. Kacchhia
Members: Shri R. U. Dave & Shri Mihir R. Shah
Internal Auditors: Shri Yogesh K. Shah & Shri Digant R. Mehta
Office Co-ordinator: Smt. Parul H. Shah

Doon Philatelic Club : New Philatelic Club formed at Dehradun – 19th September 2015

A group of philatelists of Dehradun city has recently formed Doon Philatelic Club with an objective to promote philately in Dehradun. A meeting of local philatelists was held at the residence of Ms. Jeevan Jyoti on 19th September 2015 at Dehradun. The meeting was attended by Mr. P. C. Agrawal, Mr. Gunjan Maithel, Mrs Anita Maithel, Rajesh Verma,,Abhai Mishra, Ajay Srivastav and Jeevan Jyoti. Following are the governing council members of Doon Philatelic Club:

President: Shri Prem Chand Agrawal
General Secretary: Shri Gunjan Maithel
Members: Anita Maithel, Rajesh Verma, Abhai Mishra, Ajay Srivastav, J. Jyoti

Currently no membership fee. Membership by reference only.

Contact : Gunjan Maithel - email : Email: gmaithel@yahoo.co.in
(M) +919837605091

L to R : J. Jyoti,, Anita Maithel, P. C. Agrawal, Ajay Srivastav, Abhai Mishra,, Rajesh Verma and Gunjan Maithel

Doon Philatelic Diary

Lake Bridge Post Office

- Abhai Mishra

The earliest reference to Nainital is found in 'Manas Khand' of 'Skand Purana' as Tri-Rishi-Sarovar, i.e. the lake of three sages, Atri,Pulastya and Pulaha. The Second important mythological reference to Nainital is as one of 64 ‘Shakti Peeths’.These centres were created wherever parts of charred body of Sati fell ,when Lord Shiva was carrying around her corpse in grief .It is said that the left eye (Nain) of Sati fell here and this gave rise to patron deity of town Nainital . It is said that the lake is formed in the emerald eye shape . Naina Devi temple is located at the northern end of the lake . Thus name of Nainital derivated from Naina (Eye) and the Tal (Lake).

After the Anglo-Gurkha war of 1814-15 fought at Nalapani, Dehradun, the Garhwal and Kumaon came under the British rule. In 1817 Mr. G.W. Traill was appointed as the second commissioner of Kumaon Division. He was the first European to visit Nainital during the revenue settlement. Owing to the religious sanctity of this place, he did not popularize it. Mr. P. Barron, a sugar trader came to Nainital in 1839 along with his friend for hunting. He was greatly mesmerized by the eternal beauty of the lake. He was the first to build a settlement at the shore of the lake. Nainital Municipal Board was constituted in 1850, the second in the north-west province. Probably during this time only the post-office must have been established. D. Hammond Giles book on "Handstruck Postage Stamps of India' records the earliest handstruck stamp of 'Nyneetal' of circa 1853 in red colour. I have seen covers of early 1860's with duplex cancellation and name spelt as 'NYNEETAL'. Later around 1880 'Nainital' name was started being used in the cancellations. In 1862 it was declared as the summer capital of north-western province. Same year C.W. Corbett was appointed as the postmaster of Nainital. The famous Edward James (Jim) Corbett was born here on 25 July 1975, called as 'Carpet Sahib' by the locals, to C.W. Corbett and Mary Jane.

The southern end of the 'Naini' lake is called 'Mallital' while the northern end is called 'Tallital'. At the northern side there is a small bridge on the lake which also houses the "Tallital Post Office". This post-office is also quite old and is the only post-office in the world which lies on a lake-bridge.

At present due to rapid urbanisation the post office has lost its old charm and grandeur, but one can easily identify it by the statue of Mahatma Gandhi located near it.

Beginners’ Section

The Queen's Baton Relay- Commonwealth Games, Delhi-2010

- Arun Singh

The Queen’s Baton Relay similar to the Olympic Torch is one of the grandest attractions of the Commonwealth games. It was introduced as curtain raiser at Cardiff games in 1958.

The Baton begins its journey from Buckingham Palace in London wherein the Queen hands over the baton to the officials of the country hosting the games. Each country designs a unique baton which different ideas and patterns. The baton contains a message from the Queen which is tightly enclosed in the baton and is read aloud before opening the games by HM The Queen or an official on her behalf.

The Kuala Lumpur 1998 Queen`s Baton was the first when it travelled to other nations besides England and the host country. The Manchester 2002 Queen`s Baton travelled more than 100,000 kilometres in 87 days, and visited 23 Commonwealth nations.The Melbourne 2006 Queen`s Baton travelled more than 180,000 kilometres and visited all 71 nations of the Commonwealth. The Melbourne 2006 Queen`s Baton Relay was the world`s longest, relay and visited all member nations.

This record was to be broken by the Delhi games.

India successfully won the bid to host 2010 games with its motto New frontiers and friendships. The other country in the fray was Canada.

The Indian Baton was designed by Foley designs in partnership with Titan Industries and Bharat Electronics Limited. Helix in shape it was coated with soils from different parts of the country.A jewel-encrusted box housed Queen's message, which was laser-engraved onto a miniature 18 carat gold leaf—representative of the ancient Indian patras inside.The baton had a video camera and microphone, LED lighting (which set its colour scheme to match the flag of the nation it was travelling through), and a GPS tracking system.With a height of 664 mm and weighing 1900 grams, the baton was unveiled at India Gate in New Delhi on 8th March 2009.

The Queen’s Baton Relay for 2010 games commenced from Buckingham Palace, London, on the 29^thOctober 2009 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II handed over the baton to Honourable President of India Mrs.Pratibha Devi Singh Patil.

The Baton left UK from Gibraltar on 25^th Nov, 2009. The baton then went on to travel through all 70 Commonwealth nations covering 190,000 kilometers in 340 days. This was a unique record in history of the games. In the international sector where the baton travelled 170,000 kms in 70 countries, the largest nation it travelled was Canada and the smallest country was Malta. On the 100^th day of the relay it travelled to remote location of St. Helena accessible only by boat. It entered the Asian leg from Singapore on 6^th June, 2010. Its last international destination was Pakistan where it reached on 23^rd June from Bangladesh. On the 240^th day of its journey it entered India from the Attari border on 25^th June.

Baton reaches India from Pakistan at Attari Border crossing on 240^th day of its journey.A set of two stamps were released. Both of them featured the official mascot Shera and the Baton. For the first time in Indian postal history a stamp had been released at Wagahboder, Attari.

Miniature sheet and Post card released by Dept of Post on Baton relay.

The baton then travelled to the capital of each of India’s 28 states and 7 union territories, and other cities, covering more than 20,000 kilometres in 100 days. This was a new record for the Queen’s Baton relay tradition. In the longest relay so far, baton had travelled 190,000 kms in 340 days covering all 70 Commonwealth nations. In the National sector it had travelled 100 days, 50 more than the previous record at Melbourne games.

For the first time in Indian postal history Special covers were released by all States and Six union territories. Rajasthan postal dept released four special covers while others released only one at the respective Capital. Only the Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands did not release a cover. A Total of 37 official cancellations were given by Indian Postal department.

Special cover released at Shimla on 5^th July’2010

200 of these covers were also carried from the Sports Complex Parade ground to Dehradun GPO with the Queen’s Baton Relay.

Special cover released at Chennai on 20^th August’2010

Apart from this cover two more covers were released in Agra the same day. One cover was released on theme of Trade and Industry and one on Rotary International District 3110.

Rajasthan was the only State where special covers were released from more than one city.Two types of presentation folders were also released. One priced at Rs.100 had one cover while the other priced at Rs.250 had all the four covers.

Apart from the 38 official special covers a private folder was also released at Jalandhar on 25^th June’2010

The Baton started its final journey when it entered Delhi on 30^th Sep’2010. On 3^rd October’2010 the inaugural ceremony was organized at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium. Having covered 190,000 kms in 340 days, the baton began from its final lap in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Boxer Vijender Singh carried the Queen's Baton into the Stadium, and passed it to boxer Mary Kom, 5-time world champion. It was then passed to Samresh Jung, who had been named best competitor of the 2006 Melbourne Games. The final bearer was Sushil Kumar, world champion wrestler who handed the Queen's Baton to Prince Charles. Prince Charles inaugurated the games with the reading of the letter of the queen and with the official opening announcement.

Sushil Kumar hands over the baton to Prince Charles

Arun Singh is a student of Class IX, Amity International School Vasundhara, Ghaziabad. His four frame exhibit on CWG 2010 has won a gold medal and Governor’s Trophy for the best exhibit in Junior Category at UP State Philatelic Exhibit- UPHILEX 2013.

Specialized Section

Some Remarkable Cancellations and Postmarks – 32

- Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap

Calcutta Urban Cancellations (Renouf Types 25)

In 1871 the Calcutta Urban Offices introduced Type 25 duplex cancellations. It resembles Type 22 for Bombay. The ellipse in the right hand duplex form with the finer parallel lines containing the urban device tends to assume a circular shape. Dimensions are 24 and 20 mm. The left duplex shows the name of the division at the top and “CALCUTTA” below and the date in the centre.

Cover from Calcutta to London

1872 Front of cover from Calcutta to London with 2x1 Anna (SG58) and 4 As (SG69) tied by “NAPITBAZAR : CALCUTTA/ 3^RD/ DELIVERY/ JU 16 /72- EC” Type 25 Calcutta Urban Cancellation in GREEN. On the front arrival mark “LONDON/PAID/A/21AU72”. Postage Rate: 6 As for letters for less than half an Ounce to UK via Southampton, as per 10 Dec. 1870.

Cover from Jorasanko Calcutta to Behrampore

1872 Cover from Jorasanko, Calcutta to Behrampore, Franked by half Anna adhesive tied to the cover by“JORASANKO : CALCUTTA /1^st DELIVERY / OC 27/72=N-C” Duplex in BLUE. Back-stamped “BEHRAMPORE /28 OC 72/1 ST DELIVERY /OC 27/72/1 ST DELIVERY (Type 57) + EX / G.P.O./ CALCUTTA/ OC 27/72”

                

“BEHRAMPORE/DELIVERY”          “EX/ G.P.O./CALCUTTA/OC 27”

Cover from Bowbazar, Calcutta to Umritsur

      

                    “Bowbazar /Calcutta                      “UMRITSUR POST OFFICE”

1873 Cover from Bowbazar, Calcutta to Umritsur, franked by half Anna adhesive, tied by Type 25 “Bowbazar: Calcutta/3^rd DELIVERY/FE 18/73=C” Duplex in BLUE, back-stamped, “UMRITSUR POST OFFICE/2^nd DELIVERY /21 FE/73” (Type 56C) and “EX/G.P.O./CALCUTTA/FE 18/73” in RED.

Any correspondence is welcome -- Dr Avinash B. Jagtap : email : abjagtap@hotmail.com

CHINESE GIVEN THREE MONKEYS TO GANDHI JI

© Dr. Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

During Gandhi’s visit of Shanti Niketan on 18^th Feb 1940, a Chinese group met him and gifted a set of 3 china clay monkeys which represents, an old Sino-Japanese tradition dating back to the 7th century.

M/c India 2007

The three monkeys named Mizaru, Kikazaru and Iwazaru and known as “The Three Wise Monkeys” or “Three Mystic Apes”, were introduced into Japan by a Buddhist monk of the Tendai sect, probably in the 8th century A.D.

Tendai sect monk

They embody the proverbial principle to "see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil". Their gestures of covering their ears, eyes and mouths with their paws were a way of conveying the command of the god. The depiction is part of the teaching that if we do not hear, see or talk evil, we ourselves shall be spared all evil.

A famous carving of the Three Monkeys can still be seen on the sacred stable in the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, Japan. It is carved by Haidari Jingoro, and believed to have incorporated Confucius’s Code of Conduct, using the monkey as a way to depict man’s life cycle. There are a total of 8 panels, and the iconic three wise monkeys’ picture comes from panel 2.

The 17th century carving of the three wise monkeys over the Tosho-gu shrine in Nikko, Japan

The above carving is also depicted on a $2 Bill of USA, known as Lucky Money, which has been enhanced with beautiful colorized images. The full colorized images are accomplished through a revolutionary new authentic & genuine colorization process pioneered by The Merrick Mint, creating a collectible work of art. Former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson is featured on the obverse of the note. The Signing of the Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull is featured on the reverse, along with the special colorization overlay. It is the only U.S. Currency note that features two Presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, and it is one of the most rarely seen BILLS in circulation and actual use.

THREE WISE MONKEYS - Toshogu Shrine - Colorized U.S. $2 Bill

Gandhi ji always carried this set of 3 monkeys with him and showed during his non-violence teachings sessions to remind the mass:

1. Do not tolerate any evil being done around you.

2. Do not participate in any wrong exploitation or sinful talk.

3. Do not speak ill about others and do not harm any beings.

INPEX 2013, Mahatma Gandhi 3 Monkeys’ Stamp Booklet and pictorial postmark

Antiquity of “Three Wise Monkeys”

The origin of the three monkeys up to the present is not very clear. In eastern cultures, monkeys have been considered sacred for ages: Hanuman in India,Macaco Rhesus in China and the White Macaco in Japan.

In Japan,Koshin is a folk religion that has its roots in a folklore based on Chinese Taoism. This faith was later adopted by Buddhism in Japan. The oldest known recorded evidence about the Koshin belief is a document written in 838 A.D. by Ennin, a Japanese monk who had visited China.

The basic idea of this folk religion is that three worms called Sanshi, live in everyone's body and that these keep track of the good and particularly the bad deeds of that person. On the night of Koshin, (Koshin wake, which takes place every 60 days) and only when this person sleeps, the Sanshis will leave the body and go to the Heavenly God to report about this person. Based on this information, Ten-Tei will decide to punish bad behaving people by making them ill, shortening their lives and in severe cases even make an end to it.

Therefore, believers of this faith will try to live a life without any evils. During the Edo Era people created many symbols of Koshin guardians. Statues of Shoumen-Kongou, often with the three monkeys were placed in shrines (Koshin-do). Or they carved Shoumen-Kongou on stone blocks (Koshin-to) and placed them around the area where they lived. The oldest ones often only show Japanese characters and later ones include Shoumen Kongou with one, two and mostly with 3 monkeys.

Other witnesses of the Koshin belief are paper scrolls used during Koshin-Machi depicting Shoumen-Kongou with 3 monkeys.

Deities atop the Three Monkeys, Koshin Stone Tablet, Entrance to Tenen Hiking

The three wise monkeys are Japanese macaques, a common species in Japan.

Japanese macaques

This philosophy can be traced back 2,500 year to a wise code of conduct followed by multiple high civilizations in China, India, Japan and elsewherewhose wisdom has been adopted by great thinkers like Confucius, c. 500 BC:“Look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is contrary to propriety”

Confucius

We find similar ideas in other remote religions and spiritual systems. One example is Buddhism’s “Noble Eightfold Path,” which is the Buddha’s practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from suffering, attachments and delusions; and which finally leads to understanding the truth about all things:Right Understanding,Right Thoughts,Right Speech,Right Action,Right Livelihood,Right Effort,Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.

Buddha Centenary Folder and FDC, India 1956

Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath

In ancient Zoroastrianism (c. 1200 BC), the term “Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta,” expressed the main idea of the religion. It stood for the maxim: “good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.”

Primary collection of sacred texts of Zoroastrianism Avesta, Tajikistan 2002

Four golden figurines in the Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum are also an ancient representation of the 'no see, no hear, no say, no do’. These golden statues date from the 6th to 8th century. The figures look like tribal human people with not very precise body carvings and strong phallic symbols.

It is not clear how or when the saying travelled, in Ethiopia the Ge'ez language also has the saying "Let the eye fast, let the mouth fast, and let the ears fast."

Why Monkey chosen

Though the teaching had nothing to do with monkeys, the concept of the three monkeys originated from a simple play on words. The saying in Japanese is mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru "don't see, don't hear, don't speak However, zaru, an archaic negative verb conjugation, is pronounced the same as zaru, the vocalized form of saru, "monkey", so the saying can also be interpreted as the names of three monkeys.

Mizaru, Kikazaru, Iwazaru

It is also possible that the three monkeys came from a more central root than a play on words. The shrine at Nikko is a Shinto shrine, and the monkey is an extremely important being in the Shinto religion. The monkey is believed to be the messenger of the Hie Shinto shrines, which also have connections with Tendai Buddhism. There are even important festivals that are celebrated during the year of the Monkey (occurring every twelve years) and a special festival is celebrated every sixteenth year of the Koshin.

Year of the Monkey

"The Three Mystic Apes" (Sambiki Saru) were described as "the attendants of Saruta Hito no Mikoto or Koshin, the God of the Roads". The Koshin festival was held on the 60th day of the calendar. It has been suggested that during the Koshin festival, according to old beliefs, one’s bad deeds might be reported to heaven "unless avoidance actions were taken…." It has been theorized that the three Mystic Apes, Not Seeing, Hearing, or Speaking, may have been the "things that one has done wrong in the last 59 days."

During the Koshinfestival, one’s bad deeds might be reported to heaven

According to other accounts, the monkeys caused the Sanshi and Ten-Tei not to see, say or hear the bad deeds of a person. The Sanshi are the Three Corpses living in everyone's body. The Sanshi keep track of the good deeds and particularly the bad deeds of the person they inhabit. Every 60 days, on the night called Kōshin-Machi, if the person sleeps, the Sanshi will leave the body and go to ten-Tei, the Heavenly God, to report about the deeds of that person. Ten-Tei will then decide to punish bad people, making them ill, shortening their time alive, and in extreme cases putting an end to their lives. Those believers of Koshin who have reason to fear will try to stay awake during Koshin nights. This is the only way to prevent the Sanshi from leaving their body and reporting to Ten-Tei.

Three Wise Monkeys became Gandhi’s Monkey

The phrase "See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil" though first emerged in Japan it was later adopted worldwide as a message of peace and tolerance due to Mahatma Gandhi's visual metaphor of the three monkeys, with one of them covering his eyes, the second his mouth, and the third his ears.

Booklets, India2005

Today, a larger representation of the three monkeys is prominently displayed at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where Gandhi lived from 1915 to 1930 and from where he departed on his famous salt march.

Gandhi’s Three Monkeys

Gandhi's statue has worldwide effects and the symbolism of three monkeys appeared in many other art forms.

1500 Shillings, .9999 pure 1/2 gram Gold coin, Tanzania 2014

4000 Shillings, .925 silver with 24kt gold gilding, 25 grams, 38.61mm diameter coin, Somalia, 2006

A 2008 artwork by Subodh Gupta displayed in Katara Cultural Village in Doha, Qatar portrays three heads in different types of military headgear representing the principle "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil".

The three heads are composed of stainless steel cooking instruments, used pails, traditional Tiffin lunch boxes, and glass bowls. Different elements define each head—each respectively covered by a gas mask, a helmet and pair of glasses, and a hood. It recalls Gandhi's vision of these three monkeys as a way to peacefully fight against contemporary colonialism, oppression and injustice.

Subodh Gupta’s Three Monkeys

A World War II poster directed at participants in the Manhattan Project, a joint venture aimed to prepare First Atom Bomb by America and England to be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki , used the teachings of Three wise Monkey in different way shown below;

World War II poster directed at participants in the Manhattan Project

In the 1968 film Planet of the Apes, during the trial to Charlton Heston's character, there is a sequence where the apes in the jury take the same positions that the three monkeys, as a reference to their attitude of ignoring the reality that the human and its defenders are presenting to them.

Planet of the Apes

During the end credits of the 2011 animated musical comedy film, Rio, there is a still of three marmosets doing the exact same poses as the three wise monkeys.

When Nigel is recruiting the Marmosets for help, he threatens three monkeys after he tosses the main one in the sky. One monkey has his hands over his eyes, another over his ears, and another over his mouth. (See, Hear, Speak No Evil)

The maxim inspired an award-winning 2008 Turkish film by director Nuri Bilge Ceylan called Three Monkeys (Uç Maymun).

Many TV serials also used the symbolism of Three Wise Monkeys teachings in their quiz or story plots.

Le Tre Scimmiette, television quiz series, which was broadcasted in 2005 by the Italian TV station RAI 2

The quiz was totally made around the subject of the three monkeys

The three wise monkeys were later used as the logo for production company, St. Clare Entertainment.

Logo of “St. Clare Entertainment”

In the Corkscrew Follies/Added Attractions expansion pack for Roller-coaster Tycoon, there is a scenario called "Three Monkeys Park." The park starts the player off with a 3-track racing roller coaster, with one track being called "See No Evil", another being "Hear No Evil", and another being "Speak No Evil."

Kamal Jumblatt was the main leader of the anti-government forces who opposed the Assad government in the Lebanese Civil War and major ally of the Palestine Liberation Organization until his assassination in 1977which is widely viewed as the first political assassination at the hands of the Syrian regime in Lebanon. In 1977, Iraq issued a stamp whose subject is the assassination of political leader Kamal Jumblatt and also features the three wise monkeys.

“Who Killed Kamal Junblatt?”Iraq,1977

Is one more Monkey is to be added?

Just as there is disagreement about the origin of the phrase, there are differing explanations of the meaning of "see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil."

In Buddhist tradition, the tenets of the proverb are about not dwelling on evil thoughts.

In the Western world both the proverb and the image are often used to refer to a lack of moral responsibility on the part of people who refuse to acknowledge impropriety, looking the other way or feigning ignorance.

It may also signify a code of silence in gangs, or organised crime.

In present context, the teaching of these Three Wise Monkeys” has any value or not is a matter of sincere debate. “The Three Wise Monkeys” typically depicted sitting next to each other in a row with one covering its eyes is blinding itself, second covering its ears is deafening itself and third covering its mouth is gagging itself are supposedly wise monkeys but none seem much the wiser for its ignorance. In fact, each character is hampering itself and its experience of its surroundings – of truth and information – in one way or another. And yet this adage of ‘wisdom’ is still widely accepted.

What most people don’t realize, however, is that the depiction of these ‘Three Wise Monkeys’ is a deliberately incomplete narrative; there is actually a fourth Wise Monkey that is seldom depicted in western interpretation. Representing the virtue ‘fear no evil’, the fourth monkey sits with its arms folded over its abdomen. It is the patriot who, fearing no evil, questions information to learn and share it with others, in order that all may progress. It is indeed the only of the monkeys that shows any wisdom at all!

With Fourth Wise Monkey

The fourth monkey is unafraid and unflinching, and watches and listens calmly, with hands resting on the dentine. Like his companions in varied measure, the fourth monkey looks listens and communicates, but does not react in fear of what is seen, heard and said.

The fourth wise monkey faces the truth without fear, a distinct contrast to the other three, apparently frightened monkeys.

And if Gandhi ji lived in Facebook era, he himself had added one more monkey with a laptop saying “post no evil”……..

 

“Post no evil”

- Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal : email : rosephila@hotmail.com

 

 

Fiscals of Burma under the British Colonial Rule and Japanese / Thai Occupation – Part I

 

- - Col (Dr) Jayanta Dutta & Dr Anjali Dutta

Faced with a powerful China in the northeast and a resurgent Siam in the southeast, the Burmese King Bodawpaya turned westward for expansion. He conquered Arakan in 1785, annexed Manipur in 1814, and captured Assam in 1817–1819, leading to a long ill-defined border with British India. Bodawpaya's successor King Bagyidaw was left to put down British instigated rebellions in Manipur in 1819 and Assam in 1821–1822. Cross-border raids by rebels from the British protected territories and counter-cross-border raids by the Burmese led to the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–26).

Lasting 2 years and costing 13 million pounds, the first Anglo-Burmese War was the longest and most expensive war in British Indian history, but ended in a decisive British victory. Burma ceded all of Bodawpaya's western acquisitions (Arakan, Manipur and Assam) plus Tenasserim. Burma was crushed for years by repaying a large indemnity of one million pounds (then US$5 million). In 1852, the British unilaterally and easily seized the Pegu province in the Second Anglo-Burmese War. Nonetheless, the British, alarmed by the consolidation of French Indochina, annexed the remainder of the country in the Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1885, and sent the last Burmese king Thibaw and his family to exile in India.

Britain made Burma a province of India in 1886 with the capital at Rangoon

After the Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1885, Upper Burma was annexed, and the following year, the province of Burma in British India was created, becoming a major province (a Lieutenant-Governorship) in 1897. This arrangement lasted until 1937, when Burma began to be administered separately by the Burma Office under the Secretary of State for India and Burma.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Aung San seized the opportunity to bring about Burmese independence. He and 29 others, known as the Thirty Comrades, left Burma to undergo military training in Japan. In 1941, they fought alongside the Japanese who invaded Burma. The Japanese promised Aung San that if the British were defeated, they would grant Burma her freedom. When it became clear that the Japanese would not follow through with their promise, Aung San quickly negotiated an agreement with the British to help them defeat the Japanese. Hailed as the architect of Burma's new-found independence by the majority of Burmese, Aung San was able to negotiate an agreement in January 1947 with the British, under which Burma would be granted total independence from Britain. Although a controversial figure to some ethnic minorities, he also had regular meetings with ethnic leaders throughout Burma in an effort to create reconciliation and unity for all Burmese. As the new leader drafted a constitution with his party's ministers in July 1947, the course of Burmese history was dramatically and tragically altered. Aung San and members of his newly-formed cabinet were assassinated when an opposition group with machine guns burst into the room. A member of Aung San's cabinet, U Nu, was delegated to fill the position suddenly left vacant by Aung San's death. Burma was finally granted independence on January 4, 1948.

From 1886 when Burma was a province of India, British Indian fiscal stamps were used as illustrated below.

British India Queen Victoria and King Edward VII revenue stamps used in Burma

Court Fee Stamps

The Federated Shan States was the name given to an administrative division of the British Empire made up by the much larger Shan States and the Karenni States during British rule in Burma.

In 1930s King George V issue of India were overprinted FEDERATED SHAN STATES.

8a brown-purple ovpt FEDERATED SHAN STATES

In 1936 (earliest recorded usage) King George V issue of India were overprinted BURMA.

1a brown-purple, 4a brown-purple, 6a brown-purple, 8a brown-purple,

12a brown-purple, 1r brown-purple, 2r brown-purple, 3r brown-purple, 4r brown-purple,

5r brown-purple and 6r brown-purple.

Davis & Meech additionally list a 1r 2a value but this is not seen without MILY ADMN overprint.

.

1r brown-purple

A new type inscribed Burma Court Fee and bearing the portrait of King Edward VIII was prepared in 1936 but not issued. A photographic essay of 12 annas denomination is illustrated here

In 1938 the King George VI issues of India were overprinted BURMA

.

1a brown-purple, 4a brown-purple, 8a brown-purple, 1r brown-purple,

2r brown-purple and 4r brown-purple

Davis & Meech additionally list a 3r value but this is not seen without MILY ADMN overprint.

1942 Court Fee stamps issued under Japanese Occupation

During World War II, Burma was occupied by the Japanese between 1942 and 1945. Stamps were issued by the Japanese Army and by the Burma Independence Army in 1942. In 1943 and 1944 stamps were issued by the Burma Government with the permission of the occupying forces.

Crossed swords and scales of justice. 73 x 34 mm. No watermark. Printed in sheets of 30 (6 rows of 5). Currency 100 cents = 1 rupee. Roulette 7

5c deep violet, 50c green, 1r bright blue, 1r deep purple, 2r red-brown and 5r deep greenish blue

Imperf, but with 11-gauge rouletting printed around design

5c violet and 50c deep yellow-green

MILY ADMN issues

After the liberation of Burma, normal postal services were gradually restored under a British Military Administration. Pre-war stamps of Burma from 1938 were overprinted MILY ADMN in 1945.

In 1945 the Pre-Occupation issues (Indian adhesives overprinted BURMA) were now further overprinted MILY ADMN for use under the British Military Administration. They bore the portrait of King George V (1r2a) or King George VI (others).

8a brown-purple, 1r brown-purple, 1r2a brown-purple (King George V), 2r brown-purple and 3r brown-purple

Revenue Stamps

Revenue usage of Postage stamps

1937. King George V postage stamps of India overprinted Burma. Perf 14.

Wmk multiple stars. Note signature across stamp and absence of postmark.

½a green and 1a chocolate

1a chocolate used on promissory note. (From Postage Stamp Chat Board & Stamp Bulletin Board Forum)

1938-40. King George VI definitives and pictorial issue inscribed Burma Postage.Perf 14. Wmk multiple elephants' heads.

3p bright violet, 6p bright blue and 1a purple-brown

Japanese Occupation Issues

Issued in 1942 during Japanese Occupation. Arms, crossed swords and chinthes, 21½ x 27 mm, Imperf, but with 7-gauge rouletting printed around design. No watermark. 5c deep green. Note: this stamp is known postally used (illustrated by Bennett in Fantail 4).

5c green revenue stamp pair on document in Tamil

1943. Revenue use of postage stamps.

Design of farmer. Perf 11½. No watermark. 2c yellow-green and 3c light blue.

Elephant. Perf 12½. No watermark, 5c carmine

1944. Thai Occupation of Shan States. Currency 100 satang = 1 baht.

Design - Musician. 15 x 21 mm (satang values; 1b larger).

Perf 13. No wmk.5s orange, 10s violet, 25s green and 1b blue

To be contd….

- Col Jayanta Dutta & Dr Anjali Dutta : email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com

Lighter Side

COCA-COLA OR A SUBSTITUTE OF MORPHINE?

In April 1865, Colonel John Pemberton of the Confederate Army was wounded in the Battle of Columbus, Georgia. He was slashed across his chest and like many wounded veterans became addicted to morphine which he used to ease the pain.
He was also a pharmacist and as such searched for a cure to counteract this addiction. He began experimenting with coca and coca wines, eventually creating his own version of Vin Mariani, containing kola nut and damiana, which he called “Pemberton's French Wine Coca”. In 1886, when Atlanta and Fulton County enacted temperance legislation, Pemberton found himself forced to produce a non-alcoholic alternative to his French Wine- inventing COCA-COLA.

Courtesy – Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal

Recent Stamp Magazines : Acknowledgement

· Vadophil

· ITS stamp News

· Stamps of India Collectors Companion

· Journal of The Army Philatelic Society

New issues from other Countries

Austria

19 September 2015 : Photographic Art

Nowadays modern arts overshadow classic ones. That is why this theme receives attention from the various spheres of life, philately is not an exception. This particular item released by Austrian Post shows “Vexations” by Gregor Schmoll, who is frequently referred to as the “Monsieur Surrealist” of Austrian contemporary art.

Serbia

26 August 2015 : 2015 - International Year of Light

Serbia Post issued two stamps to commemorate IIYL 2015 on 26 August 2015.  The UN General Assembly 68th Session proclaimed 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015) on 20 December 2013.This new issue is  dedicated to the International Year of Light ‒ a global initiative which highlights to the citizens of the world the importance of light and optical technologies in their lives, for their futures, and for the development of society.

Light plays a central role in human activities. On the most fundamental level through photosynthesis, light is necessary to the existence of life itself, and the many applications of light have revolutionized society through medicine, communications, entertainment and culture.

The International Year of Light is a global initiative which comprises a series of coordinated activities on national, regional and international levels, aiming to inform all citizens of the world about the importance of light and light-based technologies in their daily lives, their future, the development of society and art, and overall social progress.

New Joint Issue by Singapore and Thailand

 

Did you know that Asian countries can boast not only by their exotic cuisine but by delicious desserts too? Let‘s get acquainted with these tasty dishes with the help of a new stamp issue introduced by Singapore and Thailand.

This stamp set features traditional sweet delights from Singapore and Thailand that will be issued to mark the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The stamp to be issued by Singapore Post and Thailand Post depicts Singapore’s old-school ice-cream sandwich and Thailand’s iconic mango sticky rice.

Wafer ice cream is a type of ice cream popular in Singapore, often known as potong (cut) ice cream, which consists of two wafers holding together a block of ice cream. Common flavours offered include ripple, red bean, yam, sweet corn, durian, honeydew, peppermint, chocolate, and chocolate chip. Wafer ice cream vendors also sell the same blocks of ice cream on slices of multicolored bread, on cones or in cups instead of sandwiched between wafers.

The ice cream block is essentially a huge log of ice cream, which is then cut (hence the name potong) and sandwiched between two wafers. It is interesting to note the differences between countries: Singaporean street vendors do not offer individually wrapped ice cream sandwiches like Australia does.

Mango sticky rice or kao niow mamuang is a Thai dessert made with glutinous rice and fresh mango. It is a traditional Thai food eaten with the hands. It is prepared with glutinous rice, commonly called sticky rice. It is eaten by rolling the rice with the fingers and scooping up mango slices. Contrary with other desserts, Mango Sticky Rice is served warm or at room temperature.

Mango Sticky Rice is a popular dish in the Indochina region of Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Blogs & Websites

1. Forces in Philately - http://gunsinstamps.blogspot.in/ - .A new blog has been created by Commodore Vijay Kapre of New Delhi, featuring philatelic items related with our Armed Forces.

2. Praful Thakkar’s Exotic gallery of Indian Philately - http://www.indianphilatelics.com/ : It is a complete website on Indian Philately created by noted philatelist Mr Praful Thaakkar

3. Welcome to the World of Indian Philately - http://www.indianphilately.net/

An exclusive website created by Mr Prashant Pandya dedicated to Indian Philately .The philatelists can register for “ Online Philatelists’ Directory ” on this website.

4.Virtual Stamp Club http://www.virtualstampclub.com/index.html It is website for On Line collectors. Membership is free. Many collectors around the world are its members. .

5.Indian Thematics - http://www.indianthematics.blogspot.in/ - A new blog created by noted Thematic Philatelist Mr Dinesh Chandra Sharma. This blog is all about Thematic Philately.

6. Indian Philatelists’ Forum - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/indianphilatelists/

This is an electronic discussion forum dedicated exclusively to Indian Philately that allows members to engage into meaningful discussions on all aspects of Indian Philately. Membership to the forum is open to all philatelists who have interest in Indian Philately. Members can share and discuss their ideas, knowledge, research, collections, events, exhibitions, auctions, publications exclusively related to Indian Philately.

7. The best stamps - http://thebeststamps.blogspot.co.uk/ It’s a beautiful blog created by Julian Fernandes of Pune ( Now living in UK) featuring lovely stamps of birds with the photos of the same birds giving a wonderful look !!

8. Numismatic & Philatelic Association - http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm -  This Numismatic & Philatelic Association is a nonprofit and non-trade motive association that aims to promote the hobbies – Philately (Stamp Collection) and Numismatics (Coin Collection) among children, students, interested individuals among the general public and especially for the budding philatelists and numismatists.

9. How to Collect Stamps - http://www.howtocollectstamps.com/ : The Complete Guide To Stamp Collecting

10.GANDHI Stamps & Philately Study Circle : http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.in/ - A new Blog by Ketan Patel .…. Saving Gandhi Philately by trying to bring awareness and exposing illegal activities in Gandhi Stamps and Philately.

11. Europa Stamps : http://europa-stamps.blogspot.in/ : A blog on Europa, cept, norden & sepac stamps

12. Phila Mirror : http://philamirror.info/ : The Indian Philately Journal

13. Se- tenant Stamps of India - http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com/ It is a specialized Blog on se-tenant stamps.

14. Flags & Stamps - http://flagstamps.blogspot.com/ - It is a specialized blog on Flag Theme .

15. Glimpses of Modern Indian Philately : http://modernindianphilately.blogspot.com/ - It is a specialized blog on Modern Philately, created by Mr Prashant Pandya .

16. Question & Answers on Philately : http://en.allexperts.com/q/Stamps-Philately- 1610/indexExp_69442.htm - It is a site based on Question & Answers on Philately. Mr Prashant Pandya replies to queries.

17. Philatelic Journalists Forum - http://philatelicjournalistsforum.blogspot.in/ “The Philatelic Journalists” is an initiative by a few enthusiast philatelists, who love the hobby to the deepest.

18. The Philatelist - http://o-filatelista.blogspot.in/ - A blog with lot of info about stamps and philatelic activities around the world.

19. Phila India - http://philaindia.info/index.html - Website created by Mahesh Reddiar with lot of info and articles on philately .

20. Princess Diana – Queen of Hearts - http://princessdiana-queenofhearts.blogspot.in/ - New Blog by noted philatelist of Orissa Mr Santanu Panigrahi.

21. Stamp Magazine - http://blog.stampmagazine.co.uk/ This blog is updated by Adrian Keppel every Friday with new Articles on a variety of subjects

Philatelic Clubs & Societies

Baroda Philatelic Society - http://www.vadophil.org/

Chandigarh Philatelic Club

Deccan Philatelic Society – Pune, Maharashtra

Eastern India Philatelists’ Association - http://www.filacapsule.blogspot.com/

India Study Circle - http://www.indiastudycircle.org/

Indian Stamp Ghar - http://www.indianstampghar.com/

Indian Thematic Society, Ludhiana - http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/

Ludhiana Philatelic Club

Mobile Philately - http://www.mobilephilately.webs.com/

Numismatic & Philatelic Association of Vellore Fort http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm

Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur

Rainbow Stamp Club - http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/

Rajkot Philatelic Society – Rajkot, Gujarat

Gujarat Philatelic Association - Ahmedabad

South India Philatelists Association - http://www.sipa.org.in/

Stamps of India - http://www.stampsofindia.com/

The Army Philatelic Society, Pune

Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

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

India Post – Quarterly Journal of the India Study Circle publishes original articles submitted by members of ISC.

ITS Stamp News - Quarterly - Editor: Suraj Jaitly Publisher: Indian Thematic Society website - http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/

VADOPHIL, Editor - Prashant Pandya and published by Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara. Website -http://www.vadophil.org/

Journal of the Army Philatelic Society : Editor – Col Jayanta Dutta

SIPA Bulletin http://www.sipa.org.in/

GPA News – Published by Gujarat Philatelists’ Association, Ahemadabad.

Stamps Today – Stamp & Coin Magazine edited by Vijay Seth

RAINBOW STAMP CLUB

This is a blog of e-stamp Club 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. New Post on recent issues, news on stamp activities and Contribution by members are published every day on this blog.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 : International Stamp News; Indian Philately Digest ; Europa Stamps Abhai Mishra - Dehradun, Prashant Pandya – Vadodara, Sandeep Chaurasia and Ashwani Dubey – Gorakhpur; Jagannth Mani and Yashwant Shah – Bangalore; Sudhir Jain – Satna (MP); Sreejesh Krishnan – Trivandrum

Address for communication:

Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box No. 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248002. India

E-mail – j.jyoti9@gmail.com

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

If you liked this issue please forward it to your friends and help in promoting philately.

A Request to Readers & Contributors -

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

Kindly specify your contribution such as article/News/ Reader’s Right / Beginners’ Section/ Lighter Side etc.

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.

Attention -
Please send limited number of images in compressed jpg format only with your article. Please send text and images separately. Please do not send text or image for publication in PDF.

Any material from this newsletter may be reproduced only with the written permission from the editor.

…..Happy Collecting…………………………………………………………………

Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti, from Dehradun ( Uttarakhand) India.