Love
Flourishes..
Date of Issue : 18 January 2018
Dehradun February
2018 Vol XI Issue No 122
Readers
are requested to send reports of philatelic activities in their area for
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RAINBOW
Love is in the air this month……
Greetings on Valentine’s Day
Greetings on Valentine’s Day
Dear Reader,
I am pleased to present February 2018 issue of Rainbow Stamp
News. In the month of February Valentine’s Day is celebrated on 14th
. Valentine’s Day is very popular around the world and is
celebrated in many places, including India. It celebrates love between couples
and friends. To mark this ‘Love Day’ many postal administrations issue beautiful
Love stamps featuring hearts, roses, love
birds and word ‘Love’ in exquisite designs for this special day.
Valentine’s Day stamps have their own attraction for sending greetings and
expressing love . For a thematic collector, it is a beautiful theme. One can
make a complete exhibit on ‘Love stamps’ as a large number of stamps have been
issued by various countries on this theme. So in this month have some beautiful
stamps issued for Valentine’s Day and make your collection rich, special and romantic
!
This is all for this month
! More in next issue !
Happy Collecting!
Contents
§
From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal
§
Recent Indian Issues
§
In The News
§
Doon Philatelic Diary
§
Beginners’ Section
§
Specialized Section
§
New Issues from Other Countries
§
Philatelic Clubs and Society
§
Blogs & Websites on Philately
§
Current Philatelic Magazines –
Newsletter
New Classes in Philatelic Exhibitions
A few years
back there were talks about Social Philately, Open Class as well as Frugal
Philately as one could see some articles published in various philatelic
journals and magazines introducing and promoting these classes of philately. A
genuine ,timely and most desired move in the field of philately to give new
life to the dying phase of philately.
Broadly Social Philately is basically the liberalized form of Thematic with inclusion of Postal
History elements. It may otherwise be defined as postal history exhibit displayed
thematically or a thematic exhibit
displayed as postal history exhibit telling the history and development of social system allowing usage / inclusion of
various Ephemera, Cinderella and other postal linked material allowing a little
percentage of even non – philatelic
material.
And to help the persons who cannot afford expansive postal / philatelic
material for collection Frugal Philately had been introduced.
Frugal philately may
be defined as the collection of philatelic material from rubbish and waste, and
is judged not upon its intrinsic value but rather its negligible cost. It may be called inexpensive philately or economical,
philately or cheap philately which
has low priced, thrifty, nominal or
bargain basement material.
Well, in India, Social Philately class was first
introduced in Stampamania 2009, a National Level Philatelic Exhibition held in
Vadodara. Till then frankly most of the philatelists were not aware of this
class. Even there was no capable jury to understand properly the parameters of
judging this class. Thereafter, though it was there in other shows in India but
there was little participation and perhaps no appreciation as no appreciable
award was ever given. Frugal Philately has yet to stamp its noticeable presence
in Indian shows.
These classes have been included in the exhibitions but no
higher awards are given to these classes. Why? Either the exhibits are not of
that standard or the jury lacked appropriate knowledge to judge these exhibits.
Whatever may be the reason, it is time to explore these classes. In the present
state of philately when Traditional classes have become expensive, Thematic has
broadly established itself and there is immense competition; it is time to
appreciate and explore the new classes. Social Philately and Frugal Philately
are the new wheels to give pace to the stagnating state of philately. There is
a need to let philatelists know what exactly these classes are. More and more
exhibits should be welcomed and given appropriate recognition. One must know
that these classes are being recognized even in FIAP and FIP exhibitions world
over.
Well, while talking about these classes ,I will also
talk about the First day Cover Class and Special
Cover Class. We all know that most of the new stamp collectors
and even veteran philatelists have huge collection of these covers. These
classes not only allow the stamp collectors to participate in the exhibitions
through their covers but also put before the public and philatelists a range of
such covers to know more about these. There is a need to form some specific
guidelines to prepare and adjudge these exhibits.
Through the above discussion, I wish to appeal the
whole philatelic fraternity in India to encourage these classes and motivate
stamp collectors to participate in shows with their collections/ exhibits. At
the same time I appeal to the Apex bodies to promote these classes & to
train and prepare judges to properly judge such exhibits.
-Naresh
Agrawal Ph. 09425530514 - email :
nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in
Recent Indian Issue
8 January 2018 : Central Plantation Crops Research Institute – Rs
15 , Rs 5 + MS
25 January 2018 : India – Vietnam Joint Issue – Rs25 + Rs 5 + MS
25 January 2018 : ASEAN – India Joint Summit 2018 –RS 5 x 11 + MS
26 January 2018 – Potter’s Wheel – Rs 5 + Rs 15
Recent Special Covers
16 December 2017 : Acharya
Pt. Chakradhar Joshi, Dehradun
16 & 17 December 2017 : Uttarakannadapex-2017
, Kumta, Uttara Kannada -5 Special Covers
23
December 2017 : Vegdevi Vilas Instututions- Varthur
28 December 2017 : Completion of 50 Years on awarding Jnanpith
Award to Rashtrakavi Kuvempu's Sri Ramayana Darshanam
,
In The News
2018 Calendar
West Bengal Circle of India Post issued a special 2018 Calendar featuring stories of famous Stamps of the world , designed by noted artist and philatelist Shri Dipok Dey.This calendar is available at Kolkata Philatelic Bureaue.
Ramayana Calendar by India Post
Business Development & Marketing
Directorate of India Post has brought out a Calendar for 2018 featuring Ramayana Stamps.
The price of this Calendar is Rs 100.
New rules by USPS for computer-generated stamps in US
A mock- up from
the zazzle.com personalized postage provider of one of its design offerings showing
toasting champagne flutes. Under new rules, designs featuring alcohol would not
be allowed except in situations in certain social contexts, such as weddings.
After a year of study, the United States Postal
Service has announced what images and subject matter it will allow on
computer-generated postage created by Stamps.com, Zazzle.com and other
companies.
Some mailers are not happy with the Postal Service’s final
proposal, printed in the Federal Register on Dec. 19.“A lump
of coal,” decried the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers.
The organization complained the new rules will allow commercial
mailers to use almost any commercial display of their products but will
discourage nonprofits from expressing their views in the form of postage.
In a Dec. 19 report, the Alliance said, “Apparently, its
attorneys are worried that some nonprofit subjects could be ‘threats to the
Postal Service brand,’ and it would be ‘impermissible viewpoint discrimination,
which would endanger the whole program.’”
What types of images are allowed on the computer-generated
postage have already prompted lawsuits that challenge the refusal to allow some
images as a violation of free speech rights granted by the Constitution.
But the Postal Service has held fast to its proposed ban on
political advertising on postage. The rules ban “any depiction of political,
religious, violent or sexual content.”
Postal lawyers maintain that any provider of computer-generated
postage must be careful to separate their products, called customized postage,
from postage stamps.
“Providers must not promote Customized Postage products as ‘U.S.
stamps’ or make any representations tending to imply that Customized Postage
products are related in any way to official U.S. postage stamps or to any
aspect of the Postal Service philatelic program,” the rules say.
The Postal Service also rejected concerns voiced by Stamps.com that it might be required to change its name or trademarks
because of the new rules.
“Neither the proposed nor the final rules require alteration of
provider trademarks,” the final rules state.
“The requirement that providers disassociate Customized Postage
products from U.S. stamps is intended to protect official USPS stamps and
philatelic products and programs from consumer confusion related to the status
of Customized Postage products, which are a specialized form of evidence of
prepayment of postage,” the revisions state.
“The final rules simply require providers not to ‘promote’
Customized Postage products as being official U.S. postage stamps,” the USPS
said.
What troubled the Alliance most was the deference the Postal
Service paid to commercial organizations, compared to nonprofits, which were
placed under a “social” category.
“Commercial” was defined by the USPS as a “means intended for no
purpose other than the sale of goods or services in commerce.”
Social “means promoting or depicting people, animals, items, or
events commonly associated with community relations or companionship and likely
to generate invitations, announcements, notices, thank-you notes, RSVPs, or
similar correspondence.”
What is specifically banned?
“(i) Any non-incidental depiction of alcohol, tobacco, gambling,
or firearms or other weapons;
“(ii) Any depiction of controlled substances, including but not
limited to marijuana,
“(iii) Any depiction of political, religious, violent or sexual
content; or
“(iv) Any depiction of subject matter prohibited for display
under U.S. law.”
The rules also ban use of logos of beer and alcoholic beverages.
“Although allowing incidental depictions of alcohol in a
commercial or social context is acceptable under the final rules, allowing the
non-incidental display of logos promoting alcoholic beverage sales creates more
brand risks, and arguably opens other commercial categories that the Postal
Service may be compelled to accept by First Amendment principles, e.g., logos
promoting tobacco, weapons, or gambling enterprises.”
The rules rejected the Alliance’s complaint of preference to
commercial firms, saying that nonprofits would be allowed the same freedom to
purchase computer-generated postage as would any mailer.
Both Stamps.com and Zazzle had voiced concerns about the initial USPS proposal on
images. Neither responded to Linn’s when asked about their
views on the final regulations.
Source : Linn’s Stamp News
THAILAND
2018 is an extraordinary world stamp exhibition organized by the Philatelic
Association of Thailand under the Patronage of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri
Sirindhorn from November 28 to December 3, 2018 at the Royal Paragon Hall, Siam
Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand on the auspicious occasion of the First Anniversary
Celebration of H.M. King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s Royal Coronation Ceremony. The
75th Congress of the International Philatelic Federation (FIP) will also be
held at THAILAND 2018.
THAILAND
2018 with a capacity of 2500 display frames is the only General World
exhibition in the year 2018 with participation open in all Classes viz FIP
Championship, Traditional, Postal History, Postal Stationery, Aerophilately,
Astrophilately, Thematic, Maximaphily, Revenues, Youth, Literature, One Frame,
Modern Philately and Open Philately.
The participation fee for Competitive Classes (except Youth Philately, Literature and One Frame) will be USD80 per frame. The fee for participation in Literature Class is USD90 per exhibit. The fee for participation in One Frame Class is USD100 per exhibit. There is no participation fee for Youth Philately Class.
The participation fee for Competitive Classes (except Youth Philately, Literature and One Frame) will be USD80 per frame. The fee for participation in Literature Class is USD90 per exhibit. The fee for participation in One Frame Class is USD100 per exhibit. There is no participation fee for Youth Philately Class.
Mr. Madhukar Jhingan is the National
Commissioner for India.
The minimum eligibility for participation in THAILAND 2018 is winning at least a vermeil award at the National exhibition. The Exhibit Application forms and the detailed rules of exhibition (IREX) are available for download at http://thailand2018.org/
The minimum eligibility for participation in THAILAND 2018 is winning at least a vermeil award at the National exhibition. The Exhibit Application forms and the detailed rules of exhibition (IREX) are available for download at http://thailand2018.org/
The
duly filled Forms along with a copy of the first page of the exhibit should be
submitted to the National Commissioner for India, Madhukar Jhingan,
mj@stampsofindia.com +919811160965 by March 1, 2018.
Scholarship
for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as
a Hobby
India
Post recently launched a national philatelic
scholarship program for students in an attempt to promote the hobby to the country’s
youth.
According
to government press release, the scholarship
program—known as Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana (Scholarship
for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as
a Hobby)—will be available to a total of 920 students. Each student will
be given 500 rupees each month for a year by Department of Post.
To
avail this scholarship, a child must be a student of a recognized school within
India and the concerned school should have a Philately Club and the candidate
should be a member of the Club. In case the school Philately Club hasn’t been
established a student having his own Philately Deposit Account will also be
considered,” reads the press release.
“Every prospective
school, which participates in the competition, would be assigned a Philately
mentor to be chosen from amongst the renowned
Philatelists. The Philately mentor would help in formation of
the School level Philately Club, providing guidance to young and aspiring
Philatelists on how to pursue the hobby and also helping the aspiring
Philatelists on their Philately Projects etc.”
Recent Stamp Exhibitions
Commissioner for MACAO 2018
Philatelic Exhibition (FIAP)
Mr. Anil Suri has been appointed as Indian National Commissioner
for the MACAO 2018, FIAP Specialized Stamp Exhibition to be held in Macao,
Macau from 21 to 24 September 2018.
Exhibition Classes: Traditional, Postal History, Postal Stationery, Thematic, Youth, One Frame (TR, PH, PS, AE, AS, TH, MA & RE), Literature and Modern Philately only.
Eligibility: The minimum eligibility for participation in a FIAP exhibition for Senior Class & Youth Class (Groups B & C) is Vermeil Medal and for Youth Class (Group A) a Large Silver Medal secured at a National Exhibition.
Exhibition Classes: Traditional, Postal History, Postal Stationery, Thematic, Youth, One Frame (TR, PH, PS, AE, AS, TH, MA & RE), Literature and Modern Philately only.
Eligibility: The minimum eligibility for participation in a FIAP exhibition for Senior Class & Youth Class (Groups B & C) is Vermeil Medal and for Youth Class (Group A) a Large Silver Medal secured at a National Exhibition.
Contact information:
Mr. Anil Suri,
Khushal Villa, E-70, Kalkaji,
NEW DELHI - 110 019.
Phone: (Res.) +91-11-2643 0813 / (Off.) +91-11-2647 4681
(M): +919811176908
Email: anilksuri@email.com
Mr. Anil Suri,
Khushal Villa, E-70, Kalkaji,
NEW DELHI - 110 019.
Phone: (Res.) +91-11-2643 0813 / (Off.) +91-11-2647 4681
(M): +919811176908
Email: anilksuri@email.com
Commissioner for PRAGA 2018
Philatelic Exhibition (FIP)
Mr.
Rajan Jaykar has been appointed as Indian National Commissioner for the PRAGA
2018, FIP Specialized World Stamp Exhibition to be held in Prague, Czech
Republic from 15 to 18 August 2018.
Exhibition Classes: Traditional, Postal History, Modern Philately (Trad. & PH), One Frame (Trad. & PH), Open Philately and Philatelic Literature Classes only.
Eligibility: The minimum eligibility for participation in a FIP exhibition for Senior & Youth Class Groups B & C is Vermeil Medal secured at a National Exhibition and for Youth Class Group A Large Silver Medal.
Exhibition Classes: Traditional, Postal History, Modern Philately (Trad. & PH), One Frame (Trad. & PH), Open Philately and Philatelic Literature Classes only.
Eligibility: The minimum eligibility for participation in a FIP exhibition for Senior & Youth Class Groups B & C is Vermeil Medal secured at a National Exhibition and for Youth Class Group A Large Silver Medal.
Contact information:
Mr. Rajan Jayakar
Flat No. 2, Court View, 126, Maharashi Karve Road,
Churchgate, MUMBAI - 400 020.
Phone: +91-22-22820570 / +91-22-22820572
(M): +9198210 72417
Email: rajanjayakar1948@gmail.com
Mr. Rajan Jayakar
Flat No. 2, Court View, 126, Maharashi Karve Road,
Churchgate, MUMBAI - 400 020.
Phone: +91-22-22820570 / +91-22-22820572
(M): +9198210 72417
Email: rajanjayakar1948@gmail.com
FORTHCOMING
INTERNATIONAL STAMP EXHIBITIONS UNDER FIP/FIAP
2018 May
27-31: Jerusalem, Israel, ISRAEL 2018 World Stamp Championship
2018 Aug
15-18: Prague, Czech Republic, PRAGA 2018 World Stamp Exhibition
2018 Sep
21-24: Macao, MACAO 2018 35th FIAP International Stamp Exhibition
2018 Dec:
THAILAND 2018 World Stamp Exhibition.
PCI Meeting
The Bi-annual General Body Meeting and
Elections for the New Governing Council (2018-2020) are scheduled to be held at
Chennai on 29th April 2018.
Wedding Bells
Wedding Bells
Heartiest Congratulations to Shri Naresh Agrawal and Mrs Namita
Agrawal on auspicious occasion of the wedding
ceremony of their dear daughter Nimisha with Prateek on 5th February
2018. With Love and blessings, we wish a very Happy married life to the lovely
couple.
Doon Philatelic Diary
Shri Kedarnath
Temple
Shri
Kedarnath is one of the twelve jyotirlingas and is situated amidst the snow
capped peaks of the Himalayas. It lies in Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand near
the Mandakini river. The temple opens on Akshay Tritiya (somewhere in April)
and closes on Kartik Purnima (in November). Rest for around six months during
extreme winters it is closed and the deities are worshipped at Ukhimath during
that period. The area was badly affected during the 2013 flash floods but the
temple structure did not suffer any major damage. The regular route was washed
away in the flash floods and now the pilgrims have to cover a longer trek route
to reach the temple.
It
is believed that the temple was built by
Pandavas with the present structure constructed in the eighth century by Adi
Sankaracharya. It has a ‘garbgriha’ and a ‘mandapa’ with ‘Nandi’ sitting just
opposite to the shrine. According to the legends pandavas went for pilgrimage
after the kurushetra war to absolve them of their sin. They tried to seek the
‘darshan’ of Lord Shiva for washing away their sins. On seeing them Lord Shiva
hid himself and the place is now known as ‘Gupkashi’. But Pandavas pursued him and
recognized him in the disguised form of Nandi. When Bhima, the second Pandava
brother tried to hold the bull by its tail and hind legs, Nandi vanished from
Guptakashi, into the ground (into a cave for hiding), but reappeared later as
Shiva in five different forms namely, hump at Kedarnath, face at Rudranath,
arms at Tungnath, navel and stomach at Madhyamaheshwar and the locks at
Kalpeshwar.
The presiding image of Kedaranth in
the form of lingam is or irregular shape with an pedestal 3.6 m (12 ft) in
circumference and 3.6 m (12 ft) in height. The head priest (Raval) of
the Kedarnath temple belongs to the Veerashaiva community from Karnataka.
However, unlike in Badrinath temple, the Raval of Kedarnath temple does not
perform the pujas. The pujas are carried out by Raval's assistants on his
instructions.
There was earlier post office at
‘Gaurikund’ and ‘Kedarnath’ but during the flash flood of 2013 both of them
were washed away.
References - Wikipedia
Beginners’ Section
Famous
stamps of the World : The Bull’s Eye
The unusual name derives from the ornamental value figures
inside the oval settings, and the arrangement of the stamps in the sheet, which
permitted se-tenant pairs that looked like a pair of bull's eyes.
The unusual naming of Brazilian stamps continued with the later issue of
smaller, but rectangular designs, which were nicknamed snake's eyes, and the issue of similar
designs to the Bull's Eyes, but smaller, of which the blue were called goat's
eyes, and the black, cat's eyes.
There were 1,148,994 30 réis stamps printed, 1,502,142 of the 60
réis value, and 349,182 of the 90 réis stamp. The 90 réis issue were reserved
for international mail only.
1928 Discovery of Hawaii Stamps
Col J Dutta & Dr Anjali Dutta
Polynesians
were the first people to settle the Hawaiian Islands. They journeyed
across the Pacific, moving from island to island in giant canoes. They
probably reached Hawaii around 2,000 years ago. Another group from Tahiti
reached the islands in 1200 A.D. and conquered the earlier settlers. The
name Hawaii is either derived from the name of a chief, Hawaii-loa, or the
legendary name of the Polynesian homeland to the west, Hawaiki.
Although
European or Japanese ships may have reached the Hawaiian Islands during the
1500s, Great Britain’s Captain James Cook was responsible for making them known
to the rest of the world. Cook landed there on January 18, 1778, and
engaged in friendly trade. It is estimated that about 300,000 people lived
in Hawaii at that time. The Hawaiians believed Cook had divine powers and
considered him a great chief. He named the islands in honor of the first
lord of the British admiralty, the Earl of Sandwich. Cook left the
Sandwich Islands after two weeks. He returned in November 1778, and was
later killed when a fight broke out between the Hawaiians and his men.
Cook’s
voyages brought more explorers and traders to Hawaii. The first trading
ship stopped there in 1786 while transporting a load of furs from Oregon to
China. New types of livestock, manufactured goods, and plants were
introduced to the islands. Unfortunately, new diseases took a devastating
toll on the islanders.
Local
chiefs had controlled the islands throughout Hawaii’s history. In 1782,
Chief Kamehameha obtained firearms from European traders and began a bloody war
to unite the islands into a kingdom. By 1792, he controlled Hawaii
Island. Three years later, he controlled all the main islands except Kauai
and Niihau. Kamehameha appointed the local chiefs as governors and
proclaimed himself King Kamehameha I. The chiefs of Kauai and Niihau
accepted Kamehameha’s rule in 1810.
Hawaii
adopted its first constitution in 1840. The United States recognized
Hawaii as an independent government in 1842.
King
Kalakaua gave the U.S. the right to use Pearl Harbor as a Naval base in 1887 in
return for trading privileges. In 1891, Kalakaua died and his sister was
crowned Queen Liluokalani. Liluokalani attempted to install a new
constitution that would increase her power. In 1893, a group of nine
Americans, two Britons, and two Germans led a revolution against Liluokalani,
removing her from office. U.S. marines and sailors aided the
revolutionaries. In 1894, the Republic of Hawaii was formed. This
short-lived nation had just one president, Sanford B. Dole.
Hawaii then
came under the control of U.S. businessmen. These businessmen lobbied for
Hawaii to be annexed by the U.S. – which was financially beneficial to their
interests. On August 12, 1898, the islands were officially annexed and
became U.S. possessions. Hawaii became a U.S. territory on June 14, 1900. Hawaiians
became U.S. citizens. However, their Congressional representative could
not vote and the U.S. Congress could veto any law passed by their legislature.
The first
bill attempting to make Hawaii a state was introduced in 1919. In 1950,
Hawaii adopted a constitution in preparation for statehood. Congress
approved the appropriate legislation in 1959 and President Dwight D. Eisenhower
signed the bill. The matter went before the Hawaiian people, who voted 17
to 1 in favor of statehood. On August 21, 1959, Hawaii achieved statehood.
In 1928, suggestions
were made to issue a stamp commemorating the 150thanniversary of
the discovery of Hawaii. Although the Post Office Department initially
refused, they eventually agreed to issue a pair of overprinted stamps that
would be much less costly than designing and printing new stamps. These
Hawaiian Sesquicentennial stamps were overprinted versions of the Regular
Series of 1922-26 (first day of issue: August
13, 1928, quantity issued: 5,519,897). However,
when the stamps were issued, many post offices around the country were unaware
of them and refused to accept them, claiming they were already canceled and not
fit for postage.
The use of a somewhat
generic overprint was the result of a disagreement between Wallace Farrington,
the Governor of Hawaii and Harry New, the Postmaster General. New felt that commemorative stamps should be
focus on topics that were of interest nationwide and that the discovery of
Hawaii was not of interest to most Americans.
Farrington obviously felt differently.
They compromised by issuing the two unremarkable overprints instead of a
new design. These stamps had limited
distribution and were only sold in Honolulu and to stamp collectors from the
Philatelic Sales Agency in Washington D.C.
-
Col J Dutta & Dr Anjali Dutta - email
: doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com
THE
STORY OF PIGEON
POST IN INDIA
( Pigeon Mail : The First Air Mail Of The World )
Naresh Agrawal
PIGEON AS A MESSENGER ( The Flying Postman )
Pigeons have an extraordinary homing instinct,
natural habit and ability of returning unerringly to their homes at high speed
after a flight of quite longer distances in any direction. This ability of
theirs navigate from anywhere to their lofts at high speed was recognized and
used quite early during ancient times which was utilized in sending and
receiving messages from time to time by individuals, rulers, administrations,
traders, financiers and others. The messages written on thin small paper were
tagged to pigeon’s legs or paws or claws who was then released. The pigeon then
flew back to his loft with the messages
where the receiver removed the message.
INDIAN PIGEONS
PIGEON POST OR
MAIL
Pigeon post is the use of homing pigeons and
other birds to carry messages from one place to the other who are effective as
messengers due to their natural homing abilities. The pigeons were transported
to a destination in cages or lofts, where messages would be attached to their
paws or legs and then the pigeon would
fly back to its home naturally where the owner could detach the message and read
it.
The term is used both to refer to physical items of mail,
and to the system used to transport them. While pigeon post is largely obsolete today, it was at
one point a very trendy method of carrying light mail. Although the use of
pigeons for carrying mail was never widespread, people would sometimes send
mail by pigeon, as would people in the financial
industry who wanted to transmit news
INTERNATIONAL REPLY COUPAN OF BRITISH INDIA PERIOD
This practice of use of carrier pigeons is ancient. The
Greeks and Romans both used pigeon post to convey information, and many
pigeons worked in military service too for carrying messages with troop orders
and other military material from place to place. In addition to pigeons, birds
of prey were sometimes used for messages.
In a way, the pigeon post could be considered the first form of
airmail. Pigeons are still used to carry messages in some remote regions of the
world where other postal options are not available, and pigeon enthusiasts also
keep birds for the purpose of sending messages to other enthusiasts, keeping
this ancient tradition alive.
EARLY HISTORY :
Pigeon post references can be
found very ancient in India
Centuries
down, the practice of using Brahmin priests for carrying letters in a private postal system
called the Brahmini Dak , reflects the
importance accorded to such trusted human carriers. Mahabharata too has a
romantic legend mentioning how a swan was used to convey the message of prince
Nal to princess Damayanti.
MEGHDOOT,THE
CLOUD – MESSENGER
Like
in ancient India
King
Chandragupta Maurya,(340-293 BCE) and his grandson Emperor Ashoka (304–232 BC)
the great used pigeons as message carriers during their reign for the needs of intelligence gathering and
collection of revenue data between the capital and the outlying provinces of
the vast kingdom , whence regular messengers, doots and pigeons were used for
conveying the royal communiqué.
Chandragupta Maurya
During
the Dark Ages the Arabs established regular airmail pigeon courier services.
According to one tale, a caliph in North Africa
satisfied his taste for Lebanese cherries by having pigeons fly them in. Each
carried one cherry inside a silk bag. It was the first parcel post. Reportedly,
a prize pair of carrier pigeons in the Arab empire could fetch one thousand
gold pieces.
In the middle ages, in the 4th century of the common era,
the Romans developed a pigeon post to carry important messages throughout the Roman Empire . The news of capture Damietta St. Louis
PIGEON
POST DURING AND AFTER 11th
CENTENARY :
Domesticated pigeons are first
developed in ancient Egypt India
In Baghdad Baghdad Syria Egypt Asia and much of
Eastern Europe . Wars and emergencies
popularized the pigeon post in China Persia India
Genghis Khan
DURING AND AFTER 15th
CENTENARY :
There
were pigeon posts in existence during the Dutch war in the 16Th
century. Besieged Haarlem Leyden
in 1574 A.D.
In
India
During
reign of Akbar i.e 1556 to 1605, Pigeon post was in random use, as also camels
in desert areas. The pigeon carriers were housed in the royal palace, where
they were trained to carry news over the far-flung territories.
References
to the use of royal pigeons and camels have also been found. Though camels and
camel caravans were used primarily in desert areas, camels were also used in
non-desert zones, specifically for carrying royal or State Mail.
The
introduction of pigeon post is
attributed to Akbar, and not Jahangir, as mentioned in several accounts as
Akbar was crazy about pigeon keeping. Whenever he went on a trip his men
carried pigeons with him. Normally more than two thousands birds went with him kept in special carriers.
Pigeons were trained and housed in the royal
palace, in the Kabutar-Khaana, found even today in the relics of Mughal
palaces. They were used to carry urgent missives over short distances,
exclusively for royal purpose. The practice continued to be favoured by
Jahangir who extended its use to special occasions.
AKBAR
In eighteenth
century, Tipu Sultan, an Indian
ruler (1782 – 1799 ) used carrier pigeons. Pigeons used to return to the Jamia
Masjid mosque in Srirangapattnam which
was his headquarters. The pigeon holes may be seen in the mosque's minarets to
this day.
TIPU SULTAN
The
practice of using homing pigeons as message
carriers also prevailed from the earliest times. Amazingly,
they were being officially used by government departments as pigeon posts in remote
areas even now a days. Orissa State Police is one such department which
used pigeons as mail carriers till 2004 in India
Almost
in all the palaces in Rajasthan and other states of India , carrier pigeons had
been deployed for mail service, which was pretty reliable . The photo shows the
pigeon cages used to house the carrier pigeons inside the Udaipur City Palace.
It is now just a reminder of old times, since the carrier pigeon service was
discontinued many decades back.
PIGEON POST IN
ORISSA :
The
Orrissa Police is the only state force in India
The
static category formed a batch in which pigeons were moved with the forces
leaving headquarters for remote areas and were released in the sky whenever the
need arose for communication with Hqtrs.
In the mobile category, the police took the trailer along with pigeons to the
place of operation. In the third-boomerang-category, the pigeons were trained
to deliver and return with the message within their flying area, usually
restricted to 50 miles both ways.
Orissa police carrier pigeons:
facing the sack.
Unfortunately this, the world’s last
pigeon courier service - had been stopped on the ground of its high cost of
procurement and maintenance in comparison to the latest developments in the
telecommunication and satellite services
encouraging the usage of internet and
mobile phones etc.. And hence, in 2004 all the birds were retired from
their services and were freed from their
lofts. Orissa police pigeon fleet has served the state during various
calamities and situation of urgency.
PIGEONGRAM :
Though
there is no recorded history of issuance of modern pigeongrams in India India India
The
pigeon mail covers and the messages carried by them are known as pigeongram or
pigeon o gram. Given hereunder is study
of various pigeiongrams issued in India
1931
The
first recorded modern pigeon mail service was organized by Calcutta Homing
Pigeon Club, Calcutta from Asansol to Calcutta on 18th Feb 1931 when
pigeon grams i.e. cover with messages
were sent through various pigeons to commemorate the 20th
anniversary of the world’s first official airmail service which was organized
from Allahabad to Naini on 18.Feb. 1911. The covers were stamped in red “FIRST INDIAN
PIGEONGRAM”.
18th Feb.1931 tiny cover
with 1an Inauguration value cancelled at PARK ST. P.O., CALCUTTA cachets front FIRST INDIAN PIGEONGRAM carried by pigeon LONESOME, from Asansol to Calcutta
Pigeongram Cover dated 18th Feb.1931 delivered by a carrier pigeon
named ECLIPSE who flew it from
Asansol to Calcutta
Pigeongram Message dated 18th Feb.1931 delivered by a carrier pigeon named RUBYS LOVE who flew it from Asansol to Calcutta
Pigeongrams, group of ten slips comprised of
Asanol to Calcutta (2) and Hazaribagh to Calcutta (8), all signed on reverse by
Stephen Smith, plus two covers containing pigeongrams franked with George V
1a3p tied by magenta "Kalyan/First Pigeon Missive/6 Apr 1941" datestamps,
Another pigeonmail service was
organized in December 1931 when missives from His Excellency
The Viceroy were carried from Hazaribagh
to Calcutta Calcutta PARK STREET , CALCUTTA
31st Dec.
1931, Pigeongram
envelope franked with 3p stamp tied by
Calcutta c in
red with missive from His Excellency The Viceroy carried by homing pigeon 'MOLLY' from
Hazaribagh to Calcutta
31st
Dec. 1931,
Pigeongram envelope franked with 2 nos.
3pstamps tied by Calcutta cds in red with
enclosed missive from His Excellency The Viceroy carried by homing pigeon 'Little Titch' from Hazaribagh to
Calcutta
.
1933
Indian Air
Mail Society organized another pigeon mail service on 19th Jan. 1933 when
missives from His Excellency The
Viceroy during his camps in India Calcutta
19th Jan.1933 letter cover (
pigeongram) with vignette and ½ an. postal stamp carried a message from His Excellency The Viceroy by
Homing Pigeon SANS AME from Chandernagore to Park Street Post Office,Calcutta
19th Jan.1933 letter cover with
vignette and ½ A. postal stamp carried a
message from His Excellency The Viceroy by Homing Pigeon LITTLE TITCH from Chandernagore to Park Street Post
Office,Calcutta
1940
Again
in 1940, The Indian Air Mail Society organized another pigeon mail service on 18th Oct. 1940
when messages were carried from Chandranagore ( French Settlement ) to Calcutta
 |
18th Oct. 1940 letter cover
(Pigeongram) with a red cross and ½ A.
postal stamp at front carried a message
by Homing Pigeon ROBY from Chandernagore to Park Street
Post Office, Calcutta signed by Stephhen Smith on its reverse
18th Oct. 1940 letter cover
(Pigeongram) with a red cross and ½ A.
postal stamp at front carried a message
by Homing Pigeon QUEENIE from Chandernagore to Park
Street Post Office, Calcutta signed by Stephhen Smith on its reverse
To be contd…
Ahmedabad
India’s Ist
UNESCO World Heritage City (Part 1)
July 8, 2017
The citizens of Ahmedabad were in hilarious mood as
UNESCO declared the Historic City of Ahmadabad or Old Ahmadabad as India’s first World Heritage City. With this tag,
Ahmedabad joined Paris, Vienna, Cairo, Brussels, Rome and Edinburgh as World
Heritage cities. With its wooden pol (street) houses symbolizing community
living, the wonderfully carved Hindu and Jain temples and one of the finest
Indo-Islamic architecture, Ahmedabad stands tall with its rich, textured
heritage. DebasishNaik of Ahmedabad University says, “It’s the most spectacular
achievement for Ahmedabad in 2017 as it has put Ahmedabad on the global map”.
Ahmedabad is the largest city and former
capital of Gujarat. With a population of more
than 6.3 million and an extended population of 7.8 million, it is the sixth largest city and seventh
largest metropolitan area of India. It is located
on the banks of the Sabarmati
River, 30 km from the state capital Gandhinagar, which is its twin city.
Ahmedabad has emerged as an important economic and
industrial hub in India. It is the second largest producer of cotton in India, and its stock exchange is
the country's second oldest. In 2010, it was ranked third in Forbes's list of fastest growing cities of the decade. In 2012, The Times of India chose Ahmedabad as India's best city to live in. Ahmedabad has
been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under Government of India's
flagship Smart Cities Mission.
History
The area around Ahmedabad has been inhabited since
the 11th century, when it was known as Ashaval (or Ashapalli). At that time, Karna, the Chaulukya ruler of Anhilwara (modern Patan), waged a successful war against the Bhil king of Ashaval, and established a city called Karnavati on
the banks of the Sabarmati. Solanki rule lasted until the 13th
century, when Gujarat came under the control of the Vaghela
dynasty of Dholka. Gujarat subsequently came under the control of the Delhi
Sultanate in the 14th century. However, by
the earlier 15th century, the local governor Zafar Khan Muzaffar
established his independence from the Delhi Sultanate and crowned himself Sultan of
Gujarat as Muzaffar Shah I, thereby founding
the Muzaffarid dynasty. This
area finally came under the control of his grandson Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411 A.D. who while
at the banks of Sabarmati liked the forested area for a new capital city and
laid the foundation of a new walled city and named it Ahmedabad after the four
saints in the area by the name Ahmed. Ahmed Shah I laid the foundation of
the city on 26 February 1411 (at 1.20 pm, Thursday, the second day
of Dhu al-Qi'dah, Hijri year 813) at ManekBurj. He chose it as the new
capital on 4 March 1411.
In 1487, Mahmud
Begada, the grandson of Ahmed Shah, fortified the city
with an outer wall 10 km in circumference and consisting of twelve gates, 189 bastions and over 6,000
battlements. In 1535 Humayun briefly occupied Ahmedabad after capturing Champaner when the ruler of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, fled to Diu. Ahmedabad was then reoccupied by the Muzaffarid dynasty until 1573
when Gujarat was conquered by the Mughal emperor Akbar. During the Mughal reign,
Ahmedabad became one of the Empire's thriving centres of trade, mainly in
textiles, which were exported as far as Europe. The Mughal ruler Shahjahan spent the prime of his life in the city, sponsoring the construction
of the MotiShahiMahal in Shahibaug. Ahmedabad remained the provincial headquarters of the Mughals until 1758,
when they surrendered the city to the Marathas.
During the period of Maratha
Empire governance, the city became the centre of a
conflict between two Maratha clans; the Peshwa of Poona and the Gaekwad of Baroda. In 1780, during
the First Anglo-Maratha War, a British force under James Hartley stormed
and captured Ahmedabad, but it was handed back to the Marathas at the end of
the war. The British East India Company took over the city in 1818 during the Third Anglo-Maratha War. A military cantonment was established in 1824 and a municipal
government in 1858. Incorporated into the Bombay
Presidency during British
rule, Ahmedabad became one of the most important cities
in the Gujarat region. In 1864, a railway link between Ahmedabad and Mumbai (then Bombay) was established by the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India
Railway (BB&CI), enabling traffic and trade
between northern and southern
India via the city. Over time, the city
established itself as the home of a developing textile industry, which earned
it the nickname "Manchester of the East".
1953 meter of Calico Mill
Pioneers of Ahmedabad Textile
Business and famous Calico Museum
(Courtesy: Mainak Kathiara) for Textile
Exhibition
The Indian independence movement developed roots in the city when Mahatma
Gandhi established two ashrams – the Kochrab
Ashram near Paldi in 1915 and the Satyagraha Ashram (now Sabarmati
Ashram) on the banks of the Sabarmati in 1917 –
which would become centers of nationalist activities.During the mass protests against
the Rowlatt Act in 1919, textile workers
burned down 51 government buildings across the city in protest at a British
attempt to extend wartime regulations after the First
World War. In the 1920s, textile workers and teachers went
on strike, demanding civil rights and better pay and working conditions. In
1930, Gandhi initiated the Salt
Satyagraha from Ahmedabad by embarking from his ashram
on the Dandi Salt March. The
city's administration and economic institutions were rendered inoperative in
the early 1930s by the large numbers of people who took to the streets in
peaceful protests, and again in 1942 during the Quit India Movement.
By 1960, Ahmedabad had become a metropolis with a population
of slightly under half a million people, with classical and colonial
European-style buildings lining the city's thoroughfares. It was chosen as
the capital of Gujarat state after the partition of the State of
Bombay on 1 May 1960. During this period, a large
number of educational and research institutions were founded in the city,
making it a centre for higher education, science
and technology. Ahmedabad's economic base became more diverse with the
establishment of heavy and chemical industry during the same period.
Geography
The City of Ahmedabad is divided by the river
Sabarmati into two physically distinct eastern and western regions. The eastern
bank of the river houses the old city, which includes the central town of Bhadra. This part of Ahmedabad is characterized by packed bazaars, the pol system of closely
clustered buildings, and numerous places of worship. A Pol (pronounced as
pole) is a housing cluster which comprises many families of a particular group,
linked by caste, profession, or religion. This is a list of Pols in the old walled
city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. Heritage of these Pols has helped Ahmedabad gain a place in UNESCO's Tentative Lists, in selection criteria II,
III and IV. The secretary-general of EuroIndia
Centre quoted that if 12000 homes of Ahmedabad are restored they could be very helpful in promoting
heritage tourism and its allied businesses. The first pol in Ahmedabad was
named Mahurat Pol. Old city also houses the main railway
station, the main post
office, and some buildings of the Muzaffarid and British
eras. The colonial period saw the expansion of the city to the western side of
Sabarmati, facilitated by the construction of Ellis
Bridge in 1875 rebuilt in 1892 and later the
relatively modern Nehru
Bridge and Sardar Bridge. The western part of the city
houses educational institutions, modern buildings, residential areas, shopping
malls, multiplexes and new business districts centredaround roads such as Ashram Road, C. G. Road and Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway.
Sabarmati Riverfront is a waterfront being
developed along the banks of Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, the construction of
which began in 2005
Cityscape
Early in Ahmedabad's history, under Ahmed Shah, builders fused Hindu
craftsmanship with Persian architecture, giving rise to the Indo-Saracenic style. Many mosques in the city were built in this
fashion. SidiSaiyyed Mosque was
built in the last year of the Sultanate of Gujarat. It is entirely arched and
has ten stone latticework windows or jali on the side and rear arches. Private mansions or haveli from this era have carvings. A Pol is a typical housing cluster of Old
Ahmedabad.
After independence, modern buildings appeared in
Ahmedabad. Architects given commissions in the city included Louis Kahn, who designed the IIM-A; Le
Corbusier, who designed the Shodhan and Sarabhai Villas, the
Sanskar Kendra and the Mill Owner's Association Building, and Frank Lloyd Wright, who
designed the administrative building of Calico
Mills and the Calico Dome. B. V.
Doshi came to the city from Paris to supervise Le
Corbusier's works and later set up the School of Architecture. His local works
include Sangath, Amdavadni Gufa and the School of Architecture. Charles
Correa, who became a partner of Doshi's, designed
the Gandhi Ashram and Achyut Kanvinde, and the Indian Textile Industries Research Association. Christopher Charles Benninger's first work, the Alliance Française, is located in the Ellis Bridge area.AnantRaje designed major additions to Louis Kahn's IIM-A campus, namely the Ravi Mathai Auditorium and KLMD.
Islamic Architecture
Bhadra Fort
Sultan Ahmed Shah started the work of foundation of
the city with the construction of Royal Palace. People call it- Bhadra Fort.
When the Sultan established Ahmedabad, he had in his mind AnhilpurPatan. He
took it as a model for the capital. The fort of Patan was called Bhadra.
Therefore Ahmed Shah also called his new fort Bhadra.
According to Mirat-e-Ahmedi this fort is called
Arak Fort. The total area of the fort was 43 acres and there were 14 circular
structures. The structure that we can watch now is the incomplete ManekBurj. As
Ellisbridge was extended, some of its portion was removed so a new form came
into existence. The portion on the North East side wall was removed and
SidiSaiyed’s Mosque was constructed. Ajam
khan’s Palace in the east was also
constructed during Mughal period after removing some portion of the fort. The
original Bhadra Fort had six big and two small gates. The main gate in the east
is mentioned as PiranPir’sDarwaja. We know it as BhadraDarwaja. Another main gate was in the north
of Bhadra Fort. It was called LalDarwaja. At present, only wall of LalDarwaja
is in existence, which is seen opposite to road on the north of SidiSaiyed's
Mosque. The area opposite to Electricity House is known as LalDarwaja. The
third gate was in the south west. It was known as Ganesh Bari. The southern
gate led to Ahmed Shah's Mosque. There were two gates of normal size at the
spot where telegraph office exists today. There were two gates in the west,
namely Baradari and Ram Darwaja. There was a well near BaradariDarwaja, which
was used to provide irrigation to the garden. There was a royal garden within
the fort known as 'Naginabaug'.
The royal Palace of Bhadra got damaged before
Jahangir came to throne. A traveller, Mendelslow describe this fort as the
biggest fort among the big states.
Ahmed Shah's Mosque
Ahmed Shah’s Mosque is in the south of Bhadra Fort and just opposite to Gujarat Club. Ahmed Shah started construction of this mosque in 1411, the year in which he laid the foundation stone of the city. The construction work was over by December 1414. The stone inscription in Persian language tells that it was built by Ahmed Shah placed in the mosque. This mosque is renovated recently.
Ahmed Shah’s Mosque is in the south of Bhadra Fort and just opposite to Gujarat Club. Ahmed Shah started construction of this mosque in 1411, the year in which he laid the foundation stone of the city. The construction work was over by December 1414. The stone inscription in Persian language tells that it was built by Ahmed Shah placed in the mosque. This mosque is renovated recently.
Rani Sipri Mosque
This mosque is situated near AstodiaDarwaja built by Sipri, begum of Muhammad Begada in 1514. The begum’s name is mentioned as Asani in the references about construction of the mosque. Its balconies are grand, its carving is subtle like that of a haveli. Its slender minarets are solid and purely ornamental. It is one of the finest mosques in Ahmedabad.
Rani Rupmati Mosque
This
mosque is situated in Mirzapur. It is opposite to St.Xaviers High School. As
the name suggests, it is one of the most beautiful mosques of Ahmedabad. Its
minarets were damaged in the earthquake of 1819. Rani Rupmati was begum of
Qutbuddin. After the death of Qutbuddin, his step brother Muhammad Begada
married Rani Rupmati. In the construction of the mosque we find blend of Hindu
style and Islamic style in pillars and arches.
Sidi Saiyed Mosque
SidiSaiyed-ni-Jali
is a unique feature of Ahmedabad. It is found in SidiSaiyed Mosque, opposite
Electricity House, near LalDarwaja. This elegant mosque was built by SidiSaiyed
in 1573. The Jalis are in rear wall of the mosque. The Jalis have
fine carving design in geometrical and intertwined tree and foliage, palm and
parasite motif. Such Jalis are found nowhere in the entire
world. Numerous visitors have admired the carving of the Jali is generously. A
silver replica of this Jali is available in the market. It is used as a gift to
the guests and visitors as memory of their visit.
The Shaking Minarets - Sidi
Bashir's Mosque
The
Shaking Minarets, the wonders of the city, are situated near water tank of
Sarangpur Darwaja on the eastern side of new reservation office of Ahmedabad
Railway station. The peculiarity of these minarets is that if you shake one
minaret, the other one will also begin to shake automatically. The reaction of
the movement of one minaret is received by the other one. These minarets are
parts of the mosque, which was built by Sidi Bashir in 1452.
The mosque was badly damaged during the battle
between Marathas and JavanmardhkhanBabi, but the minarets were saved. At
present, the entry to minarets is forbidden on precautionary notes.
Other two minarets at the Railway Station are in
better conditions and they are perhaps the tallest in Ahmedabad.
Jami Masjid (Mosque)
Jami Mosque is situated in the middle of the city
close to the east of Teen Darwaja popularly known as Jama Masjid. Sultan Ahmed
Shah started its construction in 1412 and finished it in 1424. It can be
compared with the Jama Mosque of Delhi. It has 707 pillars including inside
pillars and those in the veranda. On both sides of the wall of minaret, there
are beautiful recesses with attractive carvings. The atmosphere of the mosque is
conducive for worship of the Allah (Lord).
India’s Postal History from the Feudal Era to Independence, 1947
Part 2(East India Company-1600-1774)
Postal System between 1600 – 1765
The East India Company received a Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth on December 31, 1600. The company entered India from Surat in 1608, and set up a factory(storage place for trading) with an agreement from Moghul Court in 1612. With the arrival of the East India Company, the modern postal system started to develop, but solely to expedite trade mainly textiles. India was the leader in manufacture and export of Textiles in the world.
As the company expanded its trading practices to Madras in 1639, Bombay in 1687, and Calcutta in 1688, the company used the existing postal runners already in position and fostered under the Mogul rulers to communicate between its headquarters, cotton factories, and store houses. There were several early challenges to communication by mail. The runners have to face enormous difficulties and challenges in conveying mails as the routes were infested by bandits, wild animals, bad weather and boats getting sunk while crossing rivers; all which affected the speed of delivery. Rudyard Kippling’spoem titled “Foot-Service To The Hills” make special references to the dangers of the OVERLAND MAILS in India. With passing of times and evolution of administration, dawk runners passed through trackless jungles in the night with escorts of mashalchey(torch bearer), drummer and a pear-head fitted with jingling bells on his shoulders.
For secrecy in particular, East India Company employed their own dawk/mail runners which guarantees their own needs were looked after. The job of mail runners were spying too, which kept the East India Company abreast with current developments of the various provinces in India. Company’s employees were permitted to use its mail runners to carry their private mails. Persons not connected with the company could not use this facility and secondly, mails runners of the company moved between its specific factories. Early mail runners were called ‘DakHakaras’ in Northern India, ‘Pattamars’ in South India, and ‘Cossids’ in Bengal.
The Portuguese in the Deccan called their postal runners “pattamr”. The word is perhaps the ‘Konkani-Path-mar’, a courier
“Harkara” are originally men employed to provide information of various types for merchants, kings intelligence agencies etc. Later they were employed for as postal runners.
The first official reference to a post office in India, during the time of the East India Company, was a letter dated August 27, 1688. The ‘Court of Directors’ asked the Council of Bombay to erect a ‘post office’ to convey mail to Surat, and other places.
Mail runner from India
First Communication route
Since the Calcutta and Madras were now established trading centres of East India Company and communication between the two cities was necessary. In 1712, arrangements were made to carry letters from St. George, Madras to Ganjam. At Ganjam, mail runners from Calcutta met with their counterparts from Madras, exchanged mail, and returned home, and vice versa.
The year 1757 marked the year for the battle of Plassey against Siraj-Ud-Daullah, the Nawab of Bengal. It was followed by the battle of Buxar, on October 22, 1764, against Mir Kasim, who had taken over as the Nawab. The skirmishes paved the way for the East India Company to rule over India. The Treaty of Allahabad was signed on August 16, 1765. The Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II, son of the late Emperor, Alamgir II; and major general Robert Clive, a British Lord, who served with the East India Company, were signatories.
Based on the terms of the agreement, Shah Alam II granted the East India Company Diwani rights, or the right to collect taxes on behalf of the emperor from the eastern province of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. The treaty marks the beginning of the British rule in India with the establishment of Bengal Presidency as the capital, both politically and constitutionally. It also the end of the ‘feudal era’ of kings and kingdoms in India. The kingdoms slowly became to be known as Princely states who managed their state affairs with the dominance of Imperial government.
This event of East India Company entering into politics in India coincided with Britain’s Industrial revolution starting from 1760. India provided Capital, Raw Material; and Market to the Britain’s Industrial revolution. India helped the Britain’s Industrial revolution, the Modern Age of Britain.
Postal system between 1766-1774(Clive Post)
With the growing political interest of East India Company in India, the need for better communication was a must. The existing postal system was working in a disorderly manner without any supervision and control, which was inadequate for good government and defence of the company. Robert Clive, as commander in chief of the company, reorganized the postal system by March 24, 1766. The new system became known as ‘Clive Post’ to carry the company’s dawk and private letters of servants. This was the first step for a regular postal system was first introduced in India.
“All letters will be sent to Government House at Fort William where it will be sorted, made up into separate bundles, separate destinations, with the company's seal in the presence of the postmaster, then termed postal writer, or his assistant. The postmaster, or his assistant, must be at Government House every night to attend the receipt, scrutiny, and dispatch of dak.”
Clive ordered that the postmaster for Calcutta be appointed from the subordinate rank of the company’s servants to look after the postal business of the government from the Calcutta headquarters of the company. Government House became the main hub, instead of the post office, on the ‘old post office street’ in the white town of Calcutta. Clive Post was for official correspondence only. Zamindars/landlords who were very resourceful were made responsible for supply of runners to carry mails.
Calcutta was connected by six mail routes, Dacca, Ganjam, Malda, Lakhimpur(Chittagong), Murshidabad and Patna, later extended upto Allahabad. This plan suffered heavily when the position of postmaster was abolished and replaced with an assistant or sub-secretary. Also there was no proper management of these postal services.
In Memory of Dr Satyendra Agrawal….
Rose Philately
Roses
from Denmark
Date of Issue : 2 January 2018
Roses and Messages
One of the things letters and
roses have in common is that they are both used to convey messages. For
centuries, the subtlety of the rose has been deeply symbolic, so there is
always an underlying message in which bouquet you give to whom. The red rose is
strongly associated with love and desire, while the white rose represents
innocence and purity. And death. A purple rose is often linked with
enchantment, and finally, a yellow rose is viewed as an expression of
falsehood.
New issues from other Countries
Australia
The Australia Post Australian Legends Award recognises individuals who have shaped Australian society and identity in a variety of positive ways. In 2018, Australia Post honours five much-loved television entertainers. These consummate performers have entertained, informed and delighted generations of Australians, transfixing television audiences across the country. Together they encompass a range of remarkable talents, from serious journalism to variety hosting, interviewing, singing, acting and comedy
15 January 2018 : From Far
and Wide
5 January 2018 : Lunar Year of Dog
Yoko Ono
Australia
The Australia Post Australian Legends Award recognises individuals who have shaped Australian society and identity in a variety of positive ways. In 2018, Australia Post honours five much-loved television entertainers. These consummate performers have entertained, informed and delighted generations of Australians, transfixing television audiences across the country. Together they encompass a range of remarkable talents, from serious journalism to variety hosting, interviewing, singing, acting and comedy
.
Canada
“This definitive series offers a
traveller’s view of many must-see places throughout Canada,” reads the souvenir
sheet.
The five non-denominated Permanent stamps
in the top row feature St. John’s, N.L.; Hopewell Rocks, N.B.; MacMillan
Provincial Park, B.C.; Prince Edward Island National Park;
Québec’s Parc national de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé.
The remaining four stamps are denominated
$1, $1.20, $1.80 and $2.50, respectively, and depict Pisew Falls Provincial
Park, Man.; Point Pelee National Park, Ont.; Naats’ihch’oh National Park
Reserve, N.W.T.; and Arctic Bay, Nunavut.
Because definitive stamps are typically smaller than
commemoratives, they can pose a challenge for designers with their 24 mm
by 20 mm canvas.
The Miniature Sheet illustration
shows two puppies playing with their mother, designed to resemble a typical
house dog in China. On the border of the Miniature Sheet, a narrative in Chinese
characters explains some of the background of the Chinese zodiac followed by
information regarding the Year of the Dog and the Chinese seal which appears on
the left side of the illustration denotes Wuxu.
26
January 2018 : 1960’s Popular Culture
Jersey looks back at the popular
culture of the 1960s on seven stamps to be issued on Jan. 26. Jersey Post describes the designs
as exploring “the language, music, fashion, events, food and leisure pursuits
typified by that era.”
Jersey is a picturesque island situated just
off the coast of France and as such has long been a haven for tourists. Known
in the 1960s as the 'Honeymoon Island', local politician Cyril Le Marquand
described Jersey's tourism industry as “the firmest pillar in our economy
today”, which contrasts with nowadays where finance is the dominant industry.
The 1960s was a prominent period of large scale socio-political change and
counter culture during which people felt increasingly at-ease to express
themselves through music, fashion and leisure pursuits. This is no different in
Jersey, where the sport of surfing boomed and brought with it a new and
exciting culture which has endured to this day.
Denmark
2
January 2018 : Dream – Smile Minisheet
This Mini sheet has been designed by
noted artist, singer, song writer and Peace Activist Yoko Ono. She is
also known for her work in performance art and film making. The sheet features two stamps
with symbolic messages on a moon and Sun. The Moon says 'Dream' and the Sun
says 'Smile'. In the background the phrases "I Love You "n We"ll
meet again appears. This is a global message for one and all.
Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono has devoted her life to
battling for a world of peace and understanding, and to making people more
aware of their surroundings. From October 2017 through February 2018, the
Kunsthal Charlottenborg art gallery in Copenhagen is hosting a special
exhibition entitled YOKO ONO: TRANSMISSION. It is an exhibition that explores
the famous artist’s unique methods of transmitting her insightful messages
about artistic philosophy and peace in diverse ways to people all over the
world. The minisheet of two stamps has been created specifically for this
exhibition.
Iceland
15
February 2018 : Europa 2018 Bridges
The
first stamp features footbridge over the Ellioaa estuary. The second stamps
depicts a suspension bridge over Jokulsa river on Breiomerkursandur- one of the
shortest glacial rivers in the country.
Malaysia
15
January 2018 : Working Dogs
Pos
Malaysia Berhad (Pos Malaysia) issued the first stamp series of 2018 themed
"Animals with Various Special Roles - Working Dogs " featuring
three types of well-known working dogs, namely detector dogs, protection dogs
and guide dogs.
"This collection
highlights the importance of working dogs trained to perform specific tasks to
assist humans, for example in crime prevention, detection of concealed
substances or objects and to assist visually impaired individuals.
stamp collection displays
a sketch of a firefighter and a Border Collie, a policeman and a Belgian
Shepherd and a blind man with a Golden Retriever, while the miniature sheet
features an illustration of a policeman with a German Shepherd and Labrador.
Acknowledgement
- Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin December 2017 edited by Mohanchandran
Nair
- Deccan Philatelist edited by Col Jayanta Dutta
- Judaica Thematic Society (UK) December
2017 Newsletter edited by Gary Goodman
Blogs
& Websites
Philatelic Clubs & Societies
Ananthapuri Philatelic Association, Thiruvanthapuram
Chandigarh Philatelic Club
Deccan Philatelic Society – Pune, Maharashtra
Ludhiana Philatelic Club
Numismatic &
Philatelic Association of Vellore Fort
http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm
Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur
Rajkot Philatelic Society – Rajkot, Gujarat
Gujarat Philatelic Association - Ahmedabad
The Army Philatelic Society, Pune
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
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Philatelic Clubs and Societies may also send brief write ups. Readers may send
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Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters
VADOPHIL, Editor - Prashant
Pandya & Timir Shah and published by
Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara. Website -http://www.vadophil.org/
ITS Stamp News - Quarterly
- Editor: Suraj Jaitly Publisher: Indian Thematic Society website - http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/
Ananthpuri Stamp
Bulletin - Monthly e -stamp bulletin of Anathapuri Philatelic
Association, Thiruvanthapuram
Journal of the Army Philatelic
Society : Editor – Col Jayanta Dutta
India Post – Quarterly Journal of the
India Study Circle publishes original articles submitted by members of ISC.
Deccan Philatelist from Deccan
Philatelic Socity, Pune. edited
by Col Jayanta Dutta
Courtesy - News and Image Resource to this
issue : Indian
Philately Digest , Stamps of India ; WOPA , Suresh R.- Bangalore, Dipok Dey- Kolkata Canadian Stamp News, Linn’s
Stamp News
Address for communication :
Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav Wildlife Institute
of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248002. India
Last date for receiving write ups – 25th of every month.
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…..Happy Collecting…………………………………………………………………………………
Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti
from Dehradun, ( Uttarakhand ) India for free circulation among philatelists.
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