Rainbow January 2025

 

2025-Year of the Snake

Date of Issue : 15 January 2025

Dehradun January 2025 Vol. XVIII Issue No. 205

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

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

Happy New Year

Date of Issue: 23 December 2024

Editorial….

 

 

Dear Reader,

I am pleased to present January 2025 issue of Rainbow Stamp News, with this issue Rainbow completes 17 years of its successful publication. Now it is 18^th Birthday of Rainbow. Very Happy New year to all the Readers of Rainbow. I thank contributors and   the readers for their, support, valuable contribution and appreciation. Please send your feedback and suggestions in order to improve forthcoming issues. My special thanks to   Mr Naresh Agrawal for his regular widely read column, “From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal” and his informative detailed articles which are highly appreciated by the readers across the globe.

In this New Year, my best wishes to all for a happy, healthy and active philatelic journey. Enjoy the best of philately and have a great time in life!

This is all for this month. More in the next issue. Happy Collecting!

Contents   

·Editorial                                                                                                                                      

· From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal                                        

· Recent Indian Issues                                                               

· In the News                                                                             

. Book Review                                

· Specialized Section                                                               

· Beginners’ Section                                                                

. Stories Behind Stamps                                                         

· Thematics                                                                              

. New Issues from Other Countries                                       

· Philatelic Clubs and Society                                                

· Blogs and Websites on Philately                                         

· Current Philatelic Magazines and Newsletters                   

            

         

  

  WISHING YOU ALL A FUN AND PLEASURE FILLED NEW YEAR

Very Happy New Year to all my friends, esteemed readers and philatelists. 2024 was certainly eventful philatelic year. There were lots of activities and some new noticeable philatelists also emerged on the National philatelic scene. My heartiest congratulations to all those who won awards in International Shows and thanks to many philatelic lovers who worked hard for the survival, development and promotion of philately and wish this year brings more of philatelic events, activities and so lots of pleasure.

Well, while new year has started, I think we too need to refresh and renew ourselves. Let’s stop a bit, think and check ourselves whether we are going in right direction in whatever we do in philatelic field. We need to check whether we are focused or wondering through in different directions. Let’s recheck our philatelic possessions. This will certainly help us to reset our goals, our philatelic ambitions and design our philatelic calendar. Since, we are serious and hardcore stamp lovers, philately possesses an important part in our life. It stays in our regular thinking, actions and so in life. So, like for other aspects of our personal, professional and social life; philately too needs a proper rescheduling so that it may move smoothly and could give us the maximum pleasure.

I won’t talk about events to come, exhibition in pipe lines, activities of clubs and societies. No, my concern is to rejuvenate, re-energize ourselves. To recheck our programs, philatelic movements, our philatelic stuffs, their condition etc. to rethink, re-plan and program our philatelic calendar and life. Because doing this will help us to abstract more pleasure through philately.

Well, I want to share with you my own experience that only a few days back, while searching some philatelic stuffs in one of my cupboards, I was surprised to see that some of my material kept deep inside had been strongly insect affected. Even the wooden shelf was affected badly which needed replacement. I had to   conduct major operation by taking out all the boxes, albums, stock books, magazines, journals etc. and check them thoroughly, expose them to sun light for three days and then reset inside the cupboard.  Lots of material had been damaged badly and was thrown. A heavy loss from philatelic point of view. 

So, this year in the month of January itself, I advise you all to open all your boxes, stock books and check all the material lying inside for its existence and condition. This will also help in finding some material which you never would expect to be here. Sometimes some philatelic gems are found from your own treasure. Going through your own stuffs helps you to know what you have and will also help you to decide on proper usage of the same. Sometimes it helps to start new theme or to find some material to adjust in to your ongoing philatelic collection / exhibits for its improvement.

Old letters preserved or bundled too need to be opened, checked and enjoyed. Sometimes important information is found, beautiful memories come on the surface and some forgotten contacts are found. Furthermore, the material which is practically of no use may be kept aside and disposed of in the best way available. 

So, for me in this new year in January itself a few days should be spared to recheck all the material one has, segregation of material should be done, spare material should be kept aside for its disposal through sales, exchange or in whatever way one feels better, re-planning philatelic schedules, re-arranging collections, thinking about betterment of exhibits etc. should be done. This will certainly help a philatelist to improve its collections or exhibits and of course to enjoy philately more.

Wishing you all a fun and pleasure filled philatelic year ahead……

 -Naresh Agrawal , Bilaspur (C.G.)  email  nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in 

Recent Indian Issues

11 December 2024 : 75 Years of UNICEF with India

15 December 2024 : 200^th Birth Anniversary of Maharshi Dayananda Saraswati- Rs 5

15 December 2024 : Centenary of Tansen Samaroh – Rs 5

25 December 2024 : Atal Bihari Vajpayee Birth Centenary - Rs 5

25 December 2024 : 2800th Nirvan Kalyanak of Bhagwan Parshvanath- Rs 5

25 December 2024 : 2900th Janm Kalyanak of Bhagwan Parshvanath – Rs 5

30 December 2024 : 50 Years of NIMHANS – Rs 5

 

 

New Special Covers

28 November 2024: Chanakya, Chandragupta and Arthashastra -Patna

29 November 2024 : Mauryan Period art and Coin - Patna
29 November 2024 : Ved and Upanishads, Patna

30 November 2024 : Mandan Mishra – Shankracharya Shastrarth - Patna

7 December 2024 : Allahabad Sporting Club -Prayagraj

21 December 2024 : 21 December 2024 : Kondula Obula Reddy Gundakamma Reservoir Ongale

30 December 2024 : Mahakumbh Mela - Prayagraj

New Special Cancellations

7 December 2024 : Armed Forces Flag Day - Patna

20 December 2024  : International Human Solidarity Day - Bengaluru

21 December 2024 : World mediatation Day - Nagpur

26 December 2024 : Compliments of the Season- Nagpur

1 January 2025 : Happy New Year – Bengaluru

4 January 2025 - World Braille Day- Bengaluru

5 January 2025 : Closing Day of  the exposition of the Sacred  Relics  of St Francis Xavier - Velha Goa 

In The News

Laos Issues Ram Ayodhya Stamp

 

Forthcoming Stamp Exhibitions

INPEX-2025

The Philatelic Congress of India (PCI), National Philatelic Federation, is going to organise and hold

the National Philatelic Exhibition INPEX-2025 between January-March 2025 .

URUGUAY 2025

17-22 Feb 2025

URUGUAY 2025 is a Specialized World Stamp Exhibition with a capacity of 2000 display frames, that will be held to celebrate the 200 years of the declaration of independence of Uruguay.

Classes available for participation are: for Competitive classes Postal History, Traditional, Postal Stationery, Aerophilately, Thematic classes, Open Philately and Literature.

National Commissioner : Parvesh Kumar Gupta, Email : maachis001@gmail.com  WhatsApp +919810628387 

 Joint National Commissioner : Raunak Dutta , Email : raunak.dutta1990@yahoo.in

  WhatsApp +919830146836

 

Melbourne 2025 Update

 BOSTON-2026

The FIP Patronaged 12th International Philatelic Exhibition of the United States gathers at the Seaport section of the city Boston Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) will be held from 23 to 30 May 2026. For more details: https://boston2026.org/

CHICAGOPEX 2024 - Indian Winners

 

Shashi Pal, Capt. Vijay Wadhwa , M. Lokeswara Rao

Shashi Pal - HANDS: Crafting gestures and expressions through philately (82 pts)  - Large Vermeil

Capt. Vijay Wadhwa – The Pigeon (76 pts) - Vermeil

Vijay Wadhwa - Behavioural Diversity Among Birds (78 pts) - Vermeil

M. Lokeswara Rao - CITES: Endangered Species on Stamps (70 pts) – Large Silver

M. Lokeswara Rao - One Frame Exhibit: Thematic: Buddhist Dances -   Silver Bronze + Jean Benninghoff Encouragement award

Kumesh Kumar Jain -Save Planet Earth: Stamp Out Pollution (73 pts) – Large Silver

AMSIPEX- 2025

1^st International Virtual Aerophilatelic and Astrophilatelic Exhibition (15-23 February 2025)

MAHAPEX 2025

News from Philatelists and Philatelic Societies

EIPA

NAYAGARHPEX 2025 Glimpses

Baroda Philatelic Society

To celebrate 50 Glorious years of foundation of Baroda Philatelic Society a philatelic exhibition 'Vadophilex-2025' is organised for its members on 11th and 12th January 2025 at Diwalipura Atithigruh, Diwalipura, Vadodara. Visit www.vadophil.org

Picture Postcards

Baroda Philatelic Society is going to issue a set of 12 Picture Postcards on heritage of Baroda on 11th January 2025 on the occasion of Vadophilex-2025 philatelic exhibition. Those who are interested may contact Mr. Timir Shah. WhatsApp : 91 94267 24794 Cost of 12 Postcards set : Rs 250

 BAREILLYPEX – 2024

 

BAREILLYPEX - 2024, District Level Philatelic Exhibition was organised on 13th and 14th December 2024 at the Bareilly Head Post Office - 243001 by the Bareilly Division & Bareilly Region with the Philatelic Society of Uttar Pradesh. There were a total of 65 frames as per the venue setup and 30 exhibitors participated under the theme of the exhibition " Cultural Heritage of India". 

 

On the first day, an opening ceremony was conducted where a Permanent Pictorial Cancellation (PPC) was released on the HPO building. School visit program .letter writing competition, stamp designing competition and a quiz for children was conducted by the society where hundreds of students. The 1st POSTCROSSING Meetup of Bareilly was also organised on 13th December .

 

 

The second day started with the release of special cover & special cancellation on Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Invertis University an important institution of Bareilly. The following philatelists were present throughout the exhibition who also took part in the All Philatelists Meet.

Mr. Ramakant Sharma, Mr. Vikram Sen Saxena, Mr. Abhishek Singh Tomar, Dr. Aditya Singh, Mr. Rahul Massey, Dr. Himanshu Pandey, Mr. Subhash Gupta, Mr. Kamal K. Agarwal, Dr. Punita Keshari, Mr. Rajendra Kumar Agarwal and Mr. Amir Malik. Junior philatelists Miss Kinjal Sharma and Master Vihaan Sen Saxena .

-        - Aditya Singh, Prayagraj

 

New eBook: "Concepts to Cosmos - Defining Moments in Physics”

 

My new eBook "Concepts to Cosmos - Defining Moments in Physics” has been released. This book is published on 01 Jan 2025 for all Kindle Subscribers and online reading / download. The book is a philatelic journey through the monumental discoveries, theories, and personalities that have shaped our understanding of physics and the cosmos. This book highlights milestones in physics, from the ancient Greek concept of atoms to the modern search for a unified theory. Each chapter showcases a pivotal breakthrough in physics and is illustrated with carefully selected postage stamps and philatelic items that bring these discoveries and their discoverers to life. By using philately as a visual narrative, the book combines science with art, making complex concepts accessible through vivid images and stories behind each featured stamp. https://a.co/d/3V3wFGY

The book’s chapters are arranged chronologically, tracing the evolution of physics. Alongside the scientific concepts, readers are introduced to the lives of legendary physicists—Democritus, Galileo, Newton, Einstein, Curie, and others—whose work and dedication pushed the boundaries of knowledge. Every discovery is accompanied by historical and modern stamps that reflect the global appreciation of these milestones and the scientists behind them.

-Capt Vijay Wadhwa

Book Review

Advertising JRD’s Aviation Dream

By Sushil Mehra

Advertising JRD’s Aviation Dream By Sushil Mehra : Type : Paperback – Coffee Table Book : Publisher and Copyright Holder : Sushil Mehra : email for communication : gaureshmehra@gmail.com : WhatsApp No. 9972091818

Advertising JRD’s Aviation Dream is an excellent book for those interested in Areo Philately and Aviation Advertising . The book is devided into 4 parts :

1.JRD Tata’s Aviation Dream 2. Air India Memorabilia 3.Air India’s Vintage Advertisements 4.Postally used self-designed covers on  Tata. 

The philatelic items and ads shown in the book are part of author’s collection. The author has dedicated the book to Late Ratan N.Tata, the former chairman of the Tata Group who built upon Late JRD Tata’s aviation Dream by re-acquiring Air India back from the Government of India in 2022.

The book features stamps and private and special covers issued on JRD Tata or related to JRD Tata. The second part of the book features Air India Slogan advertising meter franking showing Air India’s iconic mascot ‘Maharaja’. Part 3 of the book features Air India’s vintage advertisements.

Part 4 of the book features Postally used self-designed covers on Tata Group’s repurchase of Air India with relevant stamps used on relevant dates.

This book is a tribute to JRD Tata, the Father of Indian Aviation, a great Indian industrialist, philanthropist, aviator and former chairman of Tata Group. The layout of the book is attractive with fine colour images. Aero-philatelists and those who love aviation would like this book very much as it takes them to a colourful journey of Air India. General readers would also appreciate the book as it gives a complete story of Air India with a variety of images.

 

Karnataka Heritage Shines, Permanent Pictorial Cancellation, Timeless

By Sushil Mehra

Karnataka Heritage Shines , Permanent Pictorial cancellation, Timeless By Sushil Mehra : Type : Paperback : Publisher and Copyright Holder : Sushil Mehra : email for communication : gaureshmehra@gmail.com : WhatsApp No. 9972091818

Karnataka Heritage Shines, Permanent Pictorial Cancellation, Timeless book by Sushil Mehra features Permanent pictorial cancellation issued by Karnataka Postal Circle. The book gives Images of permanent picture cancellations with the description of the image shown in the cancellation. It also gives the date of inauguration of the cancellation and the PIN code of the post office.

Pictorial cancellation displays a replica, photo, design or picture that highlights a tourist destination, an event, religious site, historical landmark or important figure. Permanent pictorial cancellations are specific to a particular post office and are not issued by the other post offices. All outgoing mail from that post office bears that permanent pictorial cancellation.

 

These cancellations are quite popular with the philatelists. They collect them thematically or use them in their Thematic Collections. The book is quite useful for all philatelists and especially Thematic Philatelists and  those collecting pictorial cancellations ( both permanent and special cancellations).

About the Author

 

Sushil Mehra is a BA (Hons) in Political Science from Delhi University and came to Bangalore in 1976. He is the Managing Director of Pan Office Systems Pvt Ltd, Bangalore which is engaged in selling office furniture and school furniture.

He has been the Past President of Rotary Club of Bangalore Orchards and Chairman of Publications Committee of FKCCI (Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry) as well as the Past President of Karnataka Hardware and Allied Merchants Association (KHAMA). He is a keen philatelist and numismatist with special interest in various varied subjects related to stamp, coin and note collection. He is a member of Karnataka Numismatic Society as well as member of Karnataka Philatelic Society. He has a complete collection of Post Independence India Stamps. ET (Economic Times) as well Deccan Herald have published articles on his collection. Karnataka Postal Circle has released Post Cards on his collection as well as two books on Special Covers of Karnataka to which he has Contributed.

 

He is the author / co-author of following books:-

• ‘Glimpses of Vintage Bengaluru’,
• ‘Guide to Permanent Pictorial Cancellations of India’,
• ‘ My Dashavatar Collection with special emphasis on Rama and Krishna’,
• ‘Exemplified Philatelic Terms’, 
• ‘Jai Hind – The True spirit of India’,
• ‘The Handbook of Permanent Pictorial Cancellations of India’.
• ‘INK THE PPC: An Updated Guide to Permanent Pictorial Cancellations’
• ‘My Collection of Special Covers issued by Karnataka Postal Circle 2019-2023’
• ‘The Post Office Buildings of India’
• ‘CARRIED COVERS of INDIA’
• ‘Gandhi Connections’ on Post Offices in India bearing the name of Gandhiji
• ‘Daakiya Aaya, Chitti Laya’ – a book in Hindi about Postmen and Letters through the ages through the eyes of picture postcards

 His Philatelic collection was on the theme of Posting was displayed at Sandesh Museum in Bangalore in October 2024. 

 He has won following Philatelic Awards:-

· Large Silver in Literature Class at Baliphex 2020 for ‘My Dashavatar Collection’

· Large Silver in Literature Class for Baliphex 2020 for ‘Glimpses of Vintage Bengaluru’

· Vermeil for ‘Every Cover Tells a Story’ in SIPA Coverpex 2020

· Vermeil in Literature Class at Baliphex 2021 for ‘Exemplified Philatelic Terms’

· COP for Tridevi Exhibit at Baliphex 2021

· Large Silver in Literature Class for ‘Jai Hind – The True Spirit of India’ in Cape Town 2022 

· Silver in Literature Class for ‘Guide to Permanent Pictorial Cancellations of India’ in Cape Town 2022

· 1 st Place in AKAM Class in Amritpex 2023 for ‘The Story of India’s Fight Against Covid’

· Bronze in Literature Class in Amritpex 2023 for ‘Exemplified Philatelic Terms’

· COP in Literature Class in Amritpex 2023 for ‘PAN India Pictorial Cancellations Facebook Group’ Silver Medal in Literature Class in Amritpex 2023 for ‘Jai Hind – The True spirit of India’ 

· Silver Medal in Literature Class in Amritpex 2023 for ‘Guide to Permanent Pictorial Cancellations of India’’ 

· He also won Silver in IBRA 2023 Germany for "Moving the Mails"

• He won Silver in New Zealand 2023 for his exhibit "Delhi - a Heritage City" 
• Gold Medal in Karnapex 2024 for his collection on Picture Postcards of Bangalore
• Large Vermeil in Karnapex 2024 for his collection titled “Towards Decimalisation”
• Silver Bronze in Karnapex 2024 for his literature exhibit on the Red Double Decker Bus of Bombay
• His One Frame Virtual Exhibit on Bombay's Red Doubler Bus won 69 Points at Savpex 2024
• His Exhibit On the Edge won Bronze at Jakarta 2024 
• His Book ‘Towards Decimalisation’ won Large Silver at Jakarta 2024
• His Book ‘Towards Decimalisation’ won Large Silver at Mare Balticum 2024
• His Book “Post Office Buildings of India” won Vermeil at Expo 2024 Cinisello, Italy
• His One Frame Exhibit “Architectural Styles of French Hotel des Postes” won 75 points at Philadelhie 2024. 
• His Book “Gandhi Connections” won the Silver at Sharjah 2024 
• His Book “Post Office Buildings of India” won Silver Bronze at Shanghai 2024, China 

 - Jeevan Jyoti

 

Specialized Section

Dr Satyendra Agrawal was one of the major contributors to Rainbow Stamp News. He wrote more than 100 articles for Rainbow on various subjects. His contribution to the philatelic literature is unparallel.  2025 is celebrated as the Year of Snake. The Year of the Snake begins with the start of the Lunar New Year beginning on Jan. 29, 2025. It promises to bring wisdom, adaptability, and a sense of transformation.  I am pleased to publish this special article on Snakes in Indian Mythology, ‘Mythical Serpents” by Dr Agrawal . This article was earlier published in Rainbow.  - Editor

Mythical Serpents

 

By Late Dr Satyendra Agrawal

 

Serpents and snakes play a role in many of the world's myths and legends. Hindu myths contain many tales of serpents. The naga primarily represents rebirth, death and mortality, due to its casting of its skin and being symbolically "reborn". According to Varaha Purana, three of the lower worlds, Patal, Atal and Sutal belong to the Nags. This is also called Nagloka, an immense domain crowded with palaces, houses, towers and pleasure gardens. 

Nags are of divine extraction, because they are the children of Kadru, who herself is the descendant of sage Kashyap.  Naga is the only deity which is associated with two of the three deities, Vishnu and Shiva, Vishnu being rested on 1000 headed naga and   Shiva coiled him around his neck.  

Lord Vishnu on multi headed Nag

Lord Shiva’s serpent in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, at Srirangam

The naga is a common feature in Ganesha iconography too and appears in many forms: around the neck, use as a sacred thread (Sanskrit: yajñyopavīta) wrapped around the stomach as a belt, held in a hand, coiled at the ankles, or as a throne. 

Nag as a sacred thread -cross and around the stomach of Lord Ganesh

In the great epic Mahabharata, nags are frequently characterized as having a mixture of human and serpent-like traits. Sometimes it characterized them as having human traits at one time, and as having serpent-like traits at another. The epic calls them "persecutors of all creatures", and tells us "the snakes were of virulent poison, great prowess and excess of strength, and ever bent on biting other creatures". At the same time, nagas are important players in many of the events narrated in the epic, frequently no more evil nor deceitful than the other protagonists, and sometimes on the side of good. Nags are not always the enemy of man and they even inter marry with them. Arjun of Mahabharata married a Nag girl named Uloopi. In India, certain communities called Nagavanshi consider themselves descendants of Nagas. Few cities in India are even named after naga.  Nagpur is derived from Nagapuram meaning ‘city of nagas’. Anantnag,   (Kashmir) and Takshila, an ancient place (now in Pakistan) are named after one of 12 prominent divine naga king mentioned in Hinduism. Indian state Nagaland is also meaning ‘land of nagas’. An Indian missile is also named ‘Naga’.

Naga Regiment

Many powerful mythological weapons used in Ram-Ravana and Kaurava-Pandavas wars were also derived from serpents. ‘Nagpash’ is one of them.

‘Nagpash’

 

The gigantic eagle king and vehicle of Lord Vishnu, Garuda is the great enemy of nags but also cousin of them. 

Garuda is the great enemy of nags

The legend says that Kasyapa was a powerful sage and had many wives. Vinata and Kadru were sisters and his favorites. Kadru request a blessing from her husband that she should have a large number of children, eventually she gave birth to 1,000 Naga serpents who  chosen to live underworld in the ocean depth.

Where as Vinata requested saga for only two sons and   laid 2 eggs out of them Arun, the charioteer of the Sun God, Surya and the gigantic mythical bird Garuda burst forward. Through a foolish bet, Vinata became enslaved to her sister, and as a result Vinata's son Garuda was required to do the bidding of the snakes. The agreement he reached with her captors was that she would be set free on the condition that Garuda seize the elixir of immortality found during “Churning of the Ocean of Milk”, held by the gods and bring it back to the serpents. Garuda   brought it to them and put the pot with elixir on the ground but it was taken away by Indra. However, few drops remained on the grass. The nagas licked up the drops, but in doing so, cut their tongues on the grass, and since then their tongues have been forked.

Garuda became the implacable and terrible enemy of the serpents, killing and devouring them at every opportunity due to a continuous enmity has been going on between his mother and Kadru, the mother of serpents.

Stories involving the nagas are still very much a part of contemporary cultural traditions in predominantly Hindu regions of Asia (India, Nepal, and the island of Bali). They play a particularly important role in Cambodian mythology too.  

A well-known story explains the emergence of the Khmer people from the union of Indian named Kaundinya and naga princess Soma. He came to Cambodia, and ruled this dominion defeating the naga king and marrying his daughter. The Khmer people are their descendants. Therefore still Cambodians say that they are "Born from the naga". 

People in Thailand see naga as a holy creature and worship it in the temple. It allegedly lives in Mekong River. For Malay sailors, nagas are a type of dragon with many heads; in Java, the naga is a wealthy underworld deity and for Laotians they are beaked water serpents.

The ancient Egyptians considered the serpent to be a sacred symbol: it can be seen in the tip of the crown which the Pharaoh, king of Egypt, used to wear.

In India, nagas are considered nature spirits and the protectors of springs, wells and rivers. They bring rain, and thus fertility, but are also thought to bring disasters such as floods and drought.  They are also associated with waters - rivers, lakes, seas, and wells—and are generally regarded as guardians of treasure. In literature many stories are woven around ‘Nagmani’, a mythical precious stone with magical power, worn by few nagas on their heads.

Expensive and grand rituals like Nagamandala are conducted in honor of nagas in Southern India where it is believed that they bring fertility and prosperity to their venerators. There are many Nag Temples   also situated in various parts of India.

'Snake god' at Subramanian snake Temple near Mangalore, Karnataka, India

A famous festival of nags , known as ‘Nagpanchami’ is also celebrated in India and is dedicated to the worship of serpents mentioned in the great Hindu Puranas (Sanskrit encyclopedic texts containing cosmogonist histories, legends of gods and heroes, and other traditional material). These are Vasuki, Takshak and Shesh, all are kings of nags.

Shesha Nag

Shesh Nag (the serpent god) comprises an important part of Hindu mythology. As the reclining couch and the roofing canopy of the god Vishnu, it has been a god venerated by all and worshipped by many for centuries. 

It is considered to be the king of the serpent race and the ruler of the infernal regions called Patal. God Vishnu sleeps over the bed of its coils while floating on the cosmic waters -Ksheersagar, or the Ocean of Milk during intervals of creation. This posture of the Lord over the snake Ananta is called AnanthaSayana.  In Vaikunthlok Lord Vishnu rests on sheshnag and Goddess lakshmi serves him. 

Lord Vishnu rests on Sheshnag

Shesh Nag is shown as five-headed or seven-headed, but more commonly as a many hundred-headed serpent, sometimes with each head wearing an ornate crown. He is also represented as one supporting the world on its hood and constantly sings the glories of Vishnu from all his mouths. But when he shakes his head, there are earthquakes.

 

Shesh Nag’s each head wearing an ornate crown

He is sometimes referred to as "Ananta ", the timeless, because it does not die with destruction of the universe and as "Adishesha", which means First snake. It is said that when Adi-Shesha uncoils the time moves and creation takes place. When he coils back, the universe ceases to exist.

He also incarnated with  Lord Vishnu in his ‘Rama’ and ‘Krishnavatars ‘ as his younger brother ‘Laxaman’ and older brother ‘Balarama’.Ramanuja and Prabhu Nityanand are also considered avatars of Sheshnaga.Patanjali is ichnographically depicted in naga form with naga canopy and is considered as emanation of Sheshnag. The city of Thiruvanathpuram is named after him as the ‘City of Lord Anant’.

In the Bhagavad-Gita, when in the middle of the battlefield Kurukshetra, Krishna explaining his omnipresence, says: "Of Nags, I am Ananta" indicating the importance of Ananta Shesh. During Nagpanchami, women worship Ananta the divine snake in temples.

Takshaka 

Takskak Nag is describing in Hindu scriptures as one of the powerful ruler of the snakes who killed king Parikshit, the grandson of Arjuna. According to legend described in Mahabharata, king Parikshit once insulted a great sage Shameek while he was engrossed in meditation and was cursed by the sage latter that he will die of a snake bite. To avoid the fulfillment of this curse, Parikshit built his palace on a single pillar surrounded by water with the belief that no snake could reach him crawling through the water. Then Takshak took up the challenge to honour the sage's words. He shrunk his body and hid in an apple. Just as Parikshit was about to eat the apple, he sprang out of it to regain his original shape and bit the king. 

In indignation, the king's son, Janamejay, kindled a huge sacrificial fire and upon his order the royal priests chanted powerful mantras (sacred utterance) which made all snakes fall into the fire. Takshak   escaped and hideout in Khandava forest. 

Some say, Takshak Naag stole the beautiful earrings of the queen of the King Pushya from Uttank who was taking them to give to his Guru Maataa as his Guru Dakshinaa. This theft led him to instigate Janamejaya to annihilate the Naag.

According to another legend, the god of fire, Agni went to the forest and attempted to burn it down, but he was thwarted by the king of Gods,  Indra who    was friend of Takshak and was not about to let his friend die a horrible death by immolation. He tried to extinguish the fire by causing rain fall, but Lord Krishna and Arjuna fired a dense cloud of arrows that blocked the raindrops from reaching the forest.   

This episode is beautifully sculpted on the pediments of Banteay Seri at Angkor, Combodia.The rains, represented by detailed diagonal lines and above them all is Indra, the Sky God, giver of rain, riding atop his three-headed elephant, Erawat .Below them are Krishna and Arjuna on their Chariots with forest animals in panic. Takshat nag is carved in the middle of the scene.

 

Takskak Nag

Vasuki  

He is a great King of the nagas and wears a precious gem with magical powers, ‘Nagamani’ on his head. 

The most prominent legend in Hinduism concerning Vasuki is the famous incident of Samudra manthan, the churning the ocean of milk. The snake king allowed the devas (gods) and the asuras (demons) to use him as the churning rope around Mandara, a mountain positioned next to the ocean while they looked for the ambrosia of immortality. During the churning process, the incredible strain caused Vasuki to exhale ‘Halaha’ , the most potent venom in the Universe. This venom threatened to destroy all living beings and perhaps the entire Universe. Lord Shiva, in order to prevent the destruction of the cosmos, decided to swallow the poison Himself. The venom turned his throat blue, earning him the title Nilakanta (blue-throated).

Vasuki is also mentioned and used as a tightening rope in other Hindu scriptures, Ramayana and Mahabharata.

In Ramayana He was used as ‘Nagpasha’, serpent coil, by Viswajit to coil Hanuman bringing him up to ravana’s court in Lanka. Ravan himself used this weapon to fatal Ram and Laxaman during Lanka war. Many destructive weapons were also used in both the great battles of ‘Lanka’ and ‘Kurukshetra’ based on him.

In Bhagavad-Gita, in the middle of the battlefield "Kurukshetra," Krishna explains his omnipresence by proclaiming, "Of weapons I am the thunderbolt; among cows I am the surabhi. Of causes for procreation I am Kandarpa, the god of love, and of serpents I am Vasuki."

Khmer sculptors of 12^th century Angkor portrayed this episode in grand style in bas relief of Angkor Wat   but can also be found at other temples such as Banteay Chhmar, Preah Vihear, Banteay Samre and many more and are twice represented at the Ta Prohm in Tonle Bati.  On minor scale, Churning of the Ocean is also depicted in Beng Melea, on lintel of Ein Kosei, Siem Reap and Prasat Phnom Da.

 

Vasuki as the churning rope around Mandara during Samudra manthan

The so-called “Naga Bridges” of Angkor Thom and Preah Khan portrays Vasuki nag gracefully. In all five such bridges on one side of the bridge, ferocious demons are depicted hauling on Vasuki's head and upper body. On the other side of the bridge, majestic gods are shown hauling on Vasuki's tail and lower body. 

Naga Bridges

The head and tail of Vasuki naga is rising up at each end of the bridge gracefully. 

Interestingly, Vasuki is mentioned not only in Hindu mythology but also in Chinese and Japanese mythology as being one of the "eight Great Naga Kings".

In Buddhism, he is known as Mucalinda the protector of Buddha while in ecstatic meditation under Bodhi tree. When a storm arose, the mighty serpent king Mucalinda rose up from his place beneath the earth and enveloped the Buddha in seven coils for seven days, not to break his ecstatic state.

Mucalinda the protector of Buddha while in ecstatic meditation under Bodhi tree

He is also said to shelter the great spiritual champion of the Jains, Mahavira.

KALIYA  

The single episode of Krishnalila, ‘Kaliya-marden’  or  ‘Nag-natthayya’ (in English-‘Taming of Serpent) is performed each year in the month of Ramlila in many parts of India.An interesting legend   exists in  ‘Bhagavata Purana’ according to which, Kaliya was a poisonous naga living in a beautiful lake of   the holy river Yamuna  in Vrindavan. The water of the Yamuna for four leagues all around him boiled and bubbled with poison. No bird or beast could go near, and only one solitary Kadamba tree   grew on the river bank.

The proper home of Kaliya was Ramanaka Dwipa (probably Fiji), but he chosen Vrindaban to safe him from Garuda who by cursed not able to enter here without meeting his death.

Once Krishna and herd boys were playing ball, and while playing Krishna climbed up the Kadamba tree and hung over the river bank, the ball fell into the river and Krishna jumped after it. Kaliya rose up with his hundred and ten hoods vomiting poison and wrapped himself around Krishna's body. Krishna became so huge that Kaliya had to release him. So Krishna saved himself from every attack, and when he saw the Brij folk were so much afraid he suddenly sprang into Kaliya's head and assumed the weight of the whole universe, and danced on the naga's heads, beating time with his feet. Then Kaliya began to die. But then the naga’s wives came and prayed to Krishna with joined palms, worshipping Krishna and praying for their husband.

Kaliya, recognizing the greatness of Krishna, surrendered, promising he would not harass anybody. So Krishna pardoned him and then let him go free to leave the river and go to Ramanaka Dwipa. Krishna gave him His assurance that Garuda would now do him no harm as he would respect the print of His Feet on hoods of Kaliya. 

  

‘Kaliya-marden’  

Another version of this legend is also available where description of only ball game is replaced like this- on a certain day while the cow-boys of Braja were out pasturing their calves on the wooded banks of the Yamuna they happened to feel thirsty and not knowing that the water of the lake had been poisoned by Kaliya drank of its water which resulted in their instantaneous death. On being apprised of their plight Krishna came to the spot and restored them to life. Thereafter Krishna got down into the lake with the intention of sporting in its water and tamed Kaliya.

‘Nag nathhayya’ has some spiritual significance too. Snake Kaliya with its numerous hoods symbolizes the numerous desires we have. When one desire gets fulfilled, another arises, like the new hoods of Kaliya. The hoods keep breaking and forming, but Krishna is unperturbed. He keeps playing His flute, denoting the power of discrimination, of wisdom, of the focus on the bliss of self. Also those who have a purpose to create trouble among the pure devotees of Krishna by infecting their nature with their own malicious disposition meet with a certain degree of initial success in their nefarious undertaking. This emboldens them to make a direct attack on Krishna Himself when He appears on the scene of their depraved activities in order to restore the living faith of His Own bonafide associates.

Beginners’ Section

Johannes Kepler

Romania #2308-11 includes a stamp honoring Kepler.

Johannes Kepler was born December 27, 1571 in Weil der Stadt, Germany. Kepler was one of the leading figures in an era that has been called the “Scientific Revolution.”

Weak and sickly from his premature birth, Kepler was an extremely bright child, who often impressed travelers at his family’s inn with his mathematical skills. He discovered at an early age his love of science and the cosmos, after witnessing the Great Comet of 1577 and a lunar eclipse by the age of nine. Once he completed his studies, Kepler began teaching math and astronomy at the Protestant school in Graz, Austria, in 1594.

 

Sierra Leone #2254 includes a stamp honoring Kepler.

The following year, Kepler believed he’d had a breakthrough, discovering what he thought to be the geometrical basis of the universe. He published his findings in the Mysterium Cosmographicum in 1596. Twenty-five years later he re-released the volume with extensive footnotes of corrections and improvements he discovered in that time. Although the first issue was not widely read, it earned Kepler a reputation as a talented astronomer.

US #2741-45 – Kepler’s been called the “father of science fiction” for his novel Somnium, which in part explored the ideas of space travel from another planet. It’s sometimes referred to as the first work of science fiction.

In 1600, Kepler met and began working with Tycho Brahe, who allowed Kepler to study his observations of Mars. The following year, Brahe died and Kepler replaced him as the imperial mathematician. His 11 years in the position proved to be the most productive time of his life.

During this time, he produced The Optical Part of Astronomy, which, among other things, explained how images are projected inverted and reversed by the eye’s lens onto the retina. His next great work was A New Astronomy which included his first two laws of planetary motion – that all planets orbit the sun in an elliptical shape, that planets sweep out equal areas in equal times, and that planets move faster when they’re closer to the sun than when they’re farthest away.

Kepler improved on the refracting telescope, developing the Keplerian telescope, which serves as the model for our modern telescopes. He also published the Epitome of Copernican Astronomy which was the most widely used astronomy book of its time.

Kepler died on November 15, 1630. Many of Kepler’s ideas were ahead of their time, leading Carl Sagan to call him “the first astrophysicist and the last scientific astrologer.” He’s been the subject of novels and operas and the namesake for streets, schools, an asteroid, a Martian crater, a supernova, and more. In 2009, NASA launched the Kepler space telescope, which has observed thousands of planets and stars, many of which have been named in Kepler’s honor.

US #1488 – Kepler helped to popularize Copernicus’s theory that the Earth revolved around the Sun.

Source: Mystic Stamp Co.

Stories Behind Stamps

Ceylon - Dull Rose

 

Country of production : Ceylon

Date of production : 23 April 1859

Printer : Perkins, Bacon & Co

Perforation : No

Depicts : Queen Victoria

Notability : Most valuable stamp issued in Sri Lanka

Face value : 4d

Estimated value : £70,000 - £100,000 (mint condition), £4,500 (used)

 The Dull Rose is a Stamp from Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka) postage stamp that is often regarded as the country's rarest and most precious. On April 23, 1859, 7000 stamps were released with a face value of four pence. Three further coins, the 8 pence (chocolate brown), the 1 shilling and 9 pence (green), and the 2 shilling and 9 pence, were released on the same day as part of a series. These depicted a young Queen Victoria facing left in an octagonal frame. 

A mint condition original issue. Dull Rose sold for $71,875 at a Cherrystone Philatelic Auction in January 2008. There are only approximately ten mint condition stamps known to exist, which are worth between £70,000 and £100,000, and used ones are worth around £4,500. 

Reference : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dull_Rose

 -Nisarg Sutaria : email : nisargsutaria78@gmail.com

Thematics 

MAJESTIC WORLD OF AVIAN PHILATELY

 

 

 

 

 

Ostrich Birds: The Giants of the Bird World

The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the largest and heaviest bird on Earth, renowned for its exceptional size, incredible speed, and distinctive adaptations. Native to Africa, the ostrich has captivated humans for centuries, appearing in art, folklore, and zoological studies worldwide.

 

Physical Characteristics

1. Size and Weight:

• Adult ostriches can reach heights of 8–9 feet (2.5–2.7 meters), with males typically larger than females.

• They can weigh 220–350 pounds (100–160 kilograms), making them flightless due to their immense size.

2. Feathers and Plumage:

• Ostriches have soft, fluffy feathers. Males are typically black with white wing and tail feathers, while females and juveniles sport a more subdued gray-brown coloring.

• Unlike most birds, ostriches lack preen glands, so their feathers do not repel water.

3. Head and Neck:

• The long, bare neck and small head are topped with a short, flat beak.

• Their eyes are 2 inches (5 cm) across, the largest of any land animal, allowing for keen eyesight.

4. Legs and Feet:

• Ostrich legs are powerful and muscular, designed for speed. They have only two toes per foot, with one large toe that bears most of the bird’s weight.

• Their long legs make them exceptional runners, capable of reaching speeds up to 45 miles per hour (70 km/h).

 Habitat and Distribution

Ostriches are native to the open savannas, grasslands, and semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. They thrive in hot climates and can endure temperature extremes, ranging from scorching heat to cool nights.

Diet and Feeding Habits

Ostriches are omnivores, with a diet primarily consisting of:

• Plant matter: Grass, seeds, shrubs, and flowers.
• Insects: Locusts and small invertebrates when available.
• Occasionally, they ingest small stones (gastroliths) to help grind food in their gizzards.

 

Behavior and Social Structure

1. Social Organization:

• Ostriches live in groups ranging from 5 to 50 individuals, often led by a dominant male and a dominant female.

• During the breeding season, groups may disband as males establish territories.

2. Defense Mechanisms:

• Though they cannot fly, ostriches rely on their speed and kick strength for defense. A kick from an ostrich’s leg can kill a predator like a lion.

• They also use their camouflage plumage to blend with their surroundings.

3. Mating and Reproduction:

• Males perform elaborate courtship dances, involving bowing, wing-flapping, and booming calls.

• Females lay their eggs in a communal nest. The dominant female's eggs are typically placed at the center for better protection.

• Ostrich eggs are the largest of any bird, weighing up to 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms) and measuring 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter.

• Incubation lasts about 42 days, with both males and females sharing the task.

 

 Adaptations

1. Flightlessness:

• Ostriches are flightless due to their massive bodies and small wings. Instead, they are built for running, with long legs and a lightweight skeletal structure.

2. Thermoregulation:

• Their sparse plumage allows for better heat dissipation in hot climates.

• They pant to cool down during extreme heat.

3. Vision and Alertness:

• With large eyes and a high vantage point, ostriches have excellent eyesight, enabling them to spot predators from far distances.

 Ecological Role

Ostriches contribute significantly to their ecosystems by:

• Dispersing seeds through their feeding habits.
• Acting as prey for large predators, maintaining the balance of the food chain.

 

Relationship with Humans

1. Historical Significance:

• Ostriches have been hunted for their feathers, leather, and meat for centuries.

• Their feathers were especially valued during the 19th century for fashion.

2. Farming and Domestication:

• Ostriches are farmed worldwide for their meat, which is low in fat and cholesterol, as well as for their leather and feathers.

3. Symbolism and Culture:

• In ancient Egypt, ostrich feathers symbolized truth and justice.

• They appear in African folklore as symbols of speed and resilience.

 

 

Threats and Conservation

1. Predators:

• Natural predators include lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and humans.

• Eggs and chicks are vulnerable to jackals, vultures, and other scavengers.

2. Human Impact:

• Habitat loss and hunting have led to population declines in some regions.

• Conservation efforts have helped stabilize populations, with ostriches listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Fun Facts

• Ostriches can run for extended periods, covering up to 10–16 feet (3–5 meters) per stride.
• Despite the myth, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand when scared. Instead, they lie flat on the ground to avoid detection.
• An ostrich's brain is smaller than one of its eyes!

Subspecies

There are several subspecies of ostriches, including:

1.Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus) – Found in northern and central Africa.

2.Somali Ostrich (Struthio camelus molybdophanes) – Found in the Horn of Africa.

   

3. Southern Ostrich (Struthio camelus australis) – Found in southern Africa.

Ostriches in Popular Media and Culture

Ostriches are featured in literature, cartoons, and documentaries. Their unique appearance and intriguing behavior make them iconic representatives of African wildlife.

Capt. Vijay Wadhwa : email : vicks552000@gmail.com

New Issues from other countries

Armenia

30 December 2024: Flora and Fauna

Guernsey

6 January 2025 : Year of Snake

Year of the Snake

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most significant festival in China and is celebrated by millions around the globe. With origins dating back over 4,000 years, it is rooted in ancient agricultural practices and mythological tales.

In Chinese astrology, each year is associated with one of 12 zodiac animals. Considered to be the most enigmatic among the zodiac animals, the snake is the sixth animal in the zodiac cycle, and is revered for its wisdom, intuition, and ability to shed its skin, symbolising rebirth and renewal.

Isle of Man

2 January 2025 : Manx Links with China

 

Manx Links with China

The Nan Sha District, Guangzhou, China is part of the Greater Bay Area, a key economic zone in southern China, and serves as a hub for shipping, trade, and high-tech industries.

The district hosts the Nan Sha Free Trade Zone, which promotes international trade and investment.

The set of four Nan Sha stamps, showcases many of the features and traditions of the NanSha landmark. The stamp set consists of Technology and Innovation, Opening up (global outreach and trade), the global stamp exhibition and the city of NanSha and Harmony.

Stamp 1: The four of images on the stamp consist of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (GuangZhou), Innovation Bay, NanSha Memorial Gateway and the Free Trade Zone`s Arch, showcasing the coordinated development of world scientific and technological innovation of the Free Trade Zone.

Stamp 2: The four images on the stamp consist of Port of NanSha, NanSha Bridge, ShenZhen - ZhongShan link NanSha Line and a Yacht, showcasing NanSha`s connectivity to the rest of the world and links to our Ship Registry

Stamp 3: The three images on the stamp consist of International Finance Forum convention centre where delegates from the UK and Isle of Man have contributed to topics with international reach Inc. Sir Tony Blair, the Mingzhu Bay Bridge and the common Bomhax flower.

Stamp 4: The four elements on the stamp consist of NanSha TianHu Palace, NanSha Wetland Park, Gambiered Guangdong Gauze and Lotus root, which celebrate the common prosperity between historical and cultural heritage and the link between ecological and environmental protection.

Israel

24 December 2024: 100 Year Bnei Brak

100 Year Bnei Brak

Bnei Brak, a city in Israel, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024. Founded in 1924, it started as a small farming village and grew into a bustling city. Today, it’s famous for its strong religious community and lively atmosphere, making it a significant center for Jewish life.

Jersey

1 January 2025 : Year of the Snake

Lunar New Year – Year of the Snake

The artwork for the stamp, includes a golden snake representing good fortune and wisdom. Additionally, within the body of the snake, Wang Huming has illustrated four types of flowers have been depicted, including peach blossom, lotus, chrysanthemum and wintersweet, all of which signify spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Netherlands

2 January 2025: Amsterdam – 700 Years

2 January 2025: Experience Nature - Birds Experience Nature - Birds Sint Eustatius

2 January 2025: Poes Molly

Amsterdam 750 Years

PostNL issued the stamp sheet Amsterdam 750 years on 2 January 2025. This release is part of the celebration of the 750th anniversary of the Dutch capital. Amsterdam will officially turn 750 years old on 27 October 2025, with festivities spanning the entire year, having begun on 27 October 2024. The stamp sheet Amsterdam 750 years was designed by graphic designer Michiel Schuurman from Amsterdam. The stamps carry a value of 1 for mail weighing up to 20 grams destined within the Netherlands. The price for a sheet of 5 stamps is €6.05.

Experience Nature - Birds Sint Eustatius - 891a

On 2 January 2025, PostNL will release the Experience nature – birds Sint Eustatius stamp sheet, featuring 10 different designs. The stamps are denominated 1, for mail weighing up to 20 grams sent within the Netherlands. The price of a sheet with 10 stamps is €12.10. This stamp sheet, focusing on the birds of Sint Eustatius, is part of the multi-year Experience nature series, dedicated to the biodiversity of the Caribbean Netherlands during 2024-2026. Each year, four stamp sheets will be issued, each with 10 different stamps. These stamps feature plants and animals found in this part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This region boasts remarkable biodiversity, with thousands of plant and animal species. In 2025, the stamps will focus on the island's birds, butterflies, underwater world, and flora. The Experience nature – birds Sint Eustatius stamps highlight the following birds: merlin, laughing gull, indigo bunting, lesser Antillean bullfinch, semipalmated plover, green heron, purple-throated carib, royal tern, American oystercatcher, and northern parula.

BIRDS OF SINT EUSTATIUS

Sint Eustatius is a haven for bird enthusiasts, with a rich diversity of species. According to Bird Checklists of the World (2022), 123 different bird species have been recorded on the island, including approximately 30 breeding species. Among the island’s remarkable avian residents is the smallest bird in the Kingdom of the Netherlands: the Antillean crested hummingbird. Another notable resident, shared with nearby Saba, is the red-billed tropicbird. These islands are home to 40% of the world’s 8,000 breeding pairs of this species. Known for its striking red bill and long tail, this seabird nests on the cliffs and rocks of the islands’ coasts. The red-billed tropicbird is the only seabird that breeds on Sint Eustatius. Bird conservation efforts on the island are supported by Vogelbescherming Nederland (BirdLife Netherlands) through collaboration with local organisations and the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance. Initiatives include projects aimed at preventing nest predation by rats and feral cats, and2 January 2025:  protecting the endangered bridled quail-dove

Poes Molly

Poes Molly

The cat Molly is the main character in columns and books by illustrator Francien van Westering. Van Westering conceived and drew Molly when she was still a child. It was only later, when she had long established herself as the cat artist of the Netherlands, that she brought Molly back to life. She did this, among other things, through columns in the women's magazine Margriet and children's magazine Bobo Magazine and in the books she wrote and drew about Molly. Molly experiences small adventures in the countryside, loves nature, is dressed in flowing dresses and always wears a hat with a flower wreath. The stamp sheet and stamps Cat Molly 2025 feature various illustrations by Francien van Westering about the cat Molly and her friends. The edge of the sheet is taken up by a large drawing of Molly in front of a caravan in the forest. A section of this illustration appears on one of the stamps. The other 4 stamps show drawings of the cat Jan with a bunch of balloons, the cat Floris in the tree house, Molly walking with the cat Casper and Molly dressed in a wide skirt surrounded by hearts. Of the 5 illustrations on the stamps, 2 fill the image area and 3 are free-standing. On the 3 stamps with the free-standing illustrations, flowers have been placed in the white background. The Molly logo is on all stamps and at the top left of the sheet edge.

USA

14 January 2025: Lunar New Year – Year of Snake

The US Postal Service will celebrate the 2025 Lunar New Year with a colorful Year of the Snake stamp. To mark this festive occasion, millions of people around the world will host parades and parties, decorate with red and gold lanterns, set off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits, and invite family and friends to share traditional foods to welcome the new year. People will write couplets, give gifts and clean their houses to celebrate a time of renewal.

Those born in the Year of the Snake, the sixth sign in the Chinese zodiac, are said to be quiet, wise and deep-thinking, making them proficient musicians, philosophers, writers and teachers. A snake year is sometimes referred to as a “little dragon year” because it follows the dragon on the zodiac.

Philatelic Clubs and Societies

Karnataka Philatelic Society - https://www.karphil.in/index.html

Prayag Philatelic Society - https://prayagphilatelicsociety.org/

Ananthapuri Philatelic Association, Thiruvanthapuram

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

Chandigarh Philatelic Club

Deccan Philatelic Society – Pune, Maharashtra

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

The Hyderabad  Philatelic and Hobbies Society

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

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

Ludhiana Philatelic Club

Numismatic & Philatelic Association of Vellore Fort 

http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm

Philatelic Congress of India - http://www.philateliccongressofindia.com/

Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur

Philatelic Society of India , Mumbai : http://www.psi1897.com/

Orissa Philatelic Association, Mail id-: orissaphilatelic@gmail.com

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

Rajkot Philatelic Society – Rajkot, Gujarat

Gujarat Philatelic Association - Ahmedabad

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

The Army Philatelic Society, Pune

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

Blogs & Websites

Philatelic Congress of India

Indian Philately Digest

Stamps of India

Rainbow Stamp News

Se-tenant Stamps of India

Flags & Stamps

Europa stamps

Welcome to Indian Philately

Blogs by Kumar Biswas

The Philatelist

Ship Theme Gallery

Echo’s Phila House

Prayag Philatelic Society

RAINBOW STAMP CLUB

This is a blog of e-Stamp Club www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com  The idea of this blog is to extend the philatelic fraternity to all corners of the world. Readers may write about themselves with their collecting interests and share new ideas with other philatelists.  New Posts on recent issues, news on stamp activities, and Contributions 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. Readers may send reports on new issues, special covers, cancellations & philatelic activities in their area for inclusion in this Blog. - Editor

Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters

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

-Ananthpuri Stamp Bulletin - Monthly e -stamp bulletin of Anathapuri Philatelic Association,  Thiruvananthapuram. Eduitor – Mohanachandran Nair

-Journal of the Army Philatelic Society

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

-Deccan Philatelist edited by Dr Anjali Dutta email : dranjalidutta0303@gmail.com from Deccan Philatelic Society, Pune.

-The Hyderabad Philatelist from Hyderabad Philatelic and Hobbies Society Editor – Shri Prakash Agrawal 

-SIPA Bulletin issued by South India Philatelists’ Association 

-The Fila Capsule issued by Eastern India Philatelists' Association, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Editor - Dr Bibhudutta Mishra

Acknowledgment

- Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin December 2024 issue edited by Mohanachandran Nair:  email : apa.tvpm@gmail.com

- Judaica Thematic Society, UK .  Society Newsletter December 2024 edited by Gary Goodman email :  judaicathematicsociety@talktalk.net 

-The Fila Capsule September-October 2024 issue edited by Dr Bubhudutta Mishra.email : bhanubibhu68@gmail.com

 Courtesy - News and Image Resource to this issue :  SIPA, Philately Promoters,  EIPA , Indian Philately, Prayag Philatelic Society Group, Philatelic Exhibitions, Deccan Philatelic Society Whatsapp WOPA  Mystic Stamp Co.;Pan India Pictorial Place Cancellations ;  Pradip Jain – Patna ; Timir Shah - Vadodara; Prakash Mody - Canada; M.Lokeswara Rao-Bangalore; Aditya Singh - Allahabad

 

Address for communication:

Jeevan Jyoti, 509, Design Arcade, Chandrabani, Wildlife Institute Road, Dehradun-248001. India . e-mail –    j.jyoti9@gmail.com

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• Last date for receiving articles/ News /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.