21st UN Climate Change Conference: COP21
30 Nov 2015 to 11 December 2015, Paris
Date of issue: 24 November 2015
Global warming is having significant and harmful effects on our communities, our health, and our climate. Sea level rise is accelerating. The recent Chennai disaster caused due to unprecedented rains is only due to sudden climate change. This joint issue by the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) and La Poste, France, commemorates the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21.
Dehradun December 2015 Vol. VIII Issue # 96
Monthly e-Stamp Bulletin Edited by Jeevan Jyoti for free circulation among philatelists
Readers are requested to send reports of philatelic activities in their area for publication. Short write ups by the readers about their journals, societies, publications and philatelic requirements can be sent for inclusion in this bulletin to j.jyoti9@gmail.com and by post to –
Ms. Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248002. India
Note- This bulletin is only for circulation among a limited group of philatelists without any commercial purpose. The bulletin will be sent to the readers only on request. Those who wish to receive it regularly please reply giving the name of your city / country with the subject SUBSCRIBE RAINBOW
Dear Reader,
I am pleased to release December 2015 issue of Rainbow Stamp News. I am very sorry due to technical reasons this issue is a bit delayed. The inconvenience caused to the readers is highly regretted. In this issue , I am giving a very special Interview of a renowned woman philatelist Dr Sita Bhateja. She needs no introduction to the Readers as her name is globally known for her exquisite collection on Indian philately.
Another important article by Mr Naresh Agrawal on PCI, the National Philatelic Federation of India. Why I have come up with this topic in this bulletin because only after a few days i.e. 13th December 2015, the PCI elections are going to be held in Mumbai. This election will not only decide the future of PCI but the philately in India also. So let’s hope for the best.
This is the last issue of this year. Festive time is just arriving …..
Wishing you all Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
This is all for this month, More in next issue. Until then have a great time !!
-- Jeevan Jyoti
Contents
§ From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal
§ Recent Indian Issues
§ In The News
§ Interview
§ Doon Philatelic Diary
§ Beginners’ Section
§ Specialized Section
§ Lighter Side
§ New Issues from Other Countries
§ Philatelic Clubs and Society
§ Blogs & Websites on Philately
§ Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletter
From the Desk of Naresh Agrawal
Election : Philatelic Congress Of India…Let’s Hope For the Best !
After the inactive state of the Philatelic Society of India (formed in Calcutta in 1896 ) a National Body of all the philatelic societies in India during late fifties and practically non existence of any National Body of philatelic societies and philatelists in India even till early seventies; in 1975 Philatelic Congress Of India (PCI) was formed as National Body which marked a watershed in the philatelic history of India. PCI got formal affiliation with the world philatelic body, Federation Internationale de Philatelie (FIP). Late D. N. Jatia played pioneering role in formation of PCI.
Frankly speaking up till 2002 PCI worked very well duly serving the philatelic community in India. Various societies got affiliated to the same as various individual philatelists. Its working was transparent. Its connectivity with all concerned was very good. Regular magazine named SIGNET served philatelists in a big way. Various prestigious philatelic shows were organized under its banner. All in all, there was no complain…no major issue. it was then working at high esteem. With such functioning one could see a bright philatelic future of India.
Even after 2002, PCI has lots of achievement to pen down as the latest being the INDEPEX2011 which was organized by India Post in collaboration with the Philatelic Congress of India under the auspices of the Federation Internationale de Philatelie and Federation of Inter-Asian Philately. Various philatelic societies got affiliation of PCI to make their constant move in the philatelic stream of India. The latest to my knowledge being West Delhi Philatelic Club in Nov. 2010.
Well, though PCI has been showing its existence and functioning even after 2002 but I would rate it as slow, dull, sluggish and just a face wash. In general, apart from deputing commissioners for International shows, organizing meeting of governing council it has not done any noticeable work practically. Yes, its representation in National and International shows organized in India has also been noticed.
My contention is to know the true and active functioning of PCI. Is it truly representing the philatelists and philatelic bodies in India? What major change it has brought after 2002. No transparency, no public information, no magazine, no updates, no control on rotation of exhibitions, no control on stamp issuing policy of India Post, no updation with the changing scenario in philatelic field, not catering to the demands of philatelists…… I mean, it has practically failed in its mission and motto.
Not to point out any reason why PCI went in to shell for so many years helping the philately in India to suffer a big loss, my concern is that now onward PCI should work actively for the promotion of philately . It should reach a budding philatelist to a seasoned philatelist. Its mission should be to help every stamp lover. As we know there is election of PCI governing council on 13th December 2015 ,only after few days, we look forward for a big change. Hope the members would elect young, energetic, positive and sincere council members who have the willingness to serve philately. Experience should always go side by side. It cannot be ignored but active functioning should be in the hands of youth who can move and mould itself as the scenario changes. I personally look forward for the following :
Activate PCI :
It is time to see an active PCI. Active in all fronts. Apart from appointment commissioner it should come forward for other activities too
Enrolment of young brigade in working council :
Old is gold but Youth are diamonds. It’s time for change. Young, energetic, the person who can move with the pace of changing scenario, well equipped with fast communication skills, eager to work for betterment of philately, fast in making decisions & has the tendency to mould according to the requirements and willingness to raise the status f philately on world map.
Digitalization / Active website :
It’s a digital era. PCI need to have a website which should be maintained continuously. Information, articles, discussions etc should be a common matter
Transparency :
The working of PCI should be transparent.
Membership move…
Should start membership drive so that maximum philatelists / stamp lovers come in to its fold. It should lower its fee and increase the membership.
Practical recognition in the hearts of philatelists :
Mere affiliation with FIP or FIAP is not the true recognition. It should work on the lines of other renowned philatelic societies such as Royal Philatelic Society London etc. It should get recognition from philatelists in general.
Institutional members to vote by e mail :
During election institutional embers should be allowed to vote by email.
Hold on India Post Philatelic Wing :
Being National Body of philatelists in India, PCI should have strength to hold activities of India Post Philatelic Wing which should be for the betterment and promotional of philately.
Not to write more , I wish this election will help formation of a good and sincere body which will decide the condition and direction of philately in India. I wish PCI to hold successful election & also wish a very good luck and very bright and shining future.
- Naresh Agrawal : email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in
Recent Indian Issues
· 1 October 2015 – Mahant Avaidyanath – Rs 5
· 15 October 2015 - Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam – Rs 5
· 15 October 2015 –Charkha – 2 x Rs 5 & 1 MS
· 21 October 2015 : Border Security Force - Rs 5
· 29 October 2015 : Third Africa-India Forum Summit (AIFS-III) - Set of Six commemorative stamps and Miniature Sheets
· 2 November 2015 - First Gorkha Rifles and Third Gorkha Rifles - 2 x Rs5
· 14 November 2015 – Children’s Day – Rs 5 , Rs 25 & MS
· 16 November 2015 – BHEL – Rs 5
· 24 November 2015 - India Singapore Joint Issue – Rs 5 + Rs 25 + 1 MS
· 24 November 2015 - 24 November 2015 - Engineering Export Promotion Council of India – Rs 5
· 3 December 2015 - Zoological Survey of India – Rs 5, Rs 25 + MS
Recent Special Covers
30 November 2015 : Sahitya Vachaspati Mahopaddhya Shri Vinay Sagarji, Jaipur
22 November 2015 : First Electric Train in Gorakhpur , Gorakhpur
20 November 2015 : Befrienders India Suicide Prevention Conference, Calicut
18 November 2015 : Boudhpex 2015, Boudh, Odisha
View : Special Covers
In The News
Stamps on COP 21
Global warming is already having significant and harmful effects on our communities, our health, and our climate. Sea level rise is accelerating. The number of large wildfires is growing. This joint issue by the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) and La Poste, France, commemorates the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21.
The conference, held from 30 November to 11 December in Le Bourget, France, is significant, as the expected outcome is a new international agreement on climate change, applicable to all countries, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C.
For the stamp designs, a competition was organized by the French Postal Service for students of the Saint-Etienne School of Design, France. Five entries were selected as the finalists, and after the public and a jury voted, the winning stamp design was unveiled by President François Hollande of France.
The winning stamp design, which has been issued by UNPA (US$ 1.20 value) and La Poste jointly, was illustrated by Noémie Auzet, aged 22, a fourth year student at the design school.
UNPA also issued two additional stamps from the selected finalists, which were illustrated by Charles Haumont (CHF 1,40 value) and Nolwenn Le Nir (EUR 0,80 value).
Indian Jury Member: Mr. Vispi S. Dastur & Indian Commissioner: Mr. Ajay Kumar Mittal
Indian Winners at Hong Kong 2015
31st Asian International Stamp Exhibition organised by Hong Kong Philatelic Society and Hong Kong Post was held at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai, Hong Kong, from 20th to 23rd November 2015.
Gold Medal Being given to Dr. K.S. Mohan during Palmares Night
1.
Dr. K. S. Mohan - Postal History of Cochin - Postal History - Gold
2.
Ajay Kumar Mittal - Revenues of Indore – Revenue - Large Vermeil
3.O. K. Prakash - Cochin State Postal History (18th Century to 1949) - Postal History - Vermeil
4.Virendra Sharma - Indian Conventional States Queen Victoria Postal Stationery - Postal Stationery - Vermeil
5. 
Dinesh Chandra Sharma - Summer Olympic Games – Thematic - Vermeil
6.Parvesh Kumar Gupta - The Imperial Durbars of Delhi - Postal History - Large Silver
7.Dipak Dave - The 1929 Airmail Stamps of India - Philatelic Literature - Large Silver
8.Rajesh Bhura - Mahatma Gandhi "The Man of The Millineum – Thematic – Silver
9.
Nidhi Mittal - History of Architecture – Maximaphily - Silver
10. Ms. Paritri Upadhyay - Wild Life on Maxim Cards - Youth Class - Silver Bronze
11. Master S. Abhishek - Winged Beauties - Youth Class - Bronze
12.Muskan Malhotra - The Elephant World - Youth Class - Bronze
13.Pradip Jain - Gandhi Travels Around The World - One Frame - 85 Marks
Roake Trophy to Indian philatelist couple
Col ( Dr) Jayant Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta, noted Indian philatelists have been awarded the Roake Trophy for philatelic research by the India Study Circle for Philately UK
Col ( Dr) Jayant Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta, renowned Indian philatelists have been awarded the Roake Trophy for philatelic research by the India Study Circle for Philately UK. In the last 45 years, they are the eighth and ninth Indians to be awarded the same and they are the first ever to be so honoured for Fiscal Philately.This is the highest award in philatelic research.
Col ( Dr) Jayant Dutta and Dr Anjali Dutta have several international awards to their credit for their philatelic exhibits on Fiscal Philately. They are the regular contributors to Rainbow Stamp News.
Recent Stamp Exhibitions
PHILATAIPEI 2016 : World Stamp Championship Exhibition
Mr. Anil Suri is appointed the National Commissioner for India of PHILATAIPEI 2016 World Stamp Championship Exhibition being held at Taipei, Taiwan from October 21 to 26, 2016. This is fourth World Stamp Championship show which will be the highest level of competition in philately where the best philatelists in the world will compete for awards. There will be 3 finalists: The World Champion, First Runner Up and Second Runner Up. The World Champion is therefore recognized as having won the highest award in the world's stamp competitive exhibitions. The first WSC was held in Singapore in 2004 and incidentally Anil Suri was also the National Commissioner for India for this. The 2nd and 3rd WSC were held in Israel 2008 and Indonesia 2012 respectively.
The World Stamp Championship takes the competition beyond Grand Prix at FIP world philatelic exhibitions. The eligibility to participate in the World Stamp Championship Class that is limited to Traditional Philately and Postal History is having won Gold, Large Gold, Grand Prix National, Grand Prix International, Grand Prix d'Honneur or Grand Prix d'Exposition at the exhibitions with patronage or auspices of FIP. The restrictions imposed vide FIP GREX 9.1 and 9.6 applicable to the FIP Championship Class and Grand Prix d'Honneur respectively do not apply to the World Stamp Championship Class.
GREX Article 9.1 - Participation in the FIP Championship Class is restricted to exhibits which have received 95 or more points in FIP World Exhibitions in any three separate years during the previous 10 years.
GREX Article 9.6 - On receiving the Grand Prix d'Honneur in the FIP Championship, or having completed eligibility under Article 9.4, an exhibit may only be shown out of competition by the same owner.
PHILATAIPEI 2016 will have following classes in addition to the World Stamp Championship Class: Traditional, Postal History, Postal Stationery, Aerophilately, Thematic, Revenue, Youth, Literature, One Frame and Modern Philately.
The Entry Fee for One-Frame Exhibit is US$120, and for Literature the Fee is US$90 per exhibit. The participation is free for Youth Class. The Entry Fee for all other classes is US$80 per frame.
The forms will be made available soon. The last date for submitting the forms is January 15, 2016.
Those interested in participating may please contact the National Commissioner for India of PHILATAIPEI 2016 World Stamp Championship Exhibition, Anil Suri, E-70 Kalkaji, New Delhi 110019, email: anilksuri@email.com , Mobile 9811176908.
World Stamp Show-NY 2016
World Stamp Show, New York 2016 will be held from 28th May to 4th June 2016 at New York, USA.
Shri Dhananjay Desai of Ahmedabad is Commissioner for this exhibition. He may be contacted for participation at email : dhananjay_47@yahoo.co.in
Website of exhibition : http://www.ny2016.org/
Date : May 28-June 4, 2016
Venue : Jacob Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001 on Level 3 taking up 294,000 square feet.
New addition to 11th Definitive Series on ‘Makers of India’
Department of Posts has issued 7 more definitive stamps in new 11th Definitive Series on ‘Makers of India’ in denomination of Rs. 5 on Swami Vivekananda and Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Deendayal Upadhyay,Bhagat Singh and Ram Manohar Lohia All the Stamps are printed at India Security Press, Nashik Road.
New definitive stamps on other eminent personalities like Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Shivaji, Maulana Azad, Bhagat Singh, Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Maharana Pratap, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Srinivasa Ramanujan, Rabindranath Tagore, Subramania Bharati, Bhimsen Joshi, M.S. Subbulakshmi and Bismillah Khan has also been planned.
News from Philatelic Clubs and Societies
Jaipur Philatelic Society, Jaipur
A special cover and special cancellation released at Jaipur on 30th Nov. 2015 on a famous Jain personality Late Vinaysagar Ji.Jaipur Philatelic Society and Prakrit Bharti Academy Jaipur jointly organized a function at Prakrit Bharti Academy, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur.
On this occasion a special cover was released in Honor of Sahitya Vachaspati Mahopaddhya Shri Vinay Sagarji on his first death Anniversary.
Special Cover was released by Devarshi Kala Nath Shastri and Acharya Narain Shastriji.
Mr. Jatan Mal Dhor President of the Jaipur Philatelic Society Jaipur gave information about the Process and procedure of bringing out a special cover.
He also gave information about Stamps Exhibitions held in State and National Level and also about International Philatelic Exhibitions.
Mr. D.R. Mehta Chief Convener and Founder of Prakrit Bharti Academy also shared his experiences with Late Vinay Sagarji.Programme was attended by large number of writers, Thinkers and Ideologists.
Doon Philatelic Club, Dehra Dun
The second meeting of the Doon Philatelic Club, Dehradun was held on Nov. 29, 2015 at the residence of Sh. P.C.Agarwal, President, DPC. The meeting was attended by all founder members and 3 new members Mr Anuj Saxena, Mr Niraj Gupta and Mr. Arun Bhambri.
Indian Thematic Society
ITS Postal Auction No.71 – Last Date: 12th December 2015
Scans of some lots are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/its_offers/
Emails: indianthematicsociety@gmail.com Mobile: +91 98728 51244 http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/
Pradip Jain honoured with Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society, London (FRPSL)
Noted philatelist and stamp dealer Mr Pradip Jain of Patna has been honored with distinction of Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society, London (FRPSL) with effect from 21st October 2015.
Interview
I am extremely pleased to publish here the interview of the Star of Indian Philately, Dr Sita Bhateja. She is not only a philatelist of International repute but also a renowned gynecologist of Bangalore. I know her name since my school days but never got a chance to meet her in person. I am very thankful to Mr Naresh Agrawal, Jagannath Mani and my longtime friend Nikhilesh Melkote of Bangalore for their great efforts to take her interview for Rainbow.- Editor
Photo courtesy – The Hindu
Young at 87 !!
“ Young at 85 “, “small in size but big in knowledge” , “ a woman whose heart beats for stamps”, “ 86 and going strong” are some of the slogans attached to her briefly describing her personality. Yes friends, she is none other than the charming beauty even at 87 years of age Dr. Sita Bhateja from Bangalore. A dedicated and reputed gynecologist who is vivacious, full of energy and positivity. She is renowned philatelist who needs no introduction to philatelists at least in India. A woman of substance who equally managed her career in profession and hobby and excelled in both. Her philatelic possessions are unique and rarest & achievements are tremendous and unparalleled.
Born in Multan, grew up in borstal compounds as her father was a jailer. After her school studies she completed her graduation in medical stream from KEM Hospital,Mumbai and in June 1949 she became a doctor. Later she did her post graduation.
She has the priced and rare stamps such has the famous inverted Head, Red Scinde Dawk, Penny Black etc. Her philatelic journey started at the tender age of 12/13 like other by getting fascinated by the beauty of stamps. But her noticeable philatelic journey began with her participation in 1977 at Asiana 77 in Bangalore, where she received an award for her exhibit of the stamps of India. Thereafter her awards over the years have multiplied.
Dr Bhateja works at her private clinic, a 40-year-old multi-specialty one, besides running a hospital for the poor, an orphanage and a school for slum children. And there is an old age home where she gives some of her time. She is the three time nominee for the Grand Prix, the top-most philatelic award in the world.
The prestigious and very rare stamp in her collection that has made her known all over the world is the 1854 double-colour 4-anna stamp of pre-Independence India with the inverted head of the Queen on cover. This highly prized stamp in Dr. Bhateja’s possession is square cut on cover.
Another stamp in Dr Bhateja’s collection is an 1861 eight-anna bisect, again a pre- Independent India stamp, that is another unique and rare stamp that she possesses. “Once in a way when a 4-anna stamp was not available an 8-anna stamp would be cut in half by the post office and given out as a 4-anna stamp!”
She has been three time president of the Karnataka Philatelic Society . She is the pride of Indian Philately and the brightest star among woman philatelists of India .
Dr Sita Bhateja may be contacted at email : sbnh89@yahoo.com
Interview with Dr Sita Bhateja
1. We have read about you in different new papers mentioning about you “Young at 85”, Please share the secret…..how do you maintain this physically and mentally?
I am a strict disciplinarian in lifestyle. I have been influenced a lot by the Bhagavad Gita. I have been following the Satvik way of life and diet since the age of 14. This is the secret of how I keep fit mentally and physically.
2. We understand you had a fascination for coins and flowers in your early age / childhood. When did you actually turn towards the world of stamps? Tell us briefly about your philatelic journey.
Like all children, I used to collect anything which caught my fancy like coins, ferns etc. At the age of 12, my father was posted as a Jailer in Sialkot (now Pakistan). We used to subscribe to the Illustrated Weekly of India. There was a Stamp Collecting column by Mr Jal Cooper. He used to ask us to send some money and he would send back a packet of stamps. I used to get monthly pocket money of Rs.10 (a huge amount in those days), and I used to spend most of it on buying stamps. I had a worldwide collection which I used to keep in a countrywide album, stuck with hinges.
Later at 16 years of age, I joined Lahore Medical College and hence became engrossed in studies with no time for hobbies. It was only in 1976 when I moved to Bangalore and met Col Shenoi the founder of Karnataka Philatelic Society, that I rekindled my interest. I started taking interest in Classics, especially India Pre Independence.
3. With an immensely busy schedule at your hospital spanning from 7.00 am till 8.00 pm busy with surgeries and patients consultation, when do you find time for philately when you have so many other personal, social works to do too? What more do you look forward in philately after having recognition world over as an eminent philatelist and a possessor of one of worlds’ rarest stamp ?
It is only my passion for Philately which drives me. I have to keep up to date with my Medical profession by reading books, attending conferences etc.. It is only after 8pm that I find time to look at my stamp collection. I spend entire nights with my hobby sometimes till 5.00am remaining awaken for whole night.
4. What exactly is the difference between a stamp collector and a philatelist according to you. How a philatelist contribute to development of society?
Stamp collecting is only an accumulation. It does not give any value addition. It’s alright for children to start like this. A philatelist has to make a deep study through books, journals etc. Philately has contributed a lot to learning the history of our postal system and also the world as a whole.
5. Please tell us about your philatelic interests before you tell us more about your valuable and rare philatelic assets?
My main concentration is on Pre-Independence India. I also collected Medicine and Mahatma Gandhi as themes in the past.
6. We read somewhere about you these lines “A passionate philatelist, Dr Bhateja's enviable collection of rare stamps has been internationally recognized and won her several awards in global philately contests. One of the rarest and most valuable stamps in her collection is an Indian stamp from 1854 with an inverted head of Queen Victoria. There are only three square-cut stamps from this batch, of which only one is a used cover - which means it was actually used - and that belongs to my collection. Yes, it is the only one of its kind in the world," she says with some pride.” your comments on this statement…
The first rare item I bought in an auction was the Penny Black, for which a paid a glorious sum of Rs.465/- in Bangalore in 1976. I was very excited to win this in the auction, and I brought it back and showed it to other doctors, nurses at my clinic and also my neighbors. They were not very impressed with this tiny black piece of paper, but I told them its history and they understood my passion.
Another interesting story is about my first Red Scinde Dawk which I purchased personally in London. On the way back to India I visited Louvre Museum in Paris. While admiring some paintings, I tripped and fell. Many passersby rushed to me to ask if I was OK. But I was more concerned to check whether the Scinde Dawk which was in my purse was safe, rather than my own safety. Fortunately both I and the stamp were OK!
Regarding Inverted Head, I happened to read that this particular item was being sold by an American collector in an auction in London. I was very keen to get it not only for my collection, but also to ensure that such a rare treasure should come back to India. Fortunately I was able to get it even though I had to make sacrifices like selling some property and jewellery also.
7. Today philately and philatelists are different from the earlier years. People are more inclined towards thematic philately? New philatelic fields have developed. What major changes do you see in the philatelic field along with the major change i.e. commercialization of philately?
Commercialization of philately has always existed. My opinion is, that if some people treat it as an investment, then why not? However, children should be encouraged to take up Thematic which is less expensive and adds to their general knowledge.
8. Please comment about future of philately looking in to the fact that various other communication means such as email, fax, apps, etc. have replaced the transmission of paper mail to a big extent?
I am confident that Philately will never die. Other electronic media can never have the same fascination as stamps.
9. Lastly, the secret of your store house of positive energy. Do you feel philately has contributed in keeping the energy level high?
Every positive activity, be it medical profession, social work or philately adds to Positive Energy. When you are passionate about something, there is no time for tiredness or boredom.
10. Today there is talk about women power all around. And You certainly are an example of women power and strength. A leading example justifying the statement “Nothing is impossible in this world”. You message to philatelic fraternity particularly targeting woman philatelists?
Women are excelling in all fields, including Philately. Women philatelists have to also ensure to take care of their family and social responsibilities. I would advise them to lead a balanced life and take care of family and children, along with enjoying their hobby. They will then get great support from family members which is essential. I was lucky to get tremendous support from my entire family.
11. How do you feel after reaching the various peaks of philately? What more do you want from philately?
Philately has enriched my life. I would have not enjoyed my life as much as I have, without Philately. I would have not been the same person. I cannot ask for anything more.
Now my goal is that future generations are also to be groomed to ensure that more youngsters take up Philately.
Nikhilesh Melkote and Jagannath Mani with Dr Sita Bhateja
Interview team : Naresh Agrawal, Nikhilesh Melkote & Jaganntah Mani
Doon Philatelic Diary
Children's Day, Chacha Nehru, Dehradun and Philately
- Abhai Mishra
Children's Day is celebrated worldwide to promote the welfare of the children. On 14 December 1954, the United Nations General Assembly, through resolution 836(IX) recommended that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. The Assembly suggested to governments that the day be observed on the date and in the way which each considers appropriate. Different countries celebrate it on various dates. Universal Children's Day is celebrated on 20th November because it marks the day on which the U.N assembly adopted the the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru fondly known as 'Chacha Nehru' among kids, had a keen attachment with children and strongly advocated for their rights and well being. He was also fond of roses and said that children are like the buds in a garden. He believed that they are to be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they are the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow. Befittingly, his birthday i.e. 14th November is celebrated as Children's Day in India.
First Children's Day stamp of India issued in 1957
India Post also celebrates this special day by issuing commemorating postage stamp on 14th November. For the first time on 14th November 1957 a set of three stamps was issued on Children's Day.
Till 1970 photographs were used in these stamp design. Interestingly, since 1971, these stamps are not designed by professional artists; rather they are designed by children themselves. India Post organizes painting competition throughout the country for children at different level. The best entries selected are depicted in the children's day stamp. In the year 1964 and 1997, 'Chacha Nehru’ also featured in the children's day stamp.
In the year 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1988, 1989, 2003 and 2014, stamps were not issued on children's day but today i.e. on 14th November 2015 we are going to have a set of two stamps and a miniature sheet issued on this occasion.
Pandit Nehru had deep association with Mussoorie and Dehradun. Just before his death in New Delhi on 27th May 1964, he visited Dehradun from 23rd to 26th May. Since childhood he often used to spend his summer holidays along with his family at Mussoorie, mostly staying at Savoy Hotel. Doon valley was very close to his heart. During the freedom movement, thrice he was imprisoned at Dehradun District Jail. In Dehradun jail he stayed during 6-6-1932 to 23-8-1933, 8-5-1934 to 11-8-1934 and 17-11-1940 to 3-12-1941. During his stay at Dehradun jail he started to write his biography. His intimate relationship with the Himalayan Mountains was something which he cherished throughout his life. I have in my collection a cover which was sent by Pandit Nehru to her friend Mrs. Frances Gunther in New York dated 13th June 1941 while he was imprisoned in Dehradun District Jail. As it was during World War -2, the letter was censored at Bombay censor office. She was the wife of John Gunther, the author of ‘Inside Asia’ and greatly treasured the warm and intimate letters of Pandit Nehru. During World War II, she wrote articles and made speeches critical of British imperialism and advocating independence for India. Among other organizations, she spoke before the Washington Press Club, the Quaker Institute of International Relations, and the Post War Council in New York. Her speeches were collected in a book, Revolution in India (1944). This cover is one of my prized possessions which relates to the history of Doon Valley. Philately is absolutely fantastic, providing you a valuable tool to dig into the city’s history.
After, Independence when he became Prime Minister he never missed any opportunity to visit the valley and Mussoorie. Dehradun circuit house had been mute witness to those innumerable moments when Pandit Nehru ventured its corridor or sat in its garden.
Dehradun is bestowed with rich heritage of colonial as well as independence movement era. We need to preserve those things. Today there is an ugly generator obstructing the view and threatening the very existence of the Pandit Nehru bust and WW-I memorial right in front of Asley Hall. The authorities should re-locate that generator immediately. Similarly the Nehru ward in the Dehradun district jail need to be restored aesthetically. The heritage provides a valuable bridge to our past and we must leave no stone unturned to preserve them so that it can be passed to our future generations.
- Abhai Mishra : email : abhai_mishra@rediffmail.com
Beginners’ Section
Yamini. K Class 11, student of St. Joseph Sec. School, Thalassery, Kannur Distt. Kerala, won the first prize in Stamp design competition 2015 organized by India Post. Yamini is close relative of philatelist from Trivandrum, Mr Sreejesh Krishnan who is a regular Contributor to Rainbow .
Yamini’s painting ( Before submitting for competition) selected for children's day 2015 stamp
Yamini’s achievements
· First Prize in Oil Painting - Kerala School Kalolsavam 2015.
· First Prize in the State level Painting Competition conducted by Lalitha Kala Academy in 2015.
· ‘Kala Darppan’ Award by Akhil Bharathiya Nagarik Vikas Kendra, Aurangabad.
· First Prize in the State Level Painting competition conducted by Forest Department, Kerala 2015.
· First Prize in the State level painting competition by ‘Balarama’ in 2015.
· Jury Award in the painting competition conducted by Pondicherry Art Academy.
· A Grade in water colour painting – Kerala School Kalolsavam 2015.
· First Prize in Water colour – State level competition conducted by ‘Vidyarangam Kala SahityaVedi’ in 2015.
· Award in Clint Memorial International Children’s Painting Competition in 2014.
· First Prize & Gold Medal in the P.R.Kurup Smaraka State Level Painting Competition and Best Painting Award given in memory of G.Karthikeyan (late) in 2015.
· First Prize in State level Poster designing contest conducted by Kerala State Bio-diversity Board in 2013.
Specialized Section
Some Remarkable Cancellations and Postmarks – 34
- Dr. Avinash B. Jagtap
Agra Local Cancellations (Renouf Type 27)
Type 27 and is a duplex cancellation used at Agra, which was the headquarters of United Provinces Circle in 1864. The left duplex shows an incomplete circle interrupted by “AGRA” and the date in the centre. The right duplex is an oval (19x14 mm) formed by bars parallel to the short axis, with a small circle inset containing the number “1”. This cancellation was in use between 1861 and 1865.
INLAND USE
1862 Folded letter sheet bearing Half Anna adhesive obliterated by Renouf Type 27 cancel of Agra “AGRA /AU 21/62=1”, from Agra to Allahabad. The adhesive additionally cancelled by a cross in blue ink. Back-stamped “TOO LATE” (Renouf Type 77) and arrival mark “ALLAHBAD/23/AU”.
Overseas use of Renouf Type 27
1864 Cover from Agra to Brighton (England), franked by 4 As(SG46)+2As (SG44)+8 Pies(SG52) and obliterated by Agra Local Cancellation, “AGRA /MA 23/ 64 = 1” endorsed, via Bombay and Marseilles, “INDIA / PAID” in rectangle. B/S “EX/ BOMBAY / MR 2/64” & Arrival mark of Brighton, Postage Paid: 6 As and 8 Pies for letters less than ½ Ounce, via Marseilles to GB as per 1 June 1863.
Any correspondence is welcome -- Dr Avinash B. Jagtap : email : abjagtap@hotmail.com
Rabindranath Tagore : Doodling made him Artist
© Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal
In 1924, while writing “Purabi” and later, in “Kheya”, Tagore started “doodling” on the pages of his manuscript – crossing out lines that he did not like and turning them into forms and shapes.
Cover page of ‘Purabi' and original 1924 Manuscript depicted on Booklet Covers issued by Chhattisgarh Philatelic Association andKolkata GPO, India to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, 2011
These were prompted by a desire to rescue the pages of his manuscript from the ignominy of being filled with scars after thorough scratching and turn them into pleasant sights. The attempts soon took hold over him and these doodles had a way of joining up and taking a life of their own.
Doodles from manuscripts
The doodles resembled the irregularity of consciousness and poetic imagination, revealing certain underlying forms when they were interlaced with words into a ‘complete and rhythmical configuration’ .These dark creatures look exotic and resemble the pre-historic cave paintings.
Doodleslooking like pre-historic cave paintings as background and Tagore’s paintings on Miniature Sheet issued to commemorate 150th Anniversary of Tagore, Guinea-Bissau 2011
The game of making a virtue out of the defect soon developed into a full-blown desire to paint and thus began his adventures into the realm of the visual.
In Tagore’s own words, “The scattered scratches and corrections in my manuscripts were like a gapingly foolish crowd, stuck in a wrong place. So I tried to make my corrections dance, connect them in a rhythmic relationship.”
‘Where the mind is without fear’ executed c 1910, Nandlal Bose collection
Why it all started with ‘Porabi’ is an interesting story to know. During his visit to China , Japan and then to South America by sea in 1924-25, in way to Buenos Aires (Argentina), he fallen ill seriously and had to keep himself inside the cabin all the while. The crossing was rough and his mind was despondent with the saddest thoughts of the tragedy of love and death.
Doodle on inside cover of Booklet, India 2011
It was in this mood of mind that he strove to while away the painfully dragging hours in his cabin, writing poetry. These are the well-known poems of Porabi with their calligraphic erasures about which the Poet says: “When the scratches in my manuscript cried, like sinners, for salvation, and assailed my eyes with the ugliness of irrelevance, I often took more time in rescuing them into a merciful finality of rhythm than in carrying on what was my obvious task.” And explaining the reason why he did so, he says: “The only training which I had from my young days was the training in rhythm, rhythm in thought, and rhythm in sound. I had come to know that rhythm gives reality to that which is desultory.”
“Rhythm” in Doodle, S/Ss,Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau 2011
To continue, when Tagore landed in Buenos Aires, he was a tired and exhausted man. On doctor’s advice he discontinued his journey for Peru, his final destination and decided to stay with his Argentinian hostess Victoria Ocampo , who with a quite authority born of a loving concern, whisked him away to her suburban home at San Isidro.
Victoria Ocampo
The country-side, reminding him of his native Bengal, the salubrious climate, and, above all, the self-effacing ministration of Victoria Ocampo who found an able aide in Leonard Elmhirst who had accompanied the Poet as his private secretary on this trip, worked a miracle. Tagore felt rested and restored and he took himself to his usual poetry-making, with picture ¬making thrown in.
It was about this time that the miracle happened: Victoria, for whom the Poet started entertaining a very high regard, one day, discovered one of his doodles and found it a work of art.
Victoria Ocampo discovered one of his doodles as a work of art
In a letter to his daughter-in-law, he himself explained this event “When our hostess here (Victoria Ocampo) happened to see the result this morning (December 1924) as it lay on my table, she had the surprise of her life. Lest it should get spoilt in the folding, she has arranged for a large size cover to send it in."
Here was his first recognition as a painter and it came from one whose acumen, judgment and far-sightedness deserve the unstinted gratitude of all admirers of Tagore as an artist.
It was a matter of happy coincidence that when in May 1930 the first exhibition of Tagore's paintings was opened at Galerie Pigalle in Paris, Victoria Ocampo became its principal sponsor-thus sharing her delight in these creations with the world at large.
Victoria Ocampo and Tagore during his Painting Exhibition,
Postal Envelope, Spain 2011
A series of international shows for one long year, from May 1930 to May 1931, Tagore’s exhibitions in France, U. K., Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, U. S. S. R. and U. S. A. were sheer history with a remarkable trail of success and appreciation which fuelled his confidence tremendously and he took to painting more self-consciously.
Front cover of the illustrated catalogue of Rabindranath Tagore’s first ever solo exhibition in India, at Government Art School, Calcutta, 1932 and his painting of Rose depicted on cover of the Booklet issued by Kolkata GPO,India 2011
The act of painting served as a breathing space for the poet between his tireless hours of continuous writing. Ocampo observed how after long hours of writing at the end of the day, he loved to paint in the fading light. His mind raced as fast as he painted, that he hardly cared in which colour he is dipping his brush.
His European sojourns during the closing years of the nineteenth century brought him into contact with the art movements of the time - Morris and Art Nouveau. One can see the hangover of this movement in the flourish of his signatures, both in Bengali and in English, where he let his hand move in suave calligraphy.
Tagore's Bengali-language initials known as Rabindranath’s ‘Ra-Tha’ seal, and the salmon-trout head motif of Haida art, from the north-west coast of North America is remarkable. Tagore embellished his manuscripts with such art.
The salmon-trout head motif of Haida art, from the north-west coast of North America. And Rabindranath’s ‘Ra-Tha’ seal, designed by him, incorporating his initials in Bengali.
It is also the first example of his art appeared on an FDC of India 1961, to commemorate the Birth Centenary of Rabindranath Tagore and after that on the margin of an s/s of Mozambique 2011, released in commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Tagore.
Tagore’s ‘Ra-Tha’ seal depicted on FDC, India 1961 and on margin of S/S issued by Mozambique 2011
One more example of the depiction of this seal can also be witnessed on a special cover of India as background, commemorating this occasion during 25thall India postal cultural meet on Feb 23, 2011 in Kolkata.
‘Ra-Tha’ seal as background of Special cover, India 2011
Although, monochromatic to start with, which always carried a mysterious signature, his paintings began to acquire colour as be became surer of his style. Pen and ink drawings came first, followed by the use of one or more colours in landscapes, figures and portraits – he tried his hand at everything.
Tagore’s paintings
He painted most of his pictures in single sittings. To draw at a very later age in life, and within a span of a little less than two decades, from 1924 till 1941, he produced over 2,500 pieces. The drawings of Rabindranath Tagore proved that the poet, though a master in the use of words, felt that certain things can be better expressed, or perhaps only expressed in the language of line, tone and colour.
And he says, “My pictures are verses in lines.”
Although critiques found glimpses of expressionism in his style, but Rabindranath never followed the orthodox manner of any particular” ism”. It is a fact that no other artist has been successful in imitating his style. He is truly the “First Indian Modern Painter”.
THE AUSTRALIAN KANGAROOS STAMPS
Col (Dr) J Dutta & Dr (Mrs) A Dutta
The ‘Kangaroo and Map’ stamps, commonly known as kangaroos’ or ‘Roos’ are Australia’s classic issues. Many are under the impression that they are Australia’s first issues. They were not. In fact the uniform Postage Dues of 1902 preceded the Roos by 11 years.
1d and £2 stamp in the Kangaroo and Map series
The design survived for 35 years, from the Penny Red issued on 1 January 1913 until its replacement in 1948. Altogether there were 16 values, three of which were colour changes. There are also a number of distinct die states in certain values. If to this is added a wide range of shades and a host of plate flaws, one has a issue that can give much entertainment to both the novice and the specialist.
Charles Edward Frazer (1880-1913) was the Labour Postmaster-General who played the leading role in developing the Kangaroo stamp design.
A set of 19 different stamps fine used would cost about a thousand pounds and well over twice that amount in mounted mint. Yet there are collectors whose Kangaroo collection is worth more than a million pounds.
It took over 13 years after Federation for Australia to issue its first postage stamp. The reasons are a complex of political and economic factors.
A number of essays were produced in these years but none moved beyond preliminary art work. In 1910 Samuel! Reading, a Melbourne engraver was commissioned to produce a design featuring a full face portrait of the new monarch King George V. His design was rejected as being amateurish, yet the following year it was adopted for the first post and letter cards. In 1911 the government launched a design competition like it was done before the introduction of the Penny Black in Britain and the first air mail stamps of India. Over a thousand entries were received from about 500 people of these three were selected for cash prize though none of these designs were finally accepted. A Victorian artist Blamire Young was commissioned to produce a series of new designs. His work, the Kangaaroo and Map made public in April 1912. The preliminary design underwent a series of changes, most prominently the change from a horizontal to vertical format, before being finally approved.
In Australia the Roos produced a row as being ‘unpatriotic’ and ‘anti mother England’. The design was ridiculed and those responsible were harangued in the press. The Labour government went out in 1914 which saw the introduction of the first George V heads but the Kangaroos endured and outlived many of its critics.
The Kangaroos were entirely home grown, designed, printed and perforated in Australia though on paper made in England. The water marks were however distinctively Australian. Proof material are rare and highly raised are proofs of the developmental stages.
Left is the first design released to the public in April 1912.
The other two are paste-up essays (now in the Australia Post Archival collection) in the development of the final accepted designs.
Major varieties are large retouches and substituted transfers. Among the best known are the 2 ½ d ‘Missing Fraction’) i.e. 1 of 1/2 ) caused by ink clogging and the 6d ‘Broken Leg’ in both blue and brown printing. Double perforation is found in many values. In 2001 Gary Watson sold a strip of three ‘Imperf Three Sides’ for ₤ 30,800. Inverted watermarks also come up.
An increasingly popular field of collecting are the Kangaroos defaced for use as Service stamps. Originally this was done by applying an ‘OS, (Official Service) perfins of various state governments as ‘OS/NSW’ or ‘G/NSW for New South Wales, ‘T’ for Tasmania, ‘VG for Victoria and ‘A/A’ in two sizes for Western Australia.
CA monogram on left hand corner strip of 3
Values of 10/-, ₤ 1 and ₤ 2 are found handstamped with the word ‘Specimen’. Plating the Roos even the rare ₤ 1 and ₤ 2 values is also an important field of study. Many of the Roos on cover are rare and in some issues not yet recorded. Even the humble ½ d green is difficult to find on cover.
The 10/-, £1 & £2 were either hand stamped or overprinted with the word SPECIMEN and made available to collectors at a fraction the price of an original.
The best reference work on the Roos is ‘The Australian Commonwealth Specialists’ Catalogue’ published by Brusden White.
References
H.Dormer Legge, The Kangaroo Issues of the stamps of the Commonwealth of Australia. Melbourne: Orlo Smith & Co, 1948.
£1 Brown & Blue, 3rd wmk – BW 52zc. Harrison two-line imprint (N over MP) block of 4. From the Arthur Gray collection this remarkable Imprint block smashed the Australian record for an individual philatelic item when auctioned by Shreve Philatelic Galleries in 2007. The sum of $265,395 was achieved – Image courtesy Shreves Philatelic Galleries, New York.
A letter to France with the franking consisting of 2 x 1d Roos and a bisected 1d to make up the 2½d foreign letter rate of 1914. Whilst the bisection was surely illegal, it was tolerated. Maybe the PO had run out of ½d or 2½d’s, a most interesting Cover – Courtesy of private collector Tim Rodger, Mildura Vic
- Col Jayanta Dutta & Dr Anjali Dutta email : doctorjayanta2009@gmail.com
Lighter Side
Collection of stamps and Coins are parallel to each other. One who collects stamps had certainly collected some coins in the childhood. Same is with the collectors of coins. There are some who love to collect both. So I am giving this interesting article for the lovers of stamp and coin collectors. – Editor
UN-USUAL COINS(Pt 2)
© Dr. Satyendra Kumar Agrawal
Contd from the last….
5. MAPS
In their continuing series of odd-shaped multi-coloured coins, Somalia released a six coin set of 1 Dollar denomination in map shaped coins for 2013. Each coin is shaped in the outline of a country and ofapproximately 38mm (1.5 inches) in size. It appears they picked the countries with the largest numbers of active coin collectors. Each map shaped coin is decorated with a design from the nation’s flag. Included are Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Russia and United States (without Alaska and Hawaii). The date, denomination and arms of Somalia are on the back.
International Maps shaped coins of Somalia 2013
Few other countries also put out in market their Map shaped coins. On the In 2002, to commemorate the introduction of the Euro common currency, Republic of Nauru released a Europa coin,in the shape of the nations that comprise the European Union madefrom 99.999 fine silver and has a denomination of 10 Australian dollars (the island's usual currency).
EUROPA Coin of Nauru 2002
Zambia went all out to celebrate the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, issuing Australian- and Zambian-shaped coins. The silver proof 5000 Kwacha coin shows the two countries joined together but you would never know by the design that Australia is about ten times the size of Zambia! The front of the coin shows six athletes on a track, while the back is adorned with Queen Elizabeth II, the Zambian coat of arms and the Sydney Opera House.
Zambia in honour of the 2000 Sydney Olympics
The map-shaped concept was pioneered by The Perth Mint of Australia who minted a set of 4 Australian map shaped silver coins for Uganda in 2002 to mark the bicentenary of Matthew Flinders’ circumnavigation of Terra Australis. The set included colour designs celebrating Flinders’ ship, HMS Investigator, and his historic meeting with French explorer Nicolas Baudin at Encounter Bay in April 1802.
Australian map shaped silver coins of Uganda, 2002
In honour of Australian pioneers of aviation including Charles Kingsford Smith, Charles Ulm, Bert Hinkler and Rev John Flynn’s Royal Flying Doctor Service,Tuvalu four-coin set of 2002 was also minted by the Perth Mint of Australia.
Australian map shaped silver coins of Tuvalu, 2002
But this concept of Australian map shaped coins for Australia itself adopted in 2010 with a surprising success that pointed to further potential interest among collectors. Designed as a ‘display’ piece for the Shanghai World Expo, this 1oz silver coin incorporates the Australian Pavilion kookaburra mascot in the unique contemporary design, depicting a map of the Australian continent. The majority of the 30,000 Australian legal tender coins were sold in China under an exclusive distribution agreement.
First Australian map shaped silver coin of Australia, 2010
The success of map shaped coins led Australia to think of a regular series featuring native Australian animals. Few depicted here are the native Australian kookaburra, an emu, a kangaroo, a Platypus and Saltwater Crocodile against backgrounds of iconic Australian landscapes. All are depicted on coin’s coloured reverse within inscription animal’s name, the Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark and year-date.
Regular series of Australian map shaped 1oz silver coins issued during 2012, 2013 and 2014 Common obverse of above coins
The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the monetary denomination are depicted on the coin’s obverse.
Common obverse of above coins
Two map shaped 10 Diner Silver Coloured coins of Andorra released in 2013 also depicted its "Nature Treasures “ within map of Andorra. These are Polar bear and Golden eagle.
Map of Andorra shaped coins, Andorra 2013
There are many more Map shaped coins of other countries too with embedded articles discussed elsewhere in this article.
6. EIFFEL TOWER
The Eiffel Tower, considered one of the greatest engineering feats in the world was completed one hundred and twenty five years ago in 1889.The Treasury of the Government of the British Virgin Islands has launched an innovative coin which marks the 125th anniversary of the completion of the Eiffel Tower and incorporates the very shape of the monument in the coin itself.
The coin, struck by the Pobjoy Mint, UK – is a faithful replica of the tower, and includes intricate detail of the girders – itself, a feat of engineering for the Mint who designed this unusual and unique coin. The reverse of the coin also includes a portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II along with the text “ELIZABETH II” along the arches and “BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 2014” along the length of the tower.
Both sides of the Eiffel Tower shaped coin of British Virgin Islands, 2014
7. THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE
Not shying away from its notorious legacy, Bermuda embraced the legend of the Bermuda Triangle with a series of triangular coins, the first coming in 1970. The coins are prized among collectors and feature images of ships sailing in the Atlantic. One 1996 release even displayed the wreckage of the Sea Venture, a 17th-century English ship that crashed into the reefs off of Bermuda.Queen Elizabeth II's portrait appears on their obverses and shipping scenes on their reverses. One more gold coins in Triangular shape appeared in 1997 and a set of three as part of the Shipwreck series in 2007 featuring the galleon San Pedro which was lost off the California coast in 1595, Manilla 1739 and Santa Lucia 1584
Triangular coins of Bermuda1970, 1996 and 2007
Popularity of Triangular shaped inspired many other countries too to mint their coins in this shape.
“Milk delivery “Canada 2008
- Dr Satyendra Kumar Agrawal : email : rosephila@hotmail.com
New issues from other Countries
Finland
22 January 2016 : Nordic Food Culture
Denmark
4 January 2016 : Nordic Food Culture
Estonia
Christmas is all around
Christmas is a mixture of the traditional, the modern, the secular, and the religious. Like in other Nordic states, Estonia’s celebration of Christmas mostly falls on Christmas Eve, however, Christmas season starts from Advent with people buying Advent calendars or lighting Advent candles.
In Estonia, as in the other Baltic nations, Christmas is associated with the winter solstice, which was celebrated before the Christian aspect of the holiday prevailed in importance.
While the Advent is observed, Estonians really kick off the Christmas holidays on December 23 and celebrate through Christmas Day. This holiday is best celebrated up North, with snow on the ground! Wrapping up warm and taking a stroll through the frosty streets of Tallinn’s Old City heralds the holiday spirit far better than lazing about in a hammock in the Bahamas !
Poland
20 November 2015 : National Polish day of children's rights - 1,75 PLN
Blogs & Websites
1. Forces in Philately - http://gunsinstamps.blogspot.in/ - .A new blog has been created by Commodore Vijay Kapre of New Delhi, featuring philatelic items related with our Armed Forces.
2. Praful Thakkar’s Exotic gallery of Indian Philately - http://www.indianphilatelics.com/ : It is a complete website on Indian Philately created by noted philatelist Mr Praful Thaakkar
3. Welcome to the World of Indian Philately - http://www.indianphilately.net/
An exclusive website created by Mr Prashant Pandya dedicated to Indian Philately .The philatelists can register for “ Online Philatelists’ Directory ” on this website.
4.Virtual Stamp Club http://www.virtualstampclub.com/index.html It is website for On Line collectors. Membership is free. Many collectors around the world are its members.
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5.Indian Thematics - http://www.indianthematics.blogspot.in/ - A new blog created by noted Thematic Philatelist Mr Dinesh Chandra Sharma. This blog is all about Thematic Philately.
6. Indian Philatelists’ Forum - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/indianphilatelists/
This is an electronic discussion forum dedicated exclusively to Indian Philately that allows members to engage into meaningful discussions on all aspects of Indian Philately. Membership to the forum is open to all philatelists who have interest in Indian Philately. Members can share and discuss their ideas, knowledge, research, collections, events, exhibitions, auctions, publications exclusively related to Indian Philately.
7. The best stamps - http://thebeststamps.blogspot.co.uk/ It’s a beautiful blog created by Julian Fernandes of Pune ( Now living in UK) featuring lovely stamps of birds with the photos of the same birds giving a wonderful look !!
8. Numismatic & Philatelic Association - http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm - This Numismatic & Philatelic Association is a nonprofit and non-trade motive association that aims to promote the hobbies – Philately (Stamp Collection) and Numismatics (Coin Collection) among children, students, interested individuals among the general public and especially for the budding philatelists and numismatists.
9. How to Collect Stamps - http://www.howtocollectstamps.com/ : The Complete Guide To Stamp Collecting
10.GANDHI Stamps & Philately Study Circle : http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.in/ - A new Blog by Ketan Patel .…. Saving Gandhi Philately by trying to bring awareness and exposing illegal activities in Gandhi Stamps and Philately.
11. Europa Stamps : http://europa-stamps.blogspot.in/ : A blog on Europa, cept, norden & sepac stamps
12. Phila Mirror : http://philamirror.info/ : The Indian Philately Journal
13. Se- tenant Stamps of India - http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com/ It is a specialized Blog on se-tenant stamps.
14. Flags & Stamps - http://flagstamps.blogspot.com/ - It is a specialized blog on Flag Theme .
15. Glimpses of Modern Indian Philately : http://modernindianphilately.blogspot.com/ - It is a specialized blog on Modern Philately, created by Mr Prashant Pandya .
16. Question & Answers on Philately : http://en.allexperts.com/q/Stamps-Philately- 1610/indexExp_69442.htm - It is a site based on Question & Answers on Philately. Mr Prashant Pandya replies to queries.
17. Philatelic Journalists Forum - http://philatelicjournalistsforum.blogspot.in/ “The Philatelic Journalists” is an initiative by a few enthusiast philatelists, who love the hobby to the deepest.
18. The Philatelist - http://o-filatelista.blogspot.in/ - A blog with lot of info about stamps and philatelic activities around the world.
19. Phila India - http://philaindia.info/index.html - Website created by Mahesh Reddiar with lot of info and articles on philately .
20. Princess Diana – Queen of Hearts - http://princessdiana-queenofhearts.blogspot.in/ - New Blog by noted philatelist of Orissa Mr Santanu Panigrahi.
21. Stamp Magazine - http://blog.stampmagazine.co.uk/ This blog is updated by Adrian Keppel every Friday with new Articles on a variety of subjects
Philatelic Clubs & Societies
Baroda Philatelic Society - http://www.vadophil.org/
Chandigarh Philatelic Club
Deccan Philatelic Society – Pune, Maharashtra
Eastern India Philatelists’ Association - http://www.filacapsule.blogspot.com/
India Study Circle - http://www.indiastudycircle.org/
Indian Stamp Ghar - http://www.indianstampghar.com/
Indian Thematic Society, Ludhiana - http://indianthematicstamps.webs.com/
Ludhiana Philatelic Club
Mobile Philately - http://www.mobilephilately.webs.com/
Numismatic & Philatelic Association of Vellore Fort http://numismaticphilavellore.site40.net/index.htm
Philatelic Society of Rajasthan, Jaipur
Rainbow Stamp Club - http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/
Rajkot Philatelic Society – Rajkot, Gujarat
Gujarat Philatelic Association - Ahmedabad
South India Philatelists Association - http://www.sipa.org.in/
Stamps of India - http://www.stampsofindia.com/
The Army Philatelic Society, Pune
Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters
Stamp of India Collectors’ Companion - India’s first weekly e-newsletter edited by Madhukar and Savita Jhingan from Stamps of India, New Delhi. E-mail: mjhingan@yahoo.com Website: www.stampsofindia.com
India Post – Quarterly Journal of the India Study Circle publishes original articles submitted by members of ISC.
ITS Stamp News - Quarterly - Editor: Suraj Jaitly Publisher: Indian Thematic Society website - http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/
VADOPHIL, Editor - Prashant Pandya and published by Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara. Website -http://www.vadophil.org/
Journal of the Army Philatelic Society : Editor – Col Jayanta Dutta
SIPA Bulletin http://www.sipa.org.in/
GPA News – Published by Gujarat Philatelists’ Association, Ahemadabad.
Stamps Today – Stamp & Coin Magazine edited by Vijay Seth
RAINBOW STAMP CLUB
This is a blog of e-stamp Club www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com . The idea of this blog is to extend philatelic fraternity in all corners of the world. Readers may write about themselves with their collecting interests and share new ideas with other philatelists. New Post on recent issues, news on stamp activities and Contribution by members are published every day on this blog.Readers may also express their views on any philatelic matter which will be published under Club News at Rainbow Stamp Cub Blog. Philatelic Clubs and Societies may also send brief write ups. News about new issues of India and abroad and other information related with Philately are regularly posted on this blog. Readers may send reports on new issues, special covers, cancellations & philatelic activities of their area for inclusion in this Blog. - Editor
Courtesy - News and Image Resource to this issue : International Stamp News; Indian Philately Digest ; Stamps of India ; Europa Stamps Abhai Mishra - Dehradun, Prashant Pandya – Vadodara, Sreejesh Krishnan – Trivandrum;Jagannath Mani & Nikhilesh Melkote from Bangalore; Ajay Mittal – New Delhi
Address for communication:
Jeevan Jyoti, c / o Mr. Ajay Srivastav Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box No. 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248002. India
E-mail – j.jyoti9@gmail.com
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…..Happy Collecting…………………………………………………………………
Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti, from Dehradun ( Uttarakhand) India.