Standing Together for Peace
Help for the people of Ukraine
United for peace - Standing together is the order of the day
In difficult times, solidarity with our fellow
human beings is a major and extremely important asset. It helps, conveys a
sense of hope, comforts and inspires a feeling of strength. This special stamp
with surcharge is a mark of solidarity by Austrian Post – at a time when for
some people the outbreak of war in Ukraine is costing them everything they have
got.
Heroes of the COVID Pandemic
Date of Issue : 23 March 2022
Dehradun April
2022 Vol. XV Issue No. 172
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 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
Editorial….
Dear Reader,
I am pleased to release April 2022
issue of Rainbow Stamp News. Recently World Stamp Exhibition HUNfilex 2022
concluded at Budapest, Hungary. Indian participants did very well in this
exhibition and Mr Anand Kakad becomes the first Indian to win A Gold medal in
Thematic Class. It is a proud moment for the philatelic community and a big
encouragement for the thematic exhibitors. He has proved that winning Gold in
Thematics is not impossible. Madhukar Deogawanka won Large Vermeil with Special
Prize for his book 'Indian Stamp Booklets' in the Literature Class which is highly
commendable. It is another feather in India’s philatelic cap! Well-deserved and
well awarded ! Heartiest Congratulations
to all the winners!
Another issue which has hit the world
today…is Russia - Ukraine War …..Help Ukraine !
Austria becomes the first country to
issue a semi-postal stamp to support and help Ukraine in this state of crisis.
It is an act of solidarity. Why not other postal administrations of the world
including India Post come forward and bring out such semi-postal charity stamps to help Ukraine. It
is not just a financial support but an appeal to every nation of the world to
stand with Ukraine !
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
§
Thematic Watch
§
Specialized Section
§ Beginners’ Section
§ Book Review
§ Lighter Side
§ New Issues from Other Countries
§ Philatelic Clubs and Society
§ Blogs & Websites on Philately
§ Current Philatelic Magazines & Newsletters
HELP UKRAINE BY BUYING SEMI POSTAL
STAMPS
(About Standing Together for Peace - Help for the People of Ukraine)
We
always say philately for love, friendship and to strengthen the bond of
friendship between people and nation. But today is the time when we need stamp
to help people and nation and of course to build and strengthen the relations.
Stamp has happened several times in the past also.
Semi
Postal or Charity stamps have been issued from time to time to help a
particular cause. Ordinary postage stamps are surcharged or even a mail piece
is surcharged before transmission to help needy with the surcharged amount
normally known as charity amount or charity surcharge. The buyer pays in
addition to the postage that is donated to the designated charity. The needy
who may be a single or a group or a community or a nation are victims of
calamity caused may be by way of disaster caused by war, pandemic, nature
(natural disasters) or calamities like flood, earthquake, draught etc. or maybe
economic breakdown of a country or state due to several reasons or other social
projects. Such semi- postal
or charity stamps are the demand of the time. It certainly inculcates the habit
of showing concern for any social or humanitarian cause. It genuinely
strengthens the relations between people and nations. Issuance of semi postal
or charity stamps for fund raising has been a tradition for years and in every religion,
it has positive attributes.
I
understand the first such charity or semi-postal stamps were issued by
Switzerland in 1912. That began an annual series of "Pro Juventute-For the
Children" and was the beginning of the thousands of charity stamps which
helped various people from time to time. Though these stamps are charity stamps
but some catalogues such as the Scott catalogue calls these stamps
semi-postals. Generally, these stamps are sold to collectors, and the protocols
of kindness encourage people in countries that issue these stamps to use
semi-postals on mail like wedding invitations and other happy events. Popular
semi-postal stamp designees are groups like the International Red Cross, the
Red Crescent, and children's charities. Previously, many countries had funded
anti-TB efforts and other health projects through semi-postals.
Well, today I am going to talk about semi-postal stamps
issued only yesterday i.e.. 31st march 2022 by Osterreichische Post
(face value 1-euro and premium or surcharge of 2-euro) as an act of solidarity
to help the affected persons of Ukraine
who are suffering from the outcome
/consequences of a deadly war which broke out in Europe in
February this year. This has affected millions of people both directly and
indirectly. The mission for which this
semi postal stamp has been issued is given the slogan “About Standing
Together for Peace - Help for the People of Ukraine”. The stamp will
have its half of the 2-euro premium go to two experienced relief organizations,
that are the Austrian organization “Nachbar in Not” and the international
organization UNICEF. Both are partners for the issue of this commemorative
stamp.
In the past also the
Österreichische Post has provided support during humanitarian disasters and
for social projects with semi-postal stamps. Two examples are the 2016 UNICEF
stamp “A fair chance for every child” and the “70 years SOS Children’s
Villages” stamp issued in 2019 whose premium benefitted SOS Children’s
Villages.
Ukraine
has suffered tremendously due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and
the people of Ukraine need help urgently. A small token of charity by way of
purchasing these semi postal stamps will certainly give them some relief. Just
think if not only Austria but other nations also come forward on humanitarian
grounds, it will help the sufferers in a big way. The
said semi-postal stamp “Together for peace” is available from Österreichische
Post‘s collector service centre, at postal branches, at philately points of
sale and on its online shop. By buying this one can certainly provide effective
help to the needy people of Ukraine
I
feel semi -postal stamps should be issued by every postal administration not
only to help people or to support the charity projects in their country but to
any country throughout the world.
I
appeal to India post and even the private courier services to come up with
charity stamps right now for the help of Ukraine people.
Although
stamp collectors and philatelists are buying such stamps not for postal
purposes but for collection only which gives them philatelic pleasure and, at
the same time benefit the charitable and social groups that they are interested
in. This kind of collecting and stamp issuance has a long tradition. However, I
still appeal that more and more of them
all over the world should also buy these stamps as an act of kindness,
solidarity and humanitarianism.
Finally, I shall highly appreciate the act of
solidarity by Österreichische Post and wish other postal administration shall
also come forward to issue such semi postal stamps and more and more
philatelists to buy such stamps not only
for their pleasure but for promotion and strengthen this act of solidarity and
humanitarianism.
YET ANOTHER MAJOR STEP : HATS OFF
TO PCI
I
mean now the transparency, opportunity and widening of the scope for the
members has become motto of PCI. My heartiest thanks to PCI and hope it will
keep moving in this direction
PCI
is now strongly representing itself in world philatelic meets and stamping its
presence and importance also. Of late it has been gathered from PCI sources
that at the Bangkok Thematic Guidelines discussions, several changes were made
at instance of PCI in general. Some of those are proposed to be ratified soon
by the FIP Congress. A great achievement and good news for Indian Philatelists.
-Naresh Agrawal: email – nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in
Recent Indian
Issues
5 February 2022 : 50th
Anniversary of ICRISAT - Rs 5
16 February 2022 : Delhi Police – Platinum Jubilee – Rs 5
18 February
2022 : Joint celebrations of the year of 50th Anniversary of UAE's formation
and the 75th Anniversary of the Independence of India – Rs 25
20 February
2022 : 50 Years of Arunachal Pradesh – Rs 5
21 February
2022 : President Fleet Review 2022 Visakhapatnam - Rs 5
13 March
2022 : Rashtriya Military Academy – Rs5
3 April 2022
: India and Turmenistan- 30n Years of Partnership MS + 2 x Rs 25
1 April 2022 :
Jasuapur Mahotsav : Bhubaneswara
Special Cover
– KTK/030/2022 - Mysuru Betel Leaf.
Mysuru betel leaf is being cultivated from the period of Maharajas of
Mysuru in palace gardens as well as in villages surrounding Mysuru taluk. These
leaves are heart shaped and texture of the leaves is very smooth. The presence
of black clay soil with moderate rainfall and temperature makes Mysuru betel
leaf unique to that particular locality. The Government of India has granted GI
Tag No. 34 to Mysuru Betel Leaf on 30th January 2006.
Special Cover – KTK/031/2022 – Ganjifa Cards.
Traditionally hand-painted by artisans, Ganjifa cards of Mysuru hold historical
importance besides holding aesthetic and artistic value. This unique fine art
form blends the exquisite art of miniature painting and craft, with cards
typically based on epic themes giving them an exclusive look and feel. The
artistic skill of this traditional craft is seen in its adoption of designs
with minute details. These cards arc made in different sizes and shapes. The
epic Ramayana has 28 to 1008 cards whereas Dasavatara has 120 cards. The Govt
of India has granted GI Tag No. 60 to Ganjifa Cards on 28 March 2008.
Special Cover
– KTK/032/2022 - Karnataka Bronzeware.
The craft is practiced in Bengaluru, Kolar, Chitradurga and Mandya districts of
Karnataka. Religious idols; temple bells, vessels, lamps and other ritual wares
are cast in bronze. This craft is an amalgamation of art and science in
creating poetic rendering of gods. The craftsman who makes the images in bronze
are known as stapathies. The uniqueness of Karnataka Bronzeware was recognized
and granted Geographical Indication in the year 2006 by Government of India
under GJ indication no. 62.
Special Cover - KTK-016-2022 Prof H.S Bhat- Doyen of Indian Urology.
Prof. Hattangadi Shashtdhar Bhat (1921-2010) is regarded as the Doyen of
Indian Urology who had laid the foundation for growth and development of
urology in India. This special cover is released in grateful remembrance of his
contributions, during the decennial year of Department of Urology, Kasturba
Medica I College. Mangaluru.
Special Cover - KTK-62-2021 "We for Kannada" (Kannadakkagi
Naavu).
Department of Kannada and Culture, Government of Karnataka, on the eve
of 66'" Karnataka Rajyothsava celebrations, aims at popularising Kannada
language and culture through a unique campaign "We for Kannada"
(Kannadakkagi Naavu). Department of Posts is proud to be associated with this
campaign through release of this special cover.
In the
News
Results of Hunfilex 2022
World Stamp Exhibition
Large Vermeil
+ Special Prize
Heartiest Congratulations !
1. Anand Kakad 2. Madhukar Deogawanka 3. KS Mohan 4.Late Shri OM Prakash Jagati 5. Rajesh Bhura 6. SS Rath 7. Piyush Khaitan 8. m. Ramchandran 9. Ajay Kumar Mittal 10. Rajesh Jhunjhunwala
It is sad to
inform the Readers that Shri Om Prakash Jagati noted philatelist from
Bangalore and participant at Hunfilex 2022 passed away on 28 March 2022. Our
Heartfelt Condolences !
Indian Participants
M Ramachandran - Kingdom of Cochin. 66 SB
Rajesh Bhura - Unpaid and Underpaid Mails of British India V 80
Rajesh Jhunjhunwala - Postal History of India - British Era (1854 - 1876) V 87
Piyush Khaitan - Indian Airmails During World War II - Routes, Rates and Civilian
Censorship. V 82
Piyush Khaitan - Indian Crash Mail 1919 Onwards LV 88 +SP
K S Mohan - Postal History of Travancore. V 83
Shanti Swarup Rath - French Indian Settlements V 83
Ajay Kumar Mittal-
Indian Princely State Kishangarh. V 86
Late Om Prakash Jagati - From Cloud to Ocean: It's All About Me. LS 77
Anand Maruti Kakad - The Phasainidae Family of Birds G 90
Vijayakumar S - Water Birds SB 65
Rajesh Bhura - Mahatma Gandhi “The Man of the Millenium S 72…
Madhukar Deogawanka - Indian Stamp
Booklets (Literature). LV + SP 87
Result
British Thematic Association : 2nd Virtual One page Competition
New e –
Books
An
excellent e-book has been issued by CPMG, HP Postal circle “ Himachal Pradesh
Through Philately. The book has a complete list of stamps related to Himachal
Pradesh, Special Covers issued by HP Postal circle as well as postcards,
special cancellations and permanent pictorial cancellations, Maxim Cards and
details of other philatelic activities held in Himachal Pradesh. It can be free downloaded at : https://online.fliphtml5.com/vpean/jrmn/ .This
is an excellent reference book for every stamp lover.
Himachal
Prtadesh Through Philately
e -
Book issued by CPMG HP Postal Circle, Shimla
Children's books based on Singapore stamps
"Philatelic Rambling in Singapore History:
The Japanese Occupation 1942-1945."
By Tan Wee Kiat
Philately Delights in Asean
By Tan Wee Kiat
Philatelic Rambling in Singapore Money By Tan Wee Kiat
 |
New Permanent Cancellations from Himachal
Pradesh
HP Postal circle released 4 new permanent cancellations Kee
Gompa, Kibber, Hikkim and Tabo. These can be obtained by sending self-addressed
postcards or envelopes to the postmaster of respective post offices.
Commissioner
for HELVETIA 2022, Philatelic Exhibition
The
exhibition will include WSC, Traditional, Postal History, Aero-Philately,
Postal Stationery, Thematic, One Frame (TR, PH, PS, AE & TH) and Philatelic
Literature Classes only. Details at : website www.helvetia2022.ch
Email: anilksuri@email.com Mob : +91 9811176908, 8130827029
CAPEX 22
Specialised Exhibition CAPEX 2022, to be
held from 09 – 12, June, 2022 at Toronto, Canada. Awards will be treated as
Continental awards. The One Frame exhibition will include : Traditional, Postal
History, Postal Stationery, Aero-philately, Astro-philately, Thematic,
Maximaphily, Revenue, Youth, Modern Phil., Phil. Lit. and Picture Postcards,
Classes only. Mr. Angeet Suri has been appointed National Commissioner.
ANGEET SURI, Email: angeet86@hotmail.com
Phones: +91 9891370070, 8588077077. +91 11
40523366 : Vist : http://www.capex22.org
LIBEREC 2022
European
Stamp Exhibition and Polar Salon “LIBEREC 2022”
is organized by Svaz českých filatelistů, z.s. (Union of Czech
Philatelists) in cooperation with club “Evropská výstava poštovních známek
LIBEREC 2022, z.s.”, established for this purpose under FEPA patronage and with FIP recognition.
Venue:
Wellness Hotel Babylon https://www.hotelbabylon.cz/en/
Date: October 13th – 16th, 2022
Exhibition
size: 1200 exhibition frames
European Stamp Exhibition and Polar Salon LIBEREC 2022 : IREX
The Cape Town
2021 Exhibition has been postponed. The new dates will be 8th – 12th
November 2022.The date that Entry forms must be received by the National
Commissioners will be no later than 15 May 2022.
• Last date for receipt of Literature
exhibits 1 October 2022
Mr. Shakil Ahmed is Indian
National Commissioner for the Cape Town 2021, FIP Specialized World Stamp
Exhibition to be held at Cape Town, South Africa from 8 to 12 November,
2022.Exhibition Classes: Traditional, Postal History, Aerophilately, Postal
Stationery, Revenue, Thematic, Open, Modern Philately, One Frame, Philatelic Literature
and Picture Postcards only)
Shakil Ahmed : Email: ahmedshakil99@gmail.com : (M)
+91-9437225760 / +91-7008025663
TAIPEI 2021
Mr. Rajan
Jayakar has been appointed as Indian National Commissioner for the Taipei 2021
38th FIAP Asian International Stamp Exhibition, Taipei, Chinese
Taipei to be held from 6 to 10 May, 2022
Rajan
Motiram Jayakar : Email:
rajanjayakar1948@gmail.com
Phone: +91-22-22820570, +91-22-22820572, (M)
+919821072417
IBRA
2023 and 33st
International Stamp Fair will be held at Hall 1 and 2, Messe Essen, Germany
from 25 to 28 May, 2023. Mr. Madhukar Jhingan has been appointed as Indian
National Commissioner for the IBRA 2023.
Madhukar Jhingan : Email: mj@stampsofindia.com (M) +91-9811160965
Auctions
PHILAUCTIONS Auction No. 9 ONLINE
You can register and bid online at www.philauctions.com
There are hundreds of Rare lots ranging from Scinde Dawks, 1854 lithographs, Handstruck Postage Stamps, India Used Abroad, British India, Aerophilately, Independent India Stamps and Errors, FDCs & Folders, Postal Stationery, Rocket Mail, Mahatma Gandhi Philately, Cinderellas and Postal History.
Online Pre-bidding on the website closes - 6.00pm, 07 April 2022
Live Zoom auction will be held in New Delhi on 12.00pm, Sunday, 10 April 2022
For any
inquiry, contact us on this email or at contact@philauctions.com or whats app
on 83 83 85 9325
News from Philatelic Societies /Associations/ Clubs
A Philatelic Stamp Exhibition and
Dealers’ Meet was organized by EIPA at Bhubanehwar from 25to 27 March 2022.
During the event a special cover was also issued.
Philatelic Society of
Delhi
Governing
Body for the year 2022-23
President - Shri Harjit Singh
Kataria
Vice President - Shri Narinder K
Dhuper
Secretary - Shri Dinesh Sabharwal
Treasurer - Shri Udai Saxena
Jt Secretary - Shri Vivek Bhargava
Jt Secretary - Shri Aditya Asthana
Jt Treasurer - Shri Rajesh Ragavan
All were elected unopposed at the
Annual General Meeting of PSOD held on 27 March 2022. Shri Madhukar Jhingan was
the Election in - Charge.
Obituary
Rest in Peace....
Heartfelt condolences !
Noted philatelist from Bangalore ,Shri Om Prakash Jagati passed away on 28th March 2022.He was well-known for his philatelic collection on Water. His exhibit "From cloud to ocean : it's all about me" has bagged International Large Silver medal . His exhibit on Letters addressed to important persons with their autographs on them including those of Presidents, Prime Ministers, Film stars, Sports persons, Scientists and others was marvellous, unique and prime attraction of ODIPEX-2018 in Keonjhar. He was Life member of Eastern India Philatelists’ Association.
One of India's
prominent philatelists, Shri Vishwanath Jhunjhunwala passed away on 30 March
2022 at Kolkata. Like his father late Shri S. N. Jhunjhunwala, had won numerous
gold medals in national and international exhibitions. He was also a leading
authority on Scinde Dawks, lithographs and other Indian classics.
Shri Vishwanath ji was 79 years old and his family
and philatelic legacy continues through his son, Rajesh Jhunjhunwala .
Making Your Thematic Philately Exhibit
Pages
After choosing your Title
and preparing your Plan of Exhibit for your exhibit your next task is to
prepare your exhibit pages. First of all, the decision has to be made on
selecting the right kind of paper quality and weight. The paper chosen should
always be very light coloured (most appropriate is off white) and should be
between 170gsm to 200gsm. After selecting the paper you need to decide the size
of sheet for your exhibit. Following (Fig.1) are the recommended sizes of
exhibit sheets as per Federation of International (FIP).
Fig.1
I
have observed that all of a sudden, a lot of thematic exhibitors (even just
beginners) have started using A3 size sheets without considering the need of a
bigger size sheet for their exhibit. It is not or 23cm x 29cm size sheets are
the best until you achieve a certain level. For beginners it is a recommended
size.
Besides
having high quality acid free exhibiting sheets an exhibitor needs to have a
number of accessories like protective mounts for stamps (clear amounts are highly
recommended), a mount cutter, and acid free photo corners for mounting your
covers on the pages. Of course high quality sheet protectors are mandatory for
an exhibit to be sent for a philatelic exhibition. It has been observed that
even high quality exhibitors use ordinary sheet protectors. Choice is yours but
it is recommended to use high quality sheet protectors as they provide high
transparency and enhances the overall exhibit presentation in addition to
protecting your valuable exhibit.
Designing the Pages
Designing
your pages demands a good sense of visualization and aesthetics. Microsoft
publisher is very convenient and easy to use software for designing your pages.
You can measure the size of stamps, covers and all other philatelic material
you will use to develop your exhibit and enter it to format the size of text
box inserted. You may format the colour of the line of the text box as per your
liking to be used as the border of items. These coloured borders enhance the
display of your exhibit and serves a very good substitute of paper matting. The
matting done with coloured paper is definitely is a better choice but it is
quite time consuming and finding out acid free coloured papers of your
choice is not easy (not easily available). To paste the paper for matting on
your sheets you need rubber cement. The paper matting in yellow has been done
on this page (Fig.2) while print border line in light blue is used here (Fig.3)
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
After finalizing whether to
use matting or border to be done on computer it is the time to decide about the
font and its size. Never use very fancy fonts as many times it is difficult to
read certain fonts. Use a simple and easily readable font. The size 12 Bold for
the page title, 11Bold for the subtitle, 11 for Thematic text, 9 or 10 bold
italics for philatelic text are quite appropriate for a thematic exhibit.
The thematic text must always
be before the philatelic text. The text has to be as concise as possible but
should convey the complete the message. Your philatelic thematic exhibit is not
a book therefore just enough relevant text is appreciable. The text should tell
the story of your exhibit and it should not contain just facts. Be careful not
to have spelling mistakes.
The relevant text
means what you are showing should be elaborated. It is not at all appreciated
to have text for what you have not included any philatelic item on your pages.
For obvious philatelic items it is not needed to tell what it is.
Since wide variety of
philatelic material is used to describe the story as per your chosen subject
and title, it is quite difficult to have the layout of items as per your story
thread. This is why to develop a high class thematic exhibit a lots of
philatelic material should be available to allow the required layout.
Fig. 4
This windowing is not good as
the postal stationery is hidden (Fig.2)
Properly done windows not only
look good but provide you to show more material. (Fig.5)
Windowing allows you to use
more material but it should be done with great care. Windows should be crated
very neatly and the item shown in the window must be clearly visible Postal
stationery needs to be shown full unless you are using it for the postmark
only. The illustration on the other side than the stamp side should be shown
while the stamp side be shown as the reduced scan to show that it is a postal
stationery.
Effectively designed pages
help you to develop your exhibit well and definitely can enhance your overall
score. Now it is expected that you show the items horizontally. If you have
longer covers or any other philatelic items which do not fit in your 23cm x
29cm sheet, you may use bigger sheets. Although combining various sizes of
exhibition sheets can be inconvenient many times but it is always beneficial to
follow the present regulations or requirement. Exhibiting demand high quality
time as well high level of designing ability and of course a lot of precious
time. Therefore, plan well in time to prepare your exhibit for a satisfying
result.
-Dinesh Sharma : email
: olymp_sharma@rediffmail.com
THE STORY OF
PIGEON POST IN INDIA
( Pigeon Mail : The First Air Mail
Of The World )
PIGEON AS A MESSENGER ( The Flying Postman )
Pigeons have an extraordinary homing instinct,
natural habit and ability of returning unerringly to their homes at high speed
after a flight of quite longer distances in any direction. This ability of
theirs navigate from anywhere to their lofts at high speed was recognized and
used quite early during ancient times which was utilized in sending and
receiving messages from time to time by individuals, rulers, administrations,
traders, financiers and others. The messages written on thin small paper were
tagged to pigeon’s legs or paws or claws who was then released. The pigeon then
flew back to his loft with the messages where the receiver removed the
message.
INDIAN PIGEONS
PIGEON POST OR MAIL
Pigeon post is
the use of homing pigeons and other birds to carry messages from one place to
the other who are effective as messengers due to their natural homing
abilities. The pigeons were transported to a destination in cages or lofts,
where messages would be attached to their paws or legs and then the
pigeon would fly back to its home naturally where the owner could detach the
message and read it.
The term is used both to refer to physical items of mail, and to the system used to transport them. While pigeon post is largely obsolete today, it was at one point a very trendy method of carrying light mail. Although the use of pigeons for carrying mail was never widespread, people would sometimes send mail by pigeon, as would people in the financial industry who wanted to transmit news.
INTERNATIONAL REPLY COUPAN OF BRITISH INDIA
PERIOD
This practice of use of carrier pigeons is
ancient. The Greeks and Romans both used pigeon post to convey
information, and many pigeons worked in military service too for carrying
messages with troop orders and other military material from place to place. In
addition to pigeons, birds of prey were sometimes used for messages.
In a way, the pigeon post could
be considered the first form of airmail. Pigeons are still used to carry
messages in some remote regions of the world where other postal options are not
available, and pigeon enthusiasts also keep birds for the purpose of
sending messages to other enthusiasts, keeping this ancient tradition alive.
EARLY HISTORY :
Pigeon post references can be found very ancient in India. Various Indian epics have reflections of the usage of flying birds to carry messages. In Mahabharata , King Dhrupad dispatched the message instructing King Dhritirashtra to give away half the kingdom, through the Royal Priest.
Centuries down, the practice of using Brahmin priests for carrying letters in a private postal system called the Brahmini Dak , reflects the importance accorded to such trusted human carriers. Mahabharata too has a romantic legend mentioning how a swan was used to convey the message of prince Nal to princess Damayanti.
MEGHDOOT, THE CLOUD – MESSENGER
Like in ancient India pigeons were also worshipped. The earliest known records of homing pigeon use for message delivery in ancient Egypt are from 5600 B.C. and around 3000 BC., incoming ships released pigeons as an announcement of important visitors More and more military, political, and economic importance was attributed to this fast method of delivering messages and the earliest large-scale communication network using pigeons as messengers was established in Syria and Persia around the 5th century BC. Between about 770 BC and 390 AD, the Greeks used pigeons to carry the results of the Olympic Games.
King Chandragupta Maurya,(340-293 BCE) and his
grandson Emperor Ashoka (304–232 BC) the great used pigeons as message carriers
during their reign for the needs of intelligence gathering and collection
of revenue data between the capital and the outlying provinces of the vast
kingdom , whence regular messengers, doots and pigeons were used for conveying
the royal communiqué.
During the Dark Ages the Arabs established
regular airmail pigeon courier services. According to one tale, a caliph
in North Africa satisfied his taste for Lebanese cherries by having
pigeons fly them in. Each carried one cherry inside a silk bag. It was the
first parcel post. Reportedly, a prize pair of carrier pigeons in the Arab
empire could fetch one thousand gold pieces.
In the middle ages, in the 4th century of the common era, the Romans developed a pigeon post to carry important messages throughout the Roman Empire. The news of capture Damietta by St. Louis was announced by sultan by this means.
PIGEON POST DURING AND AFTER 11th CENTENARY
:
Domesticated pigeons are first developed in ancient Egypt, and the pigeon loft or dovecote subsequently becomes a living larder for many communities - such as medieval monasteries. In India also domestication of pigeons were practiced but not in a developed manner.
In Baghdad, in the 11th century, the idea first occurred of making use of the tendency of certain pigeons to fly straight home from wherever they might be. The city of Baghdad and all the main towns and cities in Syria and Egypt were linked by messages carried by pigeons. Later, the most wide-ranging conqueror of medieval history, Genghis Khan, operated such a system during his conquests. He created a pigeon network that spanned one-sixth of the world and established pigeon relay posts across and Asia and much of Eastern Europe. Wars and emergencies popularized the pigeon post in China, Persia and India.
Genghis Khan
DURING AND AFTER 15th CENTENARY :
There were pigeon posts in existence during the Dutch war in the 16Th century. Besieged Haarlem used pigeons to convey messages in 1573 A.D., and Leyden in 1574 A.D.
In India ,the Mughal emperor Babar inherited this mail carrying method from his forefathers and the pigeon post was in use throughout the Mughal period. He wrote in his biography about the sport of pigeon keeping. During his reign, a rapid one-way postal service (always back to base) became possible. The art of breeding pigeons was also developed by selective breeding of suitable homing pigeons during this period..
During reign of Akbar i.e. 1556 to 1605, Pigeon post was in random use, as also camels in desert areas. The pigeon carriers were housed in the royal palace, where they were trained to carry news over the far-flung territories.
References to the use of royal pigeons and camels have also been found. Though camels and camel caravans were used primarily in desert areas, camels were also used in non-desert zones, specifically for carrying royal or State Mail.
The introduction of pigeon post is attributed to
Akbar, and not Jahangir, as mentioned in several accounts as Akbar was crazy
about pigeon keeping. Whenever he went on a trip his men carried pigeons with
him. Normally more than two thousands birds went with him kept in special
carriers.
Pigeons were trained and housed in the
royal palace, in the Kabutar-Khaana, found even today in the relics of Mughal
palaces. They were used to carry urgent missives over short distances,
exclusively for royal purpose. The practice continued to be favoured by
Jahangir who extended its use to special occasions.
AKBAR
In eighteenth century, Tipu Sultan, an Indian ruler
(1782 – 1799 ) used carrier pigeons. Pigeons used to return to the Jamia Masjid
mosque in Srirangapattnam which was his headquarters. The pigeon
holes may be seen in the mosque's minarets to this day.
TIPU SULTAN
The practice of using homing pigeons as message carriers also prevailed from the earliest times. Amazingly, they were being officially used by government departments as pigeon posts in remote areas even now a days. Orissa State Police is one such department which used pigeons as mail carriers till 2004 in India.
Almost in all the palaces in Rajasthan and other states of India , carrier pigeons had been deployed for mail service, which was pretty reliable . The photo shows the pigeon cages used to house the carrier pigeons inside the Udaipur City Palace. It is now just a reminder of old times, since the carrier pigeon service was discontinued many decades back.
PIGEON POST IN ORISSA :
The Orrissa Police is the only state force
in India which adopted and maintained this method of communication
since 1946. They procured 40 pigeons from the departing colonial government at
the close of the WWII. The force had a strength of 1926 Homing Pigeons spread
over 17 police districts of the state in 2004.The pigeons were trained on three
courses-static, mobile and boomerang.
The static category formed a batch in which
pigeons were moved with the forces leaving headquarters for remote areas and
were released in the sky whenever the need arose for communication with
Hqtrs. In the mobile category, the police took the trailer along with pigeons to
the place of operation. In the third-boomerang-category, the pigeons were
trained to deliver and return with the message within their flying area,
usually restricted to 50 miles both ways.
Orissa
police carrier pigeons: facing the sack.
India's Police Pigeon
Service - which for more than half a century has provided a lifeline during
frequent floods and cyclones in eastern Orissa state - is to be scrapped,
according to a government proposal
Unfortunately this, the world’s last pigeon courier service - had been stopped on the ground of its high cost of procurement and maintenance in comparison to the latest developments in the telecommunication and satellite services encouraging the usage of internet and mobile phones etc.. And hence, in 2004 all the birds were retired from their services and were freed from their lofts. Orissa police pigeon fleet has served the state during various calamities and situation of urgency.
PIGEONGRAM :
Though there is no recorded history of issuance
of modern pigeongrams in India but it was in 1931 when first official
pigeon post was organized with messages carried by pigeons from Asansol to
Kolkata. There after there has been regular commemoration of this service
during different events, exhibitions etc. in different parts of the India.
Though Calcutta Homing Pigeon Club has played a great role in keeping this
service alive by providing pigeons during such shows. The pigeon mail
in India now is very seldom used but officially it was closed in 2004
when Orissa police retired their fleet of about 800 pigeons .
The pigeon mail covers and the messages carried
by them are known as pigeongram or pigeon o gram. Given hereunder is
study of various pigeongrams issued in India during different
events starting from 1931 till 2009.
To be contd…
: Naresh Agrawal : email : nareshkumar1992@yahoo.co.in
For
Contributors : Guidelines for the articles
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8. New, good and selective articles will be entertained for publication but
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somewhere will not be accepted for publication.
Beginners’ Section
Happy
Birthday, Albert Einstein
One of the greatest scientific minds in human
history, Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, Württemberg,
Germany.
Einstein’s family moved to Munich in 1880 and he
would spend most of his childhood there. He attended the Luitpold
Gymnasium (now called the Albert Einstein Gymnasium) before moving with his
family to Italy.
Einstein had natural understanding of math from an early age and was often far ahead of other children his age – he even surpassed his tutor. He taught himself algebra and Euclidean geometry in a summer and developed his own proof of the Pythagorean theorem when he was 12. Einstein became convinced that all of nature could be understood as a “mathematical structure.”
Einstein went on to study physics and
mathematics at the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich. After
earning his degree in 1901, he earned Swiss citizenship. However, he was
unable to find a teaching job and instead took a job as a technical assistant
in the Swiss Patent Office. While this job wasn’t in his field, it gave
him ample time to research and produce some of his most prolific work.
In 1905, Einstein was awarded his PhD from the
University of Zurich. That same year, called his annus
mirabilis (miracle year), he published four papers in the journal Annalen
der Physik (Annals of Physics). The first three of these
introduced the scientific community to the photoelectric effect, expanded on
the kinetic theory of heat, and formed the basis of his theory of relativity.
On November 21, Einstein published his final paper of the year, “Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon Its Energy Content?” This paper introduced the formula E = mc2. According to the formula, the energy of a body at rest (E) is equal to its mass (m) multiplied by the speed of light (c) squared. Many of Einstein’s miracle year theories were controversial for years before they were accepted by leading physicists. This equation in particular enabled developments as diverse as the atom bomb, diagnostic P.E.T. scans, and smoke detectors. Over time, Einstein’s ideas became widely accepted.
In 1939, as the world war
continued to spread across the globe, a number of scientists including Einstein
grew concerned over Germany’s goal to build an atomic weapon. Believing
they were close to succeeding, these scientists sent a letter to President Franklin
Roosevelt, voicing their concern. From this letter, the Manhattan Project
was born. Einstein wasn’t allowed to participate, and the scientists
involved were not permitted to discuss it with him because officials considered
him a security risk. Einstein’s equation, E=mc2, explained how the energy
of an atomic bomb was released, though it didn’t detail how to build one.
When asked about his role,
Einstein said he didn’t consider himself the father of atomic energy and that
his part was “quite indirect.” He also admitted that had he known the
Germans wouldn’t succeed in building an atomic bomb, he never would have
written the letter to President Roosevelt initiating the Manhattan Project.
After World War II, Einstein was one of the
leading figures in the World Government Movement. He was offered the
presidency of the state of Israel, but declined. Einstein then helped
establish the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
In 1955, Einstein suffered from internal
bleeding from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. He went to the
hospital, but refused surgery, claiming, “I want to go when I want. It is
tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share; it is time
to go. I will do it elegantly.” He died the following day, April
18, at the age of 76.
US #1774 – Fleetwood Plate Block First Day Cover.
During his lifetime, Einstein wrote more than 300 scientific papers and
received a number of awards, honors, and honorary degrees.
Source : Mystic Stamp Co.
Book Review
By Dr M R Ramesh Kumar
Pangolins on
Coins and Stamps of the World By Indraneil Das and Ajit Vartak
There are very few books on Philately and Numismatics
in general and animal ecology in particular, the book entitled “ Pangolins on
Coins and Stamps of the World” written by Indraneil Das and Ajit Vartak fills this vacuum. Dr Indraneil Das, started
his research career with a grant from the WWF to study the Indian Pangolin in
1983 at the age of 19. He obtained his PhD Degree in Animal Ecology from
University of Oxford in 1991. Indraneil is currently holding the Guinness World
Record for the largest collection of postage stamps depicting amphibians. Dr
Ajit Vartak has PhD in Paleontology and a MA in Indology, is a Limca Book of
Records holder for his personal collection of fossils. He was a teaching
faculty member in the Department of Geology and Petroleum Technology, Nowrosjee
Wadia College, Pune for 33 years. He uses stamps and coins as a teaching device
for earth sciences, in the form of exhibitions, presentations, and popular
articles, research papers in National and International Journals.
The book is an excellent source of information on
Pangolins spread in seven different chapters. The chapters include Introduction,
Pangolin on Coins and Tokens, another one on Postage Stamps, Pamgolin on
Cinderella Labels, Pangolin on Covers, Pangolin on Post cards, and last chapter
is on Pangolin on Postmarks. It has two appendices which give detailed
information about the Pangolins on Coins and Stamps separately. It also gives
detailed information on further reading for the interested Philatelist and
Numismatist. This book has been published by an NGO called Sahyadri Nisarga
Mitra which has been involved in the field of Wildlife and biodiversity
conservation in India for the past three decades from 1992. The book can be
freely downloaded from the internet from their website https://www.snm.cpn
This 72 pages colourful book is a treasure trove
of information and is printed in art paper with an excellent cover of various
coins and stamps on Pangolin from different countries. All the images are in colour. I would say
this is an excellent reference book for the philatelists who are keen on
knowing about Animal Ecology in general and Pangolin in particular. The
experience of the authors has greatly enhanced the well documented and research
book. The book is written in a very easy to read with excellent images of the
various philatelic materials. The Layout and printing of the book excellent.
Two Vernacular editions of the book are now available in Malayalam and Tamil
respectively in PDF format too, which can be downloaded from the website.
The copies of the book can be had from the NGO
directly in case anyone needs a hard copy for a nominal amount of Rs 100
towards postage charge anywhere within India. The contact details are
Sahyadri Nisarga
Mitra,
11, United Park,
Markandi,
Chiplun District,
Maharashtra
PIN 415605.
-Book Review by
Dr M R Ramesh Kumar, President, GPNS, Goa. Email : rameshkumar.mr@gmail.com
Lighter Side
Crossword Puzzle #3
Down:
1. Two coloured printing (7)
3. Major mistake of a stamp (5)
5. Stamps unseparated (4)
6. Picture postcard collecting (10)
8. A stamp printing process – Image from
plate to a roller (6)
10. Complete unit of printed stamps (5)
Across:
2. Not a postage
stamp (10)
4. Cancelled to
Order (3)
7. I’m a stamp but,
no longer available in Post Offices (8)
9. Artwork of a
stamp design (5)
-K. Sridhar : email : krishnaraosridhar@yahoo.com
New issues
from other countries
Aland
25 March 2022 : Disc Golf
Aruba
28 March 2022 Orchids
Orchidaceae, commonly called the orchid family, is a diverse and widespread family of flowering plants, with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant.
Great Britain
7 April 2022 : Migratory Birds
The ten featured birds have been illustrated in detail by the Irish ornithologist, Killian Mullarney and the set showcases the diversity of migratory birds that all arrive in the UK; from seabirds that migrate along the UK’s coastline, such as the Arctic Skua and Arctic Tern, to the exceptionally rare bird of prey, Montagu’s Harrier.
Postcards
Iraq
17
February 2022 : The Iraqi Indian Relations
13
March 2022 : The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
3
April 2022 : Cultural diversity and traditional knowledge ( WIPO)
Malaysia
15 February 2022 : Traditional Cooking
17 February 2022 : Endangered wildlife
New Zealand
3 February 2022 : Historic Ships
2 March 2022 : 75 Years Together : New Zealand’s
National Orchestra
6 April 2022 : Eid Mubarak
Poland
1 April 2022 : Józef Mackiewicz
7
March 2022 : Louis Pasteur
1822-1895
8 March 2022 : 200th
Anniversary of the Birth of Ignacy Łukasiewicz
17 March 2022 : Easter
19 March 2022 : 100th anniversary of KKS Lech Poznań
24
March 2022 : Poles rescuing Jews
25
March 2022 : We are with you
Spain
For years, Correos has issued a philatelic series dedicated to graphic
humor, paying homage to those artists with a sharp pen and free humor.
This year, Andrés Rábago, “El Roto”, is the star of the new
broadcast.The stamp shows a drawing of one of the Correos emblems, the yellow
mailbox, the organization's indisputable symbol. This one has as its upper part
the hat of an amanita-type mushroom.
The drawing technique is gouache, ink, watercolor and marker on 31 x 34
cm cardboard.“El Roto” is a painter and draftsman. During the seventies and
eighties, under the pseudonym OPS, he collaborated in numerous media such as
Hermano Lobo, La Codorniz, Triunfo or Madriz.
His paintings have been the subject of numerous exhibitions, both in
galleries and institutions.In 2012, for his work as a whole, he won the
National Illustration Prize, awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
One of his last exhibitions took place in the year 2019 at the Prado
National Museum and was entitled You can't look, where a collection of drawings
was exhibited, made for this occasion, which coincided with an exhibition by
Francisco de Goya, and it is precisely from one of his works that Rábago takes
the title of the exhibition. Both artists share the same intention in their
works: to make us think, question ourselves and see the dark and real side of
existence.
Philatelic
Clubs & Societies
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
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 in 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 of 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/
-ITS Stamp News - Quarterly - Editor: Suraj Jaitly Publisher: Indian Thematic
Society website - http://itsstampnews.blogspot.com/
-Ananthpuri Stamp Bulletin - Monthly e -stamp bulletin of Anathapuri Philatelic
Association, Thiruvanthapuram
-Journal of the Army Philatelic Society : Editor – Col Jayanta Dutta
-India Post – Quarterly Journal of the India Study Circle publishes original
articles submitted by members of ISC.
-Deccan Philatelist from Deccan Philatelic Society, Pune. edited by Col Jayanta
Dutta
-The Hyderabad Philatelist from Hyderabad Philatelic and Hobbies Society Editor
– Prakash Agrawal
-SIPA Bulletin issued by South India Philatelists’ Association
Acknowledgment
- Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin April 2022 issue edited by Mohanachandran
Nair
- Judaica Thematic Society (UK) April 2022 Newsletter edited by Gary Goodman
email : judaicathematicsociety@talktalk.net
Crossword Puzzle #3 (Answer)…
Courtesy -
News and Image Resource to this issue : EIPA, Prayag Philatelic Society, Orissa
Philatelic Association, EIPA, SIPA Philately Promoters Whatsapp groups ; Suresh R.-
Bangalore, Dr (Major) Ritu Kalra- Shimla; Ajay
Kumar Mittal- New Delhi , Europa Stamps , Jagaannath Mani, Bangalore;
Pradip Jain-Patna; Mohammed Dhia-Baghdad,Iraq
Address for communication:
Jeevan Jyoti, c/o Mr. Ajay
Srivastav, PCCF, HOFF, HP Forest Deptt., Talland Shimla-171002, India . E-mail – j.jyoti9@gmail.com
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Happy Collecting ……….
Rainbow Stamp News is
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