Stamps of India Collectors Companion
The First, Free & Only Email Newsletter on Philately & Postal Services of India
AWARDS: Silver Medal with ‘Felicitations of the Jury’ at BELGICA 2001 World Stamp Exhibition
Subscribe Archives
December 5, 2002 Design Error in Santidev Ghose Stamp New Issue Update Customized Envelope Special Postmarks 2002 Update PCI Case Update Forthcoming Exhibitions Regional Exhibition at Satna Booklet On Children’s Day Stamps Howrah District Philatelists’ Society Formed Coins of India Auctions Action Philately in Transition in India, Part 35 Readers Forum – B K Sinha, Akhilesh Arka, Rohan Khurana Also in the News – Philately Enters China's Primary Schools
DESIGN ERROR IN SANTIDEV GHOSE STAMP
The logo of Visva Bharati University at Santiniketan features 3 swastikas and 3 reverse swastikas. On stamp only the reverse swastikas are visible due to the portrait of Santidev Ghose being superimposed on it. The reverse swastikas face left instead of facing right and that by many is considered inauspicious. This also has the potential of hurting the sentiments of certain communities. The sign of swastika is a symbol for Lord Ganesha who is worshipped first, before any other God, at the beginning of any and all undertakings. It is amazing that the design consisting of not one but three swastikas, all in reverse, was missed and the same was not caught at any stage and released for sale.
The images of the stamp and the logo are available at
http://www.stampsofindia.com/Content/News/94-images.htm
This is not the first time that India Post has featured reversed swastikas. About two years ago a similar mistake was carried on a prepaid envelope of a greeting card issued for Deepawali - the festival of lights. Lord Ganesha, and his symbol the swastika have great significance associated with the festival of Deepawali. The card and prepaid envelope issued on September 6, 2000 depicting the erroneous design was withdrawn from sale on November 10, 2000.
Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Pramod Mahajan released the above commemorative postage stamp on noted Rabindra-Sangeet exponent, Santidev Ghose at Santiniketan on December 1, 2002.
Mahajan, paying tributes to the maestro, said Ghose's style of singing enhanced the immortality and universality of Rabindranath Tagore's songs. The singer belonged to that class of musicians who through the ages carried forward music's unique creativity, the Minister said.
The Emeritious Profesor of Visva-Bharati University, K G Subrahmanium, recalled Ghose's commitment to Tagore and Visva-Bharati throughout his life.
Suchitra Mitra, one of the illustrious disciples of Santidev Ghose, rendered the widely known song of Tagore "Ekla Chalo Re" on this occasion that she had learnt from the master when she was a student at Santiniketan.
The vice-chancellor of Visva-Bharati, Professor Sujit Basu, and Member of Parliament, Somnath Chattopadhyay, president and chief guest of the function respectively, voiced the need of setting up a museum with the singer's belongings like books, unpublished manuscripts and notations of Rabidra-Sangeet.
The stamp is in the denomination of Rs. 5, the inland letter rate. Sankha Samanta designed the stamp and Rabindra Chaudhary the First Day Cover, priced at Rs. 2. Alka Sharma designed the pictorial first day postmark. Information Sheet containing write-up and technical data and priced at Rs. 1.50 were issued on the occasion. Calcutta Security Printers Limited of Kanpur printed the stamps by photo Offset in four colors on matt chromo paper in the quantity of 400,000. The issued sheets contain 48 stamps. NEW ISSUE UPDATE
India Post has scheduled for release following commemorative stamps in the denomination of Rs. 5 on
December 17: August Kranti -Tamralipta Jatiya Sarkar
December 23: Anglo Bengali Inter College Allahabad
December 28: Dhirubhai Ambani
For a complete list of issues this year visit
http://www.stampsofindia.com/Content/Issues/Stamps/a202.htm CUSTOMIZED ENVELOPE
The 8th issue of the customized envelope for PLASTINDIA 2003 was released on December 2, 2002. The PLASTINDIA 2003 is an international exhibition of plastic industry being held at New Delhi from February 15-20, 2003.
The imprinted stamp designed by Vijay Seth, depicts 'Purana Qila' (Old Fort), located next to the venue of the exhibition, and the slogan "Save Trees Use Plastics". The 'postage pre-paid for Rs. 5' is inscribed below the imprinted stamp. The envelope is in the size of 220 x 110 mm and is printed in the quantity of 25,000.
This issue, like other customized stationery, is NOT available to public or philatelists through the Post Office. SPECIAL POSTMARKS 2002 UPDATE
August 31, Bangalore, Dedicati on of the Renewed Western Wing of St. Joseph's Boy's High School.
September 05, Bangalore, 18th Asian & Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
September 16, Bangalore, Save our Ozone Layer, 8th International Day for the preservation of Ozone Layer
For a complete list of issues this year visit
http://www.stampsofindia.com/Content/Issues/Postmarks/a203.htm PCI CASE UPDATE
On November 29, 2002, the replication and reply to PCI's application for direction sought was submitted to the Court of Ajay Goel, Civil Judge, Delhi.
PCI submitted its reply on application of direction sought for producing the relevant records regarding elections.
An application for initiating contempt proceedings against PCI and its officers was heard. PCI also filed their reply to the same. The counsel for the PCI, J R Das, advocate, filed a memo of appearance on behalf of all the respondents regarding application for initiating contempt proceedings.
On this day application moved by Rajesh Varma, a concerned life member and a candidate for Governing Council of PCI, for making him a party in this case also came up for hearing.
The next date in the case is now fixed for December 9, 2002.
Another contempt application was moved on publishing a mischievous report regarding the present court case in PCI's official journal Signet, July-September 2002 issue. FORTHCOMING EXHIBITIONS
India Post will organize a district level exhibition at Beed in Maharashtra on December 28-29, 2002.
India Post will organize a state level exhibition in Madhya Pradesh, MAPPEX from January 28 to 30, 2003 at Bhopal.
For a list of exhibition held this year, please visit
http://www.stampsofindia.com/Content/Events/a300.htm REGIONAL EXHIBITION AT SATNA
Central India Philatelic society organized a Regional Philatelic and other Collectables exhibition CITPEX-2002 at Satna on November 17, 2002. 47 collectors participated in this exhibition. Senior Indian Administrative Service Officer of Madhya Pradesh Government Suresh Jain of Bhopal inaugurated this exhibition and Minister of Commercial Taxes, Madhya Pradesh Government Sayeed Ahmad distributed the prizes. District & Session Judge Vimla Jain and past Lioness District President Rashmi Jain were the Guests of Honor in the inaugural function in the
morning. Collector Satna S N Mishra, former Minister & Rotary Governor Dr. L P Khare and famous Scholar of Jain philosophy & Archaeologist Niraj Jain were the Guests of Honor of the concluding function in the night. Lions Club of Satna was the co-sponsor of this exhibition held at Lions Rotary Bhavan. Society President Ramesh Lajpatrai and Lions President N K Jain gave welcome speeches and Society Secretary Sudhir Jain conducted the functions and announced the prizes.
There were three Groups in the exhibition, Invitee, Philatelic Collections, and Other Collectables Group such as coins, notes, match boxes, news papers, playing cards, pins etc. In the Invitee Group Sudhir Jain exhibited Old News Papers related to death of famous personalities such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Jaiprakasah Narayan, Z A Bhutto, Rajeev Gandhi, and King of Nepal etc. Sudhir Jain also exhibited his collection of fancy number currency notes and Stamps & coins on Jainism.
In the Philately Group Sanjay Kumar Shukla (Big Cat Family) stood first, Thakur Khilwani (Scripts) second, and Namrita Tiwari (Music) third. Umashankar Agarwal (Horror) and Ashish Jain (Archaeology) received consolation prizes.
In the Third Group Rajendra Agarwal 'Shashi' (Errors in Notes & Coins) stood first, Anurag Jain(Match Boxes) second, and Anandita Agarwal (Coins) third. Sachin Tolwani (Currency Notes) and Abhiraj Singh Chauhan (Pencil Erasers) received consolation prizes. BOOKLET ON CHILDREN'S DAY STAMPS
The Gujarat Circle of India Post issued a multicolor booklet on November 14,2002 depicting all stamps issued so far on the Children's Day in a well attended function organized at the Ahmedabad Philatelic Bureau.
The booklet is priced at Rs. 40 for further details please contact cpmggujarat@indianpostoffice.net
At first glance it reminds one of 'prestige booklets' issued by British Post Office. A few blocks of Children's Day stamp of 2002 would have added great value to otherwise a very fine product. HOWRAH DISTRICT PHILATELISTS' SOCIETY FORMED
A new philatelic society was formed in Howrah District of West Bengal. The society has already registered with the Registrar of Society. Basudeb Ganguli, an eminent philatelist of West Bengal has been elected as President, while Kalyan Mitra is the Secretary.
It will be formally inaugurated in the 3rd week of January 2003. The society also plans to issue a special cover in commemoration of the inauguration. The Society will also publish a Souvenir, and will be glad to receive articles on philately from any philatelist from all over the country before December 25, 2002.
For further communication please contact, Basudeb Ganguli, President, Howrah District Philatelist's Society, 32/1B, Dingshai Para Road, Bally, Howrah- 711 201, Phone: 26541544
For a list of philatelic societies in India, please visit
http://www.stampsofindia.com/Content/Orgs/a400.htm COINS OF INDIA
Volume 1 of Coins of India was released on December 1, 2002 at a function held at New Delhi. Published by Kapoori Devi Charitable Trust, the 125 page hardbound book illustrates in color on art paper over 400 coins, in actual size, since 1835 to date including those issued in Portuguese India. The book provides complete details about the coins, its weight, metal, purity of metal, diameter, minting year, and name of the mint. It is aimed at providing authentic information about coins of India to all who wish to know the basics.
The book, subsidized by the trust, is nominally priced at Rs. 300 and is available by its distributor - Rajneesh Jain, Coin Exchange, 16-A 19, WEA Ajmal Khan Road, Karol Bagh, New Delhi 110005, Telephone 25751431, 25106394, and Mobile 9810390324, Email rajneeshj@indiatimes.com &
rajneeshjain_numis@yahoo.com AUCTIONS ACTION
The Calendar Of Worldwide Philatelic Auctions
The information for December 2002 with detailed information and announcements was updated on December 1, 2002 and is now available at http://www.stampsofindia.com/Content/Auctions/a702.htm
India and Indian Princely States feature in auctions of Status International of Sydney, Australia on December 10, Spink London, UK on December 12 & 13, and Harmers of London, UK on December 18, 2002.
ITS Postal Auction # 19
Indian Thematic Society's 19th postal auction is now available online at
http://www.stampsofindia.com/Content/Auctions/a706.htm
Stampex Bangkok 2003 Public Auction
Sunday February 9, 2003 at 10.30 a.m., Venue: The Silom Galeria Fine Arts Center-The Grand Atrium, Silom 19 Road, Bangkok 10500, opposite Central Department Store - the heart of business center. The biggest stamps auction ever held in Bangkok
About 500 lots featuring selections of rare exhibition pieces of Siam several ex-Prakaipet and Stewart including the only known unique registered cover from Phibulnsongkram, Royal mails, prisoner of wars, Japanese occupations, classic scouts on covers and postcards, postcards, proofs, errors, modern issues in full sheets bundles and dealers lots. China includes the world famous Shanghai used NINPO and DATER ex. Wei-Liang Chow. Singapore Malay, HK, Taiwan, German etc. Gold coins and banknotes of very high qualities.
More detail from the Organizer:
Eur-Seree Collecting Co., Ltd. Attn: Mr. Vitoon Eurtivong
Tel: +66 2 243-1789 Fax +66 2 243-4764, Fax. +66 2 669-2043,
Handphone: +66 1 813-5642, e-mail: auction@eurseree.com
Visit the website: http://www.eurseree.com
Co-organizer: The Silom Galeria Fine Arts Center Attn: Mr.Watt Chirathivat, Tel: +66 2 630-6944-50 fax. +66 2 630 0979 |