The paintings of St. Aloysius College Chapel, Mangalore are among the finest specimens of paintings in India, and truly constitute a national treasure. Executed by Antonio Moscheni, a Jesuit Brother from Italy during 1899-1901, the paintings are of three types: frescoes (paintings on wet plaster), tempera (paintings on dry plaster) and panels painted on canvas and fixed to the ceilings. The masterly use of light and shade by the artist creates a sense of depth, making his images life-like. The rich colours and the delicate touch evoke the mysterious presence of the divine. The layout of the paintings follows a threefold division. The central ceiling and the wall behind the main altar of the Chapel depict the life of the noble youth, Aloysius Gonzaga, the Patron saint of the College, who renounced a dukedom to become a Jesuit and died in the service of the plague stricken in Rome in 1591 at the age of 23. Second comes the two aisles of the chapel, painted with the life of Jesus Christ as described in the Gospels. These are painted on the walls as also on the ceilings together with the texts describing the events. The third set of paintings, on the slope of the roof and the two levels of arches, depict the saints of the Church and of the jesuit order. Late Shri C. Rajagopalachari, one of the greatest exponents of the study of India's culture and heritage commented thus on the paintings of the St. Aloysious College Chapel: "It is an education and an elevation. As you enter it, your heart is ennobled and you soar to higher things. Even the fanatic would shed every drop of his fanaticism in the face of such humanising glory". The stamp depicts one of the panels from the central ceiling of the Chapel, showing the early life of Aloysius Gonzaga. The stamp was released on January 12, 2001, as it was on this day in 1880 that the St. Aloysius College was inaugurated.

Date of issue         =    12th Jan
Face value              =    Rs. 15
SG#                         =    1979

       Pandurang Sadashiv Sane alias Sane Guruji (1899-1950), like thousands of others from his generation, was drawn to the Freedom Struggle by the teachings, philosophy and life of Mahatma Gandhi. He made extensive use of the public platform during the Freedom Struggle to develop national consciousness and promote the desire for Independence. He was imprisoned many times. In particular, he worked tirelessly to implement Gandhiji's teachings on social reform. In a prayer meeting in Delhi, Gandhiji paid tribute to his efforts in getting the temple at Pandharpur open to the dalits. Sane Guruji was distressed to find the spirit of religion distorted by social evils such as caste system, and wrote the book "Bharatiya Sanskriti" to clear up such prejudices and educate people about the values of life, The Sadhana weekly, started by him in August 1948 as a vehicle of socio-cultural emancipation, continues to spread his message.

E.M.S. Namboodiripad (1909-1998) started his public life as a Congress worker in Kerala during the Freedom Movement, but was later drawn towards Marxism in his search for solutions to the problems of poverty and inequality .He was among the founders of the Communist Party in Kerala and created history in the 1957 elections by leading it to power in the state. As Chief Minister of Kerala, he initiated the path-breaking land reform legislation and many other pro-poor measures, bringing solace to millions of people. Namboodiripad was also a brilliant Marxist theoretician, whose vast body of writing on a variety of subjects bears the mark of an original and creative mind.

Professor N.G. Ranga (1900-1995) hailed from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh. Deeply influenced by western socialist thinkers at Oxford, England, where he went for higher studies, the amelioration of the lot of the peasantry became his major motivation, and he joined the Freedom Movement and championed the cause of the downtrodden peasants. He continued to be active in politics in independent India, strengthening the Kisan movement, striving for empowerment of women and working for famine relief. He was instrumental in the formation of the Swatantra Party along with Rajaji in 1959, though he later returned to the Congress. Bold, uncompromising and knowledgeable, he waged a tireless war against social evils such as the caste system. Prof. N.G. Ranga is remembered as champion of rural India.

Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir (1899-1976) plunged into the Freedom Struggle at an early age, stirred by anguish over the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919. He threw himself into the freedom struggle movement, calling people to action through his sensitive, poems in Punjabi. In 1966, when the new state of Punjab came into being after re-organisation, Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir took over as its first Chief Minister.

Date of issue         =    25th Jan
Face value           =    300
SG#                      =    1980-83

     Sheel Bhadra Yajee (1906-1996) the fiery freedom fighter from Bihar was associated with the non-violent and the violent form of freedom struggle. Yajee's participation in the freedom movement began in 1928 when, as a student, he attended the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress. He joined the Congress Socialist Party four years later and became involved in the Kisan movement. Later, he came in close touch with Subhas Chandra Bose, as well as Mahatma Gandhi. In 1939 he joined Subhas Chandra Bose to found the All India Forward Bloc. He was actively associated with the INA movement. Yajee raised his voice against caste prejudices and other social evils. He was a firm believer in the active participation of the peasants, workers and the middle classes in the struggle for the transformation of society. He authored several books like' A Glimpse of the Indian Labour Movement', 'Forward Bloc and Its Stand', 'Is Socialism a Necessity to India', and 'True Face of Monopolistic American Democracy'.

Date of issue         =    28th Jan
Face value             =    300
SG#                        =    1984

India's Struggle for Freedom :  Some Great Revolutionaries

    Yogendra Shukla (1896-1966) as well as his nephew Baikunth Shukla (1907-1934) hailed from village Jalalpur in Muzaffarpur (now Vaishali), district of Bihar and were torch bearers of the revolutionary spirit of freedom struggle. Young Yogendra made his greatest contribution to the cause of Indian freedom between 1930 and 1942, as one of the leaders of the revolutionary movement in Bihar and U.P. becoming "Almost a legendary figure for his many exploits". He was a close associate of Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Datta. He had to serve prison terms for a total of more than sixteen and a half years for his revolutionary activities. During imprisonment in different jails of India, he was subjected to extreme torture, which corroded his iron constitution.

     Baikunth Shukla was also initiated into the freedom struggle at a young age taking active part in the 'Salt Satyagraha' of 1930. He was associated with revolutionary organisations like the Hindustan Seva Dal and Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. The execution of the great Indian revolutionaries, Bhagat Singh,Rajguru and Sukhdev in 1931 as a result of their trial in the 'Lahore conspiracy case' was an event that shook the entire country. Phanindra Nath Ghosh hitherto a key member of the Revolutionary Party had treacherously betrayed the cause by turning an approver, giving evidence, which led to the execution. Baikunth was commissioned to plan the execution of Ghosh as an act of ideological vendetta which he carried out successfully on 9th November 1932. He was arrested and tried for the killing. Baikunth was convicted and hanged in Gaya Central Jail on May 14th, 1934. He was only 28 years old.

 Jubba Sahni (1906-1944) hailed from a poor family in the Muzaffarpur District of Bihar and was forced by circumstances to work as a labourer in a large agricultural farm where British supervisors kept watch. Jubba experienced the ruthlessness with which the British supervisors treated the Indian workers. From the Salt Satyagraha of 1930 to the Quit India Movement of 1942, his revolutionary activities were on the increase. In August 1942, he led an armed revolt against the Police Station in Meenapur in which the in-charge of the Police Station, Waller was killed. Jubba Sahni took the entire responsibility of the episode upon himself and was later sentenced to death by a special court appointed by the British Government. He was hanged to death in Bhagalpur Central Jail, at the age of 38.

Date of issue         =    29th Jan
Face value             =    300 x 2                                                                                                                                                        
SG#                        =    1985-86

        In 1853 Railways made a modest beginning in India when the first train was flagged off from Bombay (Mumbai) to Thane covering a distance of 34 km. By issuing a stamp to commemorate the centenary of the Church gate building in Mumbai, the Department of Post focuses attention on a colourful aspect of the rich inheritance of the Indian Railways - its heritage buildings. Church gate building was originally the headquarters of the erstwhile Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railways (BB&CI), one among the famous railway companies in British India. BB&CI was incorporated in 1855 to start a railway route from Surat to Bombay to ensure regular supply of cotton grown in Gujarat area. The Headquarters was originally located at Surat and later shifted to Mumbai. Construction of the Headquarters Building at Church gate was started in 1894 and completed in 1899 under the direction of one of the most famous Victorian architects in Bombay, Mr. Frederick William Stevens. Today, the headquarters of the Western Railway is housed in the Church gate building.

Date of issue         =    6th Feb
Face value              =    Rs. 15                                                                                                                                       
SG#                         =    1987

       The Population Enumeration of the Census of India 2001 began as scheduled on 9th February 2001. The enumeration of the President, the Vice President, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister and their family members on 9th February 2001 marked the beginning of the Census Operations in the country. A commemorative postage stamp on Census of India 2001 was released by the Communication Minister Shri Ramvilas Paswan in a function held for the occasion in the conference hall of Ministry of Home Affairs at the North Block. The stamp depicts the logo prepared by the Census of India 2001. The icon was designed by Shri Prashanto Kumar Ray of the Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. The design artistically depicts both the phases of Census, the House listing as well the Population Enumeration. The Census organisation shows its sensitivity to the gender issues through the well designed Stamp. It shows a household of four members with the mother in the lead followed by two children and the father. It also reflects the current goals of achieving of stabilizing the population through a Total Fertility Rate of 2.1 as envisaged by the National Population Policy. Thus, the stamp is able to link the census process with the population issues.

Date of issue         =    10th Feb
Face value           =    300                                                                                                                                                         
SG#                     =    1988

     The review of a Nation' s fleet of Warships, by the Head of State is a long prevalent Naval tradition. It is an opportunity for the Head of State to satisfy himself on the operational readiness of his ships. Reviews are also held to mark events of historical importance. The President of India, in his capacity as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, usually reviews the Indian fleet as the Head of the Republic, once during his term in office. The present review is thus the 8th review of the Indian Fleet. To commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Indian Republic, the review was given a wider scope and was an International Fleet Review (IFR-2001 ). A number of foreign countries were invited on behalf of the Government of India to participate, by sending their warships. The Presidential Yacht sailed past the Fleet. Typically the Review had the theme "Bridges of Friendship". The Department of Posts issued a set of 4 stamps on 18th February 2001 to commemorate the event.

      The first stamp depicting the potsherd painting of a boat belonging to Mohanjodaro period, is part of the official logo of IFR-200I. The Pal and Qalbat, two types of ships that have participated in the fleet Reviews of the Maratha Navy in the l8th century in the port of Ratnagiri are depicted in two of the stamps. The portrayals are from the painting of "Ships of the Maratha Period", c. 18th Century. The 'Pal' was a three masted fighter with guns peeping on the broadsides.

    The fourth stamp shows the Sail training ship, Tarangini, of the Indian Navy.

Date of issue         =    18th Feb
Face value              =    300 x 3 ,  15                                                                                                                                       
SG#                         =    1989-92

      The GSI is the premier national organisation which provides basic earth science information to the country. Started in 1851 with the sole objective of locating coal reserves for the railways, the GSI has over the years expanded its role and emerged into a multi-disciplinary organisation making significant contribution to the national mainstream. The major functions of the GSI are locating mineral resources and generating and updating of geosciences information through ground, marine and air surveys. The organisation is also involved in management of natural hazards like earthquakes, floods etc., providing geo-technical advice to all major civil engineering, communication and urban development projects, geo-environmental resource appraisal and up gradation of geo-scientific expertise through training. The stamp design features three ore forming minerals, Bauxite -an aluminium ore, Chalcopyrite -a copper ore and Psilomelane - a manganese ore.

Date of issue         =    4th March
Face value           =    300                                                                                                                                                         
SG#                     =    1993

    Bhagwan Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara of the great Jain tradition was born in a royal family in the district of Vaishali in Bihar. His father was King Siddhartha and mother Trishula was the daughter of King Cetaka. Mahavira's childhood name was Vardhamana. After leading a life of a householder till thirty, he abandoned the world in search of the Truth. He obtained omniscience at the age of forty two after intense meditation. He preached the five principles of non-violence, absolute honesty, non-possession, truth and celibacy.  He gave the message of love and compassion towards all living beings. The stamp was issued to mark the 2600th birth anniversary of Mahavira and depicts a composite symbol summarising much of Jain teaching.

Date of issue         =    6th April
Face value           =    300                                                                                                                                                         
SG#                     =    1995

On April 12, 2001, the world celebrates the 40th anniversary of man's first space flight. The Department of Posts, India commemorated this event with the issues of a stamp in the of Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin (1934-1968), who became the first man to escape gravity and orbit the earth, travelling in the space ship Vostok 1. Gagarin hailed from Klushino, a small village 100 miles west of Moscow, and his parents were workers in a Kolkhoz (collective farm). As a teenager, his ambition was to become a pilot. He studied maths and physics in the secondary school and went on to join a trade school where he became a foundry- man. He joined the technical school in Saratov, where he learned to fly. He joined the Soviet Air-Force. It was at the Aviation School that he met Valentina Ivanovna Goryacheva whom he married later. Following his return to earth from space, Yuri Gagarin received a hero's welcome, not just in his country, but all over the world. Gagarin, the quintessential cosmonaut wanted to reach the stars again, and began training for the first Soyuz flight in 1967. However, he died in an unfortunate accident on March 27 1968, when the jet he was test piloting crashed. In honour of his great contribution to space exploration, a crater on the moon was named after him.

Date of issue         =    12th April
Face value              =    Rs. 15                                                                                                                                       
SG#                         =    1996   

Fryderyk Chopin

      Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849) was a composer from Poland, regarded by many as the greatest of all composers of music for the piano. The musical talent of young Fryderyk became evident in his childhood. Performing in local salons and giving public charity concerts, "little Chopin" became a sensation of sorts in Warsaw, where he grew up. He even came to be compared to the childhood genius of Mozart. Chopin gave his first concert as a piano virtuoso in 1829 in Vienna. Concerts in Vienna and Warsaw during 1829-30 led to increased critical and public acclaim. He died of tuberculosis in October 1849, in Paris. Chopin is admired most for his originality in exploiting the piano. The rhythms and melodic traits of Polish folk music continued to inspire him even in the far away Paris. Chopin's music, romantic and lyrical in nature, is characterised by exquisite melody of great originality, refined harmony, subtle rhythm and poetic beauty. The Fryderyk Chopin international piano competition which began in the nineteen twenties and is held annually in Warsaw, has become a great musical event and contributed to popularisation of the music of the great Polish composer.

Date of issue         =    4th May
Face value              =    Rs. 15                                                                                                                                       
SG#                         =    1997

Suraj Narain Singh            

           Suraj Narain Singh (1908-1973) was the foremost revolutionary nationalist in Bihar for almost two decades, during a tumultuous phase of India's struggle for independence. Suraj Narain Singh was radical and modern in his outlook. He denounced the caste system as well as the explotative tendencies in the established religions of the world. He stood for the abolition of the zamindari system, consolidation of holdings and mechanized agriculture.

Date of issue         =    31st May
Face value           =    300                                                                                                                                                         
SG#                     =    1998

B.P.Mandal           

     BP Mandal (1918-1982), former Chief Minister of Bihar, was born at Madhepura district in Bihar. He had his early education at Darbhanga and higher education at Patna. He worked as a Honorary Magistrate during 1945-51. Though his political career started with the Indian National Congress, he was soon attracted towards the 'Socialist' stream of thought, and joined the Samyukta Socialist Party. He took over as the Chief Minister of the State in 1968. In 1978, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Backward Classes Commission of the Government of India, to investigate the conditions of the socially and educationally backward classes of citizens and report upon ways and means of upliftment of these sections of the society. The Mandal Commission drew sustenance from the Constitution of India, which contained various special safeguards for the historically deprived backward classes. The report submitted by him in 1980 is one among the most significant and forceful commentaries on the socio-political situation of the country.

Date of issue         =    1st June
Face value           =    300                                                                                                                                                         
SG#                     =    1999

Samanta Chandra Sekhar          

         Samanta Chandra Sekhar (1835-1904) is a prominent name in traditional Indian Astronomy, who has been placed by some scholars at par with Aryabhata, Varahamihira, Brahmagupta and Bhaskracharya. Chandra Sekhar was taught to identify stars by his father when he was a child. Finding that the stars and planets did not rise and appear at positions predicted by the ancient Siddhantas, he set out for observation, night and day, checking the figures occurring in the earlier works. He began recording his observations and making formulations of the ideas at the age of twenty three and started putting them in the form of a treatise some three years later. The complete script of Siddhanta Darpana, his treatise, was ready by 1869, when he was thirty four. However, the work was checked and refined for twenty three years more, till it was declared by the author to be closed in 1892. The Siddhanta Darpana is divided into five sections, of which the first two deal with the mean motion and true position of the planets respectively. The third section deals with the motion described in terms of space, time and direction. The fourth gives an account of related mathematical topics like spherical trigonometry and the fifth describes different ways of reckoning time. Chandra Sekhar observed, verified and corrected wherever necessary, all that was known to the Hindu astronomers for thousands of years. The Siddhanta Darpana has been written in beautiful, metrical Sanskrit verse and is a fine piece of literary work apart from being of appreciable scientific value. Further, the work enjoys practical importance even today, as the most widely accepted almanac in Orissa is prepared as per the prescriptions of the Darpana. Chandra Sekhar did not know about modern astronomical instruments. It is remarkable that he had used only some rudimentary instruments, some of them devised by himself, for his extraordinary observations. Samanta had made contributions to all the four major aspects of astronomy, namely (i) observation (ii) calculation (iii) method of measurement and (iv) theory and model. The "Nature" and the "Knowledge", famous scientific journals, wrote in praise of Siddhanta Darpana and Samanta Chandra Sekhar, in 1899. The former declared this genius even greater than the famous Tycho Brahe and the latter named him the greatest naked eye astronomer. The stamp design includes Gola Yantra, an instrument used by Chandra Sekhar for measuring planetary positions.

Date of issue         =    11th June
Face value           =    300                                                                                                                                                         
SG#                     =    2000 

Sant Ravidas

     Sant Ravidas (circa 15th century AD) was one of the brightest luminaries in the firmament of the Bhakti Movement, which was a religious renaissance in India. He upheld the equality of all mankind, giving the call "deed not the creed makes man high or low". He emphasized the fundamental tenets underlying all religions. He taught in times dominated by the rigidity and narrow-mindedness of the caste system, and illuminated the atmosphere with his enlightenment. As a proponent of the "Bhakti Movement", his contribution was truly great, spreading the philosophy of spiritual self-realization through "Bhakti", and dispelling the darkness of "ajnana", with "jnana" (wisdom). He emerged as a great philosopher-poet and social reformer, for humanity at large. Born in most humble surroundings, in the house of a cobbler, Sant Ravidas had a spiritual bend of mind. even in his early life. His father inspired   him to join the family business, but Ravidas, imbued with celestial and humane values, spent the money received from his father for business, in the welfare of the needy. Ravidas being a 'charmkar' by birth was denied entry into temples. The maharaja and rani of Chittor became his disciples. Mira Bai, the famous saint poetess also adopted him as her Guru. Sant Ravidas composed many shabdas. Out of them, about 41 shabdas have been included in the Holy Guru Granth Sahib. His shabdas are packed with divine wisdom and in each of them, he advocates 'Ram nam jap' and extols the efficacy of this great mantra. In his teachings, he says, "God is everywhere'. in you and me."

Date of issue         =    24th June
Face value           =    300                                                                                                                                                         
SG#                     =    2001

Personality Series : The Spirit of Nationalism

      Syama Prasad Mookerjee (1901-1953) inherited a rich tradition of nationalism and fearlessness from his illustrious father, Sir Asutosh Mookerjee. A brilliant academic, he became the youngest Vice-Chancellor of the Calcutta University in1934. He took interest in politics very early and was one among the leading lights of the Hindu Mahasabha.

       C. Sankaran Nair (1857-1934) hailed from an aristocratic family in north Kerala. Making a mark as an eminent lawyer early in his career, he went on to become a Judge of the High Court of Madras, in which capacity he was considered his abilities and conferred may distinctions and honours upon him, culminating in a nomination to the Viceroy's Council in 1919.

       U Kiang Nongbag (-1862) (date of birth not recorded) was a great freedom fighter of the Jaintia hills of Meghalaya, who lived and fought his epic struggle against the British during the first War of Independence (1857) and after.

       Krishna Nath Sarmah (1887-1947) was a renowned nationalist and social reformer from Assam. After graduating in Science and law, he had started legal practice in 1917. However, heeding to the call of Mahatma Gandhi he joined the freedom struggle, renouncing a flourishing practice and a promising career.

Date of issue         =    6th July
Face value             =    400 x 4                                                                                                                  
SG#                        =    2002-05

Chandragupta Maurya

      Chandragupta Maurya Though historians often credit the Nandas of Magadha for being the first empire builders of India, it was with Chandragupta Maurya, the young adventurer who unseated the Nandas in 321 B.C. that the imperial idea found a definite expression. Indika, the memoirs Megasthenese, the Greek Ambassador to the Court of Chandragupta Maurya and Arthashastra the compendious work of Chanakya are the main sources from which we can learn and infer about the life and times of Chandragupta Maurya. It is believed that Chandragupta hailed from a humble background. He did not have the military might to match the Nandas, yet managed to acquire the throne and keep it, making use of the strategies of Chanakya, his chief advisor. Leaving Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and parts of north-eastern India, the Mauryas ruled over the whole of the subcontinent. In the north-west they had sway over certain areas which were not included even in the British empire. Chandragupta Maurya was a far-sighted ruler. He not only expanded his territories, but also established a well organised administrative system and gave it a sound financial base, thus laying the foundation for an enduring empire. He had set a high ideal and is stated to have believed that his happiness lay in the happiness of his subjects and that in their troubles lay his troubles. Chandragupta's reign lasted for about 25 years. According to Jain tradition, he adopted Jainism, having been influenced by the saint Bhadrabahu. He is believed to have abdicated the throne in favour of his son Bindusara and pursued a spiritual life thereafter.

Date of issue         =    6th july
Face value             =    400                                                                                                                                   
SG#                        =    2006

Jhalkari Bai

       Though the recorded history does not reveal much about the antecedents or heroic exploits of Jhalkari Bai, she is a living memory in the folklore of the Bundelkhand region even today. Jhalkari was a village girl who had to take charge of the household chores in her childhood itself, following the early loss of her mother. It is said that she once had an encounter with a tiger while collecting firewood in the jungle and killed it with her axe. Jhalkari also bore an uncanny resemblance to Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, because of which the Rani took a special liking to her and inducted her into the women's wing of her army. The people of Jhansi resented the annexation by the British. They rallied around Rani Lakshmi Bai and resolved to take up arms to uphold the independence of their state. In 1858, there were several attacks on the Jhansi fort by the British and their native allies. The Rani marshalled her forces well and repulsed these attacks. It is said that when the fall of the fortress became imminent, Jhalkari Bai and some generals convinced Lakshmi Bai to escape quietly with a handful of supporters. As a ploy to deceive the British, Jhalkari dressed up like the Rani and took command of the army. The British found out the truth too late, as the Rani had covered a considerable distance by then. Though Jhalkari Bai was forced to surrender, it is believed that the British military officers, who were impressed by her loyalty, courage and fighting prowess treated her with respect and freed her.

Date of issue         =    21st July
Face value             =    400                                                                                                                                                
SG#                        =    2007

Corals of India  

Coral reefs are among the greatest splendours of nature. They are the biggest structures built by living, organisms. Interestingly, tiny coral animals, often so small that they are invisible to the naked eye, build the vast reefs. What is commonly referred to coral is actually the skeleton of the coral animal, which is also called a polyp. Polyps generally multiply by the process of budding, whereby a portion of the parent pinches off to form a daughter polyp. All the daughter polyps along with their skeletons form a colony. Corals on the reefs have algae living inside their cells. The algal pigments are mostly responsible for the spectacular colours of the corals.

The coral reef ecosystem is a diverse collection of species that co-exist in remarkable symbiosis. Sponges, sea anemones, worms, sea urchins, shrimps, crabs, octopuses, squids, clams, turtles, sea snakes and different types of fishes live in the reefs, adding to their colour and splendour. About 250 species of corals are known to exist in Indian reefs, a majority of them in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The other areas with well-grown coral reefs are the Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kachchh and Lakshadweep.

Acropora digitifera is a digitate coral having finger-like projections arising from the colony base.

Fungia horrida, commonly called the mushroom coral, is a single polyp and unlike other corals, is capable of limited movement.

Montipora acquituberculata or the velvet coral grows in the form of whorls.

Acropora formosa, also known as the staghorn coral, resembles antlers and is among the most beautiful organisms in the reefs.

Date of issue         =    2nd Aug
Face value              =    400x2, 1500, 4500                                                                                         
SG#                        =    2008-11

Dwarka Prasad Mishra

   Dwarka Prasad Mishra (1901-1988), former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, joined the national movement at a young age heeding the call of Mahatma Gandhi. He was in the forefront of the national movement from 1920 onwards and came into close association with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and other national leaders. He exposed the exploitive practices of the British as well as their policy of 'Divide and Rule'. He was jailed for a number of years for his role in the freedom struggle. His tenure as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh saw the all-round development of the state. He was a practitioner of truth and fairness in political life. Dwarka Prasad Mishra was a journalist of repute, having edited the Hindi journals Lokmat, Sharda and Saarthi and used them masterfully to put across his views and messages to the masses. His epic poem, Krishnayan, was highly acclaimed by the critics. In this book, his dream of a happy and free India in which the highest welfare of the people is served has been portrayed.

Date of issue         =    5th Aug
Face value             =    400                                                                                                                                                 
SG#                        =    2012

Chaudhary Brahm Parkash (1918-1993), former Chief Minister of Delhi, was a leader known for his self-less public service, social commitment and organisationa1 abilities. Hailing from the village Shakarpur in Delhi, he started his public life with the local Congress Committee in 1936, at a time when the freedom struggle was moving towards its crescendo. He was imprisoned many times by the colonial rulers. During the 'Quit India' movement of 1942, he was one among the leaders of the 'under ground' activities in Delhi. In the post-independence period, he was a leading light in the political arena of Delhi and served as the Minister in charge of Planning and Development as well as the Chief Minister. He also served as a member of India's delegation to the United Nations in 1966. He also made noteworthy contributions as the Union Cabinet Minister for Food, Agriculture, Irrigation and Cooperatives. He started organising village and agriculture cooperatives as early as 1945. He organised the National Union of Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Minorities in 1977 to work for the welfare of these weaker sections.

Date of issue         =    11th Aug
Face value             =    400                                                                                                                                                 
SG#                        =    2013

The August Kranti (August Revolution), which took place in Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, is one among the most inspiring chapters of the Quit India Movement of 1942. The Indian National Congress at its Bombay session (August 1942) passed the famous Quit India resolution, calling for a mass struggle under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. All the major leaders were arrested and the Congress itself was declared illegal. A dismayed India reacted spontaneously against this repressive act. Popular revolts broke out across the length and breadth of the country, with the battle cry of "British Quit India". In Ballia District of U.P. the revolt started with protest demonstrations of the students. The arrest of a few girls and at-random firing by the police in the market sent a wave of indignation into the hearts of the people. The resultant anger and excitement led to spontaneous acts of protest like removal of rails, cutting of telegraph wires and burning of railway and police stations in the rural areas. The authorities surrendered immediately and the national flag was hoisted over these buildings. Having occupied the whole District and disrupted the colonial administrative machinery, the onus of setting up a parallel 'government' fell upon the leaders of the revolt. They undertook the task in a most responsible and efficient manner and a National Government was set up in Ballia on the 19th of August. Chittu Pandey, a charismatic leader described as the "Tiger of Ballia" by Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Hose, headed the Government. The entire population of Ballia supported the National Government and donated thousands of rupees to enable the Government to continue on its administration. Unfortunately, the new Government could not last for more than a few days, in the face of the severe repression unleashed by the British rulers. Though the movement was finally suppressed, it did succeed in demonstrating the depth and fervour of the nationalist feelings.

Date of issue         =    19th Aug
Face value             =    400                                                                                                                                                 
SG#                        =    2014

Jagdev Prasad

Jagdev Prasad (1922-1974) was a fearless leader from Bihar who fought for the cause of the backward and downtrodden sections of the society. Jagdev Prasad was also noted for his suave penmanship. His journalistic career started in 1953 with "Janata', the organ of the Socialist Party. Later, he also edited the English weekly, 'Citizen' and the Hindi weekly, 'Uday'.

Date of issue         =    5th Sept
Face value             =    400                                                                                                                                                 
SG#                        =    2015

Rani Avantibai

Rani Avantibai, queen of Ramgarh State in central India, is remembered for her valiant fight against the British during the 1857 War of Independence, when she made the supreme sacrifice of her life for the freedom of motherland.

Date of issue         =    19th Sept
Face value             =    400                                                                                                                                                 
SG#                        =    2016

Chaudhary Brahm Parkash (1918-1993), former Chief Minister of Delhi, was a leader known for his self-less public service, social commitment and organisational abilities. Hailing from the village Shakarpur in Delhi, he started his public life with the local Congress Committee in 1936, at a time when the freedom struggle was moving towards its crescendo. He was assigned an important role in Mahatma Gandhi's Individual Satyagraha Movement of 1940.

Date of issue         =    23rd Sept
Face value             =    400                                                                                                                                                 
SG#                        =    2017 

Chaudhary Devi Lal

Chaudhary Devi Lal (1914-2001),  former Deputy Prime Minister of India, was a leader who will be remembered for his life-long championship of the cause of the farmers of the country. He was only fifteen when he left studies at the call of Mahatma Gandhi and became an active member of the Indian National Congress.

Date of issue         =    25th Sept
Face value             =    400                                                                                                                                                 
SG#                        =    2018

      A veteran freedom fighter and an immensely popular leader from West Bengal, Satis Chandra Samanta (1900-1983) lived a life of sacrifice and renunciation in the service of the country. In post-independence India, Satis Chandra Samanta was a Member of Parliament for almost three decades. He also made substantial contributions to numerous Parliamentary Committees as Member of Chairman.

Date of issue         =    29th Sept
Face value             =    400
SG#                        =    2019

An iconic presence in Tamil cinema for five decades, Sivaji Ganesan (1928-2001) is one among the most charismatic film actors of all time. He also served as a member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from 1983 to 1986. Many awards and distinctions were conferred on this multifaceted personality, prominent among them being the Padma Bhushan (1984), Chevalier of Arts title of the French Government (1995) and the Dada Sahen Phalke Award (1996).

Date of issue         =    1st Oct
Face value             =    400
SG#                        =    2020

Mahatma Gandhi : Man of the Millennium

Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy was based on an abiding faith in the underlying goodness of the human conscience. Even while opposing the immorality of the colonial system. To Mahatma Gandhi, truth was like religion, Political freedom of the country was not the end of his mission. His ideal was a society which consisted of self-regulated individuals, each performing his duty to others. Every member of this society would uphold moral values, follow truth and cultivate fearlessness.

Date of issue         =    2nd Oct
Face value             =    400
SG#                        =    2021-22

Bharathidasan (1891-1964) was one among the resuscitators of Tamil poetry in the twentieth century, who also used it as an effective medium for social reform. Starting his life as a teacher of Tamil in Pondicherry, contact with his senior contemporary and mentor, Subramania Bharathi and Sri Aurobindo, drew Bharathidasan into the National Movement.

Master Mitrasen (1895-1946) was a versatile artist who earned great fame as a poet, playwright, folk singer and short story writer. Hailing from Himachal Pradesh, he joined the armed forces at an early age. After his discharge from the army in 1918, he took up various creative pursuits like classical music and theatre.

Lachhu Maharaj (1901-1978) came from a family of illustrious Kathak exponents in Lucknow. He was fortunate to receive extensive training in Kathak from Pandit Bindadeen Maharaj, his uncle and the court dancer of the Nawab of Awadh, for nearly ten years. He also learnt the Pakhawaj, the Tabla and vocal music, which helped to add many ornamentations to his style of dancing.

Date of issue         =    9th Oct
Face value             =    400
SG#                        =    2023-25

One of the most influential political figures of the 20th Century India, Jayaprakash Narayan (1902-1979) combined in his public life the selflessness of a sage and the acumen of a political strategist. J.P. was a gifted theoretician and a forceful writer who produced thought provoking works on freedom, socialism and democracy.

Date of issue         =    11th Oct
Face value             =    400
SG#                        =    2026

The Panchatantra is an evergreen classic in the world of children's literature. Widely attributed to Vishnusarman, a versatile  teacher, the stories were originally written in Sanskrit probably around 500 A.D. Pancha means five and tantra means doctrines of conduct or modes of action. According to legend, a king who had three foolish sons engaged Vishnusarman to reform them and enable them go grow up into worthy adults. The teacher achieved this by weaving a wondrous world of fables which bought out the five tantras which were innate in them, namely, confidence, creation of prosperity, earnest endeavour, friendship and knowledge.

Date of issue         =    17th Oct
Face value              =    (400 + 400) x 4
SG#                        =    2027-34

The importance of Iodine in the human body and the adverse effects of its deficiency are well known. Just a teaspoon full of iodine taken over the course of entire life span can prevent a spectrum of disorders ranging from goitre to still births and mental retardation, collectively known as Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD). Every year Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders Day is observed on  21st of October to highlight the progress achieved in the elimination of IDD and to identify the problems that remain to be addressed.

Date of issue         =    21st Oct
Face value             =    400
SG#                        =    2035

     A man of many parts, Thangal Kunju Musaliar (1897-1966) is remembered for his contributions as an industrialist, educationist and  philanthropist. Musaliar was also a writer of repute, having authored books like, Prayogikadwaitam (the English version of which was titled Man and the World) and Communism, Socialism and Capitalism in the Present Context. He made a successful venture into the world of journalism with the weekly, Prabhatam, which was subsequently converted into a daily.

Date of issue         =    26th Oct
Face value             =    400
SG#                        =    2036 

  Cancer Awareness Day is being observed on 7th November. The day happens to be the birthday of Madame Curie who made significant contributions to the treatment of malignant tumors by her discovery of radium. National Cancer Control Program was initiated by the Ministry of Health in 1975 with the objectives of spreading education and awareness, early detection by screening and self examination methods, strengthening of existing treatment facilities, skill upgradation of doctors and paramedical personnel.

Date of issue         =    7th Nov
Face value             =    400
SG#                        =    2037

Born in 1780 AD, Maharaja Ranjit Singh has been rightly called the founder and architect of secularism in India. His father, Mohan Singh, a chieftain, died when Ranjit Singh was hardly eleven years old.

The reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the harbinger of great things to come-the birth of a modern nation transcending communal distinction.

Date of issue         =    9th Nov
Face value             =    400                                                                                                                                                 
SG#                        =    2038

    Children are our treasures, the greatest source of promise and potential for the country. The Universal Children's Day which falls on 14th November every year celebrates the unique strengths and achievements of children and the way that children's lives enrich our own. It is an occassion to renew our commitment to the cause of children and re-dedicate ourselves to fulfilling their basic needs and rights. Children's Day coincides with the birthday of India's first Prime Minister, late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, fondly called 'Chacha Nehru' by the children of India. Panditji's love and affection for children were well-known and was the delight of every parent and an inspiration to all.

Date of issue         =    14th Nov
Face value             =    400                                                                                                                                                 
SG#                        =    2039

     Investing his paintings with rare nobility and character, Sobha Singh (1901-1986) created a Sikh idiom in Indian art and movement in the country. A documentary film titled "Painter of the People" throws more light on his life and works. The British Broadcasting Corporation also made a documentary on him in 1984. Numerous awards and distinctions were conferred on him, the prominent being the title of 'State Artist' of the Punjab Government, honorary Doctorate of the Punjab University and the Padmashri of the Government of India.

Date of issue         =    29th Nov
Face value             =    400
SG#                        =    2041

          One of the most stunning symbols of ancient Indian architecture, the Sun Temple of Konark represents the quintessence of temple architecture and art of Orissa. This temple, once widely known as the Black Pagoda, was built by the King Narasimhadeva-I of the Ganga dynasty in the thirteenth century, perhaps as a royal proclamation of the political supremacy of his dynasty. It is said that a workforce of twelve hundred artisans and architects invested their creative talent, energy and artistic commitment for a period of twelve years to create this colossal monument. The temple was constructed as a monumental representation of a massive chariot drawn by seven spirited horses on twelve pairs of exquisitely carved wheels, lying on an east-west axis in which the Sun God Surya was pulled across the sky. 

Date of issue         =    1st Dec
Face value              =    Rs.15 , 400
SG#                        =    2042-43

    Volunteer service has been a part of virtually every civilisation and society. Defined in the broadest terms as the non-profit contribution that individuals make for the well-being of their neighbour, community or society at large, voluntary service can range from traditional customs of mutual self-help to responses in times of crisis.

Date of issue         =    5th Dec
Face value             =    400
SG#                        =    2044

      Combining in his career the diverse role of actor, director, producer and movie moghul Raj Kapoor (1924-1988) carved out a niche for himself in the history of Indian cinema. Son of the illustrious Prithviraj Kapoor, the legendary film and theatre personality, Raj Kapoor made his debut as an actor at the age of eleven in Inquilaab, directed by Debaki Basu. Raj Kapoor's immense knowledge of religions and fables helped him to discover a format that appealed to the cross section of viewers. Many awards and distinctions were conferred  on him, the most prominent being the Dada Saheb Phalke Award and Padma Bhushan.

Date of issue         =    14th Dec
Face value             =    400
SG#                        =    2045

    History was made more than a century back in a remote corner of Assam in the midst of dense jungles when a group of 'Italian Engineers, commissioned by the Assam Railways and Trading Company to build a railway line from Dibrugarh to Margherita accidentally discovered oil. It was here in Digboi that the first commercially viable oil well in India, known locally as well No. 1, was successfully drilled in September 1889 and the first modern refinery in India was built and commissioned in December 1901.

Date of issue         =    18th Dec
Face value             =    400
SG#                        =    2046

     Greetings are an important medium of conveying thoughts and feelings. In a subtle way, they celebrate and strengthen relationships. In India too, the practice of sending illustrated greetings through the post picked up over the years. Almost all festivals, Diwali, Holi, Pongal, Durga Puja, Baisakhi, Christmas, Id and now even Raksha Bandhan and Valentine's Day are marked by sending of greetings cards through the post.

Date of issue         =    18th Dec
Face value              =    400 ,  300
SG#                        =    2047-48

       Combining in her personality the intrepid courage of Rani Laxmibai and the sacrifice and religiosity of Rajamata Ahilyabai, Rajamata Vijaya Raje Scindia (1919-2001) left an indelible mark in the socio-political life of the country. Born in an aristocratic family, her early education was at Sagar. She went on to complete higher education from the Dr. Annie Besant Theosophical college, Benares and the Isabel Thorborne college, Lucknow and later, received an Honorary Doctorate from the Vikram University, Ujjain.

Date of issue         =    20th Dec
Face value             =    400
SG#                        =    2049

The different architectural styles of the temples of India have been traditionally classified into three, viz. The Nagara of 'northern' style, the Dravida or 'southern' style, and the Vasara or hybrid style which is seen in the Deccan between the other two. There are also distinct and localised styles in areas like Bengal, Kerala and the valleys of the Himalayas.

The first stamp depicts the temple at Kedarnath, set against the majestic Kedarnath range of mountains in Uttaranchal. 

The Tryambakeshwar temple, featured on the next stamp is situated in the district of Nashik in Maharashtra. It is built in black stone and follows the Nagara style of architecture.

The third stamp is on Aundha Nagnath temple, located near Nanded in Maharashtra. The temple is famous for its exquisite carvings. Spread over an area of 60,000 sq. ft., it follows the style of architeture called Hemadpanthi.

Fourth stamp is the temple of Rameshwaram, famous of its majestic pillars and well fashioned corridors. Built around the twelfth century A.D., with its beautifully embellished Gopurams and towers, it is a classic example of Dravidian architecture.

Date of issue         =    22nd Dec                                                                                                                                                                        Face value             =    400 x 3 , Rs.15                                                                                                                                                         
SG#                       =    2050-253