2002

100 Years of Directorate General of Mines Safety

The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Dhanbad, a subordinate office of the Union Ministry of Labour is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring safety, welfare and health of workers employed in mines. The procedures involved in the actual extraction of minerals from the depth of the earth continue to be tedious and hazardous, despite the concerned technologies having been refined many times over with the passage of time. Innumerable dangers loom large at every comer of the process and mining has rightly been deemed to be a war with the unpredictable forces of nature. The DGMS, originally called Bureau of Mines Inspection, was set up in 1902 with its headquarters at Calcutta. The headquarters was shifted to Dhanbad in 1908 and the organisation re-designated with its present name in 1967. At the headquarters of the DGMS, the Director General is assisted by staff officers who have specialisation in different disciplines like mining, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, occupational health, law, survey statistics, administration and accounts. The country has about 600 coal mines, 6000 non-coal mines and 32 oil mines. In its hundred years of existence, the organisation has been closely associated with the policies and planning, research & development, education and other allied activities connected with the mining industry of the country. The DGMS has been striving to reduce the risk of occupational diseases and casualties to mine workers by drafting appropriate legislation and laying down standards. In order to ensure compliance of these laws and standards, it has initiated a variety of awareness programmes. The vision of the DGMS is to ensure nationally acceptable and internationally comparable standards of health, safety and welfare for employees of Indian mines.

Date of issue = 7th Jan
Face value = Rs. 4 SG# = 2054

Indian Army Everest Expedition 2001

Indian Army added another feather to its cap in May 2001, when its mountaineers successfully scaled Mount Everest and put a record eight members and seven Sherpas on the summit. This is the largest number of summiteers on Mount Everest in an Indian expedition. Mount Everest, the tallest of the peaks of the Himalayas as also the whole world, stood in its unattainable isolation for thousands of years, till Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary conquered it in 1953. The Indian Army Mount Everest Expedition was flagged off by the Chief of the Army Staff on 1st March 2001 at New Delhi. It was led by Col. Krishan Kumar. After flagging off, the team moved to Nepal and after a long trek from Jiri, reached Base Camp of Everest on 3rd April 2001.

The stocking and establishment of various camps was completed by 1Oth May 2001 and summit attempts were planned for 14-15 May. However, bad weather forced the team to return to Base Camp from Camp-II. Weather remained bad for a few days. Finally on 19th May the team started from the Base Camp for their final attempt to reach the summit. On 2Oth May the first summit team reached Camp-III and the next day they reached South Col around 1300 hours. The same night the summit attempt started. After making their way through severe winds and subfreezing conditions, the first party consisting of seven members and three Sherpas finally reached the summit of Everest on 23rd May between 0720 hours and 0845 hours. The I second team comprising one member and four Sherpas left Camp-III around 0630 hours on 23rd May and reached the summit of Mount Everest around 0545 hours on 24th May 2001.

Smooth de-induction to the Base Camp was subsequently carried out wherein all the camps were closed. In keeping with the Indian Army's care and concern for the protection of the environment, all waste was brought down from the mountain. This unique mountaineering feat has not only brought laurels to the Army but also glory to the nation.

Date of issue = 15th Jan
Face value = 400 SG# = 2055

Buddha Mahotsav

Buddhism taught humanity the middle path, the virtue of observing moderation in life and staying clear of the extremes of both self- indulgence and self-mortification. It rejected ritualistic practices and emphasised the need to eliminate desire in order to attain salvation from suffering. It also advocated peace, non-violence and respect for all forms of life. Having originated in India, Buddhism spread far and wide, to different corners of the world. India, the 'Cradle of Buddhism', has a past rich with Buddhist history and traditions. The places connected with the four principal events of Lord Buddha's life, viz. his birth, enlightenment, first sermon and nirvana, which took place respectively at Lumbini (Nepal), Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar, are looked upon with great veneration. Sravasti, Sankisa, Rajgir and Vaishali, together with the first four are regarded as the eight holy places (Ashtamahasthanas) and are well known pilgrimage destinations. The annual Bauddha Mahotsav festival aims to propagate the message of Lord Buddha and to create awareness about India's rich Buddhist heritage. Promoting pilgrimages and tourism as well as increasing the travel facilities are integral to this festival. The Bauddha Mahotsav also aims to strengthen the cultural links provided by Buddhism between different countries and their people. The Department of Posts is happy to issue set of four stamps on the Bauddha Mahotsav.

The first stamp shows the Gridhakuta hills of Rajgir, from where the Lord had delivered many of his sermons. The second stamp depicts the Dhamek Stupa of Sarnath from where Lord Buddha is believed to have given his first sermon and the third, shows the Mahabodhi temple located adjacent to the Mahabodhi tree at Bodhgaya. The fourth depicits the Mahaparinirvana temple of Kushinagar where he is stated to have attained release from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth.

The four stamps also carry pictures of prayers and festivities, in an attempt to capture the spirit of the Bauddha Mahotsav.

Date of issue = 21st Jan
Face value = 400 x 2, 1500, 800 SG# = 2056-59

The Year of Books 2001-2002

The magic of the book has never ceased to charm humanity. Through the ages it helped man knit his hopes and aspirations. Secured within its covers, it brings to him ancient wisdom, with which he builds the edifice of the future. Books not only enable us to understand things in the correct perspective, but also empower us intellectually and can imbibe in us a sense of pride in our national culture. For almost a decade now, books have been facing serious competition from the audio-visual media. But the fact remains that it is only books and not computers that can be read anywhere, at any time and in any environment in a running train, in a favourite quiet corner of the library and even sitting on the water tank of one's multi-storied building. There is a need to make books reach the people and thus create an awareness about them. We need to inculcate the reading habit, specially among our youth and make available to them books at affordable prices. It is to create this awareness that the Government of India has dedicated one full year to books by declaring the year 2001-02, commencing on 23rd April 2001, as The Year of Books. The Year of Books seeks not only to create public awareness about the importance of reading books and find solutions to the many problems facing writers, publishers, book distributors and readers, but also to strengthen the library movement. The slogan for the Year of Books is "Books for All and All for Books".

Date of issue = 28th Jan
Face value = 400 SG# = 2060

Swami Ramanand

Swami Ramanand was one among the leading lights of the Bhakti Movement, the great socio-religious renaissance of medieval India. Ramanand was spiritually inclined from his early childhood. He was drawn to the Vaishnavaite doctrine which were popular those days. He became a disciple of Saint Raghavananda, under whom his mystic insights received a new direction. A pilgrimage to Kashi proved to be a turning point in the life of Swami Ramanand. It was during this voyage that his thoughts on the relationship between Man and God took definite shape. He realised that God can be worshipped by one and all, and that the prevailing concept of the priestly class enjoying the exclusive privilege to do so was wrong. He taught his disciples that, "A person who takes refuge at God's feet frees himself from the bonds of caste-divisions". A memorial was built as a mark of respect for the swami, that stands in Kashi to his day. Swami Ramanand's ideas were no doubt revolutionary in the social milieu of medieval India. The impact of his ideas was not confined to religion, but extended to the social realm as well. His message that all human beings are equal and that one should truly love humanity helped people of the so-called lower castes to rediscover their dignity and self-belief. Swami Ramanand's liberal teachings inspired a sect of Bairagis (renouncers). This sect adopted him as their Acharya and followed the path shown by him. His thoughts have also found a place in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy text of the Sikh religion. Ramanand has several disciples who went on to expound the way of Bhakti in different parts of India. Kabir, Ravidas, Sain, Dhanna and Pipa are believed to have been his followers, though some of them were not his contemporaries.

Date of issue = 4th Feb
Face value = 400 SG# = 2061

Indian Ordnance Factories 1802-2002

The Indian Ordnance Factories Organisation (IOFs), which has been the backbone of India's Defence Production, will be completing 200 years of existence on 18th March 2002. The IOFs have come a long way from the unit called Gun & Shell Factory which started functioning on the banks of river Hooghly in Cossipore, Calcutta on 18th March 1802. Today it consists of 39 production units spread across the length and breadth of the country. and employs a workforce of 1.4 lakhs. Some of the factories of the Organisation are among the oldest industrial establishments in the country. The Ordnance Factories play a vital role in equipping the Armed Forces with weapons, ammunitions tanks etc. Investments on their infrastructure stem from national security and strategic needs. The objective of the organisation is to meet the requirements of the armed forces, particularly of the army, for conventional lethal and non-lethal hardware. The factories also produce military transport vehicles, infantry combat vehicles, armoured vehicles, optical and opto-electronic instruments, field cables, summer and winter uniforms, tentages, parachutes, miscellaneous leather goods, floats, bridges, general stores, civil blasting explosives etc. Facilities also exist for design and manufacture of captive special purpose machine tools for production of arms and ammunition components. Besides supply of arms, ammunition and other items to the Armed Forces, the needs of police and the para military organizations are also catered to. Items are also produced for the Railways, Public Sector Undertakings and other Government Departments. The stamp design shows Tank Ajeya, one among the latest products of IOFs in the foreground, with a gun carriage from the olden days in the background.

Date of issue = 8th March
Face value = 400 SG# = 2062

Sido Murmu - Kanhu Murmu

The Murmu brothers, Sido and Kanhu, were the leaders who masterminded the famous Santal Hul (liberation movement) of 1855-57, a heroic episode in India's prolonged struggle for freedom. Resistance of the indigenous peoples to British rule in India started almost immediately after the East India Company captured political power in many parts of the country. Discontent had been simmering in the Santal Parganas (presently in the State of Jharkhand) from the early decades of the nineteenth century, on the face of oppression and exploitation of the indigenous Santals by the authorities as well as immigrants. The emergence of Sido and Kanhu, youthful, dynamic and charismatic, provided a rallying point for the Santals. Hailing from the, village Bhognadih in Sahibganj district, Sido Murmu and Kanhu Murmu had long been brooding over the injustices perpetrated by the oppressors. The situation had reached a flash-point and, not surprisingly, a small episode that took place in July 1855 triggered one of the fiercest uprisings that the British administration ever faced in India. Earlier, on 30th June 1855 a large gathering of Santals, under the leadership of Sido Murmu and Kanhu Murmu had declared themselves free and took oath to fight the foreign rulers as well as their agents. The Santals were in this mood of militant enthusiasm when a Police agent confronted them on the 7th July and tried to place the Murmu brothers under arrest. The angry crowd reacted violently and killed the Police agent and his men. The event sparked off a series of confrontations with the Company's Army, and reached the scale of a full-fledged war. Led by Sido and Kanhu, the Santals made tremendous gains initially and captured control over a large tract of the country extending from Colgong on the west to Rajmahal hills on the east and nearly as far as Raniganj and Sainthia on the south. However, they could not hold on to the gains as the mighty military machine of the East India Company came down heavily on them. The courage, chivalry and sacrifice of the Santals were countered by the rulers with veritable butchery. The British Indian Army finally suppressed the rebellion in 1856, though some outbreaks continued into 1857. It is believed that Sido was captured by the British forces though treachery and Kanhu, through an encounter at Uparbanda, and were subsequently killed in captivity. The Santal Nul, however, had a long-lasting impact. Santal Parganas Tenancy Act was the outcome of this struggle.

Date of issue = 6th April
Face value = 400 SG# = 2063

150 Years of Railways in India

Railways have been a great integrating force in India for more than a century, particularly so after the attaining of independence in 1947. The history of Railways in India began on 16th April 1853, when the first train steamed off from Boribunder to Thane, covering a distance of 34 kilometers. From such a modest beginning, the Indian Railways have grown into a large network of about 7,000 stations spread over a route length of nearly 63,000 kmls. Today it is one of the largest organisations in the world, employing a work force of l6 lakhs. It provides the principal mode of transport for freight and passengers in India. The Railway network runs multi gauge operations with the broad gauge, meter gauge and narrow gauge tracks. The network is divided into nine zones. Seven new zones and nine new divisions are further being set up. Each day about 7500 passenger trains carry more than 11 million passengers in different parts of the country. As the country braces itself to observe an year long celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of India's first train journey which falls in 2003, the Department of Posts tries to capture the spirit of the event with the issue of this commemorative stamp. The design of the stamp (and the miniature sheet) tries to re-create the Indian landscape of 1853, with the first train chugging away in the distance, on its journey to Thane on the l6th of April.

Date of issue = 16th April
Face value = 1500 x 2 SG# = 2064, 2065

50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between India & Japan

Lord Buddha who gave the message of peace and non violence to the world also paved the way for a special bond between India and Japan. For nearly 2500 years the Japanese people have regarded India as a sacred country which has been a source of inspiration to them, through the spirituality of Buddhism. India has in its turn admired the phoenix-like economic reconstruction of Japan rising from the ashes of World War II. Economic ties between the two countries became important during the second half of the 9th century with the export of cotton and iron ore from India providing crucial inputs for the industrialization of Japan. There were also exchanges in the cultural and political fields such as the meeting of India's poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore with the Japanese philosopher, Tenshin Okakura and episodes from India's national movement concerning leaders like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Ras Behari Bose who has close ties with Japan. The post-independence era saw the formalising off the friendship. Diplomatic relations between Japan and India were established on April 28, 1952. India's invitation to Japan to participate in the first Asian games in Delhi and the rousing reception given to Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister during his visit to Japan in 1957 were unmistakable signs of the special cordiality that was emerging in the bilateral relations. This has been sustained by an exchange of visits by dignitaries; of both countries at the highest levels over the years.

Common values shared by the peoples of the two countries like liberty and parliamentary democracy provide a sound basis to carry forward the constructive partnership into the 21st century. Being two prominent members of the world comity of nations the potential of Indo-Japanese friendship is not limited to bilateral relations but also extends to their joint efforts for maintaining peace and security in the international arena and addressing various issues global concern.

Date of issue = 26th April
Face value = 1500 x 4 SG# = 20646-67, 2068

GOLDEN JUBILEE: PARLIAMENT OF INDIA

13th May, 1952 marked the beginning of a new place in the history of Independent India. It was on this day that India's Parliament met for the first time after the General Elections. It was the beginning of a new phase in the journey of the nation as an independent, sovereign country.

While it was 'India's British connection that inspired the growth of Parliamentary Government and Legislative Institutions in the modern times, the Parliamentary Institutions of the country have not been transplanted from Britain, but had an organic growth on India soil. They grew through many relentless struggles against the colonial domination, starting with the Charter Act of 1833, which was the result of the sustained demand by the people for increased participation in the administration of the country.
The first meeting of the constituent Assembly on 9th December 1946, was a historic event as the Assembly was a fully sovereign body, independent of external authority. After the attainment of freedom on 15th August 1947 and the coming into force of the Constitution of India on 26th January 1950, the character of the Constituent Assembly (Legislative) underwent a change. It became the provisional Parliament of the country.

The next phase in the history of the Indian democracy started when the first Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha met for the first time in the respective chambers to take up the agenda of the day. It also marked the setting of a fresh agenda for the newly independent nation. All in all, the democratic experiment which India launched on 13th May 1952, has consolidated the country's democratic credentials. Over the last 50 years, India has proved herself to be the largest working democracy in the world.

The stamp design shows the decorative inner view of the Central Hall of the Parliament, which is stated to be one of the most magnificent domes of the world. The Central Hall, which has witnessed the transfer of power on 15th August 1947, the long deliberations which led to the framing of the Constitution and the first session after each general elections to the Lok Sabha for the last 50 years, is a place of historic importance to India. The stamp design also incorporates one of the inscriptions from another dome inside the parliament, inscriptions that act as beacons to guide parliamentary discussions & debate.

Date of issue = 13th May
Face value = 400 SG# = 2069

Prabodhankar Thackeray Keshav Sitaram

Prabodhankar Thackeray Keshav Sitaram alias Prabodhankar Thackeray made a mark in modern Maharashtra by virtue of his leadership in the social, political and intellectual spheres. He became a stringent critic of religious conformism and launched an attack on malpractices like tonsuring widows, untouchability and practice of dowry. With a remarkable insight into the contemporary social processes, he concluded that professional priesthood was at the root of many of the injustices meted out to women and the under-privileged classes. He was quick to realise the potential of journalism for spreading social messages and used the press effectively to fight social evils. He was a prolific writer, having penned many plays, biographies and booklets. His writing was focused on social causes and not just literary excellence. He was also accomplished as a historian and an artist. The Samyukta Maharashtra movement, in which he played an important role in the autumn of his life, was perhaps the most important struggle in his life. Its successful culmination, unifying several diverse parties, stands testimony to Prabodhankar's diplomacy and leadership qualities.

Date of issue = 19th May
Face value = 400 SG# = 2070

Cotton College, Guwahati

Cotton College was established in 1901 as a Government institution during the administration of Sir Henry Cotton, after whom it has been named. The history of the College is one of steady growth since its establishment, extending its sphere of usefulness in the field of higher education. In 1909, when Assam formed part of Eastern Bengal, B.A. and B.Sc Classes were first opened. Since 1912, when Assam was reconstituted as a separate province, the College has undergone further expansion. Honours classes in different branches of study were opened in 1914, and numerous structural additions made to meet increasing demands.

Cotton College is the alma mater of practically all leading personalities of Assam. Six Chief Minister of Assam starting with Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi were proud products of Cotton College. Noted educationist Krishna Kanta Handique who was the first Vice-Chancellar of Guwahati University, litterateurs BirendraKumar Bhattacharya and Momoni Roisom Goswami who went on to win the Jnanpith award, musician Dr. Bhupen Hazarika who is a winner of the Dada Shaheb Phalke award and footballer Telimaran Ao, Captain of India's first Olympic team were a few noted alumni of the College. Assam owes to Cotton College for a significant contribution to its cultural renaissance. It took a leading part in moulding the literary and cultural activities of the people of the state. If presents a cosmopolitan ambience with students coming from all parts of the North East region to make the most of some of the best educational infrastructure available in the country.

Date of issue = 26th May
Face value = 400 SG# = 2071

Shri P. L. Deshpande

Date of issue = 16th June
Face value = 400 SG# = 2072

Shri Babu Gulabrai

Date of issue = 22nd June
Face value = 400 SG# = 2073

Pandit Suryanarayan Vyas

Date of issue = 22nd June
Face value = 400 SG# = 2074

Shri Brajlal Biyani

Date of issue = 22nd June
Face value = 400 SG# = 2075

Shree Thakur Satyananda

An ascetic, philosopher, writer and poet, Sree Thakur Satyananda (1902-1969) left a deep imprint on the spiritual, social and cultural life of the 20th century West Bengal. After obtaining a degree in commerce, he went into deep contemplation for about 14 years and attained many programmes, like distribution of food, clothing and medicines as well as dissemination of knowledge for the spiritual and social upliftment of the masses, through Asjrams founded by him. He wrote at least 7000 songs and hundreds of dance dramas and organized cultural activities in abundance. Today, the message and ideals of Sree Thakur Satyananda are kept alive by 2 institutions founded by his followers, namely Sree Satyananda Devayatan and Sree Satyananda Mahapeeth.

Date of issue = 23rd July
Face value = 400 SG# = 2076

Anna Bhau Sathe

Anna Bhau Sathe (1920-1969), an ideaologue, a voice for the voiceless, supporter participant in many progressive movements for wresting justice for the poverty-stricken masses. He was one of the foremost creative writers in Marathi Literature. Born in a poor family and not formally educated, he had to do menial jobs to eke out a living. His struggle for subsistence gave him varied experiences which enriched his vision. He was thus naturally drawn towards the protective and egalitarian values of the leftist ideology. He adopted the medium of theatre and other creative arts to promote his political ideas.

Date of issue = 1st August
Face value = 400 SG# = 2077

Anand Rishiji Maharaj

Nemichand, alias Anand Rishiji Maharaj (1900-1992), left an indelible impression not only in religious matters, but also in areas of relevance to the common man in his day-to-day life. He mastered the Jain Scriptures and the ancient philosophical texts of Sanskrit language. It was his firm conviction that a soul filled with knowledge does not go astray; therefore, it was important for all human beings to be spiritually aware. He founded many educational & religious institutions besides rejuvenating many ailing ones. Through all these, his objective was to bring solace to the suffering masses and to imaprt spiritual knowledge.

Date of issue = 9th Aug
Face value = 400 SG# = 2077

Vithalrao Vikhe Patil

Dr. Vithalrao Vikhe Patil (1901-1980), a prominent leader of the Cooperative Movement in Maharashtra, hailed from a peasant family. He had witnessed the adversities face by the peasants in the form of natural calamities as well as man-made atrocities like economic exploitation. He sought to improve their lot through collective action, a natural outcome of the Socialistic philosophy he was much influences by. With this firm conviction he organized many cooperative credit and multi purpose societies in the Pravara region

Date of issue = 10th Aug
Face value = 400 SG# = 2079

Sant Tukaram

Sant Tukaram, great mystic poet of the 17th century was instrumental in taking religion and poetry to the masses and thereby generating a renaissance of sorts and reinforcing the Marathi identity. He was born in a family of traders, and saw many ups and downs in life including loss of near and dear ones. Finacially he was a total wreck, unable even to provide for his family. Eventually he turned into a recluse and became under the influence of a 13th century poet saint, Namedo who is said to have visited him in a dream. Inspired by the family diety, Lord Vithoba (Vitthal), to whom he became more and more attached, he started writing abhangs. However, this invited the wrath of the priesthood for interfering into their domain of interpreting religion and also for the supposed sin of writing in Marathi (rather than Sanskrit). Undettered, he wnt on writing, according to scholarly estimates, some 5000 poems though not even a single manuscript of his writing is available today. Further, he is recognised as the first true poet in Marathi language in terms of thematic choice and poetic technique.

Date of issue = 10th Aug
Face value = 400 SG# = 2080

Bhaurao Krishnarao Gaikwad

Bhaurao Krishnarao Gaikwad (1902-1971), alias Dadasaheb Gaikwad, was a fearless leader who fought for the rights of the down-trodden sections of society. He courted arrest and served imprisonment for the Satyagrahas he organized for the cause of the poor not only during the pre-independence but also during the post-independence period. He fought the practices of untouchability and caste discrimination relentlessly. The Dhamma Parishad at Yeola was one of the many epoch making events organised by him, in which Dr. Ambedkar had declared his intention to leave the fold of Hindu religion. On the political front too, he was as active: from 1937 to 1946, he was a member of Bombay Legislative Assembly and served the country as a member of the Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha, Later. He was honoured with Padmashri in 1968.

Date of issue = 26th Aug
Face value = 400 SG# = 2081

Personality Series: Social Reformers

Ayyan Kali (1863-1941) led a struggle of epic proportions in Kerala against the caste-based discriminations of which he too was a victim. His struggle was against oppression and for the right to use public paths and wells and to open schools and temples for the untouchables. For his indefatigable spirit to the cause of the down-trodden he was nominated to the State Assembly by the Maharaja of Travancore, Mahatma Gandhi, who had visited him at Venganur in 1937, appreciated his leadership for the emancipation of his people.

Chandraprabha Saikiani (1901-1972) not only pioneered a movement for the emancipation of women in Assam, but also led crusades against various malpractices prevalent in the society. She strove relentlessly to rescue womenfolk from the drudgery of domestic work and to educate them. A true Gandhian, she played a major role in the Freedom Movement in Assam. She is also remembered for her poetry and novels.

Gora (1902-1975) was a social reformer, freedom fighter and educationist who strove to eradicate caste differences and untouchability. He was a teacher by profession and had made a name as such. A staunch advocate of atheism as a positive way of life, Gora started the Atheist Centre that became a centre of activity for social changes. In the freedom struggle he was an associate of leaders like the Mahatma and Nehru. In the Post-independence era, he worked for Bhoodan and Sarvodaya Movements.

Date of issue = 12th Sept
Face value = 500 x 3 SG# = 2082-84

Ananda Nilayam Vimanam

Date of issue = 11th Oct
Face value = 500 SG# = 2085

Kanika Bandopadyaya

Date of issue = 12th Oct
Face value = 500 SG# = 2086

Aryua Vaidyashala Kotakkal

Date of issue = 12th Oct
Face value = 500 SG# = 2087

Bhagwan Baba

Date of issue = 15th Oct
Face value = 500 SG# = 2103

Bihar Chambers

Date of issue = 28th Oct
Face value = 500 SG# = 2103

Mangroves

Date of issue = 30th Oct
Face value = 500 x 4, Rs. 30 SG# = 2090-93, 2094

Swami Pranavananda

Date of issue = 3rd Nov
Face value = 500 SG# = 2095

Nagpur 1702-2002

Date of issue = 11th Nov
Face value = 500 SG# = 2096

Children's Day

Every Year the 14th of November is observed as the Universal Children's Day. The Department of Posts issues a special stamp on the occasion, underlining the country's responsibility and commitment to meeting the needs and fulfilling the rights of children. This year, the stamp is based on a painting by Aakash Anand of Good Shepherd School, Udagamandalam, which captures the spirit of Holi, the festival of colours. Through the images of dance, music and festivities the artist creates a mood of vibrant joy

Date of issue = 14th Nov
Face value = 500 SG# = 2097