COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS IN INDIA : NATIONAL

COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS IN INDIA :  NATIONAL

NEWS:  Recently, the department of Posts released a set of commemorative postage stamps to celebrate the Paris Olympics

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

Commemorative Postage Stamps in India

Purpose:

  • Issued to honor significant events, prominent personalities, aspects of nature, environmental issues, and both national and international concerns.

 

Issuance and Availability:

  • Limited Editions: Produced in limited quantities, making them unique and collectible.
  • Distribution: Available only at Philatelic Bureaux and counters or through the Philatelic Deposit Account Scheme.
  • Authority: Released by the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications.

 

Themes and Subjects:

  1. National Events:
    • Celebrate important milestones such as independence anniversaries, landmark constructions, and significant historical events.
  2. Prominent Personalities:
    • Honor influential figures in various fields like politics, arts, science, and culture, typically on significant anniversaries of their birth or death.
  3. Cultural Heritage:
    • Depict India's rich cultural heritage, including traditional art forms, festivals, and historical monuments.
  4. Nature and Wildlife:
    • Feature India's diverse flora and fauna, rare species, and natural landscapes.
  5. International Issues:
    • Highlight global concerns such as environmental protection and international cooperation.
  6. Sports:
    • Commemorate significant sports events, such as the Paris Olympics.

 

Special Covers:

  • Issued for events or subjects not deemed significant enough for a commemorative stamp.
  • Include special cancellations and are often produced for specific occasions.

 

Recent Issues:

  • India Post releases an annual stamp issue program detailing upcoming releases.
  • Examples for 2024:
    • Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple
    • 100th birth anniversary of Karpoori Thakur
    • 150th birth anniversary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad

 

Rules for Issuing Commemorative Postage Stamps:

Proposal Submission:

  • Eligibility: Any citizen of India can propose a commemorative stamp.
  • Format: Proposals must be submitted in a specific format available on the India Post website.
  • Timeline: Proposals should be submitted at least two years in advance.
  • Review Process: The Philatelic Advisory Committee (PAC) or its subcommittees review proposals and make recommendations.

 

Selection Criteria:

  • Quantity: A maximum of 50 issues (100 stamps) are released annually.
  • Personalities:
    • Stamps on personalities should not exceed 10% of the annual issue program.
    • No stamp will be issued on a living personality.
    • Personalities should be of national or international importance.
    • Exceptions may be made for figures in Art, Culture, and Music.
  • Anniversaries:
    • Stamps on personalities are typically issued on their birth centenary or significant death anniversaries.
    • Stamps can be issued no sooner than ten years after an individual's death.
    • For institutions or buildings, they must be at least 100 years old and of national or international importance.
    • Only apex institutions/organizations are considered for their significant anniversaries, not their branches.

 

Design and Approval:

  • Design: Determined by the Department of Posts, ensuring it adheres to guidelines and avoids religious symbols.
  • Approval: Once approved, the design and issue date cannot be changed.
  • Denominations: Stamp denominations align with domestic and international postal tariffs.

 

Mandatory Purchase:

  • Proponents: Especially institutions or organizations, must purchase a minimum number of stamps upon approval.
  • Purchase Requirements:
    • Institutions: At least 1 lakh stamps.
    • Global institutions: Purchases worth 25 lakh rupees.

India Post

Overview:

  • Known as: Department of Post under the Ministry of Communications.
  • Global Rank: Most extensive postal network in the world.
  • Post Offices: 154,965 as of March 2017.

 History:

  • Origin: Started by Warren Hastings in 1766 under the East India Company as "Company Mail."
  • Restructuring: In 1854 by Lord Dalhousie to improve services, introduced uniform postage rates and created the Director General of Post position.

 

Services Provided:

  • Mail Delivery: Standard and express mail services.
  • Money Transfers: Including money orders and electronic fund transfers.
  • Savings Schemes: Various savings accounts and investment schemes.
  • Life Insurance: Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI).
  • Retail Services: Bill collection, sale of forms, etc.
  • Government Services: Acts as an agent for pension payments and MGNREGS wage disbursement.

 

Organizational Structure:

  • Divisions: 23 postal circles, each headed by a Chief Postmaster General.
    • Circles are further divided into regions, divisions, and subdivisions.
  • Special Circle: A base circle dedicated to services for the Armed Forces.

 Notable Facts:

  • Hikkim Post Office: One of the highest post offices in the world, located in Hikkim, Spiti Valley, at 4,400 meters above sea level.

 Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2041317#:~:text=The%20commemorative%20stamp%20highlights%20the,perseverance%20and%20excellence%20in%20sports.