M C CHAGLA stamp released on 01 10 2004
Denomination :500p
Stamps Printed :0.6 Million
Date of Issue :01-10-2004
Theme: Personality
Jurist, judge, educationist, diplomat, Union Cabinet Minister and statesman, M.C. Chagla was a multifaceted genius. Born on September 30, 1900 and educated at Bombay’s Saint Xavier’s School and Lincoln College, Oxford, England, he went on to practice Law and subsequently became the Chief Justice of the High Court of Bombay. He taught law at the Government Law College, Bombay and later became the Vice Chancellor of Bombay University. He served as a Member of the Law Commission and was ad-hoc judge of the International Court of Justice at the Hague. He was Governor of Bombay for a short spell and was India’s Ambassador to the USA for 3 years and High Commissioner for India in the UK for a year.
As a Member of the Indian Cabinet, first as Minister of Education and later of External Affairs, he headed the Indian Delegation to the Security Council Debate on Kashmir in 1964, to the Commonwealth Education Conference, Ottawa (1964), to the General Conference of UNESCO (1964) and to the UN General Assembly (1964). He was the honorary recipient of Doctor of Law from several Universities in India and abroad. He was also given the UNESCO Award for distinguished services to Human Rights in 1978. His published works include the Indian Constitution; Law, Liberty and Life; The Individual and the State; An Ambassador Speaks; Education and the Nation; Unity and Language and his Autobiography, ‘Roses in December’.
His life symbolized intellectual integrity, unfailing courtesy and kindliness, simplicity and humanity the hallmark of Justice Chagla and his work. His judgments were based on quality and justice. No disparaging or sarcastic remarks ever escaped his lips.
He left his mark not only in the court of Law, but as a connoisseur of art, a fascinating public speaker and a person as deeply interested in literature as in law. On the enactment of the Constitution of India in 1950, problems without precedence were placed before Courts of Law for solution. Justice Chagla brought to these problems a balance between the rule of law and the liberty of the individual. The ideal he set before himself was that “Men must be prepared to sacrifice their individual liberty for social happiness; but for no other consideration, for nothing short of this, can liberty be called upon to make a sacrifice”. This was the ideal which he himself achieved, starting work at the Bar as “a lonely, friendless figure, without any support from solicitors at that stage, and without the support of wealth or influence”. It was this unflinching courage which led him to criticise the imposition of the Emergency, defending the independence of the judiciary and democracy.
Justice Chagla earned abiding respect and affection of those whose lives he touched. The Department of Posts is proud to honour the memory of Justice M.C. Chagla.
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF WELFARE AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (IISWBM), KOLKATA stamp released on 25 04 2004
Denomination: 500p
Stamps Printed: 0.8 Million
Date of Issue: 25-04-2004
Theme: Educational Institutions
The character of a nation is reflected in and depends significantly on the health of its educational institutions. From time immemorial, India has a tradition of responsible institutions that have had as their aim the bringing out of sound men over and above sound scholars. Even the forest schools of yore, besides imparting education, transformed into nuclei of socio-cultural activity. Ancient universities like Taxila and Nalanda produced luminaries like Panini, Kautilya and Charaka and imparted education in a wide range of subjects including logic, grammar, medicine, philosophy and astronomy besides Buddhist and Brahmanical literature respectively. They were all bound by the common thread of exacting standards for students and being not merely the givers of knowledge but also centers to foster excellence. Modern Indian institutions are worthy torch-bearers of the same tradition donning the mantle to impart quality education and also to stem the tide of degeneration that stalks contemporary society. The Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management falls in the same genre of institutions.
IISWBM was established through a resolution adopted by the Syndicate of Calcutta University on 25 April, 1953. It was the first Institute in the country to have started the University Post Graduate Diploma course in Business Management in July, 1954. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Government of India, in 1948 set up a joint committee for the purpose of examining the question of training in industrial administration and business management and to prepare the scheme for organizing such training in the country. A sub-committee of this committee under the chairmanship of Sir Jehangir Ghandy was set up for preparing the scheme. On the suggestion of the Ghandy Committee and on the recommendation of the Board of Management Stuties, AICTE selected IISWBM as the centre for the course in business management. The Institute began as the All India Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management and in 1958, it was registered as a society with its present name for being managed by an autonomous council. This facilitated receipt of financial assistance from Government of India which continued to support the Institute financially and otherwise till 1991. Government of West Bengal has taken over this responsibility ever since.
The Institute has two blocks - Administrative and Academic, having a total floor area of 1235.41 sq.m. The foundation stone of the Academic Block was laid by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 30 November, 1958. Since 1958 the Institute has been run by a Board of Governors which includes, among others, the Vice Chancellor and the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Finance), University of Calcutta, Principal Secretary, Department of Education, Government of West Bengal, representatives from the four Chambers of Commerce,
the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India and the AICTE as members.
The Institute conducts several prestigious courses, the most important being the Masters in Business Management that is affiliated to the University of Calcutta. The courses on Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDBM) and Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management were started in 1990 and 1992 respectively. In 1993 was started the Post Graduate Diploma Course in Public Systems Management with specialization in Health Care and Management, Transport and Logistics Management, Environment Management and Energy Management. All the courses are approved by the AICTE, the statutory body of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
The Institute boasts of distinguished alumni who are renowned nationally and internationally for their contribution in their respective areas. Some such eminent people include Prof. Sumantra Ghoshal of London Business School, Shri L.N. Mittal ofthe ISPAT group, Shri Sudhir Jalan, former President of FICCI and Dr. C.V. Chandrasekaran, Managing Director of the Balmer Lawrie group.
Despite the mushrooming growth of management institutes, IISWBM continues with an unsullied image of the oldest of Management Institutes of India imparting education impeccable in quality and exemplary in standard. The Department of Posts honours fifty years of the existence of the Institute through the release of this commemorative postage stamp.
THE GREAT TRIGONOMETRICAL SURVEY stamp released on 28 06 2004
Denomination :500p
Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million
Date of Issue :28-06-2004
Theme: Events-national and international
The Survey of India, the premier mapping agency of the country, was raised during the era of the East India Company, by Lord Clive. Major James Rennell was commissioned to commence the Bengal Surveys in 1767 as the first Surveyor General of the Bengal Survey. This is accepted as the beginning of systematic topographical mapping in India and the founding of one of the oldest survey and mapping agencies in the world. Soon after the conquest of Mysore in 1799, the third Mysore surveys were ordered under Colonel William Lambton. At that time, the detailed knowledge of the earth’s size and shape did not exist. So, in 1802 AD, Colonel Lambton decided to carry out a trigonometrical survey of the peninsula in the vicinity of Madras on 10 April, 1802, starting an exercise that marked the beginning of the Great Trigonometrical Survey (GTS).
The Royal Geographical Society considered the GTS the most significant contribution to the advancement of the science in the 19th century. Though Lambton had initially planned a short arc, it later grew in size and scale to become one of the most ambitious and adventurous scientific undertakings known to man. The 1600 mile survey took nearly fifty years to be completed, involved equations more complex than any in the pre-computer age and covered inhospitable and perilous terrain from the southern tip of the Indian sub-continent into the frozen wastes of the Himalayas. The Great Arc made possible the mapping of the entire subcontinent. Scientific and infrastructural initiatives could not have taken place without the accurate maps which the measurement of the Great Arc made possible. The Arc also resulted in the first accurate measurement of the Himalayas and significantly advanced our knowledge of the exact shape of our planet by producing new values for the curvature of the earth’s surface.
This gigantic endeavor would not have been possible without the pioneering efforts clear thinking and sagacious vision of an intrepid band of surveyors. Foremost among them is Colonel William Lambton, a man of extraordinary scientific passion. A self-taught astronomer, geographer and mathematician, he joined the British Army as an ensign in the 33rd Regiment and moved with his Regiment to India when he was almost 50 years of age.
It was his desideratum most sublime to determine by actual measurement the magnitude and figure of the earth. The brilliant executor of Lambton’s scientific legacy was George Everest who made the Arc his life’s work. The loftiest peak in the Himalayas and consequently in the world was given his name: an acknowledgement of the painstaking, scientific endeavour that made possible the measurement of the snowcapped Himalayas. Everest’s “right hand” and Chief Computer was Radhanath Sikdar who joined the Survey at Mussourie at the age of 21. He was appointed as computer in 1831 and took field with Everest in October 1833. He is said to have calculated the height of Mount Everest and thereby discovered the highest mountain in the world. His most important contribution was the preparation of the first edition of the Auxiliary Tables. He also assisted in the compilation of “Manual of Surveying for India”. After Everest’s departure he was equally trusted by Waugh, the new Surveyor General. He retired in March 1862 and passed away on 17 May, 1870.
Another intrepid schoolteacher who made an invaluable contribution to the advancement of the Survey was Nain Singh. He took up the challenge of mapping Tibet and that too under cover since Tibet was completely sealed off by edict. Nain Singh entered Tibet in the guise of a lama, armed with prayer wheel and rosary but concealing in a secret compartment in his trunk precious instruments-the compass, sextant, thermometer, chronometer and bottle of mercury. Over 21 months, he surveyed the 2000 km trade route, took 31 latitude fixes and determined elevations at 33 places. He followed the course of the great Tibetan river, the Tsangpo for 800 km and eventually proved that Tsangpo and Brahmaputra are the same.
The Department of Posts is proud to release a set of postage stamps to commemorate the “Great Trigonometrical Survey”. The stamp features two of the greatest contributors to the Survey-Radhanath Sikdar and Nain Singh besides depicting the theodolites and other instruments.
JYOTIPRASAD AGARWALLA stamp released on 17 06 2004
Denomination :500p
Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million
Date of Issue :02-06-2004
Theme: Personality
Jyotiprasad Agarwalla was a cultural icon, a nationalist, a musician, a poet and above all a humanist. He believed that “man derives supreme happines in life by the complete propagation of culture”, and his life was a reflection of his belief.
He was born on 17th June 1903 to Parmananda Agarwalla and Kiranmoyee Devi. His early education was in Tezpur High School, Dibrugarh. He left school inspiredd by the influence of Gandhiji when the latter visited Tezpur in 1921. Later he completed his education from Chittranjan Das University and National College Calcutta. What flickered as a flame of patriotism in the young heart flaired into a lifelong fire of nationalism. Jyotiprasad Agarwalla became an active Satyagrahi in the 1930s and toured extensively in the rural areas of Tezpur. He composed many patriotic songs that inspired the younger generation. In 1932 he was arrested for his activities and fined Rs.500. In this turbulent period, he married Debajani Bhuyan of Dibrugarh in 1936. During the Quit India movement, as a commander of the volunteer force, Jyotiprasad remained underground spreading revolutions message. He remained a pacifist and on Gandhiji’s advice, surrendered to the British at the Darrang District Court on 15 August 1943. He was tried but released for want of evidence.
The multifarious talent in Jyotiprasad Agarwalia flowered early. The artistic atmosphere of Tezpur and the inspiration from his music loving father were the elements which built the climate conducive for such flowering.
He penned “Shonit Kunwari” at the age of 14. It was a musical dance drama with an experimentation in “Padumkali” dance, a combination of “Bihu” and ‘Bhawna’. In 1924 it was staged for the first time in the Ban threatre and it became a milestone in the history of Assamese drama. His other works were Karingarligiri, Rupalim, Labhita, Nimati Kanya. A prolific poet, he wrote with a flourish using chaste and sweet Assamese words. He also wrote’Jyoti Ramayana’, considered to be one of his most notable contributions towards children’s literature.
He also introduced ‘Jyoti Sangeet’, a combination of Assamese, Hindustani and Western music. In 1926 he left India and joined Edinburg University in 1927. He was influenced by the prevalent trends of experimentation in music and drama and the huge strides in cinema. He studied cinematography in Berlin in 1929.
After return to India, he made “Joymati” the first film in Assam and also a talkie in the age of silent films. It was released on 10th March, 1935 and ushered in a new chapter in the cinematic history of Assam. The film was far ahead of its time in cinematic technique and was marked with subtle and realistic acting. His next film was “Indramalati’. He established ‘Chitraban’ the first film studio, ‘Jonaki’ the first theatre, and also ‘Tezpur Sangeet Mahavidyalaya’. He also made the first gramophone records of his plays along with Shri Bishnu Prasad Rabha, the famous litterateur.
Jyotiprasad Agarwalla devoted his entire life to rejuvenate Assamese society. The theme of unity between the ethnic groups of Assam flows through his literary output. The way to cultural change, according to him was through empowerment of the masses. He fought for establishment of Assamese as the official language of Assam. Guwahati University is another example of his selfless and tireless efforts.
For his contribution to the Assamese literature, music and culture, he is lovingly called the ‘Rupkonwar’, i.e. the Prince of Beauty. Jyotiprasad Agarwalla died on 17 February, 1951. This day is observed as ‘Silpi Diwas’ in Assam.
The Department of Posts pays rich tribute to his greatness by release of this commemorative stamp.
INDRA CHANDRA SHASTRI stamp released on 27 05 2004
Denomination :500p
Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million
Date of Issue :27-05-2004
Theme: Personality
A gentle lamp that quietly glows, illumining a monumental treasure stored by the meticulous hands of history, a steady flame touching the cobwebs of ignorance and dogmatism and obliterating them, a spark igniting curious minds and leaving behind a warm afterglow: such was the intellect, the personality and in fact, the life of Dr. Indra Chandra Shastri. Once aptly described by Jainendra Kumar as a living symbol of Indian intellect, Dr. Shastri was a philosopher, an exceptional author, and an authority on poetics, philosophy, religion, culture, Indology, linguistics, grammar, epistemology etc. His pioneering contributions are evident in the field of Pali, Prakrit, Philosophy (eastern and western), History of India, European Language etc. He was an indefatigable and prolific thinker who combined abstract thought with a rare imagination. A pursuer of individual spiritualism and inspired by Jain Anekanta, he was a man of courage and dedication and remained a fervent champion of rationalism.
Born on 27 May, 1912, at Dabwali Mandi, now in Sirsa district of Haryana, Dr. Indra Chandra Shastri came to Bikaner for education where he studied Sanskrit and Prakrit. Later he received a Masters’ degree in Sanskrit from Agra University and was bestowed the ‘Shastracharya’ in Vedanta from the Banaras Hindu University. He did his ‘Shastri’ from Punjab University and ‘Nyayatirtha’ from Calcutta. He obtained a Ph.d under the tutelage of Pandit Bal Krishna Mishra. The doctoral dessertation in ‘Epistemology of Jain Agamas’ was highly commended.
Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, Shastriji actively participated in the freedom movement. In 1942 campaigned against Bal Diksha, a practice of forcible adoption of poor children by Jain ascetics in Rajasthan, prevalent those days. This resulted in the tabling of a bill in the assembly of Bikaner. He also organized relief camps during partition. He was involved in organizational activities, he was Secretary Akhil Bharatiya Sanskrit Sahitya Sammelan in 1954-58. In 1957 he organized the Delhi session of All India Oriental Conference. He was Chief Speaker at World Religious Conference in Ujjain, Rajgir and Delhi. In 1959 he was appointed the first Head of the Department of Sanskrit in the Institute of Post Graduate Studies in the University of Delhi. In 1961, due to loss of eyesight caused by glaucoma, he resigned from the post. Subsequently appointed Professor emeritus under a University Grants Commission sheme, he pursued research on ‘Religion and Modern Man’ in 1967-69. He remained associated with various departments as a guest speaker.
His writings are marked with high scholasticism. He wrote about 70 books and more than 600 research papers where he distilled the wisdom of ancient classical texts and applied it to modern times. His ‘Pali Bhasa Aur Sahitya’ has a series of three forewords followed by the Hindi translation of Wilhelm Geiger’s introduction to his German classic entitled ‘Pall literatur unC sprache’. Dr. Shastri made dispassionate analysis of though: currents which had prevailed over the centuries. He considered reason and logic as essential tools to dismantle the dead ye: inherited thought structure of the past. He had the restless zea’ of an explorer and reformer, evident in his works Religion: Shops’ and ‘Ghosts of Culture’. His other important works are Sanskrit Kavya Shastra Ka Itihas, Mahabharat Ke Sukti Ratna. Alok Aur Unmad, Hamari Prampara, Jainism and Democracy. Dharma Aur Rashtra Nirman, Bharatiya Arya Bhasaen etc.
As a recognition of his pioneering efforts and creati\ talent, he was awarded the ‘Sahitya Seva Samman’, by the Hind Academy. He was also conferred the ‘Sahitya Ratna Alankaran by the Vice Chancellor of Delhi University. The President c. India awarded him a ‘Certificate of Honour’ on 15 August
In his ‘Epistemology of Jain Agamas’, a comparative stud-.. according to Dr. Satkari Mookerjee, “the maturity of judgment and sober appraisal of the lived and orthodox positions are their points of agreements and diversion by the author NN ensure him the reputation of being one of the pioneer exponents of Jainology in English. It shows a healthy outlook and freedom from domestic bias”.
He went on with his voluminous outpourings even after losing his eyesight and dictated his thoughts and ideas create masterpieces. Such a profile of courage and dedication passed away on November 1986. Dr. Indra Chandra Shastri advocated a spiritual journey for the individual from the personal to the universal and the humane. His life journey was a pilgrimage for tru:= which we all remember and cherish.
The Department of Posts is honoured to issue a postage stamp in his memory.
ASHOKA CHAKRA WINNERS NEERJA BHANOT AND RANDHIR PRASAD VERMA stamp released on 08 10 2004
Denomination :500,500p
Stamps Printed :0.6 Million each
Date of Issue :08-10-2004
Theme: Personality, Armed Forces
Ashoka Chakra is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour of self-sacrifice other than in the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded posthumously.
The medal was originally established in 1952 as the’Ashoka Chakra Class I’ as the first step of a three class sequence of non-combatant bravery decorations. In 1967, these decorations were removed from the ‘class-based’ system and renamed as the Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra. Officers, men on different operations, civilians, airline crew and even Russian Cosmonauts were awarded this medal in due recognition of their gallantry.
Indeed, Ashoka Chakra awardees live in the hearts of millions. Their acts of bravery bedazzle, leaving an afterglow forever. Courage, Commitment and Compassion, these three simple words personify Neerja Bhanot who was recognized internationally as ‘the heroine of the hijack’.
Neerja Bhanot, daughter of Shri Harish Bhanot was born on 7 September 1963, in Chandigarh. She did her early schooling at Sacred Heart, Chandigarh before going to Mumbai where she studied at Bombay Scottish and St. Xavier’s College. She joined the Pan American World Airways on January 16, 1986. Her leadership qualities were quickly recognized and she was elevated to the position of ‘Purser’ on April 1, 1986. On September 5, 1986, Neerja Bhanot was in the Pan American Airways flight from Bombay to New York via Karachi as Senior Flight Purser, when the plane was hijacked at Karachi Airport by four heavily armed hijackers. Nearly 400 passengers and crew members, were held at gunpoint for over 17 hours.
Showing exemplary courage, she identified herself to the terrorists as the crew member in charge of the aircraft. She also comforted the passengers, especialy the elderly and small children.
When it became apparent that the hijackers wanted to execute Americans, she hid their passports. At the end, the hijackers opened fire and set of explosives. Acting quickly, Neerja opened the emergency doors and helped a number of passengers to escape. While shielding three children from a hail of bullets, she was fatally wounded by the gunfire. She laid down her life displaying the most conspicuous bravery in the face of grave adversity.
She is the only Indian to have been conferred with the ‘Heroism Award of the Flight Safety Foundation’.
Randhir Prasad Verma was a person who made a glorious history in a short life span and made his country proud by displaying extraordinary courage, bravery and dedication to his duty. He was born on 3rd February 1952 in Saharsha district of Bihar. His qualities of enthusiasm and dedication started showing up when he was studying in St John’s School, Ranchi and Patna College, Patna. He was extremely fond of sports and made a mark in cricket also.
He joined the Indian Police Service in 1974. He eliminated the gang of notorious ‘Matka Gamblers’. He also smashed the gang of another notorious criminal, Kamdev Singh, in the initial training period of his police service. He was sent to the turbulent Singhbhoom district which was in the grip of the Kolhan movement.
On the fateful day of 3`1 January 1991, Randhir Prasad Venna, posted in Dhanbad as the Superintendent of Police, learnt about an attempted robbery in the Hirapur branch of the Bank of India. He rushed to the spot accompanied only by his bodyguards, and entered the building. He met with a hail of gunfire. He took out his service revolver and asked the robbers to surrender. One of them fired upon him with his automatic weapon. Shri Verma was badly wounded, still he managed to shoot one down. He was again fired upon which proved fatal. Showing exceptional dare-devilry and courage, Randhir Prasad Verma laid down his life. The robbers, after killing him, tried to escape but were caught by the stunned spectators and two of them were lynched by the mob.
By his act of gallantry, Shri Randhir Prasad Verma set an example for the society. By not being intimidated despite being outnumbered by the robbers who possessed superior weapons, he displayed that it’s the quality and motivation of the man that decides the course of history.
Department of Posts is proud to issue a set of two commemorative postage stamps in honour of Neerja Bhanot and Randhir Prasad Verma.
150 YEARS OF INDIAN POST stamp released on 04 10 2004
Denomination :500,500,500,500p
Stamps Printed :0.8 Million each
Date of Issue :04-10-2004
Theme: Events International National
1854 marks a watershed in the history of Post in India. On 1 st October, 1854, India Post, as we know it today, was born with a skeletal network of 701 post offices under the control of a Director General. The Post Office Act of 1854 reformed the earlier postal system, providing total monopoly to the Government for the management of the Post Office and the exclusive privilege for conveyance of letters. The Railway Mail Service was also established in 1854, and a new sea mail service was introduced from India to Great Britain and China.
On 1 st October, 1854, the first postage stamp valid across the country was issued at an affordable and uniform rate of postage, fixed by weight and not by distance. For the first time the common man could use a facility which included free delivery of letters from door to door - a privilege previously enjoyed only by Heads of States and State officials. From this day forth, the Post Office touched the life of every citizen. Even though the British established the Post Office for imperial interests, it became, along with the Railways and the Electric Telegraph, one of the great engines of social development.
The postal system in India is the synthesis of many influences. Its origins include elements of systems established from the time of the Mauryas, as also those established later by the British, the Princely States, the District postal systems and the Zamindari dak. The British Postal system in India was established by Lord Clive in 1776, and further developed by Warren Hastings, who established the Calcutta GPO in 1774. GPOs at Madras and Bombay followed in 1786 and 1793 respectively. The Post Office Act of 1837 united the Post Office organizations in all the three presidencies into one all-India Service. By 1908, of the 650 princely states, some of which were well developed with local postage stamps of their own, 635 states cast their lot with the Indian Post Office. The remaining 15, including those of Hyderabad, Gwalior, Jaipur and Travancore, merged only after independence.
The Post Office is universally recognized as a facilitator of communication. The postal runner defied all odds - natural calamities, wild beasts, geographical terrain and bandits - in the discharge of his duties, to earn a place in the folklore of every region. However, what is less recognized is its pioneering role in retailing a diverse range of services through its vast network. In the mid nineteenth century, the post office served as facilitator of travel with its conveyance systems, and by maintaining the dak bungalows and dak series. Mail order services were started with the value payable system introduced in 1877, while fund remittances at the doorstep became possible from 1880 through money order services. With the introduction of the Post Office Savings Bank in 1882 banking facilities were accessible to all and by 1884 all Government employees were covered by the Postal Life Insurance. The post office has even been used to retail quinine and salt in public interest.
The postal network of over 155,000 outlets is the largest in the world, and, arguably, the largest retail network in the country. Its capacity to handle financial transactions, its intimate knowledge of the local environment in any part of the country and its unparalleled access renders it an efficient, cost effective means of accessing customers anywhere. Today, the focus is on modernizing and computerizing the network to enhance its capacity to render various e-based services like e-post and value added premium services like Speed Post, Business Post etc to meet the emerging needs of customers and also provide e-governance facilities. In this era of economic liberalization, the post office is gearing itself to meet its social obligations as well as the challenges of the commercial, competitive environment.
India Post today is a blend of tradition and modernity, playing the role of a catalyst for social change. It has knit the country together by facilitating education, trade and industry and by breaking down social barriers - an integrator in a fractured world. Its philatelic stamps have showcased the best facets of India to the world.
This set of four commemorative stamps marks the sesquicentennial year of the Department of Posts as it rededicates itself to the service of the nation.
TIRUPUR KUMARAN stamp released on 04 10 2004
Denomination :500p
Stamps Printed :0.6 Million
Date of Issue :04-10-2004
Theme: Personality
Tirupur, an important city in the state of Tamilnadu, is not only famous for its Cotton products, but also for the supreme sacrifice made by a young man called Shri N.Kumaran AV whom we know as Tirupur Kumaran.
Kumaran was born on 4th October 1904 in a poor weaver’s family at Chennimalai, a small town in Erode District in Tamilnadu.
His father Nachimuthu Mudalliar and mother Karuppayammal called him Kumaraswamy. He got his primary education upto fifth standard in his village schoold and due to poverty could not continue his education further. At the age of ten, he left for Pallipalayarn, near Erode, to get himself trained in weaving under the guidance of his uncle. He was industrious enough to master the art of weaving within two years. He was married at the age of 17 with Ramayammal. He migrated to Tirupur to earn his living.
He was deeply influenced by the Gandhian principles of noncooperation, which had gained wide popularity at that time.
Kumaran, an admirer of Gandhiji, became an active member of the Desabandhu Youth League through which all the Gandhian programmes were carried out. During the time of Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-31), Shri Kumaran took active part in the Congress programme like picketing at liquor shops and boycott of foreign goods.
When by the orders of Lord Wellington, the Viceroy, Gandhiji was arrested on 04.01.1932 a procession was carried out in Tirupur on 10.01.1932. Shri Kumaran wanted to dedicate himself to this movement despite strong objections from his relatives and friends citing the recent death of his father and his responsibilities towards his mother and wife. He was also well aware of the consequences of this agitation and the intention of the police.
After the arrest of Shri Ahaar and Smt. Padmavathi Ahaar the staunch freedom fighters of Tirupur, Tirupur Kumaran and others continued the agitations with renewed vigour. On 10th January 1932, while he was marching ahead holding the Tricolour in his hand, the Police launched a brutal assault on him. Exhibiting exemplary valour, Kumaran held the flag and kept chanting “VANDEMATARAM”. Next day, on 11.01.1932, he breathed his last. He is aptly known as “Kodikatha Kumaran”, i.e. “Kumaran, the protector of the Flag”.
His sacrifice was widely honoured and within a month of his demise Mahatma Gandhi visited Tirupur and met his wife. He said that the nation would ever remember the sacrifice of Tirupur Kumaran.
Reputed leaders of the country such as the former Prime Minister Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, Shri Rajaji, Shri Jay Prakash Narayan visited his house and paid homage.
Martyr Tirupur Kumaran has occupied a place of honour in the history of Freedom Movement in India. His life and his deeds have been an inspiration for all the youth of the Nation.
Department of Posts is proud to release a commemorative stamp on Shri Tirupur Kumaran, the great freedom fighter.
P.N.PANICKER stamp released on 19 06 2004
Denomination :500p
Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million
Date of Issue :19-06-2004
Theme: Personality
P.N. Panicker’s life gave credence to Ralph Waldo Emerson’s observation that “an institution is the lengthened shadow of one man”. A frail khadi-clad old man, he left a shadow that has grown over the years making him a legend in his own lifetime and thereafter. The activities of the Kerala Grandhasala Sanghom (Kerala State Library Council) ignited a popular cultural movement in Kerala at the end of which the state acquired total literacy in the 1990s. It was the work of P.N. Panicker who carried the message of education and development even to the remotest corners and neglected tribal pockets of Kerala.
The Grandhasala Sanghom which began humbly with 47 libraries in 1945, grew into a network of more than 6,000 libraries spreading over the towns and villages of Kerala. To give this activity a developmental format, he organized the Kerala Association for Non Formal Education and Development (KANFED). Together, these two Associations turned an activity into a movement which had a profound impact on the education, culture and development of Kerala.
Bom on 1 st March, 1909 in Kuttanad, in the erstwhile Travancore state, the young Panicker showed a keen interest in reading newspapers and books. Not only did he read them himself, he also read the daily news to groups of illiterate people of all ages. In a small room given by the local cooperative society in his village, Panicker started a reading center called Sanadanadharmam Library. This was the little pebble which was to have a major ripple effect. An admirer of Mahatma Gandhi, Panicker was inspired by the Mahatma’s words that “illiteracy is a curse and shame of the country and it should be wiped out as early as possible”. Social historians ofthe state are of the opinion that the cultural revolution following the social emancipation movements initiated by Sree Narayana Guru, Ayyankali, V T. Bhattathiripad and others was the outcome of Panicker’s library movement. He walked through the state contacting men and women everywhere, generating awareness. The idea, inspiration and leadership for making Kerala the first totally literate state of the country came from Panicker and his KANFED. The state-wide popular movement called Sakshara Keralam through a time-bound intensive campaign involving thousands of voluntary workers achieved success on 18th April, 1991.
Disturbed by the fissiparous tendencies that he saw growing in the country, Panicker also worked to foster social amity and harmony. For this he devoted his last years to the Friendship Village Movement (Sauhrudagramam). He continued travelling and working vigorously, sustained by his simple Gandhian lifestyle and an indomitable will till he passed away on 19th June 1955. The Government of Kerala observes 19th June annually as Vayanandinam (Day of Reading) with a week-long series of activities at schools and public institutions to honour the contribution of P.N. Panicker to the cause of literacy and education. The National Literacy Mission has been inspired largely by the work of this frail man who converted a simple slogan of “Read and Grow” into a powerful movement.
The Department of Posts honours Shri P .N. Panicker through issue of this commemorative postage stamp.
WOODSTOCK SCHOOL stamp released on 02 06 2004
Denomination :500p
Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million
Date of Issue :02-06-2004
Theme: Education Institutions.
Woodstock School has been providing a distinctive international education in Mussoorie for nearly 150 years, and is one of the few schools in India which is known world-wide.
First established in 1854 as an English-medium school for Protestant girls, the school became co-educational in 1926. In 1958, Woodstock School became the first school in all of Asia to receive international accreditation; the school currently holds accreditation through both the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (USA) and the Commission on International and Trans-regional accreditation. In India, Woodstock’s awards are recognized by the Association of Indian Universities and the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations.
Woodstock School offers a college-preparatory Kindergarten through Grade 12 curriculum that enable students to enter Universities in India, the USA, Europe and throughout the world. During its history, Woodstock has served both foreign land Indian national children requiring an international education. For nearly forty years, the school has placed an active emphasis on its international characteristics via student enrolment, staff composition, and academic and co-curricular programming. Woodstock students come to Uttaranchal to study from more than 30 nations and represent over 20 different nationalities.
Historically, Woodstock teachers and students have come from all over the world to live and work at this school in the Himalayan foothills. Staff and students alike have been attracted to its close, truly international community and the liberal Christian heritage upon which Woodstock is based.
Woodstock Schools’s mission is to lead the way in international education in Asia by providing a world-class international education taught by highly qualified international staff and by bringing students from different cultures and religions together in a unique residential setting in the Indian Himalayas. The school aims to inspire each student to be a responsible citizen, committed to service to others and stewardship of the earth. Woodstock’s vision is for a worldwide family committed to one another and to building a better world.
Setting consistently high academic and moral standards, the school makes it a priority to ensure that future Woodstock graduates will go on to make significant contributions in various fields across the world and within India. Many Woodstock graduates choose to pursue transnational careers in government, corporate and service fields. Woodstock School has produced many individuals who have made notable contributions within India and throughout the world in fields ranging from academics to sports, music, art and drama.
In addition to educational and economic impacts on Mussoorie and its surrounding area, Woodstock’s presence has also enhanced the physical environment. It has preserved in forest for future generations by working with the Fore Department and providing its own forest guard. Today, it is cited by the Forest Department as a model oak forest biome. Woodstock is involved in historical preservation projects. in plastic recycling and tree-planting projects, and educating the many visitors that come to the school about the issues and challenges that face this region.
The Woodstock School truly teaches its students value of its motto “Palma Non Sine Pulvere” (No palm - victory without the dust of struggle).
The Department of Posts honors the contribution :.: Woodstock School through the issue of the commemorative postage stamp.