RENEWABLE ENERGY stamp release on 22 11 2007
| Denomination :500,500,500,500p Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million each Date of Issue :22-11-2007 Theme : Environmental issues |
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Energy is a basic requirement for economic development. Every sector of economy - agriculture, industry, transport, commercial and domestic - needs inputs of energy. The economic development plans implemented since independence in India have necessarily required increasing amounts of energy. As a result, consumption of energy in all forms has been steadily rising all over the country.
This growing consumption of energy has also resulted in the country becoming increasingly dependent on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. Rising prices of oil and gas and potential shortages in future lead to concerns about the security of energy supply needed to sustain our economic growth. Increased use of fossil fuel also causes environmental problems both locally and globally.
Against this background, the country urgently needs to develop a sustainable path of energy development. Promotion of energy conservation and increased use of renewable energy sources are the twin planks of sustainable energy supply.
Fortunately, India is blessed with variety of renewable energy sources, the main ones being biomass, biogas the sun, wind and small hydropower.
Advantages of renewable energy are that it is:
- Perennial.
- Available locally and does not need elaborate arrangements for transport.
- Usually modular in nature, i.e. small-scale units and systems can be almost as economical as large-scale ones
- Environment-friendly.
- Well suited for decentralized applications and use in remote areas.
The Government has been implementing comprehensive programs for the development and utilization of various renewable energy sources in the country. As a result of efforts made during the past 25 years, a number of technologies and devices have been developed and have become commercially available. These include biogas plants, improved wood stoves, solar water heaters, solar cookers, solar lanterns, street lights, pumps, wind electric generators, water-pumping wind mills, biomass gasifiers and small hydro-electric generators. Energy technologies for the future such as hydrogen, fuel cells and bio-fuel are being actively developed.
India is implementing one of the world’s largest programs in renewable energy. The country ranks second in the world in biogas utilization and fourth in wind power. Renewable sources already contribute about 16,500 MW, which is about 7.5% of the total installed power capacity in the country.
The Department of Posts is happy to issue a set of four commemorative postage stamps on Renewable Energy depicting the four common applications of renewable energy i.e. Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Small Hydropower and Biomass Energy.
CHILDREN’S DAY stamp release on 14 11 2007
| Denomination :500,500p Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million each Date of Issue :14-11-2007 Theme : Children’s Day |
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Children are God’s greatest gifts to mankind. Their pure innocence, pristine thoughts and bubbling enthusiasm lend a unique flavour to life. The wondrous eyes of a child perceive with crystal clear honesty the myriad hues of nature and its bounties. To a child, the world is pure magic. Each day to a child unfolds a new secret, a newjoy which the child rushes to embrace with outstretched arms.
Children’s Day is celebrated every year on the 14`h of November. This day also coincides with the birthday of India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru fondly called ‘Chacha Nehru’ by children.
The Department of Posts commemorates Children’s Day every year by bringing out stamps designed by the children themselves. The stamp designs are selected by holding an All India Stamp Design Competition. The theme for the Stamp Design Competition this years was “The Magic of the Night”. The competition elicited great response and the entries revealed beautifully the flight of a child’s fantasy.
This year’s stamps are based on painting made by Kum. Swarali V. Bhakare, Class IV, Annasaheb Raje Bhosale, Primary School, Satara, Maharashtra and B. Karthick, Class VIII, T.E.L.C., Middle School, Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu which won the first prizes in Group I and Group II respectively. Miniature sheet is based on the painting made by Master Pradhan Karnik, Class IX, Kendriya Vidyalaya, NAL Campus, Jeevan Bhimanagar, Bangalore, Karnataka which won the first prize in Group III.
The design of the First Day Cover is based on painting by Raj Ballav Hazarika, Class XII, K.V. Narangi School, Assam APS, which won the second prize in Group III of the competition. The three Maxim Cards are based on paintings by Master Sankar Dinesh Kamath, Class III, Bhavan’s Varuna Vidyalaya, Thirkakkara, Earnakulam, Kerala, second prize winner in group I and Jyotirmay Biswas, Class VIII, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, second prize winner in Group II and Riti Sodhi, Class XII, Delhi Public School, Ranipur, Sector-3, BHEL, Ranipur, Hardwar (UA), Uttarakhand, third prize winner in Group 111.
The painting reveal the inner working of a child’s mind and what magic it weaves in the phenomena of night, seeing it through its wide eyed innocence.
The Department of Posts is happy to celebrate this spirit of innocence by releasing this set of two postage stamps, miniature sheet, first day cover and three maxim cards designed by children on “Children’s Day”.
MAHARASHTRA POLICE ACADEMY stamp released on03 11 2007
| Denomination :500,p Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million each Date of Issue :03-11-2007 Theme : Organisation |
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Maharashtra Police Academy was established in 1906. It began as a Police Training School at Pune and was shifted to its present location at Nasik in around 1909. After bifurcation of old Bombay State into Maharashtra & Gujarat states in 1960, the Police Training School was renamed as Police Training College. It was upgraded to the present status i.e. Maharashtra Police Academy, Nasik in the year 1990.
The Academy is located on a 267 acre campus at Nashik on Nashik Trimbak Road. The Academy has three buildings of old European architecture, which came in to existence at the time it was shifted from Pune 1908. The Academy has a modern small arms firing range and a multi channel FireArms Training Simulator (F.A.T.S.).
The main object of setting up this institution was to impart basic training to the candidates for appointment as Police Sub Inspectors and Dy. Supdt. of Police.
As per the recommendations of Police Commission, various developments have taken place to improve the infrastructure and to upgrade the status of the head of the institution and faculty members. The post of the Principal, Police Training College was elevated to the rank of Dy. Inspector General of Police in the year 1974. Thereafter again the post of the Director Deputy Inspector General of Police was elevated to the rank of Spl. Inspector General of Police in the year 1993.Apart from providing induction training to the directly recruited Dy. Supdt. of Police, the Academy also gives familianzation training to I.P.S. Officers on joining the state cadre. The Academy also provides facilities for training to the Dy. Ss.P. & P.S.Is. of Goa State on request.
Before the establishment of the Central Police Training College at Mt. Abu in September 1948, the officers of the Indian Police borne on the strength of Bombay Province (which included areas of Gujarat, Sindh Pakistan and parts of present day Karnataka) were also trained on joining the service at P.T.S., at Nashik. Since Gujarat was a part of the erstwhile Bombay State till creation of separate State of Gujarat and Maharashtra in 1961 many senior officers of that cadre too were trained in this Academy. Officers of Goa, Pondicherry and Dadra & Nagar Haveli have also been trained from time to time at this institution. Thus M.P.A. has been the alma mater of several officers of different ranks who have gone on to serve various parts of the country with distinction.
The Maharashtra Police Academy is a pioneer training institution, which has completed 100 glorious years of its formation, producing tough and efficient officers since its inception in 1906. The officers trained in this Academy have performed exceedingly well in upholding the law and order and serving the people, thereby contributing a great deal to our society.
The Department of Posts is happy to release the stamp on Maharashtra PoliceAcademy.
4th CISM MILITARY WORLD GAMES stamp released on 14 10 2007
| Denomination :500,500,500 p Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million each Date of Issue :14-10-2007 Theme : Games |
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India is privileged to host the 4th CISM Military World Games from 14 to 21 October 2007 at Hyderabad and Mumbai under the aegis of Conseil International Du Sport Militaire (’CISM’ a French acronym) or International Military Sports Council, HQ based at Brussels.
CISM formed in 1948, used sports to unite the Armed forces of nations. Presently it is composed of 127 member countries which are united through its motto of ‘FRIENDSHIP THROUGH SPORTS. CISM organizes over 20 World Championships annually, besides the Military World Games (MWG) held every four years. The first MWG were held in 1995 in Rome, second in Zagreb Croatia in 1999, and the third at Catania, Italy in 2003.
During the Afro-Asian Games in 2003 at Hyderabad, visiting CISM officials proposed that India should host the 4th Military World Games 07. The formal signing of Invitation for participating countries, between CISM and Indian Armed Forces took place on 26 September 2006 at Hyderabad.
The Logo and Mascot for MWG 07 was launched on 27 December 2006. 4th MWG 07 being an international sporting event, theme for the Logo was taken from the famous five rings of the Olympic Logo depicting five inhabitant continents (North and South Americas are counted as one continent, Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia being the other four). The five petals of the Logo depict our national flower Lotus.
The great Indian Bison, being the formation sign of the Hyderabad based Infantry Division of Indian Army, was selected as the Mascot for the Games since the Games are being held at Hyderabad. A majestic Bison, normally imperturbable and always treated with respect in the animal kingdom, possesses immense strength, vigour and doggedness. When provoked, its spurt, ferocity and speed of charge drives terror into the hearts of its opponents. Indian Armed Forces reputation can, thus, be compared with that of a Bison.
The following games are included in the 4th CISM Military World Games: Boxing, Judo, Sailing, Handball, Football, Track & Field events, Diving, Wrestling, Triathlon, Parachuting, Volleyball, Mil Pentathlon, Swimming and Shooting.
The Department of Posts is happy to release a set of three commemorative postage stamps and a minature sheet on 4th CISM Military Games. The commemorative stamps display 4th MWG multisport activities and try to capture the spirit of the games. They display the solidarity of the participating military teams from different CISM member nations.
The first Day Cover depicts the main motto of the games i.e.’FRIENDSHIPTHR000H SPORTS’.
INDIAN AIR FORCE PLATINUM JUBILEE (1932-2007)stamp released on 08 10 2007
| Denomination :500,500,500,1500 p Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million each Date of Issue :08-10-2007 Theme : Armed forces |
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Established under the Indian Air Force Act (XIV of 1932) passed by the Legislative Assembly on 8th October 1932, the Indian Air Force has served the nation in peace and war with ‘elan, professionalism and dedication over the past threequarters of a century. It is one of the oldest independent Air forces in the world.
During the Second World War, IAF played a seminal role in beating back the Japanese invasion across the Burma border and the siege of Imphal. The greatest challenge to the small air force, rendered smaller by partition of the country, came in the early hours of 27th October, 1947 when Pakistani raiders were at the gates of Srinagar and it appeared the city would fall. IAF airlifted our brave jawans from Delhi and saved the city and Kashmir. This pattern was repeated again and again in defending Punch, Leh, and later (in 1962) Chushul.
From Kashmir War of 1947 to Kargil in 1999, IAF has given its “Blood, sweat and tears” to make Indians proud of their Air Force, dominating the skies and winning the wars in partnership with the army and navy. It has decimated the enemy in the desert, at times all by itself as in Longewala in 1971, and in conjunction with the army as in halting the armoured offensive in Chhamb sector in 1965, and the heights of Kargil in 1999. And it has stood guard to defend the skies day and night, yearafteryear.
Year after year, the Air Force has provided tens of thousands of tons food, medicines and medical aid, and vital supplies by “air maintenance” to millions of our citizens and the army in the remote Himalayas at great altitudes. Starting with the major operation in Congo in 1961-62 it has played a crucial role in supporting our contingents in UN Peace Keeping Operations in the cause of international peace and stability. It has been the first to provide relief in times of disaster to others such as during the earthquake in 2002 and the tsunami in December 2004 besides numerous other emergencies. Ready to face challenges at a moment’s notice, it has been true to the substance of India’s plural, secular and egalitarian values and ethos. This set of four stamps portrays four aircraft the Westland Wapiti, Airborne Warning and Control System, IL-78 and Advanced Light Helicopter-Dhruv.
The Westland Wapiti formed the nucleus of the Indian Air Force in April 1933 with four aircraft. They were used for escort for convoys, reconnaissance in the North West Frontier Province strafing, anti bombing and anti-submarine roles. The sole surviving Wapiti aircraft is now maintained in the Air Force Museum at Palam.
The Airborne Warning and Control System is an aircraft equipped with sophisticated radar, communication and other electronic equipment to detect and track intruding aircraft(s) whilst still deep within enemy territory. With the induction of AWACS the long felt need for the country for an “eye in the sky” to ward off any airborne threat will be achieved to a great extent.
Induction of IL-78 MK-I Flight RefueIlerAircraft is a giant leap in operational capability of the Indian Air Force. This force multiplier inducted in IAF three years ago has increased the offensive potential of our air superiority fighters and deep penetration strike aircraft manifold and enabled them to operate to their full potential.
Dhruv is the first indigenously designed and developed helicopter in India developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The Dhruv has been showcased by Sarang Helicopter Display team both internationally and domestically apart from performing operational tasks. The Department of Posts is happy to release a set of postage stamps to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of the Indian Air Force.
This set of four stamps is a tribute to the Indian Air Force and its professional skills which have been honed to match with the best in the world.
SATYAGRAHA : THE STIRRINGS stamp released on 02 10 2007
| Denomination :500,500,500,500 p Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million each Date of Issue : 02-10-2007 Theme : Events national and international |
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Satyagraha is the philosophy of non-violent resistance most famously employed by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in forcing an end to the British Raj in India, beginning with his struggles in South Africa. It was in South Africa in 1893 that Gandhiji conceived of Satyagraha, which he defined as the technique of mass force based on truth and moved by non-violence.
The technique was not born full-grown, it was developed and refined with each application, first in South Africa and later in India, as a moral response to violence, and which has subsequently spread around the world. A tactic that ultimately impelled the British to free India, this technique was first put to the test on 11 September, 1906, before a gathering of more than three thousand people “of the coloured race” who had gathered at the Empire Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa to listen to a young Indian lawyer Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who had promised to show the path of redemption to the oppressed of the world. And the path was Satyagraha.
Satyagraha was an important constituent of Gandhi’s programmes of national self-purification. When he started campaigning against the racially discriminatory measures in South Africa, Gandhi discovered that his countrymen there lacked personal and communal self-respect, courage and the willingness to organize themselves.
In a memorable phrase he urged them to ‘rebel’ against themselves. This call initiated the stirrings. Mahatma Gandhi coined the term Satyagraha to describe his philosophy of non-violent resistance, and he described it, thus “Truth (Satya) implies love, and firmness (agraha) engenders and therefore serves as a synonym for force. I thus began to call the Indian movement Satyagraha, that is to say, the Force which is born of Truth and Love or Non-Violence.”
The special set of commemorative stamps is dedicated to the spirit of Satyagraha. It should make us pause to reflect on how a colossal revolution took place in India without the violence attached to revolutions that occurred in other countries of Asia and Africa and to turn the search light on oneself to find an alternative to violence, which threatens to destroy the very fabric of civilized existence.
The Department of Posts is happy to issue a set of four commemorative postage stamps on the occasion of centenary of Satyagraha which portrays the stirrings of Satyagraha in a beautiful and inspiring depiction.
S.D.BURMAN stamp released on 01 10 2007
| Denomination :1500 p Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million Date of Issue : 01-10-2007 Theme : Personality |
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Sachin Deb Burman was a maestro, whose music emerged from the core of perpetual Bengal life, it’s rivers and joy, love and pangs of separation perceived by it’s people. His haunting melodies, enchanting and yet melancholic, had the effect of carrying the spirit, like a wandering minstrel, incessantly in anxious search. Born in Comilla, Bengal (now in Bangladesh) on 1s’ October 1906 in the royal family to father Nabadwip Chandra and mother Nirupama Devi ofTripura, he began his training in classical music under his father, sitarist and Dhrupad singer, Nabadwipchandra Dev Burman, who was actually his first musical guide.
He received his education in Comilla obtaining a B.A, in 1924. His initial exposure to music came from Vaishnava singers, mystics like Baul and Faqirs, and from spiritual and devotional songs like Mushida, Dubishi, Kirton, Agamony, Vijoya, Jari of Moharrum and folk songs related to worship of fish incarnation and snake deity Manasa, songs interpreting canvas of Ghazi and so on. This provided him with a unique capacity to appreciate musical nuances.
He travelled to the interior of what is now Bangladesh, in the districts of Mymenshing, Comilla, Brahmanbaria collecting a variety of folk songs, notes and absorbing their characteristic style of singing. During those days after Durga Puja and during Holi, music conferences were organized at the ancestral home of S.D.Burman, where accomplished musicians from various places of India used to visit. S.D.Burman thus had an opportunity to listen to the recitals of many accomplished musicians.
S.D.Burman left for Kolkata sometime in 1924, outwardly for academic pursuit, though he contemplated something deeper. He received lessons of music and became a disciple of Krishna Chandra Dey, the unrivalled music master of those days. Thereafter he came in contact with Shyamlal Kshetri, Badal Khan, Bhishmadeb Chattopadhyay which helped shape his musical genius.
Under the influence of Krishnachandra, who taught him the Dadra style of singing, and Bhishmadeb Chattopadhyay, Sachin Deb Burman gradually developed his own signature style. His first song recordings were done in 1923 at the behest of Hindustan Musical Company of Kolkata.
His first film as a singer was Sanjher Pidim (1935). He became a music director initially in Calcutta with Rajgee (1937). He overwhelmed the world of music in Kolkata before leaving for Bombav in 1944.
As a music director of Hindi films, he began his works with Filmistan and provided music in five films: Shikari, Eight Days, Do Bhai, Sabnom, Munimji and Paying Guest. He settled in Bombay permanently. He was able to realize the magical effect of peppering his music with popular, western and folk tunes while following a base of classical music. He also realized that film songs are not supposed to appease connoisseurs of classical music and thus he made up his mind to create light tunes suitable for commoners. He gave unforgettable musical presentations one after another through the films like Kagaz Ke Phool, Bombai Ka Babu, Sujata, Kala Bazaar, Bandini, Pyasa, Guide, Jewel Thief, Aradhana, Prem Pujari, Talash, Abhiman, Anurag, Kalapani, Taxi Driver, Munimji and so on. He also gave music for Guru Dutt classics Pyaasa (1957) and Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) and he was i right on target with ‘Jinhe Naaz hai Hind’ and ‘Waqt ne Kiya Kya Haseen Situm’. The soundtrack of Devdas (1955) was composed by him.
As a singer, his thin but powerful voice was often used as bardic commentary e.g. Wahan Kaun Hai Tera from Guide or Safal Hogi Teri Aradhana from Aradhana. Whatever he sang or made others sing, every thing was grasped by the people eagerly. People used to get fascinated with his obsessive type of voice.
The lovers of Bengali Music avidly waited when the days of puja (adoration of Goddess Durga) would come. In fact, some records of S.D.Burman’s Bengali songs were released only during puja festivity. In the musical life of S.D.Burman, his wife Mira Deb Burman with her manifold quality played a rare pivotal role.
As a great poet Goethe thus observed, ‘The true source of all musics in this world is folk songs’. S.D.Burman had been a maestro for a long tenure in Bombay film industry making the folk songs a vessel of his own. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1958.S.D. Burman went into coma while recording the song Badi sooni (sung by Kishore Kumar) for the film Mili and died on October 31, 1975 in Bombay (now Mumbai) but his music haunts us till today.
The Department of Posts is proud to release a commemorative ;~ postage stamp on Sachin Deb Burman.
53RD COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE stamp released on 23 09 2007
| Denomination :1500 p Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million Date of Issue : 23-09-2007 Theme : Events National and International |
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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association was founded in 1911 as the Empire Parliamentary Association. Evolving with the Commonwealth, the CPA in 1948 adopted its present name, changed its rules to enable all member branches to participate in the association’s management and established a separate Secretariat to manage its affairs. Today’s resurgence of parliamentary democracy is evident in the growth of the CPA. In the last decade, more than 50 new Parliaments and Legislatures joined or rejoined the CPA.
The Commonwealth is a multi-racial, multi-lingual, multicultural and multi-religious association of sovereign nations spread across all the continents. Despite diversities, the Commonwealth remains a well knit international organization deriving strength from its belief that international cooperation is essential to remove causes of war, promote tolerance, combat injustice and secure development among the people of the world.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is an Association of Commonwealth Parliamentarians who, irrespective of gender, race, religion or culture are united by community of interest, respect for the rule of law and individual rights and freedoms and by pursuit of the positive ideals of parliamentary democracy. The association’s mission is to promote the advancement of parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance. It seeks to build an informed parliamentary community able to deepen the Commonwealth’s democratic commitment and to further cooperation among its Parliaments and Legislatures.
The theme of the 53rd CPA Conference is’Delivering democracy and sustainable development’. Eminent Parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth will deliberate on the theme’s broader perspective for evolving consensus on issues confronting us today for the benefit of mankind as a whole, as well as for the common benefit of the countries in the Commonwealth .Department of Posts is pleased to issue a postage stamp commemorating the 53rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.
J.P.NAIK stamp released on 05 09 2007
| Denomination :500 p Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million each Date of Issue : 05-09-2007 Theme : Personality |
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Prof. J.P. Naik, the Founder Member-Secretary of the Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi nurtured the Council and a large number of Indian Social Scientists to an International status bringing International recognition for Social Science Research Indian.
“Himself very much grassroots person, Mr. Naik was quite certain that the development of social science research in the country must be entrusted to centers that would relate themselves to concrete and specific problems in different parts of the country.”
Naik’s contribution in the field of Indian education was singular. He was member Secretary of Indian Education Commission (1964-66) and was the chief architect of the Commission’s report in 1968. The first ever Education Policy of independent India drafted by J.P. Naik and adopted by Parliament in a modified from, in 1968 was based on this comprehensive report. In 1963, it was Naik who planned the establishment of the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT). He assisted Shri G. Parthasarthy in the Establishment of Jawaharlal University. As member Secretary of ICSSR, he enabled quite a few organizations to establish special social science research centers at the state level.
Born on 5th September, 1907 in a poor family, he had a brilliant academic career and his versatile mind was equally interested in literature, history and mathematics. He graduated from Rajaram College, Kolhapur and was appointed as its teaching faculty.
In 1930, during Gandhiji’s Civil Disobedience Movement, he resigned his job, went underground and worked in backward villages of Dharwad District. He was arrested and sent to jail for two years of penal servitude. He opted to be a Ward Boy in the jail hospital, and nearly finished the MBBS course under the supervision of the British Jail doctor. From 1937 to 1942 he was writing copiously about educational reorganization and established his dream research institution: The Indian Institute of Education between 1948 and 1959.
While working as adviser in the Education Ministry from 1959 to 1964, he also worked as Member-Secretary of the Central Advisory Board of Education from 1960 to 1978. He brought out a Silver Jubilee Volume of the history of the CABE in 1960 and helped in preparing the five-year plans for education of the states.
Naik as a freedom fighter had undertaken innovative educational programmes in backward village of Dharwad in Karanataka. He studied the problem of primary education in India and other developing countries. Knowing this, UNESCO invited him for a conference on primary education held in Mumbai in 1952. He was placed by UNESCO on the Executive Committee of the International Institute of Educational Planning, Paris. UNESCO gave him assistance to write his last book’Education Commission and After’, a critical and introspective analysis of the process of formulating India’s education policy. He was invited by the Daag Hammerschold Foundation as adviser for alternatives and innovations in education, especially for developing countries.
Naik was a prolific writer, he wrote as many as 41 books and booklets of which ‘History of Education in India’ won international acclaim. Elementary Education in India: Promise to keep, won the Dadabhai Naoroji Award. The Report of the Education Commission became internationally famous, and his last two books viz. Education Commission and After (a critical review of India’s education policy) and Health for All which proposes alternatives in health-care for all has contributed to formation of the health policy of India in 1983. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1974.
He always worked on a nominal salary of Re.1/- per month as he was freedom fighter in his youth and wished to retain his freedom throughout his life. India lost the doyen of its educational thinkers and organizers on 30thAugust 1981. In 1989-90, UNESCO published a series of monographs on ‘100 Thinkers on Education’ of world-stature, going as for back as Confucius, among which J.P. Naik finds a place of honour. Naik’s departure from the Indian educational scene has created a large void which cannot easily be filled.
The Department of Posts is proud to release a commemorative postage stamp on J.P. Naik.
LANDMARK BRIDGES OF INDIA stamp released on 17 08 2007
| Denomination :500,500,500,500 p Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million each Date of Issue : 17-08-2007 Theme : Bridges |
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When man first walked the earth he relied on himself, his own two legs and feet, for transportation. Eventually man learned to tame wild animals and use them for transportation. And finally he created machines to take him places he could not reach on his own or with the assistance of any animal. Indeed, one invention developed to expand the reach of travellers was the bridge. The earliest bridges were based on natural formations, such as fallen trees and rocks to cross over water bodies or other charms. Manmade bridges were developed to provide a safe crossing for people, originally on foot but later on horse back, and then for mechanized transportation, to travel from one prominent place to another.
While bridges are integral to transportation systems today, some of the bridges synthesizing designing and engineering skills stand as inspiring monuments, and some have acquired iconic and legendary status in the public psyche.
In bringing out a set of four commemorative postage stamps on ‘Landmark Bridges of India’, the Department of Post has tried to showcase four such bridges in the country. The bridges feature are:
1. Mahatma Gandhi Setu
Mahatma Gandhi Setu, located at Patna, Bihar, is popularly known simply as Ganga Bridge. It stands at the place where Mahatma Gandhi crossed the river long back to go to Champaran, where he laid foundations ofstruggle that was to dislodge British, and hence the name.
Opened to traffic on 02.03.82 by the then Prime Minister, late Smt. Indira Gandhi, this is the longest single river bridge in the world.
The bridge consists of 45 intermediate spans of 121.065 meters each, and two end spans of 63.53 meters each, having a total length of 5,565 meters. The superstructure of the bridge is a pre-stressed cantilever construction.
The completion of the Mahatma Gandhi Setu marks a milestone in the history ofthe economic development of Bihar.
2. VidyasagarSetu
The modern cable bridge known as Vidyasagar Setu lies across the river Hoogly. Affording a panoramic view of the skyline of Kolkata, it itself contributes to the grandeur of the city’s new skyline. Better known locally as the second Hoogly Bridge, built to provide an additional connector between the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah. Apart from Howrah Bridge, Vidyasagar Setu is 823 meters long, and 35 meters wide. Supported on four foundations, the height of the steel pylons over pillars is 120 meters. With a 4% longitudinal gradient, the bridge provides navigational clearance of 33.87 meter to 34.38 meter over the highest level to ensure safe passage underneath, of the international cargo ships, which cater to Kolkata Port. The bridge has also been connected with flyovers and ramps on either side to provide uninterrupted flow of traffic from both, the Kolkata and Howrah ends.
This unique and longest cable stayed bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs. 380 crores, was thrown open to the nation by the hon’ble Prime Minister of India on 10th October 1992.
3. Howrah Bridge
The famous Howrah Bridge is one of the best known landmarks of Kolkata, a virtual ‘Gateway of Kolkata’, and an inseparable icon of the city, sharing a totemic relationship with its growth and evolution.
The construction of a new ‘Suspension type balanced Cantilever Bridge’, without any intermediate pier, was conceived after the First World War, by a Committee chaired by the famous Bengali engineer and industrialist Sir R.N. Mukherjee after taking into account the hydraulic factors and the flow pattern of the river. A technological marvel, its construction was supervised by a newly formed specialized body viz., ‘The Howrah Bridge Commissioners’. Out of the 26,500 tonnes of steel used, around 3000 tonnes were imported and the rest was indigenously sourced through TISCO. The Bridge was opened to traffic in February, 1943, dismantling the earlier floating bridge. It was renamed as “Rabindra Setu” on 14th June 1965, but continues to be referred to as Howrah Bridge in the popular lexicon.
A suspension type balanced cantilever bridge, this is the fourth cantilever bridge in the world, with a central span of 1500 ft. between the centres of its main towers. Its anchor arms are 325 ft. long and the cantilever arms 468 ft. long at both ends, while the middle suspended span is 564 ft. The main towers soar 280 ft, high above the monoliths and are 76 ft. apart at the top. The bridge deck width is 71 ft., with two footpaths of 15 ft. on either side.
4. Pam ban Setu
Opened to traffic in 1914, the Pamban Bridge, also known as the Pamban Viaduct, forms part of the Rameswaram meter gauge section in Madurai Division of the Southern Railways. Constructed over 100 to 300 feet wide reef lying submerged between the mainland of India and the Island of Rameswaram, this bridge was built over the Palk Straits to reduce the gap in the rail systems between India and Sri Lanka (then Ceylon). The distance of 36 kms between Dhanushkodi, off Rameswaram Island, and Talaimannar, the railway terminus of Sri Lanka, was linked by ferry service, and direct rail cum ferry journey tickets were issued at both ends.
~ 2.06 kms long, the Pamban Bridge has 146 span of 40 feet clear, including one Scherzer lift span, which measure 213 feet, and remains a marvel of technology and a visual treat.
The Department of Posts is happy to issue a set of four commemorative postage stamps on the’Landmark Bridges of India’.