Vi KALYANASUNDARANAR stamp released on 21 10 2005
Denomination :500,p
Stamps Printed :0.6 Million
Date of Issue :21-10-2005
Theme:Post: Personality
Vi. KALYANASUNDARANAR
Vi Kalyanasundaranar, popularly known as Thiru Vi. Ka. was one of the prominent figures in Indian political life. He was an eminent scholar in Tamil, a prolific writer, a fiery speaker, a trade union leader, and a freedom fighter as well.
He was born on 26th August 1883 to Virudhachala Mudaliar and Chinnammal. After completing his education in Wesley High School, Royapettah, he joined as a teacher in the same school. He worked in several companies run by the English, but inspired by the ideals of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and the prevailing nationalist sentiments, he gave up his job and joined the freedom struggle. For this he was put under house arrest.
In 1983, Vi. Kalyanasundaranar was closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi. Whenever Gandhiji came to Chennai and addressed public meetings, Vi. Kalyanasundaranar translated his speeches in Tamil language. It was he who started addressing Mahatma Gandhi as ‘Gandhi Adigal’. He did not hesitate from addressing the gatherings in Tamil. This encouraged others to feel proud of expressing themselves freely in their mother tongue i.e. Tamil while addressing public meetings at that time.
He started a labour union in 1918 in Chennai. He organized a confederation of labour unions in 1920.
He started a newspaper ‘Desa Bakthan’ but it was banned by the British. Then he started another newspaper’Nava Sakthi’ and worked for the growth of Tamil language and for propagating nationalist ideals
.
A great scholar, Vi. Kalyanasundaranar authored more than fifty books, the most popular being ‘The Greatness of Women’ in which he spreadd the ideals of national freedom, the growth of Tamil language and literature, and social reforms, particularly emancipation of women in all walks of life.
His career was marked by his nationalism, spiritual discipline, courage and compassion. He passed away on 17th September 1953, but his legacy lives on.
The Department of Posts honours the life and works of Vi. Kalyanasundaranar through the issue of a commemorative postage stamp.
WORLD SUMMIT ON THE INFORMATION SOCIETY stamp released on 17 11 2005
Denomination :500,p
Stamps Printed :0.6 Million
Date of Issue :17-11-2005
Theme:Events national and International
World Summit on the Information Society
The digital revolution in information and communication technologies has created the platform for a free flow of information, ideas and knowledge across the globe. This revolution has made a profound impression on the way the world functions and is critical to both the developed world as a business and social tool and the developing world as a passport to equitable participation, as well as- economic, social and educational development.
World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is a formal United Nations Summit at the level of Heads of State and Government. It is the result of an initiative by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) further endorsed by the United Nationals General Assembly (Resolution 56/1983) in 2001. Its aim is to develop a common vision and understanding of the Global Information Society and to draw up a strategic Plan of Action for concerted development towards realizing this vision. The purpose of the World Summit on the Information Society is to ensure that these benefits are accessible to all while promoting specific advantages in areas such as e-strategies, e-commerce, e- governance, e-health, education, literacy, cultural diversity, gender equality, sustainable development and environmental protection.
The process is divided in two phases and the first phase of the summit was held in Geneva from 10 to 12 December 2003, where the foundations were laid by reaching agreement on a Declaration of Principles and a plan of action which form the basis for a global common approach towards the Information Society of all United Nations Member States where the Declaration of Principles presents a vision of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). At WSIS Geneva in December 2003, World leaders declared “our common desire and commitment to build a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society, where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge, enabling individuals, communities and peoples to achieve their full potential in promoting their sustainable development and improving their quality of life, premised on the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and respecting fully and upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
The Road to Tunis entails a process of monitoring and evaluation of the progress of feasible actions laid out in the Geneva Plan and a concrete set of deliverables that must be achieved by the time the Summit meets again in Tunis on 16 to 18 November 2005. Efforts are now being made to put the Plan of Action into motion and working groups are being set up to find solutions and reach agreements in the fields of Internet governance and financing mechanisms.
United Nations Summits have been held on a variety of issues that have commanded the attention of the world, including the pioneering World Summit for Children (1990), the Earth Summit on Environment and Development (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), the World Conference on Human Rights (Vienna, 1993), the International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo, 1994), the World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen, 1995), the International Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995, and the Financing for Development Conference (Monterrey, Mexico, 2002). The Millennium Summit (New York, 2000) brought together world leaders in a unique display of solidarity to achieve far-reaching development goals by 2015.
The objective of the WSIS is to effectively assist the United Nations in fulfilling the goals of the Millennium Declaration. The ultimate objective is to turn the vision of an inclusive and equitable Information Society into reality. This is only possible when the digital revolution is harnessed into extending the frontiers of the global village as well as facilitating the free flow of knowledge and information for economic and social development.
India Post is pleased to issue a postage stamp to commemorate the World Summit on the Information Society, Tunis, 2005
KAVIMANI DESIGAVINAYAGAM PILLAI stamp released on 21 10 2005
Denomination :500,p
Stamps Printed :0.6 Million
Date of Issue :21-10-2005
Theme:Post: Personality
KAVIMANI S.
DESIGAVINAYAGAM PILLAI
In the annals of 20th century Tamil literature, the name of S. Desigavinayagam Pillai occupies a special place.
Born to Sivathanupillai and Adilakshmi at Theroor in the Princely state of Travancore now known as Kanyakumari District in Tamilnadu on 27th July 1876, Desigavinayagam Pillai had his early school education in Theroor and attended college at Nagarcoil. He started his career as a school teacher and after serving in one or two schools in Kottar and in Trivandrum, he joined Maharaja’s college at Trivandrum as a lecturer in Tamil.
He composed his first Tamil poem at the age of 19. He wrote many songs for children which were published in’Malarum Malayum’ (Flower & Garland) in 1938. Asiya Jothi (Light of Asia), Nanjil Nattu Marumakkal Vazhi Manmiyam (a satire on society) and the translation of the work of Omarkhayyam are his master pieces. Even now, his poems are taught in schools and colleges. His poems are marked by nobility of intent and simplicity of language. He had a good command over Malayalam and English and translated the work of some selected authors from English to Tamil. In 1940 the Tamil S angam at its 7th annual conference held at Madras honoured Desigavinayagam Pillai with the title’Kavimani .
He was also an epigraphist and studied many stone inscriptions in and around Kanyakumari and Nagarcoil. His research work “Kandalur Salai” was very famous and was reprinted in the year 1953. Desigavinayagam Pillai adopted simple living and high thinking as his guiding principle. In 1948 Kavimani was offered the post of the Laureate which he refused and recommended the name of a contemporary Tamil poet for this post. He also showed unwillingness for the post of Honorary Professor of Tamil offered by Shri Raja Muthiya Chettiyar, the pro-chancellor of Annamalai University.
A devout follower of Gandhiji, he always wore khadi and use to spin the Charkha. He was deeply concerned with the upliftment of the downtrodden.
The South Travancore Hindu College was the brain child of Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai. He retired from service early back in 1931 but even after retirement he worked as a member of text book committee of Travancore state and also as a consultant for Tamil lexicon prepared by Madras University.
He breathed his last on 26th September 1954 at the age of 78 but till today kavimani S. Desigavinayagam Pillai lives in the hearts and minds of people because of his noble deeds and legendary qualities
.
The Department of Posts honours the memory of Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai through issue of this commemorative postage stamp.
PRABODH CHANDRA stamp released on 24 10 2005
Denomination :500,p
Stamps Printed :0.6 Million
Date of Issue :24-11-2005
Theme:Post: Personality
Prabodh Chandra
Prabodh Chandra was a great freedom fighter and a visionary leader.
Born at Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan) on 24th October 1911, to Satya Dev, Headmaster of a Government High School and Durga Devi, he did his matriculation from the Government High School, Gujarat in 1927 and his Intermediate as a private candidate in 1930 before completing his graduation and Post Graduation from the F.C. College, Lahore (now in Pakistan). An admirer of Subhash Chandra Bose, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and the Zutshi sisters, he was also influenced with the lives of Shivaji and Garibaldi. He started his political career at the age of 16 and formed the Multan Student Union in 1927. He was closely associated with the Lahore Revolutionary Party and was arrested in connection with the Multan Bomb case in 1929. He was first jailed in 1930 and 1936, and again from 1942 to 1945. He laid the foundations of the students’ movement in Punjab, and was Chairman of the AllIndia Students’ Conference in 1936. He was also selected as the sole representative of the Indian students to the World Youth Congress in Budapest in 1938 which he could not attend.
Later on he joined the Indian National Congress and was a member of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee.
He was elected a Member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly in 1946. After independence, he remained Member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly in 1952, 1960 and 1962.
He held the august office of the Speaker, Punjab Legislative Assembly from March 1962 to March 1964. He served as a Minister of Education, Health and local Self Government in the Council of Ministers of Punjab. He was also a Member of Parliament from 1971 to 1977. He was associated with numerous public and Government bodies in his lifetime.
A man of the masses, Prabodh Chandra always strove for the upliftment of the poor and downtrodden. He emphasized on social equality. He was the supporter of cottage industries, although he was not against the heavy industries either.
He was also an accomplished writer and editor of on English Monthly `The Students’ Tribune’ at Lahore in 1936. He also contributed articles to the ‘Contemporary India’, a quarterly journal: `Student’s Movement in India’ (1939), `Sixty Year’ of Congress’ (1946) were his popular publications.
He died on 8th February 1986.
The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Prabodh Chandra.
CHILDREN’S FILM SOCIETY stamp released on 14 11 2005
Denomination :500,p
Stamps Printed :0.8 Million
Date of Issue :14-11-2005
Theme: Childrens Days
Children’s film society
The concept of an exclusive cinema for India’s children was mooted by our First Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, whose affection for children is well known. Children’s Film Society, India, was established and registered as a society on 30th April, 1955 under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. The avowed objective of the society was to undertake and organize production, distribution and exhibition of feature films for children, provide them healthy and wholesome entertainment, enhance their knowledge, develop their character, and broaden their perspective.
The first governing body of Children’s Film Society consisted of 13 members, headed by Shri H.N. Kunzru, who was designated as President of the Society. This society is an autonomous body, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
The Chairperson, who is an eminent personality in the field of Cinema, heads the society. The Chairperson is also the head of the Executive Council and the General Body, member of which are nominated by Government of India.
Children’s Film Society produces full-length feature films, featurettes, TV serials, short documentaries and also animation and puppet films for children. Procuring the exhibition rights of outstanding foreign films and serials is also done by Children’s Film Society, India. It dubs its films in all major Indian languages. In the last 50 years, Children’s Film Society has made more than 100 feature films, 30 short animations, 9 puppet films, as well as 52 short documentaries and news magazines which are presently available in both the film and video formats.
The exhibition of films is held at several levels -from screenings to telecasts. State and District level Children’s Film Festivals are organized in remote areas in close collaboration with State/District authorities and NGOs. The films are shown on Doordarshan network and private satellite channels. At present, more than 8000 shows were organized benefiting more than 361akhs children.
Films made by the Children’s Film Society such as Yeh Hai Chakkad Bakkad Bumbe Bo, Heda Hoda, Malli, etc. have entered various International Competitive Film Festivals and have won several awards during the past years. The Children’s Film Society also bagged various National awards for films such as TORA (Assamese), JEO AUR JEENE DO (Hindi) etc.
The Children’s Film Society conducts a wide variety of workshops so as to encourage a whole new brand of writers and filmmakers to create the children’s cinema of tomorrow. It conducts 15 such workshops in a year.
The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on the Children’s Film Society on its GOLDEN JUBILEE.
PHD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY stamp released on 16 11 2005
Denomination :500,p
Stamps Printed :0.8 Million
Date of Issue :16-11-2005
Theme:Organisation
PHD Chamber of Commerce And
Industry
Established in 1905, the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the apex Chamber of North India, actively serving the interests of trade and industry in ten states viz. Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar pradesh, Himachal pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Chandigarh. Uttaranchal and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Since its inception, the Chamber has been a harbinger of change and economic growth as also contributing to the promotion of trade and industry in the region for more than nine decades.
The Chamber was originally established as the Punjab Chamber of Commerce. With the attainment of independence and in the aftermath of partition, when Delhi became a separate territorial unit with a large population, the Chamber adopted the new name of Punjab and Delhi Chamber of Commerce, in 1952. Over the years, however, as the manufacturing sector gained in importance and more members of the Chamber came to be engaged in industry, the term ‘Industry’ was added to its name, in 1964, in order to reflect the true character of the Chamber. Finally, with the expansion of its servicing jurisdication, the Chamber adopted the name “PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry” in the year 1981. The acronym PHD signifies Progress, Harmony and Development.
The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry has a membership of more than 1500 corporate entities reperesenting a wide spectrum of industrial, servicing, and trading activities, including chemicals, engineering, textiles, food processing, automobile components, consumer goods, financial and management consultancy, etc. In addition to direct membership, the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry also serves 112 Association Members. These Association Members represent 35,000 commercial and industrial organizations. Offering varied services in tune with the requirements of its constituents, the chamber provides a common platform for meetings between representatives of trade, business and industry with the Government and lends valuables input for policy formulations The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry is also represented in several Advisory/Consultative bodies of the Central and State Governments.
The Chamber is managed by a Managing Committee comprising of senior industrialists of the region. It operates through Expert Committees and Task Forces consisting of nominees of member-companies, representing varied interests, who pool their knowledge and experience for the overall benefit of the business community. At present, apart from its Head Quarters in New Delhi, the Chamber has Regional offices at Chandigarh, Lucknow, Jaipur, Shimla and Bhopal.
The Chamber’s Secretariat provides services through specialized Divisions such as Northern Regional Development, Infrastructure, Economic Affairs, International Affairs, Corporate Affairs & Taxation and Financial Services sector. The Chamber has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with several foreign Chambers of Commerce/ Organizations with the objective of creating an institutional framework for the exchange of information on business opportunities, for promoting trade as well as technical and economic cooperation.
Over the years the Chamber has diversified its operations in order to improve the quality of life of the masses through various developmental activities in fields such as family welfare and family planning, social forestry, audit education, self employment opportunities, etc. Indeed, its motto, ‘In community’s life and part of It’, reflects the Chamber’s mission of promoting development and safeguarding the interests of business, there by contributing to the economy of the country.
The Department of Posts is proud to issue a commemorative postage stamp to mark the centenary of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
KOLKATA POLICE COMMISSIONERATE stamp released on 19 11 2005
Denomination :500,p
Stamps Printed :0.6 Million
Date of Issue :19-11-2005
Theme:Organisation
KolKata Police Commissionerate
The beginning of policing in Kolkata can be traced in 1704 when a decision was taken to protect the life and property of the people by setting up a watch and ward unit for the township. In 1720, the East India company formally appointed the Zaminder of Calcutta to be in- charge of both civil and criminal administration who was assisted by Indian functionary. In 1778, the strength of the police in Calcutta was raised which was controlled by Thanadars and Naibs under a Superintendent.
In 1829, a six-member Committee was appointed by Lord William Bentinck for enquiry and advice on police reforms. Subsequently, in 1845 another Committee headed by Mr. Patton was appointed by the Government. This Committee recommended the appointment of a Commissioner of Police with powers of a justice of peace, which were necessary for the preservation of order and prevention and detection of crime. The recommendations of the Patton Committee resultedd in Act XIII of 1856 after receiving the assent of the Governor-General on 13 June 1856. Calcutta Police for the first time was treated as a separate organization and S. Wauchope, the then Chief-Magistrate, was appointed as the First Commissioner of Police on November 1856.
Starting with a modest strength, Kolkata Police, has grown into an organization comprising of more than twenty-six thousand police personnel. With its jurisdiction spread over 104 sq. Km, with a population of over 5 million and an additional floating population of over 2.5 million, policing in Kolkata is a unique challenge.
Kolkata Police has served the city with sincerity and dedication. Be it in the maintenance of law and order, prevention and detection of crime, controlling communal violence, disaster management or in providing internal security. Quick action springing from purposeful direction is achieved by the Police Commissionerate Systemm with a unitary chain of command and control.
In 1720 the Police establishment was located on the east of Norton’s Buildings. in 1784, The polish establishment, including the police force, was shifted to another building, “Harmonic Tavern.” Subsequently, the entire police office was relocated to the house of John Palmer. In 1835, The Government purchased the building for the Calcutta Police Head Quarters, demolished it in 1914 to facilitate construction of new premises. In Nov’ 1918, the present day Kolkata Police headquarters popularly known as “Lal Bazar” was completed.
As a people-friendly force, Kolkata Police has a number of proactive programmes to involve people from all walks of life into its work. Community Policing programmes involve regular interaction between Police Stations and local communities on local issues and problems. There are women’s counselling centres to help women in distress from domestic violence, sexual harassment or oppression. The force has also reached out with the Nabadisha education programme for street children, the friendship cup for the youth, and regular blood donation programmes that involve men of the force as well as the community.
The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Kolkata Police Commissionerate on it 150 yeas of dedicated service.
M S SUBBULAKSHMI stamp released on 18 12 2005
Denomination :500 p
Stamps Printed :0.6 Million
Date of Issue :18-12-2005
Theme: Personality
M.S. Subbulakshmi
Mudurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi popularly known as M.S. was a renowned carnatic vocalist. She was one of the great woman artistes of India who had been able to move the hearts of millions and millions of men and women and was the most beloved idol of the public in the recent annals of Indian Music.
Subbulakshmi was born on September 16, 1916 at Madurai to Smt. Shanmukhavadivu, a celebrated veena artiste of her times. At the tender age of 13, she made her maiden public recital with her mother, who was also her Guru. She studied under Srinivasa lyengar of Madurai who taught her upto the ‘varnam’ stage. In the later years she had the good fortune to learn from several great musicians like Musiri Subramanya Iyer and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. In 1940, she married T. Sadasivam, a freedom fighter and a film director. She gained in him a friend, philosopher and mentor.
Two events brought Subbulakshmi early into national prominence. The first was her participation in the All India Dance conference in Mumbai in 1944 where her performance created a great sensation. The second was her appearance in the lead-role in the film ‘Meera’ produced by her husband where she sang and acted, which brought her instant all-India-fame. So overwhelming was her music that Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru crowned her as “Queen of Song” and Sarojini Naidu, a poet and leader of our freedom movement praised her for the beauty of her voice and the magic of her personality.
Subbulakshmi known for her extraordinary vocal range never exceeded the demand of the composition of the song. She breathed music twenty-four hours a day and was also deeply religious. Her famous renditions include Bhajagovindam, Vishnu Sahasranamam and Venkateswara Suprabhatham. Gandhiji loved her rendition of North Indian Bhajans and requested her to sing some for his 78th birthday on October 2, 1947. Gandhiji particularly wanted to hear “Hari Tuma Haro” whose haunting refrain translates, “Oh Lord, take away the pain from mankind”. Not knowing this bhajan, she suggested another singer, but he refused, saying that he would rather listen her speak the words than another sing them. Such was the influence of the divine voice of Subbulakshmi.
She was India’s cultural ambassador. She has traveled widely to places like London, New York, Canada, the Far East to give concerts. In 1963, Subbulakshmi was invited to participate in the most popular event ‘Edinburgh Festival’. In October 1966, Subbulakshmi sang at United Nations as India’s representative on the occasion of United Nations Day celebrations. Hers was the inaugural concert at the Festival of India in London in 1982 and in the Soviet Union in 1987.
Subbulakshmi has rendered more than 200 benefit performances in aid of several national, social, religious and cultural causes and raised over a Crore rupees. She has received several titles and awards the world over. She was awarded ‘Padma Bhushan’ in 1954, when the National awards were first instituted. She was also honoured with title ‘Sangeetha Kalanidhi’. She was awarded Ramon Magsaysay Award in the year 1974 and the entire amount of US $ 10,000 has been donated to the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai, the V.H.S. Hospital ,etc. She was honoured with ‘Padma Vibhushan’ title in 1975. She was conferred Doctorate Degree “Desikottama” by Visva Bharathi University, Shanthiniketan, in 1981. She was awarded ‘Bharath Ratna’, the highest civilian award of Govt. of India in the year 1998. In addition, she received many- other awards conferred Doctorate, the list of which will be exhaustive.
Subbulakshmi’s music was unique in that it had universal appeal. In addition to its technical perfection, it was full of devotion to God. She had the ability to harmonize strict standards and popular appeal to do justice to the Music of South and the North. She used to point out that Ragas and Bhajans have been composed for the “purpose of directing the minds of the listeners towards God and his manifestations” and that “one’s singing comes through one’s own experience and it is this depth of feeling that enables one to communicate with the audience”.
M.S. Subbulakshmi gave lot of importance to mastering pronunciation, proper intonation. She always believed in hard work and that there was no short cut and advocated gurukula system of learning. Subbulakshmi advocated compulsory teaching of music at all levels of education, from primary through University for she believed that just as the study of science leads to the growth of knowledge, the study of music would bring serenity of mind.
The great musician attained Lord’s abode on 11′ December 200.
The Department of Posts is proud to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honour of M.S. Subbulak him, who had mesmerized packed audiences the world over with her consummate mastery of carnatic music for almost six decades.
JAWAHARLAL DARDA stamp released on 02 12 2005
Denomination :500,p
Stamps Printed :0.6 Million
Date of Issue :22-11-2005
Theme: Personality
Jawaharlal Darda
Shri Jawaharlal Darda was a veteran freedom fighter and a committed journalist who laid the foundation of people-oriented journalism in Maharashtra.
Shri Jawaharlal Darda was born to Shri Amolchand and Smt. Kusumba in Babhulgaon village of Yawatmal district in Maharashtra on July 2, 1923. At the tender age of 17, he joined the freedom struggle. He also undertook a 400-mile long `padyatra’. He actively participated in the `Quit India’ Movement in 1942 and was imprisoned by the colonial rulers.
In 1947 Shri Jawaharlal Darda Launched `Nave Jag’, a weekly newspaper from Yawatmal to foster the spirit of nationalism. Later he launched `Lokmat’, a Marathi weekly in 1952 which was transformed into a daily in 1971. Now this newspaper is published from 13 cities of Maharashtra besides editions in English and Hindi.
Shri Jawaharlal Darda was elected as the President of the Yawatmal District Congress Committee from 1944 to 1956. A large area of land was donated in Yawatmal district during Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan Movement. He was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council between 1972 and 1995. He made a mark in the governance in Maharashtra by his admirable handling of the portfolios of energy, industry, irrigation, health, food and civil supplies,sports, youth affairs, textiles and environment as a minister.
Shri Jawaharlal Darda was actively involved in cooperative and agricultural movements in the state. He set up the Amolchand Darda Mahavidyalaya, which runs several colleges and other educational institutions in the Vidarbha region. He was also the Chairman of Maharastra State Housing Finance Corporation.
Shri Jawaharlal Darda, popularly known as ‘Babuji’, took effective steps for upliftment of the poor and the oppressed. To expedite the development in the energy sector, he launched the expansion of the Koradi Thermal Power station near Nagpur. A new industrial policy came into force due to his keen interest during his period. His efforts put Maharashtra on the forefront of Indian economy, earning him the title ‘Vikas Purush’.
He breathed his last on 25th November, 1997 at Mumbai. His ideals of constructive social service will inspire the generations to come.
The Department of Posts is proud to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Shri Jawaharlal Darda.
INDIAN : BREEDS OF DOGS stamp released on 09 01 2005
Denomination :500,500,500,1500p
Stamps Printed :0.3 Million each
Date of Issue :09-01-2005
Theme: Animals
India has one of the oldest canine cultures. As early as the end of Mesolithic period the dog was domesticated and ever since the dog has been like a hunting companion rather than a show piece. Oriented to speed and action, indian dogs are all outdoor dogs.
The Indian sub continent is the largest conglomeration of various breeds of dogs in the world. Through a long process of evolution, each geographical region in India has produced a distinctive breed, adapted to the local environment. While Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal have BHOT[AS, Kumaon Hills have SHIKARIs RAMPUR HOUNDs abound the Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana etc. and MUDHOL Hounds are found in Koyana-Gulbarga of Karnataka and Maharastra. The RAJAPALAYAMs come from Tamil Nadu and TRIPURIs are found in the Lushai Hills of Assam.
Due to their usefulness and association with human habitat, dogs remain man’s best friends. Known for their sturdiness and loyalty, there is a need for creation of awareness about the variety of the canine population in India. The set of stamps depicts four Indian canine breeds viz., the Himalayan Sheep Dog, the Rampur Hound, the Mudhol Hound and the Rajapalayam.
HIMALAYAN SHEEP DOG
Found in Ladakh and adjoining Nepal, they are strong and powerful dogs. Gentle and sensitive with humans, they are alert and have sharp reflexes. Courageous and ferocious, are excellent guard dogs for cattle. They are generally black or brown with patches of white on ears, legs and body. They have a thick course over coat and a thick smooth fur for under coat.
They have short legs and a long back. They have pointed muzzle and luminous dark rimmed eyes. Tail is plumed and up turned. Compact and muscular they can sustain the Indian heat.
RAMPUR HOUND
The most well known Indian breed, the Rampur Hounds are elegant dogs, featured in Mughul miniatures. These dogs come from Rampur of erstwhile Rohilkhand of Uttar Pradesh. These are medium sized, muscular, powerful built for great speed and endurance. They have long wide head, flat between ears, and powerful jaws with scissor bite. They have slightly oval, brown to dark amber eyes. They have long and tapering tail, and the body has short and firm coat.
Mostly brindle or mouse grey in colours, with its long legs and short coat, it has a streamlined back of a grey hound, with a long skull. It was used for hunting, and Janhangir’s kennel is said to have had 4000 of them.
Every year in a mela in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, the best hound exhibited is given the title Rustum-e-Rampur.
MUDHOL HONUD
Primarily a desert variety of gaze hounds is generally found scattered all over Maharashtra and has been mostly kept by tribals. The Raja of Mudhol, a princely state, now part of Karnataka, trained these dogs for hunting. The Raja of Kolhapur also patronized this breed. Quiet, aloof, placid and reserve, it hunts with extreme concentration equally well on dry and marshy lands.
It has characteristically long and lean head, with well chiseled jaws and nose slightly protruding beyond the teeth. It has bony and narrow body with long tail that tapes to the end. It has very light and effortlessly easy movement with strong driving action with matching reach. Mudhol is found in all colours except albino.
RAJAPALAYAM
The Rajapalayam, built on the lines of the Great Dane, is an all white dog, though at times mottled white is also noticed. The eyes are brown, and the pink nose is distinctive. With its button ears and whip tail, it has loose hanging upper lips and is deep chested. Never a fast runner but is tireless and steady over long distances. Traditionally used as sheep dog and for hunting, it has also figured in battles. It is said that in the 18th Century Pudukottai regiment of Rajapalayam dogs was effectively used for fighting the enemies. Although a brave hound used more for hunting hare and other small game, it is gentle and is every one’s friend.
Department of Posts is happy to issue a set of four stamps on Breeds of Dogs.