New stamp issue: Sri Krishna Devaraya

Date of Issue : 27 January 2011

Krishnadevaraya who ruled the kingdom of Vijayanagara in between 1509-1529 was one of the greatest statesmen which medieval South India had produced. Called variously as ‘Kannadaraya’, ‘Sri Karnata Mahisa’ and ‘Kannada Rajya Ramaramana’, his rule saw all round prosperity of South India, culturally and materialistically. He was the son of Tuluva Narasanayaka and after the death of his brother Vira Narasimha ascended the throne of Vijayanagara in 1509.

The Vijaynagar Kingdom rose to its highest peak of glory during the reign of Krishna Deva Raya. Not only he was an able administrator and a great warrior but he was also a scholar, a poet, a musician and a kind king. He was loved very much by his subjects and he even treated his enemies with honor. He won all the wars he had waged during his rule.


-Ahmed.

Just awesome: PostCrossing

I recently stumbled upon this awesome website, which lets you exchange postcards from all over the world. You basically send a postcard to a random post-crosser (address will be given by the website) and after it gets received you can receive a postcard from some other random post-crosser. You can see the postcards I received via post-crossing on this blog.

Some of the postcards I sent:





Note: Once registered, your will address will be shared with only the random person going to send you the postcard. So, pretty safe as well..

Here is some more explanation from http://www.postcrossing.com/about .

How does it work ?

First, the short version:

1. request an address from the website
2. mail the postcard to the address
3. wait to receive a postcard
4. register the received postcard in the system

The first step is to request to send a postcard. The website will display (and send you an e-mail) with the address of another member and a Postcard ID (e.g.: US-786). You then mail a postcard to that member.

The member receives the postcard and registers it using the Postcard ID that is on the postcard. At this point, you are eligible to receive a postcard from another user. You are now in line for the next person that requests to send a postcard. Where the postcard comes from is a surprise!

You can have up to 5 postcards traveling at any single time. Every time one of the postcards you send is registered, you can request another address. The number of postcards allowed to travel at any single time goes up the more postcards you send!

Now, some post-crossing videos

Happy post-crossing

-Ahmed.

Max cards on Children's Day: Canceled on Special Date 1-1-11

Let me know if you like them..

-Ahmed.

Special Cover: National Academy of Audit and Accounts, Shimla

Here is a special cover I received from Mrs. Jeevan Jyothi, Shimla. This special cover was released on 18th May 2010 @ Shimla by Vice President Of India on National Academy of Audit & Accounts.


Postcard from Himachal sent by Mrs. Jeevan Jyothi.


Thanks Jeevan Jyothi madam for the nice special cover and postcard.

-Ahmed.

FDC: Immanuel Sekaranar

Earlier actual data release of this stamp was 31-12-2010. But it was prematurely released on 09-10-2010. India Post laterconfirme d all its postal circles and Philatelic Bureaus that the correct date of release of Immanuel Sekaranar is 09th October 2010. So this is not a premature issue.

-Ahmed

Max Card: Brihadeeswara Temple

Brihadeeswara Temple max card, with cancellation from Thanjavur. Thanks Mr. Kasinath for helping me out in taking cancellation from Thanjavur.

Cover from Germany

You can see stamps were not canceled somehow. German post is trying to reach Indian standards..LOL.


Thanks Vanessa Schmidf, a postcrosser from Germany, for the nice cover and postcard.

Best postcard received

Today I received an awesome postcard from Zhou Yue, a postcrosser from China. She sent me a nice postcard which has 32 stamps affixed on it. I just loved it. She knew I like stamps and so created this postcard for me. Hats-off to her creativity. Hope you will like it too.

TED talk on "The lost art of letter-writing"

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/lakshmi_pratury_on_letter_writing.html

Folks, lets start writing letters sometimes ..

-Ahmed

Indipex 2011 update: Commemorative Flight on 100 years of Airmail

The Indipex exhibition will largely focus on Aerophilately as India Post celebrates the Centenary of the First Official Airmail Flight that took place in India on 18th February 1911. A ceremonial flight would take place on 12th February 2011 from Allahabad to Naini commemorating the 100 years of the Airmail flight. The flight would carry about 5000 First Day Special Covers with special postmark; a collector’s delight being limited editions. A special stamp carrying a special cancellation will be released on 12th February, 2011 to commemorate the event.

Indipex 2011 update: Philatelic Passport

The Department of India Post is going to release a Philatelic Passport at the exhibition. Having more than 70 countries participating at this exhibition, with a Philatelic Passport, collectors need to travel from country to country by visiting sales booths to buy the stamps and obtain the special date stamp cancellations of that participating country. When it is done, one will have completed his travel around the world. This is very exciting as the activity of traveling through the world would take place at just one venue which is the World Philatelic Exhibition at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Philatelic Passport aims to create enthusiasm amongst children, stamp lovers, philatelists and visitors. The philatelic passport when is full with stamps and postal cancellations on each page will become a good item for stamp collectors.

The passport can be obtained from the exhibition directly.

Indipex 2011 update: My Stamps

Your Personalized Stamp

India post will be introducing personalized stamps for the first time in India. It is a wonderful way to celebrate special occasions such as engagements, birth of a baby, or to send as greetings to loved ones and friends.

So, get yout photograph clicked or carry any other photo on which you wish to create your personalized stamp and have it created.

The template on My Stamp would be printed on the six themes:

1. Trains
2. Aeroplanes
3. Wildlife
4. Panchatantra
5. Sun Signs
6. Taj Mahal

Each template is designed on one of the above themes and has 12 personalized stamps perforated on it. One can get their personalized stamps on their favorite photograph on all of the themes mentioned above.

Note: Make sure you have the copyright for the photo you are submitting. India post has authority to ask you to prove copy right for the picture.

Index 2011 update: Khadi Stamp

http://www.indipex2011.com/

Khadi Stamp

India Post on the occassion of INDIPEX 2011 is bringing out a special stamp on Gandhi Ji to commemorate the event. The stamp will be unique as it will be printed on “Khadi”, the handspun cotton material that Gandhi Ji held as the symbol of self determination and self reliance.

The Presentation Pack will be released by Smt. Pratibha Patil, the President of India on Saturday 12th February 2011 at INDIPEX 2011, the World Philatelic Exhibition being held in New Delhi, the capital of India.

The Khadi Stamp will be available during the exhibition at the venue, as a Presentation Pack which will also include a miniature sheet. The Presentation Pack is priced at Rs. 250 onlyand a maximum of 10 stamps can be ordered by a single person.

Orders for this special stamps can be placed by writing directly to Mr A.S. Kala or pre-ordering them online. Outstation orders will be sent by Speedpost for which necessary charges will apply.

The deliveries would start from 12th February 2011.

Collect Your Copy at the Venue!

The Presentation Pack will be available at the venue, but its better to book your copy in advance. The order can be placed online and the Pack collected at the venue by making a direct payment. Simply fill the Pre-Order Form below and choose this as the Mode of Delivery. Carry the copy of the Confirmation Mail that you receive along with the full payment of the amount Rs 250/- only for each Presentation Pack you order, and collect your Pack.

Get it Delivered by Post!

INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY
The Presentation Pack for the overseas buyers is priced at US$5 only. The Pack will be delivered via Registered Post at an additional fixed cost of US$2 per order. The payment (Us$5 x Quantity + US$2) for your order is to be made by electronic transfer to the India Post (Bank & Remittance Details). Please mail a copy of the payment-confirmation to wpe2011@indiapost.gov.in for the records.

DELIVERY WITHIN INDIA
The Presentation Pack can be delivered via Speedpost at an additional fixed cost of Rs.25 only. Simply fill the Pre-Order Form below and choose this as the Mode of Delivery. Send a copy of the Confirmation Mail that you receive along with a Demand Draft of the amount (Rs.250 x Quantity + Rs.25) for your order, made in favour of World Philatelic Exhibition/Indipex-2011 to the following address:

Mr. A.S. Kala
INDIPEX 2011 Secretariat
Room 523 B, Dak Bhawan
Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110001

[courtesy: http://www.indipex2011.com]

Are you travelling ?

Are you traveling or on vacation?. Send me a postcard of the place you are visiting.

If you have a IPhone or Blackberry, it is even simpler. Just download this application Postcard Star http://www.celltography.com/ , and you should be able to send me a postcard for free (only first one is free though). Isn't it kool ?

-Ahmed.

FDC: Doot

India Post released the first stamp for the year 2011 on 15th January 2011 on the Gujarathi Magazine "Doot"





-Ahmed.

My first cover from Malaysia

Today I received my first international cover from "ES Lee" of Malaysia (http://funstamps.blogspot.com/). He has sent me a beutiful cover with stamps, FDC, domestic aerogram and some airmail labels. Thanks Mr. Lee for finding time out of his busy schedule to send me the stamps.

Cover


Stamps



Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan

2010 Malaysia Mel Rakyat Unity Flag Domestic AEROGRAM

Air-mail labels




-Ahmed

2010 Stamp Issue Review

2010 was a mixed year for stamp collectors -- there were 91 stamps , miniature sheets, 1 sheetlet released. Click here for all the stamp issues.

Here are the highlights:

1. Totally 91 stamps issued -- 88 stamps with 5 Rs denomination and 3 stamps with 20Rs denomination. Total cost of these stamps: 500 Rs
   
2. 12 miniature sheets were also released including few beautiful mini sheets like "sparrow and pigeon", "Puri Rath Yatra" and "India Mexico Joint issue". Other mini sheets are not that much impressive. Total cost: 265 Rs.
   
Miniature Sheets thro' years


2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
3	0	4	9	7	3	6	11	16	13	12



3. Total cost for acquiring stamps, mini sheets, FDCs alone is 1385 Rs. This is comparatively better than previous year issues costing 1650 Rs. But I would like it to be under 1000 Rs.
   



2007	2008	2009	2010
1275	1650	X	1385



4. Personality issue wise, its a pathetic year. Total of 33 personality stamps were released (which is about 36% -- which according to Rule 72.11 should not exceed 25%). What is more disappointing is that -- most of the personality issues are on Tamil personalities. Sometimes it felt like Tamil Post instead of India Post. I wonder if having A. Raja at the top would have affected this.
5. Just 5 stamps on Flora and Fauna -- which is very much disappointing for me. On Indian heritage and culture 21 stamps were released -- which is nice to see but quality of the stamps on this theme could be improved.
6. Two stamps (XIX Commonwealth Games, Lalit Kala Academy) were issued with new Rupee symbol. I would like to see all the stamps from now one to be released with the new symbol.
7. Two premature issues -- Y.B. Chawan, Sekaranar Issues.
   

The high cost of stamps would not encourage young student collectors. Spending more than 100Rs per month from their pocket is not at all reasonable. I would like to see less number of stamps being issued -- and no stamps of denomination more than 5 Rs. I would recommend, like other philatelists, 48 stamps per year, 4 stamps per month, 4-6 miniature sheets and on the whole keeping the overall yearly expenditure on mint collection to be within 800 Rs.

I would like to see very less number of personality issues -- only issues on people who are known nation wide (just not inside their own community).

My other personal thoughts

• It was a birth centenary of Mother Terisa this year (2010). Many other counties released stamps on his occasion but not India. Even after suggestions by many philatelists, India post has not considered this. I would think as the biggest mistake by India Post.
• Postage stamp on Kumaraguruparar Swamigal was released on 25th June, 2010. I think, his achievements are only confined to religion. This is a gross violation of Rule 72.9

Stamp issue program for 2011: Click

Happy Collecting.

-Ahmed.

Video: Mumbai GPO

FDC: Lalita Kala Academy: Stamp of the year ?

India post issued stamp on Lalita Kala Academy on 31/12/2010. Its a beutiful stamp. For me, it is the stamp of the year.



The Country’s first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru conceived and set up major art and cultural agencies to rejuvenate and formulate the diverse Indian cultural practices and promote them to play a comprehensive role in the making of the Nation. Lalit Kala Akademi, the National Academy of Art, New Delhi was one such organisation. It envisaged as the principal establishment in the field of visual arts. The Akademi is an autonomous body which is fully funded by the Ministry of Culture, Lalit Kala Akademi manifests a commitment to service of art. [Courtesy: India Post]

FDC:


-Ahmed

Special Date Cancellation: 1.1.11

I wish all my readers a very and prosperous happy new year 2011. Also, today is a special day for philatelic collectors as well, for some of them at least.

Here is a interview of Mr. V.S. Yalvigi published in Rainbow Stamp Club monthly newsletter http://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.com/ . Apart from being a great philatelist, he is also a collector of special dates like 9.9.99, 10.10.10 etc.

Anyway, I asked some of my friends to send me some covers on this special day. I have created few Max cards on Children's day stamps today. I will post them as an when they are available for publication.

Here is cover posted on special cover my brother on 1-1-11, and it is received on another special date 11-1-11. Awesome, isnt it?


Till then, enjoy the first day of new year !!


-Ahmed.

Stamp Issue: Central Bank of India

Central Bank of India was founded on 21st December 1911 by Sir Sorabji Pochkhanawala a visionary. It was his dream of setting up a ‘Swadeshi bank’ owned by Indians and for Indians. On founding the Bank, Sir Sorabji proclaimed with pride that Central Bank was property of the Nation and the country’s asset. After the independence, the bank played a laudable role in the growth and development of country and improving the socio-economic status of people. Central Bank of India is celebrating its centenary year during December 2010. [Courtesy: India Post]

FDC:


I last visited GPO, Hyderabad on 24th Dec, 2010 and this stamp was still not available. God help India Post.

[Update] I got these stamps today.

-Ahmed