Swachh Bharat

 India Post released a miniature sheet with 3 stamps on 30th January 2015 on the theme Swachh Bharat. The stamps were released by Minister of Communications and IT, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad. Speaking on the occasion he said that cleanliness was close to the heart of Mahatma Gandhi and to realise his cherished ideal there is a strong need to observe Swachhagraha just as Gandhiji had launched Satyagraha. He also exhorted all citizens to participate  in the Clean India campaign and to work strenuously to develop the culture of cleanliness and hygiene.

The design for the stamps were selected through a competition  among the children on the theme. It's my pleasure to inform that the Winner Stamp designing competition  is M.Vaibhav Shenoy, who is doing his Plus 2 (12th Standard) in Canara P.U.College, Mangaluru. He is a very talented artist who has won several regional, national and international awards, which includes 4 times Children's day Stamp Design competition of India Post, the D.K. district Rajyotsava Award for international Art in 2011, was a finalist in Doodle for Google National in 2011, won 4 times "Look and Learn" International Children Art Competition, London, Diploma Certificate at 14th International art exhibition, Finland etc. He has won more than 300 prizes all over.

Galina Vishnevskaya

Russia Post released a stamp on Galina Vishnevskaya,an opera singer,People's Artist of the USSR (1966) on 24th October 2014.She became one of the first Soviet opera singers who have achieved recognition in the international opera scene. The stamp depicts a portrait of GP Vishnevskaya and badge of the Order "For Merit".

Shri Digamber Jain Siddhakshetra, Betul.

India Post issued a special cover and special cancellation on 29th Jan. 2015 at Baitul (M.P.) during the Philatelic Exhibition TAPIPEX - 2015 on Special  famous Jain pilgrimage centre Shri Digamber Jain Siddhakshetra Muktagiri situated in the Baitul District.

 Courtesy: Sudhir Jain, Satna.

Beti Bachao Beti Phadao

India Post released a stamp to launch " Beti Bachao Beti Phadao" scheme on 22nd January 2014 which is an initiative of the government to address issues that effect women and also reverse the trend of an adverse  and declining child sex ratio. The stamps was was released by Prime Minister Sri. Narendra Modi in a function at Haryana.

Mikhail Kalashnikov

Russia Post released a stamp on Mikhail Kalashnikov,creator of the world famous Kalashnikov (AK) on 24th October 2014. The stamp depicts a portrait of MT Kalashnikov and the badge of the Order of St.Andrew.

Heritage Mysore - Picture Postcards.

Karnataka Postal Circle have released a set of 10 picture postcards on Heritage Mysore. The Cost of  a set of 10 cards is Rs.40/-. Available at Mysore Bureau.

Coat of arms of the city of Sochi

Russia Post released a stamp on the Coat of arms of the city of Sochi on 21st October 2014. The stamp depicts emblem of the city of Sochi.

Jain Swetamber Panchayati Mandir

A special cover was released at Kolkata on 24th January 2015 by  Hon'ble Governor Sri Kesri Nath Ji Tripathi and Chief Post Master General Mrs.Arundhati Ghosh on the occasion of Bicentenary of Jain Swetamber Panchayati Mandir (burra mandir), Cotton Street, Kolkata. A silver coin (Medallion) and set of picture postcards were also released at the function.

Courtesy: Sudhir Jain, Satna.

Birth Anniversary of Mikhail Lermontov

Russia Post issued a Souvenir Sheet  on 15th October 2014 to celebrate 200th Birth Anniversary of Mikhail Lermontov (1814-1841), Poet and Writer.

Agri Machinery Fair III 2015

A special cover was released on 24th January 2015 at the inaugural ceremony of three-day ‘Krishi Yantra Mela III-2015’ (Agri Machinery Fair III 2015) organised by the CAMPCO, Nehru Nagar, Puttur.

Nandalike - New pictorial Cancellation.

New Pictorial cancellation has been introduced at Nandalike - 576 111 on 24th January 2015. It will be made available at the Nandalike Post Office from the date of its release.

St. Mary's Group of Institutions, Kerala

A special cover was released in commemoration of  Dr. P.T. Abraham, Founder Chairman of  St. Mary's Group of Institutions, Kerala on 17th January 2015.

The life of Dr. P. T. Abraham is a saga of distinctive achievements as an Educationalist, social Worker and as a Sportsman.  In June 1974, by sheer hard work, he established the first CBSE School in Central Travancore (St. Mary's Residential Public School, Tiruvalla).  He was the mastermind behind the formation of St. Mary's Educational and Cultural Society, which now spreads over the length and breadth of Kerala.  The Society houses six schools and two colleges in Tiruvalla, Trivandrum, Kollam, Pathanapuram, Kanyakumari and Allepey. These schools and Colleges have made their mark as distinguished Educational Institutions.  This because of Dr. P.T. Abraham's innate talent, sacrifice and dedication towards education.

Cover code: KL/04/2015

Courtesy: Sreejesh Krishnan, Tiruvananthapuram.

Vani Vilas Sabha, Kumbakonam

A special cover was released for the centenary celebrations of Vani Vilas Sabha, Kumbakonam on 26th December 2014.

Cover Code: TN/26/2014
Courtesy: Kasinath.R

Formula-1 World Championship

Russia Post issued a stamp on 12th October 2014 on the occasion of the Formula-1 Grand Prix of Russia to be held in Sochi on the track at the Olympic Park.

The stamp depicts a car, "Formula 1" on the background of winter sports palace "Iceberg" in Sochi.

Walk of Hope - 2015-16

A special cover was released by the Manav Ekta Mission at Thiruvananthapuram on  17th January 2015 for the Padayatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.

Led by Shri M,  founder of Manav Ekta Mission, Walk of Hope is a padayatra for peace and harmony covering 6500 km from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in 15-18 months through 11  Indian states bringing together citizens from all walks of life.  The main objectives are Interfaith harmony, sustainable living Community Health, Equality for all, Women Empowerment, Eduacation and Youth Development etc.,

Cover Code: KL/5/2015
Courtesy: Sreejesh Krishnan, Thiruvananthapuram.

St. Thomas School.

Special cover of Quasquibicentennial Celebration of St. Thomas School, Kolkata  was released on 21st December 2014.

St. Thomas' founded in the year 1789 for the English Speaking community of Calcutta, is the oldest School in West Bengal and the second oldest in India. St. Thomas' School, although Christian in character, provides education for girls and boys of other religion denomination, caste and creeds.

Cover Code: WB/14/2014
Courtesy: Suresh Rao, Bengaluru.
 

Russian Naval Fleet.

Russia Post issued a set of stamps on Russian Naval fleet on 26th October 2014.The stamp depicts a multifunctional icebreaking ship "Vitus Bering" and the tug "Sadko".

 Multifunctional icebreaking ship "Vitus Bering"
Court Vitus Bering series to date - some of the best in its class. The housing is specially designed for vessels sailing in difficult ice conditions. Construction and equipment of ships allows year-round delivery of oil production platforms personnel needed supplies and consumables.

Vessels operate in the waters of the Far Eastern seas of Russia - the region of the active development of oil and gas on the continental shelf. Icebreakers, supply vessels ensure uninterrupted operation oil platforms in the Sea of Okhotsk in the field A-D within the project "Sakhalin-1".

Tug "Sadko"
Tug "Sadko" - tug boat series designed to provide services to the port, salvage and environmental protection vessels. Named after the Russian epic hero Sadko.

Tugs series are modern highly maneuverable azimuthal ice-class vessels, equipped with bow towing winch, have external fire fighting system and are capable of escorting large tankers. They meet all modern international standards in the field of maritime safety and environmental protection, are designed to ensure safe operation of tankers in the ports of the North-West of Russia.

Baselius College, Kottayam

A special cover was released on 2nd January 2015 to celebrate the golden jubilee of Baselius College, Kottayam.

Basellus College, Kottayam, the flagship college  of the Malankara Orthodox Church  in the headquarter city is currently celebrating its golden jubilee.  Having ignited manifold minds and moulded many illustrious alumni who have left their imprints on the sands of time,the college is now striving towards scaling greater heights. On the blessed occasion of the golden jubilee, the college salutes its founding fathers, staff and students both past and present and rededicate itself to serve the community in and around the city of letters, upholding its noble mission of elevating youngsters to the pedestal of wisdom.

Cover Code: KL - 1/2015

Courtesy: Sreejesh Krishnan, Thiruvananthapuram.

Joint Issue on Birds - Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

A joint issue was released on 12th October 2014 By Russia Post featuring birds of Prey.

Osprey - a large bird of prey birds of prey of the family unit Skopina. Spread all over the world except Antarctica and some oceanic islands. Live in areas where there are large clean ponds rich in fish. It feeds mainly on fish, which tracks down, flying high above the water. The current strength of the Osprey decreases it is listed in the Red Book. Russia has signed an agreement with Korea, India, Japan on Migratory Skopje and measures for their protection.

Sparrowhawk - a small bird of prey birds of prey of the family Accipitridae squad. Distributed from Western Europe and North Africa to the Far East and the Himalayas. Found in most parts of Russia, except treeless deserts, steppes and tundra. Preys mainly on small birds. Due to the use of pesticides in the middle of the 20th century. number Sparrowhawk reached historic lows, but since then its population grew again.

Winter Sports.

Russia Post issued a stamp of Winter sports on 7th October 2014 which was a joint Issue by Communication Boards of the RCC Member Countries (Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications).

The stamp shows the Russian players at the time of jubilation who won the championship in 2014 and the emblem of the RCC.

Glimpses of Karnapex 2015

Sanvi Suresh daughter of Suresh Rao, aged 8, won Large Silver and CPMG's Best in youth catogory award for her one frame exhibit " The Story of Penguins"

Karnapex - 19.01.2015

The concluding day of Karnapex 2015 was celebrated as "Swachchata Diwas". The ceremony was held in the evening in presence of Shri Vajubhai Vala, Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka.The Prize Distribution was also held at the function.

There were 3 special covers released on the final day. The covers were on Centenary Year of return of Mahatma Gandhi to India, 100 Years of Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry and 150 Years of Allahabad Bank on 19th January 2015.

Gandhi left South Africa forever and returned to India in 1915. Soon after he returned to India, cleanliness was among the foremost of his stated concerns.

FKCCI has been a beehive of economic activity of the state and safeguarding the interests of trade and commerce in the state by advocating for the welfare of traders before the State and the Centre over the years. the current headquarters of FKCCI located in K.G.Road, Bungaluru was inaugurated by His Highness Sree Kanteerava Narasimharaja - Wadiyar Bahadur. G.C.I.E Youvaraja of Mysore on the 31st of July 1931.

Courtesy: Suresh Rao, Bengaluru.

Karnapex - 18.01.2015

A Special cover was released on the birth anniversary of  Jonas Edward Salk ,the discoverer of Polio vaccine on 18th January 2015 at Karnapex 2015, Bengaluru as part of  "Swasthya Diwas"

Cover Code: KTK/07/2015

Karnapex - 17.01.2015

Special cover on "Say No to Child Labour" was released on 17th January 2015 on the 2nd day of Karnapex 2015.

Cover Code: KTK/06/2015

A special cover on "Heritage Bengaluru" was released on 17th January 2015 on the 2nd day of Karnapex 2015.

 Cover Code: KTK/05/2015

Permanent Pictorial cancellation of St. Mary's Island, Malpe and Kathale Basadi was released at Karnapex 2015 on 17th January 2015.

Courtesy: Sri Suresh Rao and Jagannath Mani, Bengaluru.

Postcrossing at Karnapex 2015.

Karnapex 2015 had an exclusive booth for Postcrossing this time. Postmaster General of North Karnataka, Mr.Bishnu Sarangi and his team has taken special interest in this direction. Many of the Public and the school children were keen to know more about Postcrossing.

Post cards exhibited and explained at the Counter.

View of the counter

PMG of North Karnataka Mr.Bishnu Sarangi in front of the Counter

PMG of Maharashtra and Goa Circle, Mr.Charles Lobo at the Counter

Registration Process at the Counter

Postcrossing being described to the students.

Courtesy: Livecam India Post.