Kochi Naval Base

INAS 550, 'Flying Fish' was commissioned on 17th June 1959 as the first Air Squadron of the Indian Navy. The flying Fish has operated 13 different kinds of aircraft, including amphibians, helicopters and fighters over the la50 years. The stalwart MR aircraft, Islander and the newer Dorniers form the main stay of the squadron tasked to maintain a constant vigil on the southern maritime borders and undertake training of the Navy’s fledgling Maritime Reconnaissance pilots and observers.

This special cover was released on 17th june 2009 to celebrate 50 glorious years.

20th Conference of Speakers & Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth.

India Post has released the first stamp for the year 2010 with this issue.The CSPOC is about the association of the Parliaments of the Independent Sovereign States of the Commonwealth. It was created in 1969 in Canada. The 20th Conference of CSPOC will be held in Delhi, India.

This issue has the information sheet in a new format of the size 8x4 inches. The other side of the sheet is printed in Hindi.

YEARLY EXHIBITION OF SAPNA

Secretary of Sagar Philatelic and Numismatic Association, Mr.Ganesh Bhat reports that the Annual Exhibition of the Association will be held on 31.01.2010 at CGK Sabhabhavan, Brasam, Sagar, Karnataka. A workshop on "FAKE NOTES IDENTIFICATION"will be conducted by the officials of RBI at the Venue.

The Association was formed on 04.04.04 and is one of the active Associations. Apart from conducting philatelic and numismatic camps/workshops for the school children, it is also conducting exhibition every year. The exhibits will be stamps, coins, notes and other collectibles accepted by the club. These would be one day events. The participants will be the club members and invitees decided by the committee.

The Exhibition and the workshop is open to the general public. For more information Mr.Ganesh Bhat may be contacted at prephila@gmail.com

Brochure / Information Sheet - The new format.

I start the New Year's entry with this post of a change in the format of the stamp information sheet.

India Post has printed the Information Sheet for the first issue of 2010 - Jan 5: 20th Conference of Speakers & Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth in a new smaller format, but it is yet to be known if the same format is to be continued for all the issues. Price remains the same at Rs.2.00

Mother Teresa on US Stamp

Washington Post reports that Nobel Peace Prize winner Mother Teresa will feature in the postage stamp of us in the year 2010. A stamp in her honor will go on sale on her birthday, Aug. 26, 2010.

The French Post has also included Mother Teresa in its issue program for 2010.

Happy New Year!

WISHING ALL MY FRIENDS, READERS, FELLOW BLOGGERS, PHILATELISTS AND WELL-WISHERS A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2010

INDIPEX - 2011 - Event Manager

India Post in its website has put up an ad for hiring of an Event Manager under the head "Expression of Interest- Hiring of Event Manager for World Philatelic Exhibition INDIPEX 2011"

For more details visit the website of INDIA POST

STAMPMANIA 2009 - A Success Story.

Dear Friends, Philatelists and Readers,

The much awaited STAMPMANIA 2009 has just concluded and the mega event was a great success with many activities and was a festival for stamp collectors and Philatelists from all over India. I congratulate Mr.Prashanth Pandya, Mr.Timir Shah and his team for hoisting a successful event.

More details, awards and photos can be found in the website of STAMPMANIA 2009

Kodanad Elephant Training Centre.

Kodanad is a beautiful village situated on the south bank of river Periyar, about 50 kms east of Kochi, in Kerala, India. The training center is specialised in training stranded baby elephants from the forests across the region. kodanad offers elephant safari to visitors. It is one of the eco-tourism destinations listed by the Government of India.

The special cover was released on the ocassion of Kerapex 2007 in Thiruvananthapuram.

Inauguration of STAMPMANIA - 2009

Stampmania 2009 was inaugurated by Chief Postmaster General, Gujarat Circle, Ms.Karuna Pillai by lighting the lamp at Shree Saurashtra Leuva Patel Samaj Building. A special cover was released and presented to Mr. A. K. Srivastava. Mr. A K A Joshi presented a Special carried Cover by Bullock Tram. Dr. Alok Pande released a Stamp Booklet and a souvenir of Stampmania 2009.

Mr. Prashant Pandya, Chairman of Stampmania 2009, Mr. Timir Shah, Secretary and Dr. Yogesh Chandrana were also present.

VISHWA TULU SAMMELAN (World Tulu Conference) - Special cover

A special cover was released on the ocassion of the Vishwa Tulu conference by The Post Master General of Karnataka Ms.Sandhya Rani on 10th December 2009 in Ujire.

The cancellation has the logo of the World Tulu Conference and the FDC has the line drawings of the features of Tulu land like rice beating, chande vadana (drum beat) pottery, tulu sports and 'kambala' (folk bull race).

To more about this conference visit : http://www.vishwatulusammelana.com

Traditional Indian Textiles

India Post released 4 stamps on Traditional Indian Textiles depicting Kalamkari, Apa Tani Weaves, Kanchipuram Silk and Banaras Silk , in denomination of Rs 5/-each and miniature sheet at Rs.20/-

UPDATES ON STAMPMANIA 2009

Dear Fellow Philatelists and Friends,

Greetings!

We are now very close to Stampmania 2009. We have already dispatched invitation cards to one and all.

As announced earlier ‘Heritage Walk through Stamps’ has been scheduled on 17th December 2009 at 2.00 pm. We have also planned to make a replica of ‘Bullock Tram’ which was running between Dabhoi and Miyagam from 1862 to 1880 with two bullocks. This float of Bullock Tram will be a part of Heritage Walk through stamps and shall proceed from Vadodara Head Post Office to the Venue of Stampmania 2009. Special Carried Covers will be carried through this ‘Bullock Tram” from Vadodara Head Post Office to Stampmania 2009.

Inauguration of Stampmania 2009 has been scheduled at 5.30 pm on 17th December 2009 after the Heritage Walk through Stamps.

Those who are arriving at Baroda are requested to assemble at Vadodara Head Post Office at 1.30 pm. Philatelic Organisations can bring their banners/play cards to display at Heritage Walk.

We have pleasure to inform you all that Army Postal Service and Royal Mail, U. K. will also have their stalls at Stampmania 2009.

On 19th December 2009, Oswal Antiques will be holding Auction of Philatelic items at Stampmania 2009. Auction Catalogue can be viewed at http://www.indiacoingallery.com/auctions.htm

We invite you all at Stampmania 2009.

Detailed Programme
Date: 17th December 2009

Heritage Walk through Stamps:
Time: 2.00 pm.
Start Point/Venue: Vadodara Head Post Office, Vadodara
End Point: Kirti Mandir, Opp. S. S. G. Hospital, Vadodara

Inauguration of Exhibition: 5.30 pm by Ms. Karuna Pillai, Chief Postmaster General, Gujarat Circle.
Venue:
Shree Saurashtra Leuva Patel Seva Samaj,
Near B. I. D. C., Alembic Road, Gorwa, Vadodara - 390 003

With warm regards,
Prashant H. Pandya
Chairman - 'STAMPMANIA 2009' Organising Committee
www.stampmania2009.com

VISHWA TULU SAMMELAN (WORLD TULU CONFERENCE)

On the ocassion of the Vishwa Tulu conference the Department of Posts will bring out a special cover which depicts the features of Tulu land like 'chande vadana' (drum beat) pottery, tulu sports and 'kambala' (folk bull race).

"Tulu" is the regionl language spoken by the people of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka. To know more about Tulu and for further reading visit: http://www.vishwatulusammelana.com

Stamp Collecting gets more popular!

Do you think stamp collecting is the hobby of the aged? Do you think stamp collecting is not so popular these days of the Internet.... then you need to read this article published in THE TELEGRAPH (U.K)

Greetings - 2009

India Post released 4 Greetings stamps , 4 different stamps in denomination of Rs 5/-each, sheet-let at Rs. 180/- and miniature sheet at Rs.20/-