India celebrates 62nd Republic Day

Dear friends & Readers

One of my friend Mr Srinivasa shared with us in our group this finer details for the benefit of all the youngsters. As Indian i to what to share this details with my friends and readers

The freedom and soverignity,

Today, India celebrates the 62nd Republic Day with joy and gaiety. While conveying the Greetings to all them , I thought of sharing some interesting facts about the significance of this day for the benefit of our young members which was shared by one of my friend Mr. Srinivasan

The Interesting facts about 'Indian Constitution'


British Rule
First Britisher entered India in 1579. Thereafter merchants started coming and ruled us. In 1765, the Authority got transferred to East India Company formally. Then British Parliament took over the administration. Indians started protesting the foreign rule even from the 18th century. Indian National Congress was formed in 1885 to formally fight the foreign rulers. After the entry of Mahatma Gandhi, the freedom movement became dynamic. Before Independence, India was governed by various Acts enacted by British Parliament. Government of India Act 1858, Government of India Act 1909, Government of India Act 1919 and finally the Govt. of India Act 1935 framed by British Parliament governed Indians. (These Acts became irrelevant after Independence and adoption of Indian Constitution)

Constituent Assembly formed
After the prolonged struggle and negotiations, as a fore-runner of Independence, a 'Constituent Assembly' was formed with the members representing different regions and religions. The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held on 9th December 1946. Many great leaders were part of this Assembly. On the first day 207 members participated.
On the first day, Acharya Kriplani, one of the respected leaders started the proceedings invoking the 'divine blessings' and proposing the name of Shri Sachchidananda Sinha (Bihar), the eldest member of the Assembly as 'Provisional Chairman' till the Chairman was elected.
Shri C Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) was the first member to present the credentials and sign the register to become the member of the Constituent Assembly.
On the third day, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected as Chairman of the Constituent Assembly. The designation 'Chairman' was subsequently replaced as 'President of the Constituent Assembly'.
India got the freedom and Independence on 15th August 1947 and this Constituent Assembly took the Governance of India from British Parliament. Lord Mountbatten was requested by Constituent Assembly to continue as Governor General for some time. Shri C Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) took over the Governor General on 21st June 1948 and he continued till 26th Jan 1950. Rajaji was the first Indian Governor General of India. After 26th Jan 1950, Governor General post was made as President of India. Dr Rajendra Prasad become the first President of India.

Framing Draft Constitution for India
After Indian Independence, Constituent Assembly wanted to frame the Constitution for India. They constituted a 'Committee to draft the constitution' on 29th August 1947 with the Chairmanship of Dr B R Ambedkar. Shri Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar, Shri N Gopalaswami Ayyangar, Shri K M Mushi, Shri Saiyid Mohd Saadulla, Shri B L Mitter and Shri D P Khaitan were included as other members of this Committee.

These eminent people drafted the Indian Constitution and presented to the Constituent Assembly on 4th November 1947.

Discussion in the Constituent Assembly
The Constituent Assembly discussed this Draft Constitution in 114 sittings, spread over 2 years 11 months and 17 days thoroughly. The final Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949. This day is also known as National Law Day.

Constitution document signed
On 24th January 1950, 284 members of the Constitutent Assembly signed the document and presented the official Constitution to the Nation. Two hand written copies of our Constitution (one in English and the other in Hindi), illuminated by artists and one print copy of English Version were signed by the Members.
After putting their signatures, all the members including Dr Rajendra Prasad (President of India Elect) and other Members sang Vandemataram and Jana Gana Mana in Chorus, symbolising a great achievement of Sovereign Independent Republic of India, after a struggle of nearly three centuries.
If you want to read the proceedings of the Constitutent Assembly verbatim, please click the link
http://164.100.47.132/lssnew/constituent/vol12p1.html
This constitution came into force from 26th Jan 1950. From that day, India has become a Sovereign Independent Republic.
When the new Constitution was signed by the members on 24th Jan 1950, it was drizzling outside the Parliament at Delhi. It was considered by them as a good omen.
This Constitutent Assembly was made as a 'Provisional Indian Parliament' from 26th Jan 1950. The first General Election was held in 1952 and the 1st Lok Sabha was constituted.

Indian Constitution - Some interesting facts
Indian Constitution, drafted by great visionaries, continues to be one of the best constitutions in the world. Many global legal experts have praised our constitution. Indian Constitution contains 22 parts, 395 articles, 12 schedules and 2 appendices. Over a period of 62 years, the Constitution has undergone 94 amendments.

As Mr Srinivasa shared with us in our group this finer details for the benefit of all the youngsters. As Indian i to what to share this details with my freinds and readears The freedom and soverignity, we enjoy has not come on a single day. Our elders have struggled and lost their life in the freedom movement spread over near 300 years. The great Visionary leaders have also provided us a wonderful Constitution. None of these leaders, who have signed the constitution are alive today.

It is the responsiblity of every Indian to salute our great leaders and freedom fighters on this day and live upto their Vision.

Thanks to Mr. Srinivasan

Sports Exhibits & Highlights of INDIPEX - 2011

Dear friends and Readers,


http://www.indipex2011.com/?page_id=14

The 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. The special stamp carrying the special cancellation would be released on 12th February, 2011 to commemorate the event.

Their will be few exhibts on sports and Games will be displayed at INDIPEX 2011


Traditional Class
Georgios Sparis Greece 2C Traditional Commemorative Issue of First Olympic Games -Athens 1896

Thematic Class
Dinesh Chandra Sharma India 7B Thematic Summer Olympic Games
Jagannath Mani India 7B Thematic The Images of Summer Olympics

Literature class
Dinesh Chandra Sharma India 11C Literature Sports
Ivan Libric Croatia 11B Literature Olymphil
Mabeosz -Mosfit (National Federation of Hungarian Philatelists) Hungary 11B Literature Olimpiafila
Tarun Jain India 11A Literature Common Wealth Games 1934-2010


Highlights of INDIPEX

INDIPEX 2011, World Philatelic Exhibition is being organized by India Post, Government of India, in association with the Philatelic Congress of India, the National Federation for Philately in India from 12th to the 18th February 2011 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, India. The Federation International Philatelic (FIP) is extending its patronage, and the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP) its auspices, for conduct of the Exhibition.
INDIPEX 2011, aims to bring the international philatelic community together to celebrate philately, and will provide a unique platform for interaction between all the philatelic stake-holders, viz. the collectors, the dealers, the philatelic journalists and publishers, the designers and security printers, and the postal administrations who issue stamps and stationery.
The exhibition will be largely competitive and showcase some of the finest and rarest stamp collections from around the world. Stamps reflect the history, culture, ethos and concerns of nations and people, which makes stamp collection as a hobby interesting and educative. By showcasing the best philatelic collections, INDIPEX 2011 looks to attract many newcomers to explore the fascinating world of philately.
There is considerable excitement about the exhibition all around the world as it will be one of the biggest events in India after the Commonwealth Games.
EXHIBTION DETAILS
INDIPEX 2011 will have each day earmarked for celebrating themes such as science and technology, culture and heritage, youth and sports, environment and women’s issues. The exhibition itself will be spread over an area of over 29700 square feet, with booths and stalls for philatelic dealers, government ministries and under takings and corporate entities. With participation from over 70 countries, 500 foreign delegates and about 5000 school children, stamp enthusiasts and other visitors are expected to visit daily.
Personalized Stamp
One of the most exciting feature of the exhibition is the My STAMP which is being introduced by India Post for the first time in India. Also known as ‘Personalised stamp‘,
MY STAMP allows you to add a personal touch to your mail by combining India Post stamps with a photograph or any design or logo of your choice - the perfect complement to invitations, birthday greetings and business or personal letters. One can choose any pictures they want as long as they are not rude or offensive.
So pick your favourite photo now and turn it into a MY STAMP. Choose from one of 6 stamp designs and give your mail that personal touch.
1. Trains
2. Aeroplanes
3. Wildlife
4. Panchatantra
5. Sun Signs (12 Different Sheets)
6. Taj Mahal
Each sheet has 12 stamps on one of the above themes and 12 MY STAMPS with perforations.
Terms & Conditions:
1. You warrant that for MY STAMP you will only submit a photo that you own copyright in, or have the copyright owner’s permission to reproduce. (Permission may be given by a parent or guardian on behalf of an infant.) India Post reserves the right to ask you to prove that you have the right to copy the photo and that permission has been obtained from persons featured in the photo or that you have the right to use any images or logos in the photo. If you are unable to prove any of the above upon request, India Post may refuse to copy the photo. In such instances, India Post will return your photo and payment will be refunded.
2. If your photo contains any non-Hindi/English words you must provide a written translation with your order.
3. Any copyright in the MY STAMP images vests in India Post. A person cannot reproduce or authorise the reproduction of the MY STAMP.
4. India Post reserves the right not to print your photo image on the tab, if in its opinion this image is unacceptable, or India Post suspects that the copying of the photo will infringe copyright or may otherwise infringe any other law.
5. You agree to indemnify India Post against any claim, damages or expenses India Post suffers in connection with the use of your photo, including any infringement of another person’s intellectual property rights or unauthorised use of any image of any other person or property.
6. You may use the MY STAMP to pay postage on a postal article posted in India. These picture stamps cannot be sent on their own without accompanied with the corresponding stamp. Each of the MY STAMP used to pay postage will be postmarked.
7. Variations in colour, image quality and position may occur in the finished product. You acknowledge that the finished photo image is dependent on the quality of the photo submitted. To the extent permitted by law, India Post will not refund or replace an order if the MY STAMP is of poor quality.
8. The general ruling in India is that you don't feature living people on stamps. But MY STAMP is the exception as the photo is quite clearly separate from the stamp.
9. All images that are submitted for reproduction in MY STAMP must:
a. Be provided with an English/Hindi translation for images that contain a foreign language. The translation must meet the other guideline criteria below.
b. Not discriminate against a person on the basis of disability, race or colour.
c. Not contain celebrities, actors, musicians, sports people, cartoons or other famous people whereby the customer may not own the copyright.
d. Not contain provocative, sexual, violent or other offensive content.
e. Not contain nudity or semi nudity.
f. Not contain profanity or obscenities.
g. Not contain firearms or weaponry.
h. Not contain libellous, defamatory or other content deemed offensive.
i. Not contain material that could infringe copyright.
j. Not contain racial, prejudicial or discriminatory subject matter.
k. Not contain nationalistic, political statements or politically motivated messages or symbols including flags.
l. Not contain images that show illegal or anti-social behaviour.

Courtesy: Ajay Kumar Mittal, Member Technical Committee INDIPEX 2011

for more details please visit official web site at below link
http://www.indipex2011.com/?page_id=14

Happy Pongal & Season Greetings

Dear friends,

please click on the image to see boiling rice come out of the pot "The dish Pongal is made by boiling rice with milk"


Pongal – The Festival Celebrating Prosperity

India is a land whose primary occupation is agriculture. Changes in season thus play a very important role for Indian farmers. Their lifestyles and celebrations are thus exclusively linked to the seasonal landmarks in an year. There are many Indian festivals which are in tune with a farmers lifestyle and also with the seasonal variations in an year. Pongal, the harvest festival of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu is one of them.

When is Pongal Celebrated?
This festival marks the beginning of the end of winter season and corresponds to the time when the sun is moving towards Uttarayanam (north) from Dakshinayanam (south). The period is referred to as Uttarayan Punyakalam and is considered auspicious. As per the Tamil calender, Pongal is celebrated four days from the last day of the month of Margazhi (December — January) to the third day of the month Thai (January — February). Thus, according to the Gregorian calender, Pongal is celebrated from 12 to 15 January of which Pongal day or the first day of Thai falls on 14 January.

Common Traditions and Customs
Some of the rituals which are a must on Pongal are cleaning the house and wearing new clothes. The young girls and women wear a lehanga and half sari respectively whereas the men are attired in lungi and angavastram on this occasion. During the Pongal season, people eat sugar canes and decorate the houses with kolam which is made using rice paste. Kolams are generally made of white colour but one may also come across kolams made up of different colours.

Another popular custom is exchanging gifts on Pongal. In villages, farm labourers get ‘Pongal Padi' or ‘Pongal Parisu’ as Pongal Gifts. This tradition has now moved on to other occupations as well, with employers giving gifts to their employees on the occasion of Pongal. This is an opportunity to present gifts to those among your family and friends as well. Some popular yet appropriate gift ideas on Pongal include Lord sun sculptures (on Surya Pongal), decoratives (on Bhogi Pongal), new kitchen vessels, wooden handicrafts and household goods.

The Festivities

Pongal is a festival that goes on for four days. The first day of festivities is known as the Bogi Pongal, wherein people worship the sun god and earth. The dish Pongal is made by boiling rice with milk. In fact the first paddy that is harvested is used to make Pongal. The second day is Surya Pongal or Perum Pongal. It is the most important day and people worship Surya, the Sun God and his consorts, Chaya and Samgnya. Old articles are thrown in the fire and people have an oil massage and wear new clothes on this day. On the third day of the festival, known as Mattu Pongal, the farm animals like cattles are worshipped. Cattles are bathed and dressed beautifully and served Pongal. The fourth day is Thiruvalluvar day or Kaanum Pongal. People visit family, friends and relatives, women of the house perform puja for the prosperity of their brothers. Many people leave cooked rice on banana leaves for birds on this day.

The Tamil Festival
On this occasion farmers pay their respects to the rain, sun and the farm animals, all of which are essentials in any harvest. Also, since paddy and other crops depend on the availability of good rain and Tamil Nadu does not have many perennial water sources, rain and sun gods are invoked during this auspicious occasion. Pongal is also known as "Tamizhar Thirunal" (meaning "the festival of Tamils"). "Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum" which means that "birth of the Thai month will pave way for new opportunities" is a common saying in reference to Pongal.

People are different.
Festivals are different.
But Celebration is One.

We all are One.
So I wish you all a Happy Pongal

Courtesy:http://www.pongalfestival.org/

085 Queen's Baton Special Covers

India Queen's Baton Special Covers " Pride of India "

The Total 39 special covers had brought very good interact with many philatelist and postal staffs and in same time few philatelist made use of it and have made lot of friends,


Dear Friends/Readers

Please Try to send me the Queen's Baton special cover in exchange of Bangalore Queen's Baton special cover

e-mail Id
jagannath_mani7@yahoo.co.in

The Queen's Baton Relay for the 2010 CWG was lanuched by Queen Elizabeth II from Bukingham Palace in London in October 2009. the baton with the Queen's message to the athletes visted the other nations,its passes through thousands of hands and travels by different modes of transport across land, air, and sea, and its reached India on 25 June 2010 and started its jorney to visit all 28 States and seven UTs of India including more than 200 cities and thousands of villages, it is the longest Queen’s Baton relay in the history of Commonwealth Games. After the relay throughout the country, the 100 day journey will finish and then relay will conclude after the final Baton berer enters the Jawaharlal Neru Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the CWG on 3rd October 2010 where Her Majestry's message on gold leaf will be removed from the baton and read aload, officially opening the Games


Queens Baton Relay Route Map

Sport events have significant place in the world of philately, as many stamps, FDC, postmarks and special covers are released during the time period of the event. India Post issued various stamp related to the event and special covers are releases at the capital of each state from the date of the Baton entered India through Wagha border. and is realy matter of great joy for sports Philatelists to collect with as many special covers issued. by India post

I here present few Special covers issued during the relay of Queen’s Baton in India.

I would like to Thanks India Post and my friends Mrs. Jeevan Joythi, Mr. Sreejesh Krishnan, Mr Sandeep Chaurasia, Mr. Raman Kumar Mandal, Mr. Ashwani Dubey, Mr. Anup Kumar Raut, Mr.Rajesh Chajjed, Mr.Anil Pujara for sending me the covers and providing me the images

Waghaborder-Attari 25.06.10.........1st day







Srinagar 29.06.10 ................... 4th day





Chandigarh 03.07.10 ................ 8th day





Shimla 05.07.10 ................... 10th day

(Thanks to Mrs.Jeevan Joythi for sending the cover)





Dehradun 06.07.10....................11th day





lucknow 09.07.10 ...................14th day


(Thanks to Mr Sandeep Chaurasia & Mr. Raman Kumar Mandal for sending the cover in exchange of Bangalore cover)




Patna 14.07.10.......................19th day

(Thanks to Mr. Ashwani Dubey for sending the cover in exchange of Bangalore cover)





Gangtok 18.07.10.................... 23rd day




Guwahati 20.07.10....................25th day

(Thanks to Mr. Ashwani Dubey for sending the cover in exchange of Bangalore cover)



Shilong 21.07.10..................... 26th day



Itanagar 22.07.10.................... 27th day



Kohima 24.07.10.......................30th day



Imphal 27,07,10................. 32th day



Aziwal 29.07.10....................34th day



Agartala 31.07.10.................36th day



Kolkata 01.08.10................37thday



Ranchi 06.07.10........................ 42th day

(Thanks to Ranchi G.P.O.- 834001 for sending the covers to Bangalore G.P.O.- 560001 and made easy to collecters)



Bhubaneshwar 10.08.10................. 45th day

(Thanks to Mr. Anup Kumar Raut for sending the cover in exchange of Bangalore cover)



Raipur 12.08.10........................ 48th day

(Thanks to Mr. Ashwani Dubey for sending the cover in exchange of Bangalore cover)



Hyderabad 14.08.10...................50th day



Chennai 20.08.10..................56th day

(Thanks to Mr.Rajesh Chajjed for sending the cover in exchange of Bangalore cover)



Pondichery 21.08.10 ..................57th day

(Thanks to Mr.Rajesh Chajjed for sending the cover in exchange of Bangalore cover)




Trivandaum 26.08.10......................62th day



Kavarati 27.08.10......................63rd day



Bangalore 02.09.10...................... 69th day

(Thanks to Karnataka postal circle)



Panaji (Goa)07.09.10..................75th day



Silvassa 12.09.10.................... 79th day



Mumbai 10.09.10..................77th day



Gandhi Nagar 14.07.10.................81th day



Bhopal 17.09.10.......................84th day



Agra 20.09.10 ..........................87th day







Jaipur 22.09.10....................... 89th day



Jodhpur 23.07.10........................90th day



Jaisalmer 24.07.10......................91st day



Bikaner 25.09.10.....................92th day




Rohtak 28.09.10................. 95th day




New Delhi 30.07.10...................... 97th day



Total 38 special covers and 1 first day cover have been issued by Indian Post during 100 day journey of baton relay

I here by thanks all my friends who sent the Special covers and who helped in writing and posting my blog

The organising commitee of common wealth games,India post, and I would special Thanks Hero Honda for sponsering the historic event, the Queen’s Baton Relay

068 India will bid for 2020 Olympics

The Indian Olympic Association has stated that Delhi will bid for the 2020 Olympic Games.
after India missed out on the race to host the 2014 Asian Games.
Delhi is already the venue for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, while India will co-host the 2011 cricket World Cup.
"We will start our preparations as soon as the 2010 Commonwealth Games are over," said IOA president Suresh Kalmadi. "Delhi will bid for 2020."
The bidding process for the 2020 Games will open in 2011.
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, in India to inaugurate an Olympic facility, told Kalmadi that the country should bid for 2020.
"I think you have great potential based on the general conditions of your country's progress, which will definitely also evolve in a positive way at the time when the Games are awarded in 2013," he said.
"We have a lot of expectations from India and we in the IOC think that India have great potential in sports.
"You have six years to prepare an impeccable bid. You have to unite for it."
Delhi lost out to the South Korean port city of Incheon in the race for the 2014 Asian Games