India Aquatic Animals FDC

India FDC
Name: Aquatic Animals (India - Philippines Joint Issue)
Date of Issue: 16 November 2009

Denominations:
500: Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetica)
The Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) and Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor) are two sub-species of freshwater or river dolphins found in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan. The Ganges River Dolphin is primarily found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers and their tributaries in India, Bangladesh and Nepal, while the Indus River Dolphin is found in the Indus River in Pakistan and its Beas and Sutlej tributaries. From the 1970s until 1998, they were regarded as separate species; however, in 1998, their classification was changed from two separate species to subspecies of a single species (see taxonomy below). The Ganges river dolphin has been recognized by the government of India as its National Aquatic Animal. More...

2000: Butanding (Rhincodon typus)
The whale shark, Rhincodon typus, is a slow moving filter feeding shark, the largest living fish species. In the Philippines, it is called "butanding". The largest confirmed individual had a length of 12.65 metres (41.50 ft) and a weight of more than 21.5 tonnes (47,000 lb), but unconfirmed claims report considerably larger whale sharks. This distinctively-marked fish is the only member of its genus Rhincodon and its family, Rhincodontidae (called Rhinodontes before 1984), which belongs to the subclass Elasmobranchii in the class Chondrichthyes. The shark is found in tropical and warm oceans, lives in the open sea with a lifespan of about 70 years. The species originated about 60 million years ago. Although whale sharks have very large mouths, they feed mainly, though not exclusively, on plankton, microscopic plants and animals, although the BBC program Planet Earth filmed a whale shark feeding on a school of small fish. More...

India Personality FDC

India FDC
Name: Danmal Mathur
Date of Issue: 06 November 2009

Shri Danmal was born on 14th March 1904 in a modest home in 'Bhata Gavari' in Kayastha Mohalla, Aimer. His father, Munshi Kanmal Mathur, employed by the Kotah State in 1894 as 'Motamid' (Housemaster) of Kotah House in Mayo College. And he was a disciplinarian! Without doubt Danmalji's formative years and personality were greatly influenced by his father.

On 25th Feb., 1916 (when he was only 12) Danmalji was married to Roop Kanwar, daughter of Shri Devi Dayal Mathur of Kharwa. The adage 'Behind every successful man is a woman' is exemplified in its entirety by the support Shri Danmal received from his wife who managed the house-hold and brought up a large family, allowing her husband time to give to the innumerable professional, philanthropic, societal and other commitments he was destined to be a part of.

He passed his B.Sc. examination from Government College, Ajmer in 1927 where he was appointed 'Demonstrator' in Physics. He was HOD and Vice Principal Mayo College.

In 1952 Shri Danmal was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship to the USA where he impressed the various forums he addressed, by his views on Education and his expositions on Indian culture and religion.

In the same year Shri Danmal was awarded the 'International Service Star' for his valuable services by Lord Mountbatten of Burma and Chief Scout of India.

In 1947 Shri Danmal accompanied the Indian Scouts contingent as a senior member to Paris at the international Scouts Jamboree.

Shri Danmal started scouting in the Railways at the Mt. Abu camp in 1948.

In his quest to spread the message of scouting, dynamic Shri Danmal also took a contingent of scouts to Japan in 1953.

When Ajmer was merged with Rajasthan in 1956 Shri Danmal was appointed Divisional Secretary and later Commissioner of Rajasthan State Scouts and Guides. It was because of his efforts in persuading the Government that a 17 acre permanent scouts campsite was set up at Pushkar Ghati, and land was allotted for setting up the Divisional Headquarters for Scouts in 'Tope Dara' in Ajmer. For his contribution to Scouting the National Headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides honoured him by decorating him first with the 'Silver Star' and subsequently, in 1970, with the 'Silver Elephant' the highest award in Scouting in India.

Subsequently, he played cricket for Rajputana and was in the team which played against the M.C.C. when it toured India and Australia in the thirties.

Comment: Do you find? the additional definitive stamps were not cancelled, interesting.

India Author FDC

India FDC
Name: R. K. Narayan
Date of Issue: 10 October 2009

R. K. Narayan (October 10, 1906 – May 13, 2001), shortened from Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami was an Indian author whose works of fiction include a series of books about people and their interactions in an imagined town in India. He is one of three leading figures of early Indian literature in English, along with Mulk Raj Anand and Raja Rao. He is credited with bringing Indian literature in English to the rest of the world, and is regarded as one of India's greatest English language novelists. More...

India School FDC

India FDC
Name: Sacred Heart Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai
Date of Issue: 09 September 2009

The progress of any nation mainly depends upon the quality of education that it imparts to its citizens. Education is the key to development and all-round prosperity.

An Irish lady named Nano Nagle from Cork, Ireland, had founded "The Congregation of Presentation Sisters" in the year 1775. She firmly believed that education was the only powerful tool which can transform society, and began her mission among the poor and underprivileged people in Ireland. From these humble beginnings the Congregation of Presentation Sisters traveled to many countries all over the world including India.

They came to Chennai (Madras) in 1842 to work for the Anglo-Indian community living in the area of Georgetown, then referred to as "Black Town" and began working in St. Ursula's Anglo-Indian School which was already in existence there.

The present Church Park land was acquired by them in the year 1904, and the foundation stone was laid in 1908 for Sacred Heart High School, Church Park. It was started as a middle school with 137 students and grew to become a private matriculation school in 1954.

The Presentation Sisters wanted to reach out to the downtrodden and marginalized society and thus Sacred Heart Tamil Medium School was born to cater to the underprivileged section of the society.

The educational philosophy of the school is to enable its students to become aware of the dignity and value of every individual and the independence of the human race. With a strong academic foundation and an equal emphasis on community development, the students of Sacred Heart are given every opportunity to learn and excel in sports and various extra-curricular activities in its sprawling complex in the heart of the city.

Above all, Sacred Heart provides its students with high ethical standards. The motto of the school is "For faith and morals". The aim of the school is to bring out the best in the students, helping them imbibe a sense of dignity and purpose in life. The signature song of the school is "Stand brave, stand true under the green and gold" (colours of the school standard).

The school owes its success to the dedication of the Presentation Sisters and the gifted teachers, who foster critical thinking in their students, promote human values and educated them for social changes.

The alumni of the institution have brought glory to their Alma Mater by achieving excellence, fame and making significant contribution worldwide as educationists, social workers, civil servants, lawyers, doctors, scientists, media persons and in fine arts.

India College FDC

India FDC
Name: St. Joseph's College, Bangalore
Date of Issue: 01 August 2009

St. Joseph's College is an autonomous institution affiliated to Bangalore University. The college offers a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in science and humanities.

The college was founded in 1882 by the Fathers of the French Foreign Mission. In 1937, the college was handed over to the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order dedicated to the education of young people. The college moved from the Residency Road campus to new premises in the erstwhile Hostel campus at the intersection of Langford Road and Lalbagh Road in 2001. It was one of the five Bangalore colleges that were awarded academic autonomy in the year 2005.

Official Website of the St. Joseph's College, Bangalore

India Paintings FDCs

India FDCs
Name: Jayadeva and Geetagovinda
Date of Issue: 27 July 2009

The Gita Govinda (Song of Govinda) is a work composed by the 12th-century poet, Jayadeva, who was born in Kenduli Sasan near Puri in Orissa. It describes the relationship between Krishna and the gopis (female cow herders) of Vrindavana, and in particular one gopi named Radha. This work has been of great importance in the development of the bhakti traditions of Hinduism.

The Gita Govinda is organized into twelve chapters. Each chapter is further sub-divided into twenty four divisions called Prabandhas. The prabandhas contain couplets grouped into eights, called Ashtapadis.

The first English translation of the Gita Govinda was published by Sir William Jones in 1792, where Kalinga (ancient Orissa) is referred to as the origin of the text. Since then, the Gita Govinda has been translated to many languages throughout the world, and is considered to be among the finest examples of Sanskrit poetry.

Yasodhara Menon, Chief Post Master General, Orissa Circle of India Post released a set of 11 stamps on Jayadev & Gita Govind at a state level function held at Jayadev Bhawan, Bhubaneswar on July 27, 2009. The album containing these stamps was presented to the chief guest, Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Orissa. Prafulla Samal, Minister for Panchayati Raj, Information and Public Relation, Orissa, Prasanna Patsani, Member of Parliament, Aravind Dhali, Member of the Legislative Assembly and Tarunkanti Mishra, IAS, Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Orissa were present on the occasion.

A spectacular and colorful Orissi dance performance on Dasavtar followed the stamp release function. The Chief Minister also inaugurated a photographic exhibition on the paintings on Jayadev. A Philatelic counter was opened during the function. In spite of heavy rain philatelists from different parts of Orissa as well as local people turned up in large numbers.

Comment: These 11 stamps are the largest commemorative set of stamps in India Post's history. It's also very interesting because the issue date of this set is 27th July, 2009, but the year on stamp is 2008.

India Academy FDC

India FDC
Name: Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration
Date of Issue: 04 July 2009

The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) is a research and training institute on public policy and public administration in India. Operated by India's federal Union Government, LBSNAA is located in the remote town of Mussoorie in the foothills of Himalayas.

The academy's main purpose is to train civil service officers of the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Forest Service, Indian Revenue Service, Indian Audits and Accounts Service, Indian Railway Traffic Service, and other government agencies undergo training at LBSNAA. More...

India Library FDC

India FDC
Name: Rampur Raza Library
Date of Issue: 19 June 2009

The Rampur Raza Library located in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, India is a repository of Indo-Islamic cultural heritage and a treasure-house of knowledge built up by successive Nawabs of Rampur.

It contains very rare and valuable collection of manuscripts, historical documents, specimens of Islamic calligraphy, miniature paintings, astronomical instruments and rare illustrated works in Arabic and Persian. Rampur's Raza Library also contains printed works in Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil and Turkish, and approximately 30,000 printed books (including periodicals) in various other languages. More...

Comment: I think it's the first time that my Indian friend made a real posted FDC. Well done, but he has more spaces to improve his skill. Come on my friend, lol!

India R.Sankar FDC

India FDC
Name: R.Sankar
Date of Issue: 30 April 2009

R.Sankar was a Freedom fighter, educationalist, lawyer, journalist, administrator, social reformer and political leader.

Sankar was born on April 30, 1909 to Raman and Kunchali Amma at Puthoor village near Kottarakara in Kollam District. Although he grew up in a lower middle class environment fraught with financial and social constraints, he was fortunate enough to obtain good education in his formative years. His formal education began in Puthoor primary school and later continued in an English School in Kottarakara.

Sankar's most outstanding contribution has been in the field of education in a state where the vast majority of lower caste hindus could not enter schools and colleges on account of the obnoxious caste system that prevailed in the princely states before independence.

If today Kerala is the most literate State in India with literacy rate of around 95 per cent, it is because of Sankar's farisighted initiatives. When he became Minister for Education in Kerala, Sankar carried forward the inclusive education movement by facilitating the setting up of several junior colleges in different parts of the State almost all of which were in the private sector, a revelutionary and innovative policy which made higher education accessible to ecnomically poor sections who could not afford to go to major cities where most colleges were located.

R.Sankar breathed his last on 6-11-1972.

India Spices FDC

India FDC
Name: Spices of India
Date of Issue: 29 April 2009

Denominations:
500: Black Pepper
500: Cinnamon
2000: Turmeric, Chilly, Coriander
500: Cardamom
500: Clove

India Heritage FDC

India FDC
Name: Heritage Monuments Preservation By INTACH
Date of Issue: 28 January 2009

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage or INTACH, is an autonomous non-governmental Indian NGO that seeks to preserve Indian Art and Cultural heritage. In 2007, United Nations awarded INTACH with a special consultative status with United Nations Economic and Social Council. More...

Denominations:
500: Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer Fort is a monument worth visiting and worth retaining in your conscious mind. Like various other cities of Rajasthan, in Jaisalmer too you will find different facets of its own glorious heritage. Though you can find historical monuments scattered all over the city, the Jaisalmer Fort will immediately command your attention. Made of sand stones and locally known as Sonar Quila, the Jaisalmer Fort is a dominating structure amidst sands. The city is said to be founded by one Raja Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput ruler, in approximately 1156 A D. Legends go by that he did it on the behest of a local hermit named Eesaal. The raja choose Trikuta hill as the new site for his fort as his earlier adobe at Luderwa(16 k.m from present Jaisalmer) was too vulnerable to his comfort. But it should always be kept in mind that these legends are most of the time product of conscious minds that are very vulnerable to the oriental exaggeration. Jaisalmer fort is the second oldest in Rajasthan. Two hundred and fifty feet tall and reinforced by imposing crenellated sandstone wall 30 feet high; it has 99 bastions, 92 of which were built between 1633 and 1647. Wells within the fort still provide a regular source of water. Even today, you will find that nearly one fourth of the old city's population resides within the fort. If you are a student of cross-cultural merging, the subtle fusion of Rajput and Islamic architectural styles, visible in this fort, will catch your fancy. Ganesh Pol, Akshya Pol, Suraj Pol and Hawa Pol are a must see.

500: Mongyu Monastery, Laddakh
A Buddhist monastery is meant to be the main center for worship, isolated meditation and religion teaching. Monasteries are also one of the major attractions of the tourists visiting the beautiful valley of Ladakh. People come to Ladakh either to enjoy its scenic beauty or visit its monasteries or both. The entire valley of Ladakh is dotted with monasteries of all kinds, belonging to various orders or schools of Buddhism. Almost all these monasteries are sited at scenic locales, enhancing their magnificence further. Also, they boast of a rich collection of Buddhist relics like thankas, murals, sculptures, scriptures, etc. Typically, the monasteries in Ladakh have been located at isolated areas, away from the hustle bustle of the routine life. This lends an air of peace and tranquility to them. In this section, we have provided information about almost each and every Buddhist monastery of Leh Ladakh, India

500: Saint Anne Church, Goa
The Church of St. Anne is a religious monument located in Santana, Goa, India. It is an example of baroque architecture.

Majestically nestled in the verdant hills of Santana, Talaulim, the Church of Anne was declared a "national monument" during the Portuguese era per Government Portario No. 1360 of 31/3/31. In that Portario – studded like priceless diamonds – were also the Bom Jesus Basilica, the Se Cathedral, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the Convent of Santa Monica and the Church of St. Cajetan. Each of these, monumental in their architectural splendor, and all of them huddled in the former Portuguese capital of Old Goa, Goa.

Upon Goa's annexation by India, while the aforementioned edifices were embraced as "national monuments" by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and effectively taken over, the church of St. Anne was singularly overlooked and remains forsaken to this day to the ravages of time and human neglect, the glaring fact notwithstanding -- it is by far the most exquisite and the largest surviving monument of its kind in all of Asia. The church of St. Anne continues to remain largely forsaken to the ravages of time and human neglect. Today, parts of the structure remain in a precarious condition.

Construction of the Church of St. Anne began in 1577 by Monsignor Francisco de Rego (1681-1689) and its completion in 1695 fell upon the shoulders of his successor, Rev. Fr. Antonio Francisco da Cunha.

Legend has it that while construction was in progress, an elderly villager by the name of Bartholomeu Marchon, had a vision of an old lady donning a hat with a staff in hand. The old lady ambled down the neighboring hill and promulgated to Bartholomeu that the Church under construction was her home, and that it was her intent to reside there. A similar apparition was also encountered by a Brahmin lady of high social standing, who happened to be gravely ill and almost in death’s clutch. The celestial apparition anointed the lady with a miraculous cure and as a token of supreme gratitude, she embraced Christianity. Word of her miraculous cure percolated down to the village priest who instantly interpreted it as a sign of divine intervention, and without further ado, consecrated the church in honor of St. Anne.

High up in the transept facing the sanctuary, one can see a relief picture depicting the scene of St. Anne with a staff in hand and wearing a hat as seen in the apparitions.

500: Qila Mubarak, Patiala
The Qila Mubarak complex stands in 10-acre ground in the heart of the city Patiala, and contains the main palace or Qila Androon (literally,'inner fort'), the guesthouse or Ran Baas and the Darbar Hall. Outside the Qila are the Darshani Gate, a Shiva temple, and bazaar shops which border the streets that run around the Qila and sell precious ornaments, colorful hand-woven fabrics, 'jootis' and bright 'Parandis'.

India Missile FDC

India FDC
Name: BrahMos
Date of Issue: 22 December 2008

"Defence of country is time honored function of its Government and an essential attribute of sovereignty and economic growth".

Extensive use of subsonic cruise missiles in Gulf war brought about stupendous changes in strategic thinking and convinced nations' world over to lay more emphasis on development of cruise missiles. India and Russia conceived an idea of jointly developing a cruise missile far superiors to the one used during Gulf war. This laid the foundation of a unique Joint Venture "BrahMos Aerospace" with partnership from both countries, represented by Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) from India and Nauchno Proizvodstvennoe Obiedinenie Mashinostroyeniya (Scientific & Production Organization Of Machine Building) (NPOM) from Russia. The technological voids of both were to be covered by either side and the program commenced in 1998.

BrahMos, name represents two well know rivers, Brahmaputra of India and Moskva of Russia. The calmness and serenity of Moskva River and the power and speed of Brahmaputra depict the main characteristics of "BRAHMOS Supersonic Cruise Missile", the product of the Joint Venture. The combination of speed, power and precision achieved by this missile is unparallel and by far the best in the world in this class of Weapon System.

BrahMos Aerospace became the first Joint Venture between India and a foreign partner from mind to market and took on the responsibility of design, development, production and marketing. This Joint Venture was for the first time formed in the history of India by converting Loan repayment into Investment with equity share ratio of 50.5% and 49.5%. An integration of Public – Private Industries from India and Russia as consortium resulted in production of world class prduct which resented an opportunity of penetrating the world market.

BRAHMOS is a supersonic missile that approaches target with three times the speed of sound and is capable of being launched from multiple platforms i.e. land based launcher, warships, submarines, maritime patrol/ASW aircraft and combat aircraft.

Unleashing technological asymmetry in the battle space, this supersonic cruise missile is capable of tilting the balance of war in favour of the possessor who can use it imaginatively and decisively.

Numerous flight tests have taken place from different platforms in variety of congfigurations such as from ship to ship, land to ship, land to land and ship against the land. Today the BrahMos is operational with the Indian Navy and Army.

Success of BrahMos is attributable to many known major factors such as vision, government support, mutual trust between partners, sharing of available best technologies.

The trust and support provided by the two Governments coupled with the outstanding management leadership of the Joint Venture has resulted in a world class product which has become a model for all future co-operations between our two countries and has escalated relations between the two countries well beyond the buyer-seller equation that has persisted for decades.

India IISc FDC

India FDC
Name: Indian Institute of Science
Date of Issue: 14 December 2008

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) was conceived as a 'Research Institute' or 'University of Research' by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, in the twilight years of the 19th century. A long period of almost thirteen years was to elapse from the initial conception in 1896 to the birth of the Institute on May 27, 1909.

The early history of the Institute is a fascinating chapter in the story of higher education and scientific research in India. The cast of characters in the drama that led to the establishment of the Institute includes, in addition to its charismatic and generous founder J.N. Tata, figures from the pages of Indian history. There is Swami Vivekananda, whom J.N. Tata befriended on his famous voyage to the United States, the Maharaja of Mysore, Shri Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and his mother then acting on his behalf, and Lord Curzon the Viceroy of India, whose first task on arrival on December 31, 1898 was to receive a draft proposal prepared by the Provisional Committee set up to plan the establishment of the Institute.

The plan was shepherded through many difficult years by Burjorji Padshah, a close associate of J.N. Tata. Unfortunately, J.N. Tata died in 1904 unaware that his vision would indeed be realized a few years later. When the British Government finally issued the Vesting Order in 1909, an unmatched experiment in higher education and research was launched in India. IISc is truly the first example of a public-private partnership in this country; an institution, whose evolution over a century is testimony to the robustness of its foundations.

The Institute occupies nearly 400 acres of prime land in Bangalore, generously donated bythe Maharaja of Mysore in March 1907. Indeed, the contribution from the princely state of Mysore was the decisive element in determining the location of J.N. Tata's proposed institution. Remarkably, in a gesture unmatched in the annals of private philanthropy in India, Tata did not wish his name to be associated with the Institute. His dream was to create an institution that would contribute to the development of India. The name, Indian Institute of Science, which was finally chosen, reflects in every way the wishes of J.N. Tata. Visitors to Bangalore who seek out IISc still have to ask local residents for directions to the 'Tata Institute', a clear recognition that Jamsetji Tata's act of generosity has remained undimmed in public memory, despite the passage of a century.

The Institute began with only two departments: General and Applied Chemistry and Electro-Technology. The first Director, Morris W Travers began the task of organizing the Institute shortly after his arrival in India at the end of 1906. Travers began the construction of the main building, which is one of Bangalore's landmarks today. The Departments of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry together with the Library were among the earliest to be established. The Physics department came into being in 1933, when C.V. Raman became the first Indian Director of the Institute. In the century that has passed since its inception, IISc has grown to become India's premier centre for research and postgraduate education in science and engineering. The evolution of the Institute over the past one hundred years has mirrored the development of science and technology in India. A long history, a strong tradition of academic research and an ambience that favours scholarly activity have been important elements in making the Institute a most attractive place for students and faculty.

As the Institute has grown, several new areas of research have been established, many of them for the first time in India. The Institute's departments in fields ranging from Biochemistry to Aerospace Engineering have served to nucleate research and development in both the public and private sectors. The faculty and alumni of the Institute have been responsible for establishing and spearheading many new institutions and programs across the country, reflecting in a real sense, a major contribution of this centre of learning to national growth and development. Homi Bhabha conceived the idea of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and an Atomic Energy Program while working in the Department of Physics. Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of India's space program was an alumnus. Following his premature death, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was built by the farsighted leadership of Satish Dhawan, who simultaneously held the position of the Director of the Institute with the greatest distinction. The first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Kharagpur was established by J.C.Ghosh, who was the Director of IISc in the critical period 1939-48, during which much of the activity in engineering was initiated at the Institute.

Many of India's most distinguished scientists have been associated with the Institute as students or faculty. Notable among them are G. N. Ramachandran, Harish Chandra, S. Ramaseshan, Brahm Prakash, A. Ramachandran, C.N.R.Rao and R. Narasimha. Alumni of the Institute head many major organizations in India and abroad. The Institute offers a variety of Master's degree programs in Engineering, an integrated (post-B.Sc.) program in sciences and Ph.D. programs in a wide spectrum of disciplines in science and engineering. The research laboratories at the Institute are well equipped. Many national facilities are housed at the Institute. The library and computational facilities at the Institute are amongst the best in India. A major program for modernizing laboratories is underway, catalyzed by a special grant provided by the Government of India in 2006. The Institute hosts hundreds of visitors from India and abroad every year and is the venue for many major national and international academic events.

The face of science and engineering research has been changing very rapidly over the past few years. In approaching the second century of the Institute many new activities have been initiated. Notable among them are the interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs in Mathematical Sciences, Chemical Biology, Earth System Science, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and Nanoengineering for Integrated Systems. These programs are intended to blur the traditional boundaries between disciplines, thereby promoting cross-disciplinary research. An M.Tech. program in Climate Science has also been introduced. A new Centre for Earth Sciences has been established and two new centres in the areas of Neuroscience and Climate Change are expected to begin activities in the near future. The Institute hopes to foster collaborative and interdisciplinary research in a vigorous fashion in the years to come. The Institute is also committed to promoting post-doctoral research in the areas of science and engineering. The Institute engages in interactions with society and industry through a variety of outreach programs. The Centre for Scientific and Industrial Consultancy (CSIC) and the Society for Innovation and Development (SID) promote collaborative interactions with industry, while the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) provides an opportunity for working scientists and engineers to enrich themselves academically. The Institute actively promotes programs that encourage bright young school and undergraduate students to undertake research careers. The Institute's Young Fellowships Program in Science and Engineering seeks to bring young students to the campus in summer. The Institute also administers the Kishore Vaigyanik ProtsahanYojana (KVPY) program of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The Institute's commitment to socially relevant research is specifically emphasized by the activities undertaken at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies (CST), together with the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST), which is housed on the campus.

To live and work at the Institute is a special privilege. Anniversaries are an occasion for both celebration and introspection. In reflecting on the past, present and future of the Institute, in this Centenary Year, an exchange between Morris Travers, the first Director, and Lord Willingdon, the then Viceroy, is worth recounting. Willingdon went around the Institute in June 1914 and said: "I had no idea that there was anything like this in India". Travers responded: "There is nothing like it in India; and nothing better in Great Britain". In ensuring that this sentiment is true, a great deal of work remains to be done.

India Bose FDC

India FDC
Name: Buddhadeva Bose
Date of Issue: 30 November 2008

Buddhadeva Bose (also spelt Buddhadeb Bosu) (Bengali: বুদ্ধদেব বসু) (1908-1974) was a major Bengali writer of the twentieth century. Frequently referred to as a poet, he was a versatile writer, and like Rabindranath Tagore, wrote novels, short stories, plays and essays in addition to poetry. He was an influential critic and editor of his time. He is recognized as one of the five poets who moved to introduce modernity into Bengali poetry. It has been said that since Tagore, perhaps, there has been no greater talent in Bengali literature. More...

India GAIL FDC

India FDC
Name: GAIL (India) Limited
Date of Issue: 19 November 2008

GAIL (India) Limited, is India's largest natural gas transportation company, integrating all aspects of the natural gas value chain. GAIL is listed by Forbes as one of the world's 2,000 largest public companies in 2007.

The company was previously known as Gas Authority of India Ltd. It is India's principal gas transmission and marketing company. It was set up by the Government of India in August 1984 to create gas sector infrastructure. More...

Comment: Althought my Indian friend didn't use the official FDC to make this real posted FDC. but I'm still pleased. The postage and information label was glued on the face side this time, it seldom occurs on my Indian FDCs.

India CYG FDC

India FDC
Name: III Commonwealth Youth Games 2008
Date of Issue: 12 October 2008

Denominations:
500: Mascot
500: Wrestling
500: Badminton
500: Hurdle

The 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games were held in Pune, India, a city in the state of Maharashtra. They were the third Commonwealth Youth Games, which are held every four years; they were the first Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in Asia

The III Commonwealth Youth Games were conducted from the 12th to 18th October 2008. Over 1,300 athletes and 350 officials from 71 countries had participated in these games.

The III Commonwealth Youth Games is unique for its green theme, which permeates all aspects of the Games. A special drive is being conducted by the game organisers to create a "save the tigers" campaign to promote awareness of the critical state of the Indian tiger. More...

Official Website of the III Commonwealth Youth Games 2008

Comment: India Post should be blamed, :(. their issue plan is disorganized, and new stamps are often unavailable on issue day. Collectors are very difficult to many real posted FDC on every issue day.

India Coast Guard FDC

India FDC
Name: Indian Coast Guard
Date of Issue: 12 August 2008

Denominations:
500: Dornier Fixed Wing Aircraft
500: Advanced Light Helicopter
500: Hovercraft
500: Advance Offshore Patrol Vessel

The United Nations Third Conference on the Laws of the Seas in 1973 stressed the need for protection of life and property at sea, enforcement of national jurisdiction in the maritime zones and creating awareness towards dangers to ocean resources from sea pollution. This required an organization which would be competent to not only enforce laws in the maritime waters of the nation but also to work as an agency for educating stakeholders on protecting the maritime resources from pollution and degradation. With this objective in mind, the Government of India constituted the Indian Coast Guard Organization on 1st February, 1877 as an Armed Force of the Union under the Ministry of Defence. It is primarily a law enforcement agency of the Government of India.

The Coast Guard's broad charter of duties includes providing protection to fishermen including assistance to them at sea while in distress, preservation and protection of marine environment, safety and protection of offshore installations and artificial islands, prevention and control of marine pollution, carrying out anti smuggling and anti piracy operations and ensuring safety of life and property at sea. The Indian Coast Guard carries out its duties of surveillance through a combination of on shore installations, sea faring vessels and aircraft.

The Coast Guard is ready round the clock, round the year to meet any eventuality at sea, with a CG ship on patrol at sea in most parts of India's waters with ready response capability.

Comment: India Post issued a Minisheet at the same time. but it's too big and my friend didn't make it for me, what a pity!

India Tortoise FDC

India FDC
Name: Aldabra Giant Tortoise
Date of Issue: 02 August 2008

This is the story of a tortoise named Adwaitya. We all know about the legendary tortoise of folk tales who defeated the hare and won the race. Well, Adwaitya was also a winner. Before he died in the year 2006 in Alipore Zoological Garden, Kolkata, he was perhaps the longest living animal in the world having lived for more than 250 years.

There is no one old enough to tell us exactly how his early life progressed. It is said that British sailors coming to India picked up tortoises from the Aldabra Island in the Indian Ocean, on way to India. Legend has it that these were presented to Robert Clive who was instrumental in firmly establishing the rule of the British East India Company in India especially after the Battle of Plassey (1757). Four such tortoises were brought to the Alipore Zoo at the time of its establishment in 1857 from the menagerie at Latbagan, Barrackpore, established by Wellesley in 1800. Three of them eventually died in the last 130 years at different times. To save Adwaitya, the last surviving specimen from being teased by unruly visitors, he was kept in a secluded enclosure. Subsequently, on 30th November, 1994 he was shifted to a centrally located octagonal enclosure so that visitors could see this living wonder from a safe distance without disturbing him.

People lovingly called him Adwaitya meaning the matchless or the unique (Hindi: Adviteeya i.e. unique or no second) as he was a living example of nature's mysteries. He is supposed to have been born in 1750, however, some say it was 1705. He fed on wheat bran, grams soaked in water, small pieces of carrots, sweet potatoes, beans, leafy vegetables, diced banana and rice mixed with powder gram. The Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Geochelone gigantea) is a native of Aldabra atoll, part of the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean. The Aldabra atoll has been protected from human influence since late 19th Century and is home to a large number of giant tortoises, perhaps having the world's largest population of the animal. The size of an Aldabra Giant Tortoise can be up to 4ft. in length and the weight can be about 550 lbs. They are normally dark gray to black in colour, have small pointed head covered with scales, a long neck, a highly domed carapace and thick bony scales on forelegs. Aldabra Giant Tortoise differs form the other Giant Tortoises found in Galapagos Island in Pacific ocean by having a small neck plate on the carapace which seems to be absent in the Galapagos Giant Tortoise. The Aldabra Giant Tortoise is mainly terrestrial and leads a solitary life except when food and water are scarce, when it gathers to feed. Breeding season extends from February to May. The female usually lays 4 to 25 eggs and incubation is about 4 months.

Giant Tortoises have been subject of scientific research for conservation and breeding. It is said that they can survive up to six months without food and water. Indiscriminate hunting has threatened the survival of Giant Tortoises in Galapagos as well as in the Indian Ocean islands.

Adwaitya already had eighty years behind him by the time Charles Darwin arrived at Galapagos and forever changed the way we look at our evolution. India's first war of independence in 1857, partition of Bengal in 1905, the two World Wars, strides in the field of science and technology the theory of relativity, conquest of the space, the moon, the Everest, the making of and later breaking of the wall of Berlin…events passed on the world stage but, unconcerned and unaffected, Adwaitya, the matchless kept growing and gathering layers of time, more like an unmindful rock sitting by the riverside. How may generations of zoo visitors must have looked at Adwaitya with amazement and marveled at his longevity!

Adwaitya became ill several months before his death after a crack developed around a wound on his chest, and ultimately succumbed on 22nd March, 2006.

Adwaitya could have been an interesting study on how he coped with such a prolonged human captivity. Did he resent it? Did he pine for his native Aldabra? Or, did he ultimately get tired and went with the unfulfilled dream of one day seeing his homeland? No answers expected in a lifetime.

Department of Posts is proud to issue a set of two commemorative postage stamps on the Aldabra Giant Tortoise. The specially designed stamps are unique in the sense that they are hexagonal i.e. they have six sides. Perforation has been arranged in such a manner that in the sheetlet as well as in the miniature sheet some star shaped stamps can be taken out, dedicated to the star of the Alipore Zoo.

Comment: 250 years old. It's a legend. If the description of Adwaitya is true, it would be the oldest creatures of modern times.

India China FDC

Stamps FDC
Minisheet FDC

India FDCs
Name: White Horse Temple and Mahabodhi Temple (China - India Joint Issue)
Date of Issue: 11 July 2008

India and China are two ancient civilizations endowed with rich histories and cultural heritages, which have had centuries long intellectual exchanges. Buddhism played a central role in initiating the movement of people and ideas between the two countries. Many Chinese scholars visited India in the first millennium to study Buddhism and other subjects and also to collect Sanskrit documents with many of them spending a decade or more in India. Many Indian scholars went to china and worked there between the first century and the eleventh century. They were engaged in a variety of pursuits including Indians in China translating Sanskrit documents into Chinese (mostly Buddhist writings), as well as other activities, like the pursuit of mathematics and science. Several Indian mathematicians and astronomers held high positions in China’s scientific establishment.

The first firm record of the arrival of Indian monks in China goes back to the first century, when Dharmaraksha and Kasyapa Matanga went at the invitation of Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty. It is said that in A.D. 64, the Seventh year of Yong Ping, Emperor Ming dreamed of a gold deity, flying over the place. The white horse Temple, established in A.D. 68 is located 12 kms east of the ancient capital city of Luoyang, Henan Province. The next day, he asked his ministers to interpret his dream. Zhong Hu, one of the ministers, explained to him that the deity he dreamed of was probably the Buddha in India. Upon hearing that, the emperor sent a delegation of eighteen members headed by Cai Yin, Qin Jing and Wang Zun to seek Buddhism in India. The team crossed mountains and hills before finally arriving in what is now Afghanistan, where they studied Buddhist codes, got a portrait of Sakyamuni, and the Forty-two Sutras. While returning, they invited two eminent Indian monks, Kasyapa Matanga and Dharmaraksha (known in China by the names She Moteng and Zhu Falan) to come with them. They brought with them a white horse carrying Buddhist sutras and Buddhist figures on its back. This was the first time that Buddhism appeared in China. The two monks were highly respected by Emperor Ming. In A.D. 68, a temple was ordered to be built to the west of Luoyang City, which was named the White Horse Temple in memory of the white horse which carried back the Buddhist sutras.

Its was in this temple that the first version of the Chinese Forty-two Sutras was produced, which was a work of translation done by the first Indian monks there. The monastery became a centre of Buddhist studies. Ever since, Buddhism exerted more and more influence on the life of the Chinese and spread as far as Japan, Korea and Vietnam. That is why the White Horse Temple is referred to as “the Founder’s Home” and “the cradle of Buddhism”. The two Indian monks She Moteng and Zhu Falan worked in the monastery till death and were buried to the east and west of the temple. The temple boasts of great antique architecture including the Hall of Heavenly Kings, Hall of the Great Buddha, Hall of Mahavira, Hall of Guidence and the Cool and Clear Terrace that are different parts of the temple housing different incarnations of Buddha amid magnificent decoration and architectural splendour.

The Mahabodhi Temple is built in a place where Siddharth or Gautama obtained enlightenment or Bodhi, and became the Buddha…the Enlightened One. The temple is in Bodhgaya, District Gaya, in the state of Bihar in Eastern Indian. Bodhgaya has grown on the banks of the Lilajan (ancient Nairanjana) river near the ancient village of Uruvela. The Mahabodhi Temple has soaring pyramidal spire, 54 meters (177 feet) high, is carved in tiers and capped by an umbrella like finial. The gateway to the temple is made of granite and is covered with inscriptions from Buddha’s teaching. The temple is enclosed on three sides by a 1st century B.C. stone railing carved with lotus medallions and scenes from Buddha’s life.

Legend has it that the Buddha sat under the Mahabodhi Tree facing the rising sun. He stayed in Bodhagaya for seven weeks after his enlightenment. Each week was spent in a different part of the temple complex. The first week was spent under the Bodhi Tree. One of the earliest constructions at the foot of the Bodhi tree was a polished sandstone throne, Vajrasana which marks Buddha’s seat of meditation. It is ascribed to Asoka, who as one of his edicts proclaims, undertook pilgrimage to Sambodhi. Other remnants include a covered promenade i.e. the chankama of Budhha. The chankama marks the sacred spot where Buddha spent the third week after his Enlightenment, meditatively walking up and down. It is now a brick platform with representation of lotuses, which are believed to have blossomed forth under the footsteps of Buddha.

Inside the temple sits a large gilded statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in earth touching mudra and is facing east exactly at the place where the Buddha, sitting in meditation with his back to the Bodhi Tree, was enlightened. The Temple (Vajrasana-brihadha-gandha-kuti) underwent several stages of repair and renovation but utmost care has been taken to maintain the original pattern.

India Jasmine FDCs

Stamps FDC
Minisheet FDC

India FDCs
Name: Jasmine (Scented Stamps)
Date of Issue: 26 April 2008

Variously known as Juhi, Chameli, Mogra and Malati in North India and as Malligai and Mallepoovu etc. in the south, the fragrant and delicate Jasmine flower is deeply embedded in the Indian psyche.
The very name 'Jasmine' evokes the romance of balmy summer evenings redolent with the haunting fragrance of flower in bloom.

A native to the tropics and warm temperate regions of the world, Jasmine belongs to the family Oleaceae, and may grow as a shrub or as a climbing vine. Typically its leaf shape is simple, trifoliate or pinnate, with up to nine leaflets growing opposite each other. The small and delicate flowers are usually white in colour, though some species bear yellow blossoms. Flowering in the spring and summer, the blossoms bloom in the dark, perfuming the night air with a lingering sweet fragrance.

Widely used in religious offerings, the flowers are also popular for decorative purposes. Many Indian women wear these flowers in their hair. The flowers are also kept inside homes to perfume the air.

Commonly grown as a houseplant in much of south East Asia, the plant is now widely cultivated across the globe for commercial purposes. In fact, the aromatic oil distilled from its flowers are prized in aromatherapy, and in the making of joss sticks, cosmetics, and perfumes, etc. It is also used to add flavour to tea and rice in China and in South Asia. Many believe that daily consumption of Jasmine tea helps in preventing certain cancers.

Intrinsic to the collective consciousness of the Indian sub-continent, there are numerous references to the Jasmine in Indian poetry and literature in many languages. The flower also finds mention in English poetry, as in the following lines of Thomas Moore:

"Plants that wake when others sleep
timid jasmine buds that keep
their fragrance to themselves all day,
but when the sunlight dies away
let the delicious secret out
to every breeze that roams about".