I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ and the focus is on plants.
My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps.
I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy.
India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places. In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters - snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts and so on.. It is amazing!
As in every AtoZ challenge, a couple of alphabets are challenging and we end up stretching the theme so as to complete our AtoZ posts.
After the alphabet Q; I again, find myself in such a dilemma and am taking such liberty in the choice of stamps for todays alphabet U. Todays stamps, technically do not have flowers whose names start with U but I am sure you will enjoy knowing about these.
In 1954, India post issued a stamp in honour of the United Nations Day of denomination 2 Annas. It bears a beautiful Lotus on it.
Another stamp issued in 2020 of denomination 12 INR that depicts Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park. The Valley of Flowers is the place to see the Blue Poppy and Brahma Kamal and many many more unique plants.
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| Post of India, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons |
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| Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons |
The India Postage Stamps website has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.
Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp. Click here for detailed info about Stamps - what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.
We meet tomorrow for yet another beautiful plant and its stamp!
10 comments:
Tough to find flowers with u i suppose.. I didn't know that there is a United Nations day...valley of flowers is in my to go lists . Good day
Dropping by from a to z "The Pensive"
Rs 12 is an unusual denomination for a stamp, is it not?
U = Umami
I think you were very clever to find a flower on a stamp for United Nations day. I think that counts.
I had to use a word Mummy uses to tell me cuddle time is over!
Ludo from Georges GP World
Good find for U, a flower on a U stamp! Valley of Flowers sounds lovely.
The Nanda Devi stamp particularly caught my attention. Aside from its beauty, I was interested to see the depiction of Nanda Devi. Back in the seventies I started writing a song called Nanda Devi after having read an account from a old book by an English explorer who made reference to the mountain. The name sounded so musical to me that a song started coming to me. Now I think I should go back and try to finish writing the song.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
@Afshan There are flowers whose names start with U, but I couldnt find them on our stamps! Hence the challenge! Thanks dear!
@Pradeep Yes. I must research on what basis the denomination is decided. Thanks for this food for thought! :-)
@Thank you Jemima. I guess that is why its called AtoZ 'challenge' :-)
@Lisa. Thank you. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers are listed as a UNSECO World Heritage site. So it sort of qualifies for the alphabet U!! :-)
@Arlee . Thats wonderful! I am glad you liked this stamp as much as I did. Please do complete your song and share it on your blog (and let me know as well so I can read it :-) ) Thank you for your encouragement on my choice of topic and selection!
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