Taj Mahal featured on new Korean stamp

 

The Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural Festival

 

Date of Issue : 10 July 2015

Here is a beautiful stamp issued by Korea Post on 10th July 2015 , The stamp issued in celebration of The Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural Festival, features Taj Mahal, The Pride of India.

Korea Post issued a postage stamp to commemorate the Silk Road Cultural Festival Gyeongju 2015 scheduled to be held at Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park from August 21 to October 18, 2015. The theme for the Silk Road Cultural Festival Gyeongju 2015 is Eurasia Culture Express Train.

Journey on the Silk Road

The stamp depicts the “Journey on the Silk Road” in the hope that the Expo will give visitors excitement that transcends time and space, and help them understand the world and look into the future with the knowledge of culture. The item was released on the 10^thof July.

The 2015 Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural Festival will be held at Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park and throughout the city of Gyeongju from August 21 to October 18, 2015 under the theme of “Eurasia Culture Express Train”.

The Silk Road was the great ancient route connecting the East and the West, and the 2015 Gyeongju Silk Road Cultural Festival will bring together the cultures of Korea and Eurasia through over 20 specialized cultural programs in three areas.

The first one is the “Meeting of Civilizations”. Here, visitors will learn about the histories and cultures of the participating countries through various performances and things to see. There will be the Silk Road Grand Bazaar, where each street will feature a participating country’s traditional tea and cuisine, craftworks, and folk performances.

The Silk Road Odyssey will present the history and culture of the Silk Road. The performance “Silla” (titled “BaSilla” in Korean) will inspire audience with a grand epic poem of Persian and Silla heroes fifteen hundred years ago as they came together over the sea. The second area is the “Golden State of Silla”. Here, programs and activities will highlight the art and culture of Silla, widely remembered for its glorious civilization of golden sculptures and adornments.

The special exhibition, “Silla: Korea’s Golden Kingdom”, will feature more than 640 golden relics, including Bodhisattva in Pensive Pose (National Treasure No. 83), and arrange them according to different stages of Silla art. Visitors can also enjoy some unique programs that combine historical elements and state-of-the-art technology.

Among these programs will be “Silk Road, the Festival of Lights” and “Seokguram HMD (head mounted display) travel experience”. The third area is “Venue of Mingling”. There will be not only performances of traditional musical instruments of the Silk Road countries, but also the special art performance, “Flying: Hwarang Expedition”, which features actions of the Hwarang during the Silla period, and the “Korea in Motion Festival”, showcasing unique elements of Korea’s performing art.

Some 40 countries including the Silk Road Countries, such as China, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Turkey, and the sister cities of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Gyeongju city will be coming to Korea to participate in the 2015 Gyeongju Silk Road Expo. Korea Post is issuing one commemorative stamp depicting the “Journey on the Silk Road” in the hope that the Expo will give visitors excitement that transcends time and space, and help them understand the world and look into the future with the knowledge of culture.

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Rose scented stamps from Isle of Man

 

Date of Issue : 25 April 2015

Rose scented stamps to mark 100 years of camaraderie and campaigning work in Isle of Man

Isle of Man Post in collaboration with the WI (Women’s Institute) Federation mark its centenary anniversary celebration with a rose scented set of six stamps, depicting a range of images of both the current Isle of Man chapter as well as some of the WIs most famous campaigns over the past 100 years, and a selection of Island members.

Each stamp is set on special rose scented paper with the pink rose embled which represents 100 years of contribution. The issue is scheduled to be released on the 25^th of April

The WI was established in 1915 in Llanfairpwll on Anglesey with the aim of revitalizing rural life and educating and inspiring women where ever their life leads them. Nowadays, the aims have widened but many WI members still join primarily to make new friends, learn and develop skills and make positive changes to their local – and in many cases national – community and the activities, members engage with have changed.

WI is the largest women’s voluntary membership organization in the UK and currently has over 212,000 members in 6,600 WIs across England, Wales and the Islands.

Every WI belongs to a Federation, of which there are 69 in total. The Isle of Man Federation was formed in 1950 and currently has 750 members in 30 WIs. Its members have always taken an active interest in island life and getting involved in a huge range of activities.

 

Stamps on Indian theme

Thailand Post issued  for Thai Heritage Conservation Day, a set of 8 stamps and a Souvenir sheet on 2nd April 2015 featuring Khon Masks related to Ramayana  .

- Leeza Padhi - Cuttack

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Traditional Biscuits from Singapore..

 

Singapore Post released a special set of stamps on 25th March  dedicated to traditional snacks.Traditional snacks such as the kueh bangkit, murukku and almond biscuit are getting their own special stamps. Traditional Biscuits stamp issue which also features the gem biscuit, kueh makmur and cream cracker.

These snacks are familiar to most Singaporeans, and putting them on stamps will allow customers to appreciate the rich diversity of cultures here, Singapore Post said. For example, murukku is a Tamil word for “twisted”, which describes the shape of the savoury Indian biscuit.

Stamp on Indian Theme

One of the stamps in the above set featuring  murukku is related with Indian Theme.

 

New Special Covers

Special Cover on Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Sri Venkateswara Balakuteer, Guntur – 19th March 2015

Dr. N. Manga Devi and Ms. G. Prabhavathi, with a strong belief that the child is the right instrument to change the face of the society, gave up their secured government jobs in Women Development and Child Welfare Department. They took training in an international training institute run by Mr. Justen, the personal representative of Mariya Montessori to equip themselves as full fledged Montessori Teachers. When school for threes were unheard of, in 1965 they started a “House of children” in the name “Sri Venkateswara Bala Kuteer” with a single child on rolls.

The Sri Venkateswara Bala Kuteer located at Syamala Nagar; Guntur is a Co-educational school and offers education in English medium, running under the aegis of Sri Venkateswara Bala Kuteer (Regd).

On the occasion of Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Sri Venkateswara Balakuteer a Special Cover was released by Shri M. Sampath, Postmaster General, Vijayawada at the school premises on 19th March 2015. (Special Cover approval no. AP/07/2015)

Courtesy - Indian Philately Digest

Dainik Bhaskar “Save Birds” Campaign

A special cover “ Save Birds ” was released on 18th March 2015 at Bhopal.

Save Birds !

 

- Sreejesh Krishnan - Trivandrum

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New Israeli stamp depicting sculpture by Anish Kapoor

 

The Israel Museum - 50th Anniversary

Turning The World Upside Down, Jerusalem – Anish Kapoor 2010

  

Date of Issue : 14 April 2015

On April 14, 2015 Israel will issue a set of three stamp commemorating 50^th anniversary of the Israel museum.  One of the stamps depicting modern sculpture by Anish Kapoor, a British-Indian sculptor, born in Bombay.

 

2. Shrine of the Book,1965           3. Synagogue Hanukkah Lamp, Eastern Europa, 18th Century 

Courtesy – Eli Moallem, Israel

 

Sir Anish Kapoor, (born 12 March 1954) is an Indian sculptor. Born in Bombay, Kapoor has lived and worked in London since the early 1970s when he moved to study art, first at the Hornsey College of Art and later at the Chelsea School of Art and Design.

He represented Britain in the XLIV Venice Biennale in 1990, when he was awarded the Premio Duemila Prize. In 1991 he received the Turner Prize and in 2002 received the Unilever Commission for the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern. Notable public sculptures include Cloud Gate in Chicago's Millennium Park; Sky Mirror, exhibited at the Rockefeller Center in New York City in 2006 and Kensington Gardens in London in 2010;Temenos, at Middlehaven, Middlesbrough; Leviathan, at the Grand Palais in Paris in 2011; and ArcelorMittal Orbit, commissioned as a permanent artwork for London's Olympic Park and completed in 2012.

Kapoor received a Knighthood in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to visual arts. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Oxford in 2014.

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New Postal Stationery

India Post released new postal stationery. 

Inland Letter Card

 

Meghdoot Post Card

 

: Timir Shah - Vadodara

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New stamp on Year of Sheep

 

 

Date of Issue : 5 January 2015

A new stamp issue by China Post themed after the Chinese zodiac sheep / Goat will be released in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, on the 5^th of January.

According to the Chinese zodiac, 2015 will be the Year of Goat / Sheep, the eighth in the order of the 12 zodiac animals. Guangzhou, historically known as the city of the goat, will be the right city for the premiere of the goat-themed stamps, the local post authority said.

The stamps are designed by Wu Guanying, one of the leading designers of the Beijing Olympic Games mascots. China began to issue zodiac-themed stamps in 1980, with each round starting from the Year of Monkey and ending in the Year of sheep / Goat.

 

Foreign stamps on Indian theme

 

Here are  two S/S Of Malaysia - 2014 - World Youth Stamp Exhibition - 160 Years of Stamps Usage in Malaysia .In these Souvenir sheets 1854 Indian Stamps are  featured. These issues are on Indian theme.

- Leeza Padhi - Cuttack

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SERBIA ISSUES A COMMEMORATIVE STAMP WITH A DRAWING BY AN INDIAN CHILD

 

Date of Issue : 2 September 2014

 

Serbian Post has recently issued a commemorative stamp showing a drawing of a tiger drawn by an Indian Child named K. Banuchander, 10 years old. The drawing bears the title " Joy of Europe". Serbia (a part of former Jugoslavia ) issues every year two stamps with the caption " Joy of Europe". 

INDIA's K. BANUCHANDER DEPICTS  "JOY OF EUROPE" STAMP

Since 1969, each year a children's meeting called "Joy of Europe" is held in Yugoslavia and after the partition of this nation, now in Serbia. This meeting of children between 7 and 15 years promoting friendship through various creative activities as a symbol of United Children's World represents a constant cultural background. On every 2nd to 5th October the authentic children's creativity demonstrated in close contact with the citizens of Belgrade. It organizes the children art competition for the last 40 years. The
works of the most talented children from all over the world find place on the stamps, special commemorative envelopes with first day cancellation This year Master K. Banuchander's picture depicting the tiger has been selected as the winner. Another Indian boy Master Sandeep Kumar, of 18 years has offered the vignette for the special cover, other motives on the envelopes are from Andrea Tomovic from Serbia, Mateusz Prewdzing from Poland, Matilda Milisavljevic from Serbia and Krutarth Shah (6 year!) from India. 

--- Avinash B. Jagtap, Binningen - Switzerland

Club News

New Special Cover at Bikaner on 26th September

- Sudhir Jain

A new special cover is was issued at Bikaner (Rajasthan) on 26th Sept. 2014 on an ancient Jain Temple of 5th Tirthankar Sumatinath JI. Temple is famous as Bhandasar Jain Mandir. India Post also issued a special cancellation on this cover.

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Indian theme on foreign stamps…

 

Taj Mahal on Myanmar stamps

Date of Issue: June 28, 2014

Myanmar Post  will issue a set of two stamps on 60th Anniversary of the Announcement of the Five principles of peaceful co-existence by Myanmar, China, and India (1954 - 2014) on 28 June 2014. Stamp design features three images, one for each country, and the last image depicts Taj Mahal.

Image Courtesy : Ms. Thitar Aung, Myanmar

News Credit : Kasinath R.  - Tanjore

New Stamps from Sri Lanka

Vesak 2014

Date of Issue : 12 May 2014

 

: Pradip Jain – Patna

email : philapradip@gmail.com

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Indian theme on foreign stamps…

 

 

Here is a stamp issued by Israel Post featuring Indian theme. In year 1999, Israel Post  issued a stamp related to Indian costumes. The stamp features a Jewish woman in traditional costume of India. 

"Bene Israel" community, India

The Bene Israel community, the largest of the three Jewish communities in India, lives alongside the Baghdad and the Kochin Jews. For generations the community members lived in villages in the State of Maharashtra in Western India. Their traditional occupations were the production of oil, tilling the soil and carpentry. Under British rule, from the end of 17th century onwards, many community members moved to cities and acquired various professions in public services, especially in the postal and telegraph services, customs, railroad, shipping and medicine.

Socially the relationships between Bene Israel and their Hindu, Moslem and Christian neighbors were friendly, each honoring the customs of the other.

The Jews in India were never faced with prohibitions or limitations in dress, which they were free to choose according to their needs and ability. The Sari has always been the most common dress throughout India, amongst women of all religions. There have been no significant changes in the Sari over the generations, and it's current form is the same as when it made its first appearance in the first century CE. The Sari is a six to nine meter long piece of cloth, about a meter wide, not sewn nor cut, which is wrapped around the entire body. The manner of wear differs from one geographical region to another and, depends on the woman's activity. The women adorned their feet with heavy silver jewelry, and their faces were decorated with silver and gold ear and nose rings inlaid with gem stones. During the 1920's, when British education became widespread in girls' schools, far reaching changes occurred in dress, influenced by western attire, especially amongst the more affluent city dwellers, but the Sari still remains a very acceptable form of dress.

Orpa Slapak
Curator
Department of Jewish Ethnography
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem

Contributed by : Leeza Padhi – Cuttack

New special Covers

CH MOHAMMED KOYA

A special cover was released on Ch Mohammed Koya at Trivandrum on 9 June 2014

CH MOHAMMED KOYA (1927-1983), eminent writer, editor, eloquent orator, skilful organiser, leader of Indian Union Muslim League, Champion of the causes of depressed class, social reformer, member and speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly, Member of Parliament, Minister(Education, Home), Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Minister of Kerala and legendary leader in Kerala's socio-political-cultural fields.

A special cover on National Board of Examinations was released  on 5th May 2014 at New Delhi.

NATIONAL BOARD OF EXAMINATIONS

32 Years of Excellence in Post Graduate Medical Education and Examinations Established in 1982.  The National Board of Examinations has a distinguished track record of sending the country with capacity building and excellence in the field of Post Graduate Medical Education and Examinations.  NBE conducts examinations in 65 disciplines of modern medicine, 5 streams of entrance examinations & screening test for foreign medical graduates.

Two special Covers on 450th  Birth anniversary of Shakespeare Cancelled at Mysore and
Belgaum Philatelic Bureau at Karnataka State.

 

Latest News Briefs….

- Karnataka State released Two Special cover this month
1. Rotary.....  Polio
2. Sringeri Mat

- Kerala Postal Circle released a special cover of Haritha Keralam 2014  on World Environment Day

- Nagarcoil Philatelic Association  will organize a Philatelic Exhibition from
11 Jul 14 and 13 Jul 14.

- Sreejesh Krishnan – Trivandrum

Polio Free India  Rotary International District 3190

India Post, Karnataka Postal Circle released a Special Cover on 05-06-2014 on Polio Free India  Rotary International District 3190 .  (Special Cover Approval No. KTK/08/2014)

: Ankit Agrawal - Pune

 

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Indian theme on foreign stamps…

 

I have published here information about stamps from other countries featuring Indian theme. Here is one more  stamp from Belgium that features Hindi Script. It is a nice collecting item for those collecting   “ Indian theme on foreign stamps”. I am very much thankful to Mr Shrikant Parikh who came across this stamp and published detailed info on his blog : Se-tenant Stamps of India . I am sharing here complete information given by Mr Parikh.

The tab shows designer’s name, Dharmesh Jadeja

In year 2012, Belgium, a small country of Europe issued 5 se-tenant stamps on theme of Calligraphy. One stamp shows Hindi script Ek Dusre ko Likhen meaning Write to Each Other. One must appreciate the depth of design and selection of a theme for the stamps. Incidentally this stamp was used by a thoughtful post-crosser from Belgium to Ahmedabad / India with entire tab, which even shows the name of the designer - Dharmesh Jadeja !!

On 11 February 2012, a set of 5 se-tenant stamps was issued by Belgium Post, depicting Latin, Arabic, Chinese, Hindi and Greek scripts. [details taken from MICHEL Katalog]

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PHILAKOREA 2014 - World Stamp Exhibition

 

On the occasion of the 130th anniversary of the Postal Service of Korea, PHILAKOREA 2014 World Stamp Exhibition, a global festival of postage stamps is held for six days from August 7 to August 12, 2014 in Hall A, COEX, Seoul, under the patronage of the FIP (Fédération Internationale de Philatélie). PHILAKOREA World Stamp Exhibition is the fourth exhibition held in Korea, which, starting from 1984 marked the centenary of the Korean Postal Service, and followed again in 1994 and 2002.

Around 500 stamp exhibits submitted by no less than 67 countries are on display and approximately 100 stamp sales booths are opened. Also being showcased at the exhibition are invited stamp exhibits and a public relations booth for the postal business. There is also a masterpiece pavilion and a Future Stamp pavilion where visitors can enjoy the unique display of philatelic culture from around the world.

PHILAKOREA 2014 commemorative stamps capture eight “flavors of Korea” which are imbued with the taste of their ancestors. Minhwa, folk paintings drawn by the general public express the simple beauty of everyday life in a colorful and straightforward style. Birds and flowers depicted in gentle colors are a delight to the eye. While most traditional Korean masks are made of gourds or paper, Hahoe masks are wooden.

Hahoe masks show a refined and elaborate beauty embodying a uniquely Korean humor and sentiment. Hanbok, the traditional Korean clothes, also known as Clothes of Wind, encompasses beauty in its lines and sides and flows in gentle curves. Kkachi Durumagi, a colorful children’s overcoat introduced in the stamp is made using delightful colors, expressing hope for longevity and wealth. The scientifically created Korean alphabet, Hangeul is beautiful in shape.

The roundish contours of the Gungche script on the stamp are considered the most beautiful Korean writing style due to its delicate form. (an excerpt from a novel Okyeondyunghoewon from the Joseon Dynasty). Onggi, a porous and permeable pottery, called the breathing pottery are used as storage containers suitable for soy sauce, salt, Kimchi, and many other products.

These pots with a round “belly” are evocative of the generosity and richness of a mother. The clear resounding sound of the Gayageum made by its twelve silk strings is celestial in tone. The stamp introduces this representative string instrument of Korea, the Gayageum, in particular, the Gayageum of prince regent Heungseon. Baekja, a white porcelain, shows a simple, yet immaculate beauty. The rounded White Porcelain Moon Jar, created during the Joseon Dynasty, is reminiscent of a full moon and is listed as National Treasure number 1437. Lastly, lifting eaves of elegantly curved tiled roofs shows a refined architectural beauty and a taste for the arts of their ancestors.

Stamp on 'Bend It Like Beckham' a film by Gurinder Chadha

Royal Mail issued stamp on 'Bend It Like Beckham' - 13th May 2014. Indian-origin filmmaker Gurinder Chadha's award-winning film about a British Sikh family, 'Bend It Like Beckham', has been selected by Royal Mail, UK as one of the films with a stamp issued in its honour in the 'Great British Film Stamp Set'. The 2002 comedy-drama is about an Indian girl who breaks traditional barriers to play football for UK won rave reviews across the globe.

Great British Film Stamp Set

The new stamps from Royal Mail  feature six classic British films that have enjoyed global success in the post-war era.The Mint Stamps feature iconic movie stills from six classic British films:Matter of Life and Death (1946)Lawrence of Arabia (1962)2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)Chariots of Fire (1981)Secrets & Lies (1996)Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

New Special Cover

The National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Hyderabad will be releasing a Special Cover with its MY Stamp through the Department of Post, Philatelic Bureau, Hyderabad G.P.O. on 1 July 2014 on the occasion of the commencement of the Centenary Batch of the Foundation Course for Agricultural Research Service (FOCARS100).

- Ravi Viswanathan : email : viswanathanravi@naarm.ernet.in

 

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Brazil issues stamps to honour Indian Cinema

 

Special postage stamp released by Brazil to mark Indian Film Festival to celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema. (IANS)

Brazil issues stamps to honour Indian Cinema

Brazil issues stamps to honour Indian Cinema. Brazil has paid tribute to the Indian film industry on its centenary by releasing two postage stamps designed by an Indian graphic designer at a commemorative festival held in Brazil. The $2 billion (Rs.120 billion) Indian cinema completed 100 years in 2013. Made by Kochi-based graphic designer Satya Raj, the stamps were jointly released by Indian Ambassador Ashok Tomar and curators and directors of the festival - Anand Jyothi and Carina Bini Palackapilly - when the festival officially opened in the capital city of Brasilia early this month, said a statement. Cultural director of the Brazilian Postal Service Romulo Salvino, and cultural secretary Sueli Navaho and Brazilian and Indian officials attended the ceremony.

Jyothi said the first ever edition of the festival marking 100 years of Indian cinema to be held in South America will later move to important Brazilian cities such as Rio De Janeiro, Reife (northern Brazil) and Porte Alegre (southern Brazil) after the World Cup - June 12-July 13. The festival, with focus on parallel art movies, is organised by Tantri Arte, a production house run by film curator couple Jyothi, a Malayali and his Brazilian wife Carina Bini, in collaboration with Brazilian cultural ministry.

The couple has been working as a cultural link between Brazil and India for over 15 years, and the film festival was one of their major initiatives that received recognition of both the governments. Jyothi said the films were being well received by the Brazilian cinema connoisseurs and critics with Adoor Gopala krishnan's award-winning "Katha Purushan" winning special accolades.

The couple organised the Indian film festivals in five Brazilian cities during 2011 and 2012. For their 2012 efforts, which saw the screening of 35 Indian films during a month, they won official recognition as the Best Foreign Film Festival. The fest was curated to bring together top contemporary Indian cinema in different languages made by such maestros as Adoor, Girish Kasravalli, Shyam Benegal, and Anand Gandhi among others, Jyothi said.

Club News

Philatelic Workshop at Bangalore Philatelic Bureau - 12th - 16th May 2014

Karnataka Postal Circle took a unique step of entertaining children during summer holidays through "Philately - Study of Stamps". A Free summer workshop was organised from 12th to 16th May 2014 at Philatelic Bureau, Bangalore GPO to enlighten the children about the King of Hobbies "Philately".

Courtesy : Indian Philately Digest

 

 

Stamps of immortality

If there is anyone who is expected to know about the existence of this museum, it is a passionate philatelist. To be able to understand and appreciate the contents on that miniscule space, you need to have a philatelist’s eyes. So yes, in that case, the National Philatelic Museum is indeed a niche museum but its location right in the heart of Delhi makes it a place for discovery for anyone who would make an effort to visit it.Housed in Dak Bhawan on the city’s Sansad Marg, that it is open on all seven days and without an entry fee gives one (whether or not you are a stamp lover) enough reason to explore it.

Read more… : article on National Philatelic Museum   The Hindu

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Centennial of the 1914 Komagata Maru incident

 

Canada Post marks the centennial of the 1914 Komagata Maru incident with a $2.50 international-rate stamp issued May 1 in a booklet of six.

On May 23, 1914, the Japanese freighter Komagata Maru arrived in the harbor of Vancouver, British Columbia, with 376 passengers from India on board — 340 Shiks, 24 Muslims and 12 Hindus — seeking to immigrate to Canada. Before the incident ended almost five months later, only 20 were allowed to enter Canada, and another 19 were killed upon their return to India.

Designer Mark Summers created the artwork for the stamp. The Komagata Maru stamp was printed by Canadian Bank Note by five-color offset lithography on Tullis Russell paper, with general tagging on all four sides. The booklet stamps have serpentine die cuts on all four sides. The printing quantity for the issue is 1.5 million booklet stamps.

- Dr SK Sondhi – Ludhiana

New Europa 2014 stamp from Poland

Date of Issue : 5 May 2014

Europa 2014 Theme - National Musical Instruments

 

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