Damodar Dharmanda Kosambi FDC from INDIA

Stamp name:Damodar Dharmanda Kosambi

Issue date:31st JULY 2008.

Details:

Damodar Dharmananda Kosambi (July 31, 1907-June 29, 1966) was an Indian mathematician, statistician, and polymath, who contributed to genetics by introducing Kosambi's map function. He is well-known for his work in numismatics and for compiling critical editions of ancient Sanskrit texts. Dharmananda Damodar Kosambi, his father, had studied ancient Indian texts with particular emphasis on Buddhism and its literature in Pali language. Damodar Kosambi emulated him by taking interest in his country's yesteryears. Professor Kosambi was also a historian of ancient India who employed the historical materialist approach in his work. He was critical of the policies of then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, which, according to him, promoted capitalism in the guise of democratic socialism. He was an enthusiast of the Chinese revolution and its ideals, and, in addition, a leading activist in the World Peace Movement.

More details-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.D._Kosambi

Remark:As usual India post has supplied the stamps but FDC & Brochure was not available today so I have to wait for FDC.

Famous Ancient General - Qi Jiguang FDC from China

FDC Name:Famous Ancient General - Qi Jiguang.

Issue Date:19th JULY'2008.

Details:

• Qi Jiguang (November 12, 1528 – January 5, 1588) was a Chinese military general and national hero during the Ming Dynasty. He was best remembered for his courage and leadership in the fight against Japanese pirates along the east coast of China, as well as his reinforcement work on the Great Wall of China. More...
• Designers of cover and cancellation by Liu Xiangping & meng Jie.

Remark: Typical Chinese painting stamps.Received the registered post FDC in good condition today.The Sl.No of the FDC is 024641. Total FDC printed by China post 200000.

Ancient Chinese Painting "A Hundred Deer" by Ignace FDC from Taiwan

FDC Name:Ancient Chinese Painting "A Hundred Deer" by Ignace Sichelbunt.

Issue Date:16th JULY 2008

Details:

• To promote an appreciation of ancient Chinese art and philately, this Post is issuing a set of eight stamps (each with a denomination of NT$5.00) that is based on the Cing Dynasty painting Bailutu (A Hundred Deer) by Ignace Sichelbart from the National Palace Museum collection.
• The full painting will be printed in a se-tenant block of eight stamps in two rows of four. The eight stamps are not uniform in size. Instead there are five different sizes of stamp. This variety of sizes enables the se-tenant block to be broken up into compositional coherent individual stamps.
• Ignace Sichelbart (1708-1780, Chinese name Ai Ci-meng , style name Sing-an) was from Bohemia (part of present day Czech Republic). He became a Cing court painter in 1745 (the tenth year of Emperor Cianlong's reign), working in Ruyi Hall in the palace along with Giuseppe Castiglione and Jean Denis Attiret. Conferred a title of the third rank, he was especially good at painting birds. Bailutu (or A Hundred Deer) depicts a group of deer wandering on an open meadow between frosted trees with rugged slopes in the background.The deer can be seen in a great variety of poses—grazing, resting, swimming, drinking water, running, butting heads, or kneeling while making calls.

Remark:Very beautiful stamp set on a FDC posted by my friends onFDC.

14 Punjab(Nabha Akal) FDC from India

FDC Name:14 Punjab(Nabha Akal)

Issue Date:21st JULY 2008

Details:

This battalion was formed out of irregular forces maintained by the ruler of Nabha. These forces fought against Mughal armies at Muktsar and Sirhind in 1708 to help Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru of Sikhs. Hamir Singh, the then ruler, formed a regular brigade group out of these forces in 1757.

The 1st and 2nd battalions were named 1st and 2nd Nabha Akal Infantry. Maharaja Hira Singh reorganized the Nabha Brigade and in 1878 and Nabha Akal Infantry was named Hira Bera. It was once again renamed 1st Nabha Akal Infantry in 1889. The Nabha Contingent was reorganized as Imperial Service Troops.

The 1st Nabha Akal Infantry saw action in Basra in April 1918 during World War 1. The battalion was called upon to proceed on active service for the British Crown against General Nadir Khan of East Persia in 1919. The battalion took active part in operations during World War 2 and came out as victors of Italian campaign.

After the independence of India the unit was integrated with Indian Army in 1951. It was designated as 14 Battalion (Nabha Akal) of Punjab Regiment on January 26, 1954. The battalion took part in action in Fazilka sector in 1965 war and in Garibpur (Bangladesh) in 1971 war.

The battalion carried out counter insurgency operations in North East Frontier Area in 1974-1976 and in Manipur in 1998-2000. The battalion was part of United Nations Peace Keeping Force UNAVEM III in 1995-1996. It has recently returned victorious from a hazardous high altitude area of Jammu & Kashmir where it was deployed.

• Kamleshwar Singh designed the Stamp and the First Day Cover.
• Alka Sharma designed the pictorial first day postmark.
• Brochure containing write-up and technical data was issued on the occasion. The First Day Cover and the Brochure are priced at Rs 2 each. Security Printing Press, Hyderabad printed the stamps by wet offset in the quantities of 0.8 million each.

Remark:It is very unfortunate that now days the FDC and stamps are not available in the local Philatelic Bureau on the issue date.So it is impossible to send this FDC by registered post to the philatelic friends worldwide.Today after 5 days the stamps & FDC came to the post office.IN INDIA NOBODY LISTEN TO THESE DIFFICULTIES,A great postal history was lost.

Murals of Qiuci (Kucha) Grottoes FDC from CHINA

FDC Name:Murals of Qiuci (Kucha) Grottoes.
Issue date:6th JULY 2008.
Details:Total 4 nos stamps was issued which was used in two different FDC.The details of stamps are as follows.

• 1.20 Yuan: Bodhisattva
• 1.20 Yuan : Heavenly King
• 1.20 Yuan : Flying Apsaras
• 1.20 Yuan : Maitreya in Preaching

The Qiuci grottoes are scattered on more than 20 sites in the area of ancient Qiuci Kingdom (today's Kuche County and some of its neighboring counties in Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region).Founded in the 3rd century and ended in the 12th century, Qiuci Kingdom was one of the cradles of the Buddhist culture in China. Its grotto murals were mainly devoted to religious subjects and also included such contents as farming, hunting, dancing, and folk customs. On the basis of integrating the Oriental and Western cultures, the murals gradually formed their own artistic style. At present, there are more than 600 Qiuci grotto remains, housing nearly 10,000 square meters of murals. Kzir Grotto, a typical representative of the Qiuci grottoes, is the first Buddhist grotto in Chinese history.

Remark: 2 FDC with complete set was posted by my friend from China and reach today.The design of the stamps are traditional Chinese paintings.Both the cancellation on the 2 FDC are same.

Seashells of Taiwan(II) FDC from Taiwan

FDC Name:Seashells of Taiwan(II)
Issue date:9th JULY 2008.
Details:

• NT$5.00: Troschel's Murex Murex troscheli .These large and unique looking spindle-shaped shells have long siphonal canals, fine brown stripes and many slender spines. Most of these spines are located on their axial ribs, where they form 120-degree angles with each other. These help them to avoid being attacked by fish or crabs.
• NT$5.00: Chiragra Spider Conch Lambis chiragra .This marine gastropod is named shuei-zi-lou (water character conch) in Chinese, because there are six thick curved "horns" extending from its lip, which make the conch resemble the Chinese character for water. They are cream colored and commonly have small brown spots, ribs and big nodules. The apertures are narrow and the lips are often pink in color. The conches are big and thick with small spires, and the six horns help them fend off their natural enemies. This interesting looking conch is nicknamed "six-footed conch" in the Taiwanese dialect.
• NT$12.00: Regal Thorny Oyster Spondylus regius.With reddish brown round bivalve shells, their exterior surfaces have six radial ribs with long and large spines and many radial ornaments covered with fine spines. The interiors of the shells are white and the rims are reddish brown.
• NT$12.00: Cymatium pyrum,Pear-shaped, Cymatium pyrum has a somewhat long siphonal canal, making it resemble the head and trunk of an elephant. Most of them are reddish brown and often feature a prominent periostracum, periostracal hair, big nodules and axial ribs. Most have a white aperture with a denticulate lip.

Remark:This is the 2nd series of "Seashells of Taiwan" issued by Taiwan post.The 1st series was issued in 2007.The stamp design is very good with good cancellation posted by my friend from Taiwan.

Conservation of Birds-Taiwan Blue Magpie FDC from Taiwan

FDC Name: Conservation of Birds-Taiwan Blue Magpie.

Issue date:9th JULY 2008.

Details:Taiwan blue magpie is a member of the Corvidae family and a protected species endemic to Taiwan. Its head and breast are black. The rest of its body is blue. Its tail feathers are exceptionally long. The bird's gorgeous plumage makes it a frequent target of hunters. Over development and pollution pose an even more serious threat.

• NT$5.00: Foraging Taiwan blue magpie is an omnivorous bird. Its diverse diet, group living habit, large stature, and combative nature are all advantageous traits in terms of survival. Its food storing behavior gives it another survival advantage in the face of natural change.


• NT$5.00: Rearing the young Taiwan blue magpies are cooperative breeders; individuals other than a chick's parents, including both other adults and sub-adults, can help provide care and that ensure group survival.


• NT$12.00: Sub-adults In most bird species, the parents gradually drive their young away to find their own territory after they are grown, yet the sub-adults of Taiwan blue magpies stay to help rear their younger siblings.


• NT$12.00: FlyingAlso known as "long-tailed mountain ladies," Taiwan blue magpies live in groups. When they fly in a line, it appears as if they are building beautiful "bird bridges" in the forests. The sight is magnificent

Remark:Excellent FDC by Taiwan post.The stamps and the miniature sheet are also good.The local cancellation is very clear & good.

INDIA-CHINA Joint Issue

FDC Name:India-China Joint Issue

Issue Date:11th JULY'2008

Details:

• 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.

Remark:After long waiting finally India post has issued the stamps today.The joint Issue has already issued by China post on 6th JUNE'2008.

Giant Pandas FDC from Hong Kong

FDC Name:Giant Pandas.

Issue Date:1st July 2008.

Details:

• Le Le and Ying Ying, a pair of giant panda cubs, arrived in Hong Kong in 2007 as a gift from the Central Government in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. To mark the first anniversary of their public debut on 1st July 2007, Hongkong Post has issued stamps depicting the natural charm of the adorable pair.
• The vivacity of the chubby and carefree cubs stands out in their pictures, which appear in heart ($1.40), leaf ($2.40), panda head ($3) and flower ($5) shapes in this set of four stamps. Similar miniature patterns in pastel colour dotted around their pictures add to the delightful mood.
• Warmly welcomed by the local community, the national treasures came to Hong Kong at the age of almost two from the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda at the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province. Back then, they both weighed around 60 kg and measured 102 cm in length. Though the same age and of similar physique, Le Le, the male, and Ying Ying, the female, have different characteristics and personalities. With more rounded eye patches and smooth and shiny fur, Le Le is playful and gentle. Distinguished by her more elongated eye patches, Ying Ying is quiet but inquisitive.The giant panda is an endangered species. The solitary animal can grow up to 180 cm in length and heaviest up to 181.5 kg in weight during adulthood. A slow breeder and picky eater, the wild giant panda now only found in Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi, the three main giant panda distribution areas in China. Bamboo is the staple food for the black and white panda, making up 99% of its diet.
• The design of stamps by- Arde Lam,Stamp Size- 35 mm x 35 mm,Printing process-Lithography,

Remark:Excellent FDC with set of stamps posted by my friend from Hong Kong.

The 50th Anniversary of Indonesia – Japan Diplomatic FDC from Japan

FDC Name:The 50th Anniversary of Japan-Indonesia Diplomatic.
Issue Date:23rd JUNE 2008
Details:Japan post has released a mini sheet consisting of 10 nos of stamps.The details are as follows
(80)Colored Carp Fish (Cyprinus carpio)This colorful and beautiful member of the carp family is called Koi or nishikigoi in Japanese (simply means "crap") and can easily be found in the pond at Japanese gardens. The beauty of the fish is appraised by their most important feature, the markings and patterns. In Japan, koi breeding has occupied a position between hobby and art form for more than two centuries. The ornamental cultivation of Koi started in 17th century in the Niigata prefecture. In the beginning of 19th century they became more popular and several color patterns had been formed, most notably red-and-white. The outside world became aware of its development in 1914, when Niigata Koi were exhibited in Tokyo and some were presented to then Crown Prince Hirohito. Since then, the interest in Koi spread throughout Jpan and then worldwide. Koi varieties are distinguished by coloration, patterning, and scalation. Generally Koi have one to three different colors. Some of the major colors that often emerge are White, Yellow, Orange, Red, Black, and Blue. Spots patterns are various; however, the most sought-after patterns are round on forehead and stepping stone on its low back.
Remark:This FDC was posted by my friend from Japan using only one stamps from the sheet (Out of 10 stamps) with the first day special cancellation by regular post on the issue date.He has enclosed other stamps in the letter.It could have been better if he had sent the FDC by registered post using all the stamps.This is my 1st JAPAN FDC.Thanks a lot to my friend Guillamel FAVIER.

Golden jubilee of Madhav Institute of Technology and Science

Name of Stamp:Madhav Institute of Technology and Science,Gwalior.
Issue date:30th JUNE 2008
Details:His Highness Sir Jiwaji Rao Scindia, Maharaja, erstwhile princely state of Gwalior established the Madhav Institute of Technology and Science in 1957 with the prime objective of providing Technical Education at undergraduate and post graduate levels along with conducting research activities.
Dr Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India laid the foundation stone of the Institute on October 20, 1956 and Dr S Radhakrishnan, the then President of India inaugurated the building on December 11, 1964. The current president of the governing body is Maharaja Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is also a Member of Parliament and the Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology.
Brahma Prakash designed the Stamp and the First Day Cover. Alka Sharma designed the pictorial first day postmark. Brochure containing write-up and technical data was issued on the occasion.
The First Day Cover and the Brochure are priced at INR 2.00 each.
Security Printing Press, Hyderabad printed the stamps by wet offset in the quantities of 0.8 million.
Remark:This time no materials(Stamp,FDC & brochure) was available in our Bhubaneswar philatelic bureau so unfortunately I have not able to make First day posting to my friends by registered post.The round circle is the error in spelling.

The Construction on The West Coast of the Taiwan Strait FDC from CHINA

FDC Name:The Construction on The West Coast of the Taiwan Strait.

Issue Date:18 June 2008.

Details:The economic zone on the west coast of the Taiwan Straits is a regional economic complex, mainly for Fujian Province and its neighboring areas. This explains its features and advantages, including an economic cluster effect. Over the past 30 years since reform and opening up in 1978, Fujian has witnessed remarkable socio-economic achievements, gradual improvement in infrastructure, and notable advancement in its people's living standards. The zone is expected to become the pilot region to advance scientific development as well as exchange and cooperation with people across the Taiwan Straits.The details of the stamps are

1.20 Yuan : Scenery along the Minjiang River

1.20 Yuan : Port of Xiamen

1.20 Yuan : Convention and Exhibition Centre

1.20 Yuan : Fujian-Taiwan Kinship Museum

Remark:Excellent self made FDC posted on the issue date by my friend from China.As it happen in INDIA sometime official FDC are not available in post office so serious philatelist has to make self made FDC.

Jellyfish FDC from HONGKONG

FDC Name:Jellfish.
Issue Date:12th JUNE 2008.
Details:Drifting gracefully with the currents, jellyfish exude the elegance of a dancer moving to the rhythm of ocean waves. This set of special stamps depicts six different species of jellyfish. For the first time, these stamps are printed with a luminous effect to juxtapose the gorgeous jellyfish against a contrasting dark background.

$1.40: Flower Hat Jelly (Olindias formosa)
This rare species of jellyfish has multicoloured tentacles hanging from a translucent, pinstriped bell. Being semi-benthic, they sometimes stay on the sea floor. Feeding on small fish in the sea, they can grow up to 15 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Flower Hat Jellies occur in Brazil, Argentina and the deep ocean waters off the coast of southern Japan.

$1.80: Octopus Jelly
Octopus Jellies have 8 trailing oral arms. They move up at daytime to allow the symbiotic algae on their bells to photosynthesise and remain in deeper zones after sunset. Feeding on microplankton and nutrients from algae, they can grow up to 30 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Octopus Jellies occur in Indo-Pacific waters.

$2.40: Brown Sea Nettle (Chrysaora fuscescens)
The name of the Brown Sea Nettle originates from the radiating brown stripes on their bells and the bee sting-like nematocysts. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 30 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Brown Sea Nettles occur in Japan and the Bering Sea.

$2.50: Moon Jelly (Aurelia aurita)
The Moon Jelly is so named because of its moon-like circular bell. One can tell when they have just taken brine shrimps from the orange tint in the four stomach pouches in their translucent bells. Feeding on microplankton, they can grow up to 35 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Moon Jellies occur in tropical and temperate waters.

$3: Lion's Mane Jelly (Cyanea capillata)
The Lion's Mane Jelly is a highly toxic species. They are named for their trailing tentacles reminiscent of the mane of a lion. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 40 centimetres in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Lion's Mane Jellies occur in the western Pacific around Japan.

$5: Pacific Sea Nettle
Similar to the Brown Sea Nettle, the Pacific Sea Nettle is equipped with nematocysts which sting. They have dusky brown bells with deep red tentacles. Feeding on microplankton and other jellies, they can grow up to 1 metre in diameter and live only for 2 or 3 months. Pacific Sea Nettles occur in the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.
Remark:Hongkong post do not allow the special cancellation by registered airmail post so my friend has sent the FDC with complete set in date cancellation by registered airmail post. The registration receipt of the posting is also shown which is done by manually.

Henning Holk-Larsen FDC from INDIA

FDC Name:Henning Holk-Larsen

Issue Date:12th JUNE 2008

Details:

• A commemorative postage stamp in honor of the co-founder of the Larsen & Toubro, Henning Holck-Larsen was issued on June 12, 2008 by India Post.


• Henning Holck-Larsen was from Denmark who co-founded the Indian engineering firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Henning Holck-Larsen was educated at the University of Copenhagen. He came to India in 1937. In 1938, he set up Larsen & Toubro in partnership with his former schoolmate Søren Kristian Toubro.


• L&T went on to become one of the most successful Indian companies. After retirement, he served as the chairman emeritus of the company. He used to call India his "adopted homeland" and divided his time between Denmark and India. He was honored with Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding (1976), Knighthood from Queen Margarethe II of Denmark (1977), Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for Industrial Peace (1980), Chemtech Foundation's Chemical Industry Stalwart Award (2000), Bombay Management Association's Lifetime Achievement Award (2001), Citation from the Indo-European Union Business Summit for promoting business beyond boundaries (2002), and Padma Bhushan (2002) for contribution to Indian industry.


• He passed away in 2003 at Mumbai after a brief illness.

Remark:Nice FDC posted on the issue date by Speed post. >

Rajesh Pilot FDC from INDIA

FDC Name:Rajesh Pilot

Issue Date:11th JUNE 2008

Details:

• A commemorative postage stamp was issued in honor of a parliamentarian and charismatic leader, Rajesh Pilot on June 12, 2008 .
• Rajesh Pilot was born on February 10, 1945 in village Baidpura, district Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. He did his schooling from M M Higher Secondary School New Delhi and higher studies from Meerut University. He joined Air Force Academy, Coimbatore and was commissioned in the Flying Branch in 1966. He served Indian Air Force for 13 years in Fighter & Transport Squadron and saw action in India Pakistan war of 1971.
• He resigned from Indian Air Force in 1979 and joined politics. He was elected to Lok Sabha from Bharatpur constituency in 1984 and inducted in the Council of Ministers as Minister of State for Surface Transport. Later he represented Dausa constituency five times and served as Minister of State with Independent Charge for Communications, as Minister of State for Home Affairs, Minister of State for Environment & Forest.
• He died on June 11, 2008 in a freak road accident.

Remark:Nice FDC posted on the issue date by registered post.

Aga Khan Foundation FDC from INDIA

FDC Name:Aga Khan Foundation

Issue date:17th MAY'2008

Details:

• The Aga Khan Foundation is a non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan.
• Its mission is to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development, primarily in Asia and East Africa. Created as a private, non-profit foundation under Swiss law, it has branches and independent affiliates in 15 countries namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Kenya, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mozambique, Pakistan, Portugal, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
• The Foundation focuses on a small number of specific development problems by forming intellectual and financial partnerships with organizations sharing its objectives. Most Foundation grants are made to grassroots organizations testing innovative approaches in the field.
• The Foundation looks for innovative approaches to generic problems. Projects are designed to be learning experiences that contribute to the understanding of complex issues and identify solutions that can be adapted to conditions in many different regions.
• The Foundation shares what it learns with the public, raising awareness of important issues facing disadvantaged sectors of the international community. Through endowments and capital investments, the Foundation helps to ensure the permanence of institutions that contribute to the well-being of the people they serve.
• The Foundation owns a large number of properties for social and cultural activities, including several hospitals and hundreds of schools and health centers in the developing world. The Aga Khan Foundation is the principal grant-making agency for social development within the Shia Ismaili Imamat.
• His Highness the Aga Khan is its founder and chairman. He provides the Foundation with regular funding for administration and new program initiatives as well as contributions to its endowment. The Ismaili community contributes invaluable volunteer time, professional services and substantial financial resources. Other funding sources include income from investments and grants from government, institutional and private sector partners - as well as donations from individuals around the world.
• The Aga khan Foundation has completed 30 years of an extremely philanthropic and purposeful existence in India.
• India post has issued 2 stamps(INR 15.00 & INR5.00) with M/s,FDC & Brochure.
• Stamp & FDC was designed by Mr.Brahm Prakash and cancellation by Alka sharma

Remark:Nice 2 FDC,one with set of stamps & the other with M/s was posted to me on the issue date by registered post.The special cancellation is also good.

VII EUROSAI Congress in Krakow FDC from POLAND

FDC Name:VII EUROSAI Congress in Krakow
Issue Date:30th May'2008.
Details:
EUROSAI-The state audit and control institutions of all the world are united in the INTOSAI - International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions. One of its eight regional groups is the EUROSAI - European Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, uniting 48 such institutions. The EUROSAI congresses are held every 3 years, and the leadership of organization is usually taken over by the actual host. The next congress is to be held on June 2-5, 2008 in Krakow, Poland. The previous congresses have taken place in Madrid (1990 - the Establishing Congress), Stockholm (1993), Prague (1996), Paris (1999), Moscow (2002), and in Bonn (2005)
NIK-The Supreme Chamber of Control is the most important state audit organization in Poland. Its main task is auditing the management of the public means. NIK reports annually on its activities to Sejm - the Lower Chamber of Polish Parliament.NIK coordinates the activities of the EUROSAI Working Group on Environmental Auditing. During the Krakow Congress an important ecology-friendly novelty will be introduced: all the materials will be available in the electronic form, and not as a printed matter as before.
On the occasion of the VII EUROSAI Congress and taking over by NIK the leadership of organization Poczta Polska has issued a special stamp with the Congress logo. The magnifying glass on that stamp is a symbol of audit. On the FDC envelope there are graphically processed flags of the 6 countries which up to now have hosted the previous congresses and consequently have played one by one a role of the EUROSAI leaders.
The author of the Congress logo, printed on the stamp and on the FDC envelope as well, in which the stylized dragon's head stands for the letter S, is Joanna Sowula, a student of the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, whose project has been chosen by the NIK representatives from among other prize winners. The stamp will be accompanied by the occasional postmark, applied at the Krakow one Post Office.
Remark:FDC posted in regular post reached here in good condition.Thanks to my friend in Poland for nice FDC.

European Football Championship EURO 2008 FDC from POLAND

FDC Name:European Football Championship EURO 2008
Issue Date:30th MAY'2008
Details:European Football Championship EURO 2008Football - the most popular sport game in Europe - is simple, cheap, and above all brings about a lot of emotions for its players as well as for its fans. The European Football Championship take place every 4 years, just as the Olympic Games, and is organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), established in 1954. The first European Championship was organized in France in 1960 under the name of the European Nations Cup. Only the four best teams had taken part in it, and the winner was the USSR. The same rules were continued up to 1976, while in the years 1980-1992 the number of participants had been increased up to 8 teams, and since 1996 up to now there are 16 teams. In that number, beside the winners of final eliminations, there is a team of the host of actual championship. The final games are preceded by the qualifications in groups, starting as early as in the autumn two years before the date of championship. The championship popularity grows steadily with its every turn, since it used to bring about the most unexpected surprises, such as that of the 2004 games when the first place had been won by Greece. The matches of Euro 2008 are to be played in June 7-29 on the eight Austrian and Swiss stadiums.
This year Polish football fans may feel happy no matter what the final results of the Euro 2008 will be, as the national Polish football team has qualified to the final contest of the European Championship first time in its history. Moreover, in 2012 Poland will host (together with Ukraine) the games of the next European Championship, what guarantees participation of the Polish team again.The main achievements of Polish football are: the 4th place at the 1936 Olympic Games, the golden medal at the Olympic Games in 1972, the silver Olympic medals in the years 1976 and 1992, and the 3rd places at the World Cup in 1974 and 1982.
The new stamp and FDC for the occasion of the Euro 2008 Poczta Polska presents the stamp and FDC adorned with an illustration, associating so well with an atmosphere of the crowded stadium stands, full of shouting fans with painted faces, what fits the official slogan of the white-and-reds at this championship: "... because only sport and good fun counts!". The issue is accompanied by an occasional postmark, being applied at the Warszawa 1 Post Office.The philatelyPoczta Polska had issued the stamps with football motives many times on the occasions of the World Cup and Olympic Games, and the particular Polish achievements, such as for example in 1974, when the special series of stamps with se tenant labels had been issued to commemorate successes of the coach Kazimierz Górski's team
The FDC posted on regular post arrived at my place in good condition.But it took long time for the delivery of the letter,Thanks to Indiapost for it's slow delivery,another feather in cap of Indiapost.