Postage stamp, begun as a piece of paper in token of receipt of postage,
has assumed additional functions. It is a mode of commemorating,
celebrating and promoting national heritage and events, it plays a great
role as an ambassador, a brand image of postal administration and a
statement of sovereignty of a nation. After independence, the medium of
postage stamps was initially used to highlight the country's
achievements in science and technology as well as its socio-economic
Development by depicting themes like the Five Year Plans, Steel Plants,
Dams etc. Subsequently, the country's rich cultural and natural heritage
came to be showcased and many beautiful stamps were issued in thematic
sets on art, architecture, crafts maritime heritage, science,
technology, defence and cinematic. Great leaders of national and
international standing have also been honoured with commemorative
stamps, the most prominent being Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the
Nation has been honoured with commemorative and definitive stamps.
Personalities, who have made immense contributions in areas like
painting, literature, science, music, social upliftment etc.have also
been honoured.
Commemorative stamps are issued, as the name suggests, to commemorate
important events, prominent personalities in various fields, aspects of
nature, beautiful or rare flora and fauna, environmental issues,
agricultural activities, national/international issues, games etc. These
stamps are only available at Philatelic Bureaux and counters or under
the Philatelic Deposit Account Scheme. They are printed in limited
quantities.
On 5/4/2013, Department of Posts is
releasing new set of commemorative postage stamps on the occasion of
completion of 100 years of GPO buildings Mumbai GPO, Agra GPO and
others.
Source : Indiapost.gov.in
Via : http://postalinspectors.blogspot.in
