32) C. Subramanium and the Indian Green Revolution: Contributors to Society ( 1910 - 2000).

Honouring Contributors to Society :
C. Subramanium and the Indian Green Revolution:

(30^th January 1910 to 07^th November 2000).

Chidambaram Subramaniam was born on 30^th January 1910 in a village called Senguttaipalayam. He had a B.Sc. degree in Physics from Presidency College, Chennai and a Law Degree from the Law College. (He is hailed as the architect of the “Green Revolution in India”. In other words, “CS” as he was called, proved his mettle literally in a field other than the ones in which he had studied.

He participated in India’s Freedom struggle from the British and was jailed. He joined politics and was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and participated in the framing of the Indian Constitution. Later, he was a minister and leader of the House in Madras State/Madras Legislative Assembly from 1952 to 1962. 

Afterwards, moving on to the Lok Sabha, (equivalent to the House of Commons in the British Parliament), on different occasions he handled important portfolios like Minister for Steel and Mines,   Agriculture, Finance and Defence. He also served as the Dy. Chairman of the Planning Commission of India and as the Governor of Maharashtra.

He is known as the architect of India’s modern Agricultural Development policy, after the successes of his programme which led to record wheat production in 1972 – an achievement termed as the “Indian Green Revolution”. As Minister of Food & Agriculture, he played a decisive role in introducing high yielding varieties of seeds and more intensive application of fertilizers which, in turn, brought about increased output of cereals in the late 60s and early 70s and led to attainment of self-sufficiency in food grains in the country. 

The great famine of Bengal had left about 3 million dead in 1943-44. The World War II effort had led to seizure of farm produce by the British Government in India, who turned a blind eye to the plight of the Indian farmers. The British left India without finding a way-out from the depths that Indian Agriculture/farming was plunged into. Nevertheless many nations came out to help the distressed fledgling Indian Nation and India had to import several tonnes of Wheat/foodgrains in the mid-sixties. 

The early coinage minted in Independent India, too, laid stress on “Growing more Food”. The one rupee coin carried this symbolic message till the mid-2000s when this message was replaced by other messages. (Please refer my posts on “Coins highlighting social messages and civic virtues/sensibilities” and “The Evolution of the one rupee, the steady building block of the Indian monetary system”). 

The USA helped out with its massive PL-480 programme. US Agricultural Research Service (ARS) had developed the legendary “Norin” variety of wheat (a dwarf variety with little foliage and a heavy head of grain) and later a new variety called the “Gaines” dwarf variety was developed. Dr. Norman Borlaug crossed the Gaines variety with Mexico’s best varieties and came up with interesting and high yielding variants.

Agricultural technology, including buying best variety seeds (Sonora 64 and Lerma Rojo 64 A) needed to be backed up with proper conducive delivery systems and marketing policies. 

Subramaniam brought about the necessary reforms. He led a team comprising M.S. Swaminathan and B.Sivaraman (known as the three “S”s) in spearheading transformation of his vision of a “Green Revolution” into reality. Information and educational literature was disseminated through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (English Translation: Agriculture Science Centres), model farms and using the services of Block Development Officers (BDOs) in villages. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research was revamped. As the dwarf variety was chemical and fertilizer intensive, new industrial units were licensed. 

To facilitate, two crops a year (multi cropping) pattern, more irrigation canals and bore-wells were put in place. Policies had to be changed for assured marketing and pricing as well as creation of large storage facilities. 

The results through the integrated approach were outstanding. In the mid-seventies when economists had predicted that food grain stocks in India would be totally depleted, India achieved a near record production of food grains. Infrastructure improved, India’s International debt-repayments were on time and more employment opportunities were created.

Nevertheless, the Green Revolution led to the use of pesticides for more output which led to depletion of the soil nutrients leading to crop failures and farmer suicides. One way out suggested was genetically modified (GM) crops as the next Green Revolution. However, introduction of these varieties has met with stiff opposition from the Indian farmers. Objective scientific assessment is yet to deliver a final verdict on GM crops. 

Meanwhile, there is an urgent need to resort to eco-sensitive farming with minimum use of fertilizers/chemicals, so than soil nutrients do not get depleted. There is growing awareness among farmers to take up organic farming. (I was recently watching a programme on CNN titled “Green Pioneers “in which one such project in Dehradun was covered extensively where several farmers are being educated by a successful lady pioneer to take up organic farming.)

Agriculture produce pricing and marketing policies, also,  need to be under constant review to help out farmers in their new endeavours/enterprises.

Be that as it may, in the decades of the sixties and seventies, the best technologies were not available to a young Indian nation. Subramaniam’s “Green Revolution” spearheaded food grain production and put food on the table of many starving Indians. That was his greatest contribution along with his dedicated team known as the three “S”s.

Other achievements:

Chidambaram Subramaniam was also the President of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan and authored several papers and articles on his vision of the “Green Revolution” in India He has a 3-volume set of books to his credit, titled “Hands of Destiny” (volume I is called “The Turning Point”, volume II is labeled “The Green Revolution”, while Volume III is about his work during the “Eventful Decades”). He is also the author of several publications titled “War on Poverty”, “The India of my Dreams”, “The New strategies in Indian Agriculture” and “Some Countries which I visited around the World”. He was also the founder of the National Agro Foundation in Chennai and Bharathidasan Institute of Management in Tiruchirappalli.

He was awarded India’s highest civilian honour “Bharat Ratna” (English Translation: “Jewel of India”) in 1998.

He passed away on 7^th November 2000 and left behind a legacy of grateful Indian farmers who are carrying his vision forward by adopting latest modern technology and are exploring concepts to apply to traditional Indian Agriculture methods.

The Reserve Bank of India brought out a five rupee cupro-nickel coin for general circulation in his honour in 2010 to celebrate his birth centenary. 

The obverse of the coin shows the Lion Capital with the words “Satyameva Jayate”(Truth Always Prevails) forming the emblem of the Indian Government. Below this symbol is the numeral “5” indicating the denomination of the coin. The words “Bharat” and “Rupiye” in Hindi appear on the left side of the coin, and the words “India “ and “Rupees” in English appear on the right side of the coin.

On the reverse of the coin is his image with the words “ C.Subramaniam Janam Shatabdi” in Hindi and “C.Subramaniam Birth Centenary in English. The years 1910-2010 (the year of his birth and the centenary year are mentioned below his picture.

 Posted on 17.09.12:

Today I have received a Commemorative coin (Proof) from the India Government Mint ,Hyderabad .The coin album as well as the coin image and specifications are given below:

 The Front of the  coin album .

 The details about Mr. Subramanium given overleaf in the Album.

 The obverse of the Commemorative five-rupee coin.

The Reverse of the Commemorative five-rupee coin.

 

The specifications of this coin are:

 

Composition: 

Copper  : 75%

Zinc       : 20%

Nickel    :   5%

Dimensions of the coin:

Diameter: 23mm

Weight   : 6gms

Serrations: 100

The last inner leaf of the album showing Mr. Subramanium's portrait which has been used on the coin face.

Posted on 04.02.2017: 

I have acquired the following back-dated First Day Cover (FDC) from the epostoffice, New Delhi, for a premium of Rs.100/- , which has been delivered a couple of days ago:

This First Day Cover (FDC) is titled "C.Subramanium" (in both Hindi and English) and shows his portrait of the upper left hand corner. The Front of this envelope shows a field of green with crops ripe for harvesting, symbolising the culmination of Mr. Subramanium's projects to fruition.

The 500 Paise or Rs.5/-  stamp shows his portrait as well. The Cancellation hand-stamp depicts his name "C.Subramanium" in both Hindi and English and is of New Delhi GPO  There is an ear of corn shown in the hand-stamp which is shaped like a rocket symbolising Mr. Subramanium spearheading the Indian Green Revolution and putting food on the table of every Indian. The Cancellation is dated "28.11.2009"

31)Honouring Louis Braille on the occasion of the bicentenary of his birth in 2009:

Honouring Contributors to Society;
Louis Braille (1809-1852);

Celebrating the bicentenary of his birth in 2009:

Louis Braille was born on 4^th January 1809 in Coupvray, France. As a child, he suffered an injury which occurred when he was using an awl (a sharp tool) in his father’s harness workshop. Although injured in one eye, the injury resulted in a total loss of vision in both eyes. 

He was admitted to the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, at the age of 10 on a scholarship. This was one of the first institutes of its kind anywhere in the World. It was here that he studied and later, made out his career, as a teacher for the blind.  He was a bright student and also an accomplished Cellist and an Organist – he played the Organ at several churches including the Church of Saint-Nicholas-des-Champs and at the Church of Saint-Vincent-de-Paul in Paris.

 At the Institute, he found that apart from basic crafts and trade skills, the students were taught to read by touching raised letters made by pressing copper wire against paper, a system devised by the Institute’s founder, Valentin Hauy.  This system had a drawback, in the sense, the raised copper letters weighed a lot and sometimes a book would weigh even upto 100 pounds. Also, the students could only read, but could not write. The teachers, too, delivered their lectures verbally only to the students, as a result of this drawback and there were only a few library books in this style.

In 1821, the Institute was visited by an ex-soldier called Charles Barbier, who shared that he had devised a system called “night vision” in which he used a code with 12 raised dots which led soldiers on the battle-field share vital information without speaking.

Louis developed this technique further and at the age of 15, he devised a system of reading and writing through the means of raised dots arranged in cells of up to six dots (reduced from Barbier’s 12 dots) in a 3x2 configuration (Each cell represents a letter, numeral or a punctuation mark) and at the age of 17 he adapted this method to mathematics and musical notations, music being a field in which he was extremely versatile. The irony was, that, to invent the raised dot system, Louis used the same awl in his father’s workshop , which had injured his eyes in the first place resulting in his blindness. 

One reads Braille by passing one’s fingers over characters, each of which is an arrangement of one to six embossed /raised dots or points. 

The Braille system offers numerous benefits over Hauy’s raised letter method, the most remarkable one being the ability to read and write an alphabet. Another improvement was, that, the slightly raised dots made the books/texts lighter.

In 1829, Louis published a book on his new syatem called “Method of writing words, music and plain songs by means of Dots, for use by the Blind and Arranged for them”. Ten years later, in 1839, he published a method developed for communication with sighted persons. He even developed a Braille typewriter with his friend Pierre Foucault (one of his blind colleagues at the Institute, and equally brilliant as Louis).

Despite initial skepticism in various quarters, including the Institute where he taught (his system was not taught at his Institute during his lifetime). In 1854, France officially recognized his system ( two years after he passed away). Braille writing spread world-wide as more and more persons/people began to get familiar with the language. Thus, he gave blind persons all over the world, a system to read and also to understand musical notes.

 He passed away in Paris on 6th January 1852, at the age of 43, having accomplished his life’s mission and leaving behind him a lasting legacy for the visually challenged persons. He was initially buried at his hometown Coupvray, but later his remains were reinterred  with honours in the Pantheon in Paris.

There are three versions of Braille:

The first one (Grade 1) has 26 standard letters of the alphabet and punctuation, for beginners.

The second  one (Grade 2) adds contractions to Grade 1.  Contractions help in saving space, because a Braille text page can have much lesser letters/words than a printed page. Thus Grade 2 is employed for public signages,menu cards and books for the accomplished Braille readers.

The third one (Grade 3 ) is a kind of shorthand with entire words shortened to a few letters.  This version is used in diaries, notes , personal letters and even in Literature.

Braille can also be used to represent other languages viz. Chinese,Japanese, Korean, Russian etc. 

The 200^th Anniversary of his birth in 2009 was celebrated all over the World. Belgium and Italy took out two-Euro coins, the USA brought out a one dollar coin and India issued a two rupee coin to honour his memory and the lasting legacy which he left behind for the visually challenged persons.

 Obverse of a Ferritic stainless steel (FSS) two rupee coin issued by Reserve Bank of India on the occasion of Louis Braille's birth bicentenary in 2009, showing the words "Bharat" in Hindi and "India" in English on top, the Lion Capital (symbol of the Indian Government) and the numeral "2"denoting the denomination of the coin in the centre and "Rupiye" in Hindi and "Rupees" in English at the bottom of the coin.

 The reverse side of the coin depicts a picture of Louis Braille, with his initials ",L.,BRL" and the bi-centenary years "1809-2009". This coin is minted at Kolkata mint. Notice that there is no mint mark on the obverse side of the coin.

The India Government Mint, Kolkata, had recently taken bookings for a two rupee proof coin on Louis Braille's bicentenary . I have booked two coins, which are expected to come in another four months. On receiving them, I shall put up an image on this post. 

Posted on 15.11.11 

Today, after a lot of correspondence with Kolkata mint/SPMCIL and two weeks after the expiry of the six month stipulated period for delivery of booked Commemorative coins, I have received the undernoted coin from Kolkata mint :

Obverse of the commemorative coin (Proof set) issued to celebrate the 200th Birth Anniversary of Louis Braille.

Reverse of the above Proof coin.

The specifications of this coin are as under:

 

Denomination: Two Rupees.

Shape and Diameter: Circular ; 27mm

Metal composition : Ferritic Stainless steel (Iron :83% chromium : 17%)

The rupee cost for this coin was Rs.200/- (plus credit card charges).

Posted on 01.09.2015:

The following is an image of a First day cover issued by India Post on the Bicentenary of the birth of Louis Braille:

A First Day Cover issued by India Post on the occasion of the Bicentenary of the birth of Louis Braille containing a 500 Paise or Rs. Five stamp. Notice the Braille  lettering on the Cover as well as the Cancellation stamp.




Links: 

1) A short story: A tour of Pune's "Blind School" (or as I prefer to call it "The Institution for the Visually Challenged Students")


Some other interesting links related to  posts on French Currency & Coins issues:


 1) Honouring Louis Braille on the Bicentenary of his birth in 2009

2) Honouring Charles Eduord Jeanneret popularly known as Le Corbusieur, the French architect who built the modern city of Chandigarh & several other projects: A 10 Franc Banknote issued by the Swiss National Bank 

3) Fort St. George Museum, Chennai (Part iii): i) Indo-Danish coins ii) Indo-Dutch coins iii) Indo-French coins iv) Indo-Portuguese coins 

4) a) Central Bank of West African States issues: the "Franc African Financial Community" (FCFA) b) Bank of Central African States issues : the "Franc Financial Cooperation in Central Africa (FFCCA)

5) French Indo-China issues: A silver one Paistre coin issued in 1895 

6) Financial Institution for issuing uniform currency/coinage for French Overseas Territories in the Pacific & French Southern Territories of Antarctica: The Institut d'emission d'outre-Mer (IEOM) for French Polynesia (Tahiti), New caledonia, Wallis-et-Futuna and the erstwhile New Hebrides (present day Vanuatu)  

 7) Coinage of the French Polynesian Island of New Caledonia (or Nouvelle-Caledonie in French) - the CFP Franc

8) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's exile to St. Helena (Part I): A one Crown Commemorative Coin issued by the Ascension Island 

9) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's exile to St. Helena (Part II) : coins commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo: 1) A 5 GBP coin issued by the Royal Mint UK: 2) A "Drie Landen Zilverset" issued by the Royal Dutch Mint - which includes coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK 

 10) Jeanne d'Arc or Joan of Arc or "The Maid of Orleans" or "La Pucelle": 200 & 50 Euro gold coins and 10 Euro Silver coins issued by Monnaie de Paris in July 2016

11) i)"Europa Coin Programme" or the Eurostar Programme ii) Monnaie de Paris has issued a series of six coins with the theme "The Age of Iron & Glass" in January 2017

12) 100th Anniversary of Auguste Rodin's passing away commemorated with gold and silver Euro coins issued by the Monnaie de Paris under its on-going "The 7 Arts" Coin Series

 13) Statue of Liberty, Paris, France: "Treasures of Paris": Coin series issued by Monnaie de Paris on 20.01.2017

14) Marianne (or Liberty): "The Trilogy": A set of Euro denominated coins in Gold and silver brought out by Monnaie de Paris in January 2017 

Did you know series (4) A sample of the Beautiful Postage stamps issued by the P & T Department, India

Did you know series (4):

 A sample of the Beautiful Postage stamps issued by the P & T Department, India

I had gone to the GPO, Pune, last week to collect a stamp on Brihadeeswarar temple (which had completed 1000 years in 2010) , which I wanted to add to my post on the Temple ,on my blog .

I was surprised to see a lot of avid stamp collectors browsing through a lot of beautiful stamps , which had been recently issued by the Posts & Telegraphs Deptt. India. I saw a few of these myself and was struck SPEECHLESS by their beauty. I purchased a few of these stamps issued from 2008 onwards which took my fancy and also fished out a few stamps which I had collected in 1979 to 1982. I thought I would share them on this post which may be found quite interesting by those of us who have not seen these stamps/miniature sheets before, and also by avid stamp collectors who may just like to browse through these memorable pictures once more.

As I am not much of a stamp collector, I will not venture to add my comments under these stamps, the details of which, including year of issue are more or less self-contained on the stamps themselves, except in a few cases, where, I simply could not resist adding a few comments. Happy viewing!!

Airmail :

I remember that  postage stamps used to cost 25 paise  and we were quite agitated when the price was raised to 30 paise.

Astrological Signs:

 

Armed Forces:

I am not sure, but I think this is the flag of the Mahar Regiment which had completed 25 years or so in 1981, and I have had this stamp  along in my safekeeping , because one of my friend's brothers was serving with the Regiment.

Avifauna of India: 

As I am an avid bird-watcher stationed in Pune, I have made several sorties out to locate bustards in the areas around Pune where they are supposed to be found, but have met with no success. Bustards are an endangered species, today. Hats off to the P&T Deptt. India for championing their cause as far back as 1980. Also, notice that this was a two rupee thirty paise stamp, not rounded off to the nearest rupee.

 

Really beautiful depiction of wildlife in the North-East. Is'nt it?

The sparrows which were a part of our growing up days and   are an endangered species today . Several studies have been conducted to reverse the declining trend in their numbers.

Butterflies :

 

Horses of India:

Colleges and Schools:

 

While this stamp celebrates La Martiniere schools with an image of the founder Major-General Claude Martin and a picture of La Martinere , Kolkata, I have ventured to put up a picture here of La Martiniere College, Lucknow, which is one of the oldest Educational institutions in India (founded in 1845), and is also my Alma Mater (1970-75).

A front view of the La Martiniere College at Lucknow, taken from the College Calendar commissioned in 2001 by the College. A third college/school has been established at Lyons, France as Claude Martin was French. There are three blurred objects in front at the bottom of the picture . These are cannons, of which, I remember, at least one had seen action in the battle between the British and Tipu Sultan, the Ruler of Mysore. (The sword of Tipu Sultan and other personal effects were displayed at the Windsor Castle in London).

Also, in 1857, in the First Indian War of Independence, the  students and staff of this college , from the ramparts like the ones shown here, had a face-off with the soldiers fighting for India's Independence, with fierce battles going on for days including the boys being evacuated to the Lucknow Residency where they fought alongside the beleaguered East India Company troops. 

As such the College figures in Pictures which have the First War of Indian Independence as their theme . I believe , the movie "Gadar" (Revolution) also had some scenes shot at this place. This war expedited the end of the East India Company Government and the Crown took over. From 1962, the "Regal issues" (coins issued by the British crown ) were minted till 1947, the year of Indian Independence.

A profile picture of Claude Martin, with the College motto "Labore et Constantia" (Labour Constantly).

A picture of the College/schools Coat of Arms.

Dandi march and Salt Satyagrah:

Eminent Personalities:

 

Historical Eminent Personalities:

Environment & Bio-Diversity:

 

Flora :

Greetings:

 

Games:

 

 

Homage to Martyrs:

 

(Legendary) Heroines:

Heritage Buildings:

Heritage Libraries:

Indian Culture, Festivals, Textiles, spices etc.

 

Institutions:

International Meets:

India Government Mints:

International Day:

Post Office Savings:

Religious texts:

Temples of India:

Posted on 19.11.13:

A miniature sheet of two Rs.20/- stamps, one showing the young Sachin Tendulkar on  debut and the other showing him just before his 200th and Final Test Match. The miniature sheet also shows him bidding goodbye to Indian cricket in November 2013.

An image of a First day cover, celebrating Sachin Tendulkar's Test career.

This stamp celebrates The Times of India, with the iconic cartoonist R.K.Laxman's "Common Man" who has entertained us for several decades with telling caricatures of burning topics of "Our Times". The Common Man is shown as one dressed in Indian as well as English attire, thus representing all strata of Society.

The third stamp I acquired today for my collection with the other two, celebrates Children's Day i.e. November 14th. The stamp shows a young boy showing his prize catch after fishing and a little girl on a swing.

Posted on 22.11.13:

Commemorating 100 years of Indian Cinema with a fifty stamps issue on some of the greatest legends of cinema:

                          sheet one

                  sheet two

                                 sheet three

                                 
                               sheet four

                                sheet five

                                sheet six

                        Cover of The explanatory Album on Indian Cinema

                         The write-up on growth of Indian cinema

                  The techical specifications of the above 50 stamps

Celebrating 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda:

A miniature sheet commemorating the major milestones in Swami Vivekananda's life.

Wild flowers of India:

Central Bureau of Investigation:

The motto of the Central Bureau of Investigation is "Industry, Impartiality Integrity.

Bhakra Nangal Dam:

Links to posts on Indian Post-Cards:

1) Historical First Day Covers on Post Cards compiled by Karnataka Postal Circle on Post Independence India

2) For Part I of the DYKS (32) "Birds of the Himalayas", please click on the following link: ("Birds of the Himalayas" (Part I) - Description of 16 birds with picture postcards)

3) For Part II of DYKS (32): "Birds of the Himalayas", please click on the following link: ("Birds of the Himalayas" Description of 16 Birds with picture postcards)

4) For Part III of DYKS (32): "Birds of the Himalayas" please click on the following link: ("Birds of the Himalayas" Description of 16 Birds with picture postcards)

5) Two Series of Postage Stamps issued during the reign of George V: Inauguration of New Delhi in 1931 and Silver Jubilee of the reign of George V in 1935 compiled by Karnataka Postal Circle   

6) Aero India 2015: Asia's Premier Air Show: A set of 10 Post cards issued by Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post in 2015. 

7) Himalayan Lakes: Chandratal, Roop Kund, Sela, Tsangu and Tsomo Riri: A set of five post cards issued by India Post in 2015 

8)  Incredible India: (Part I) A set of 48 Post Cards issued by India Post in 2015
9) Incredible India: (Part II) A set of 48 Post cards issued by India Post in 2015
10)   Incredible India: (Part III): A set of 48 Post cards issued by india Post in 2015
 11) Olympic Events: A set of 12 Post cards issued by the Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post on 11.07.2016  

12) "Orchids": A set of 12 postcards issued by the Karnataka Postal Cicle of India Post, with designs inspired by 6 Stamps on Orchids issued by India Post on 21.10.1991 and 6 Stamps issued on 08.08.2016 
  
Maximum or Maxim Cards: 

1) Did You Know series (33): 1) Maxim or Maximum Cards 2) A set of 5 Maximum Cards issued by the Department of Posts, India to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Establishment of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad

"My Stamps" Albums:

1) "Ajanta & Ellora Caves": "MyStamps" (issued by India Post): Sumita and Rajeev

 2) "Ghats of Varanasi": "MyStamps" (issued by India Post): Sumita

3) "Sun Temple, Konark": "MyStamps" (issued by India Post): Rajeev 

4) "Fairy Queen": "MyStamps" (issued by India Post): Rajeev 

5) "Mahabodhi Temple": "MyStamps" (issued by India Post): Rajeev 
  
 6) "Port Blair Island": "My Stamps" (issued by India Post): Rajeev

Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2016:

1)  Special India Post Cover  carried in a dedicated Hot Air Balloon flown during the II International Hot Air Balloon Festival held in Pollachi, Tamilnadu, released by Tamilnadu Circle of India Post in January 2016

2) "Vibrant India": Postage Stamps issued by India Post on this theme

3) MAHAPEX - 2016 held at Nasik from 16-18.01.16: (Part 1) Spl. Covers on Pandu Leni Caves and Smt. Kusum Dhirubhai Mehta released by Maharashtra Postal Circle on 16.01.2016 

4) MAHAPEX - 2016 held at Nashik from 16-18.01.2016: (Part 2) Spl.Covers on Kalaram temple and Nashik "Grape City & Wine Capital of India" released by Maharashtra Postal Circle on 17.01.2016 

5) MAHAPEX - 2016 held at Nashik from 16-18.01.16: (Part 3) Spl. Covers on "Nashik Dhol" and "Dr. Anand Gopalrao Joshi" released by Maharashtra postal Circle on 18.01.2016 

6) International Fleet Review - 2016 (IFR - 16) held at Vishakhapatnam from 04.02.16 to 08.02.16: Commemorative Postage stamps issued by India Post 

7) Celebrating 75 Years of setting up of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal : Commemorative Postage Stamps brought out by India Post. 

8) PUNPEX - 16 held at Chandigarh from 06 - 09.02.2016: (Part 1): Spl. Covers on "Indian Dak Runner" & "The PUNPEX-16 logo" released by Punjab Postal Circle on 06.02.2016 

9) PUNPEX - 16 held at Chandigarh from 06-09.02.2016: (Part 2): Spl. Cover on "Butterflies of Chandigarh" released by Punjab Postal Circle on 07.02.2016 

10) PUNPEX - 16  held at Chandigarh from 06-09.02.2016: (Part 3): Spl. Cover on "Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandigarh" released by Punjab Postal Circle on 07.02.2016 

11) PUNPEX - 16 held at Chandigarh from 06-09.02.2016: (Part 4): Spl. Cover on "Migratory Birds of Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh" released on 07.02.2016 

12) "Gurudwara Shri Paonta Sahib": Spl. Cover released by HP Postal Circle, of India Post 

13) India's First International Fleet review held on 18.02.2001 at Mumbai 

14) "Jal Mahotsav" on the River Narmada from 12-21.02.2016: Spl Cover issued by the Department of Posts, India 

15) "Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparv", Ujjain 22.04.2016-21.05.2016: MAPPEX-2016 Spl Cover released by Postmaster General, Indore Region, India Post on 07.02.2016 

16) Unique Handicrafts of Madhya Pradesh: MAPPEX 2016: A Special Cover issued by the Postmaster General , Indore Region, Indore, on 05.02.2016 

17) Golden Jubilee of The Statesman Vintage & Classic car Rally": Special Cover issued by the Delhi Postal Circle, New Delhi on 28.02.2016 

18) Mahamaham Kumbha Mela Festival, Kumbhakonam, Tamil Nadu: February 13-22, 2016. Special Cover issued by the Postmaster General Tamilnadu Circle, Chennai, India Post. 

19) "Maharaja Agrasen ki Baoli " in New Delhi: "UTSAV 2016"- A Special cover issued by the Delhi Postal Circle on 17.02.2016 

20) Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios Birth Centenary celebrations : A Special Cover issued by Delhi Postal Circle, New Delhi, India Post on 15.02.2016

21) Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple: UTSAV 2016: A Spl Cover issued on 17.02.2016 by Delhi Postal Circle, New Delhi 

22) National Science Centre Delhi: UTSAV 2016: A Spl Cover issued by the Delhi Postal Circle, New Delhi , Department of Posts, India on 16.02.2016 

23) Commemorating the Birth Centenary of Vasantrao Srinivassa Sinai Dempo: A Rs.5/- Stamp issued by  India Post on 04.03.2016 

24) 150th Anniversary of the Allahabad High Court : Commemorative Stamps & Coins issued by the Department of Posts, India & India Government Mint, Mumbai respectively 

25) National Archives of India (Part 1): 125th Anniversary Celebrations: Commemorative Stamps issued by the Department of Posts, India on 13.03.2016 

26) The Gilgit Record (Manuscripts): National Archives of India (Part 2) A 30 paise Stamp issued in 1979,  by the Department of Posts, India. 

27) "A Minor Rock Edict" of Samrat ashok found in Gujarra , Distt. Datia M.P. : A Special Cover issued by the Indore Region, MP Postal Circle, Deptt. of Posts, India

28) "Batesara Group of Temples": A Special Cover issued by Indore Region, M.P. Postal Circle, Deptt. of Posts, India 

29) "India-UN Women HeForShe Programme": Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post  

30) Fire Services of India: A Rs. 5/- Stamp issued by the department of posts, india to honour the "Fire Services of India" 

31) Govardhanram Tripathi: Commemorative Rs.5/ Stamps brought out in his honour by the Department of Posts, India. 

32) The "Everlasting Flame international Programme 2016": A Special Cover issued by Delhi Postal Circle, Department of Posts, India. 

33) "Ahimsa Ball": Commemorating the 10th Installation Ceremony of the Ball: A Special Cover issued by the Delhi Postal Circle on 26.04.2016 

34) "BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave 14-16 April 2016, held at Mumbai: A Special Cover issued by the Maharashtra Postal Circle on 14.04.2016 

35) "25th Shukla Day Coin and Philately Fair" held from 22-24.04.2016 at Mumbai: A Special Cover issued by the Maharashtra Postal Circle, India Post on 22.04.2016 

36) "Indian Coast Guard Air Station Chennai Silver Jubilee": A Special Cover issued by Tamilnadu Postal Circle of India Post on 07.03.2016 

37) Swami Chidananda: A Rs.5/- Commemorative stamp issued by India Post on 21.05.2016, celebrating his Birth Centenary. 

38) "Brave Fighter Narvir Shivaji Kashid: A Special Cover issued by Maharashtra Postal Circle on 05.05.2016 

39) Tata Power: Commemorating the centenary of the establishment of The Company by India Post, by issuing Rs.5/- stamps on 10.06.16 

 40) "Surya Namaskar": The theme of second International Day of Yoga: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post on 21.06.2016

41) Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in Jharkhand: DEOPEX:2016: A Special Cover issued by the Jharkhand Postal Circle, India Post on 18.03.2016 

42) "Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar": DEOPEX-2016: A Special Cover issued on him by Jharkhand Postal Circle, India Post on 18.03.2016 

43) "Philatelic Seminar, Jaipur": A Special Cover issued by the Rajasthan Postal Circle, India Post on 28.02.2016 

44) "Shantheyanda Okkada Hockey Namme - 2016": A Spcial Cover issued by Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post on 03.05.2016 

45) The Indian Institute of Architects: Commemorating the Centenary year of the Institute by issuing a Special Cover by Maharashtra Postal Circle, India Post on 12.05.2016  

46) Indian Naval Air Squadron 300 (INAS 300): A Special Cover issued on the Induction of MiG-29Ks and de-induction of Sea Harriers in the Squadron, by the Maharashtra Postal Circle of India Post on 11.05.2016 

47) State Trading Corporation : Celebrating 60 Glorious Years: A Special Cover issued by the Delhi Postal Circle, India Post on 18.05.2016 

48) Christ Church Fort Teppakullam, Tirichirappalli: 250th Anniversary Celebrations: A Special Cover issued by Tamilnadu Postal Circle, India Post on 17.05.2016 

49) "BSE" (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange): Commemorating the 140th Year of its establishment: A Rs.5/- commemorative stamp brought out by India Post on 09.07.2016 

50) "VIKAS PARV - CHHAU DANCE": A Special Cover issued by Jharkhand Postal Circle on 17.06.16 

51) 65th Plenary of the North Eastern Council held on 26-27 May 2016 at Shillong: A Special Cover brought out by the NE Postal Circle of India Post, on 03.06.2016 

52) Platinum Jubilee of the First Philatelic Bureau set up in Mumbai: A Special Cover issued by Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post on 21.06.2016 

53) Chennai Book Fair: A Special Cover issued by the Tamilnadu Postal Circle of India Post on 01.06.2016

54) Chennai Book Fair (Part II) A.K. Chettiar : One of 6 eminent Tamil writers on whom Tamilnadu Postal Circle has issued Special Covers on 10.06.2016 

55) Chennai Book Fair (Part III): T.Janakiraman: One of 6 eminent Tamil writers on whom Tamilnadu Postal circle has issued Special Covers on 10.06.2016 

56) Chennai Book Fair (Part IV): P.V. Akilandam: One of 6 eminent Tamil writers on whom Tamilnadu Postal Circle has issued Special Covers on 10.06.2016 

57) Chennai Book Fair (Part V): D. Jayakanthan: One of 6 eminent Tamil writers on whom Tamilnadu Postal Circle has issued Special Covers on 10.06.2016 

58) Chennai Book Fair : (Part VI): Pudhumaipithan: One of Six Eminent Tamil writers on whom Tamilnadu Postal Circle has issued Special Covers on 10.06.2016 

59) Chennai Book Fair: (Part VII): Va Ramasamy: One of six eminent Tamil writers on whom Tamilnadu Postal Circle has issued Special Covers on 10.06.2016 

60) Tadoba Andhari National Park: Commemorative stamps brought out by India Post on "International Tiger Day" at Nagpur on 29.07.2016 

61) Tara Mata Temple Shimla: Famous Temples of Himachaal Pradesh Series: A Special Cover issued by HP Postal Circle of India Post on 29.04.2016 

62) Bagla Mukhi Temple, Bankhandi, Kangra: Famous Temples of Himachal Pradesh Series: A Special Cover released by the H.P. Postal Circle of India Post on 29.04.2016  

63) Chintpurni Temple , Chintpurni Una, HP: Famous temples of Himachal {radesh Sries: A Special Cover released by H.P.Postal Circle of India Post on 29.04.2016 

64) Ter-Centenary of the martyrdom of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur: A Special Cover brought out by Delhi P0stal Circle of Indiapost on 20.06.2016 

65) "Rio 2016" Summer Olympics: Commemorative Stamps and booklets issued by the Department of Posts, India on 05.08.2016

66) "Orchids": A set of 6 Commemorative postage stamps brought out by India Post on 08.08.2016  

67) Indian Metal Crafts: A set of six Stamps issued by India Post on 26.08.2016 

68) Independence Day - Tourism in India: A Rs. 25/- Commemorative Stamp issued by India Post on 15.08.2016 

Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2014 and 2015:

1) 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil - A set of four stamps issued by India Post.

2) Commemorative Stamps on "Swachh Bharat" Mission

3) Commemorative Stamps on "Project Rukmini"

4) Commemorative Stamps on "Indian Ocean & Rajenda Chola I"

5) International Day of Yoga - "Commemorative Stamps & Coins" 

6) India-France - 50 Years of Space Co-operation - Commemorative Stamps

7) Commemorative Stamps on 50 years (Golden Jubilee) of "Engineers India Limited"

8) Bicentenary of the "Old Theological Seminary" (OTS) Kottayam, Kerala

9) Commemorative stamps issued on Nabakalabera (Jagannath Temple, Puri)

10) Commemorative stamps issued on an Indian Game called "Sagol Kangjei" originated in Manipur, from which Polo was adapted all over the World  

11) Samrat Ashok - Commemorative Stamps issued on the legendary Emperor of Ancient India 

12) Women Empowerment - Commemorative Stamps

13) Baba Amte - Commemorative Stamps 

14) Did You Know Series (4): A sample of the beautiful stamps brought out by Department of Posts, India 

15) 10th World Hindi Conference held at Bhopal - Commemorative Stamps issued by Department of Posts India

16) 50th Anniversary of the 1965 Indo-Pak War: Commemorative stamps issued by Department of Posts, India. 

17) Commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. B.R. Ambedker by Department of Posts, India with a stamp titled "Dr B.R. Ambedkar and the Indian Constitution" 

18) The "Charkha" or the Spinning Wheel: Commemorative stamps issued by the Department of Posts, India 

19) Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam - Commemorative Stamp issued by the Department of Posts, India 

20) 50th Anniversary of the Border Security Force (BSF): Commemorative Stamp issued by the Department of Posts, India 

21) 3rd India- Africa Forum Summit at New Delhi - Commemorative Stamps issued by Department of Posts, India 

22) Commemorating the Golden Jubilee of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL): Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post.

23) Commemorating the Bicentenary of the Raising Day of the First and Third Gorkha Rifles: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post.  

24) India-Singapore Joint issue: 50 Years of Bilateral Relationship: Two Commemorative Stamps issued by India-Post. 

25) Celebrating 60 years (Golden Jubilee) of EEPC India: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post. 

26) Centenary of the setting up of the Zoological Survey of India: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post 

27) Celebrating Children's Day on November 14th - Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post. 

28) Musicians of India - Commemorating Classical Musicians of India by issue of Stamps by India Post. 

29) Sumitranandan Pant (poet and writer) : Commemorative postage stamps issued on him by India Post 

30) Golden Jubilee of the Establishment of the IDSA, New Delhi: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post 

31) 100 Years of Return of Mahatma Gandhi to India in 1915: Commemorative postage stamps issued by India Post 

32) Commemorating Alugumuthu Kone, one of the first Freedom Fighters against the British: Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post

33) Centennial of the Patna High Court of Judicature: Commoemrative Stamps issued by India Post 

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on stamps issued in 2013: 

1) Commemorative Postage stamps on the "Wild Flowers of India" issued by India Post.

2) 100 Years of Indian Cinema: 50 commemorative stamps issued by India Post. 

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on Stamps issued in 2012:

1) Shekhawati and Warli Paintings (Part I) - Warli Paintings - Commemorative postage stamps brought out by India Post in 2012

2) Shekhawati and Warli Paintings (Part II) - Shekhaati Paintings - Commemorative postage stamps brought out by India Post in 2012 

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts  on Stamps issued in 2011:

1) Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.100/- issued on Mahatma Gandhi on Khadi Cloth for the first time ever by India Post.

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts  on Stamps issued in 2010:

1) Princely States of Indore, Sirmoor, Bamra and Cochin : Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts issued in 2008: 

1) Centenary of the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru: Commemorative Stamps brought out by Indiapost in 2008

2) Standard Chartered Bank: Commemorating 150 Years of Banking in India: A Rs.5/- Commemorative Postage Stamp issued depicting the SCB Mumbai Heritage Building 

3) "Aldabra Giant Tortoise": A commemorative postage stamp brought out by India Post in 2008 

List of Commemorative Stamps issued in 2007:

1) 2550 years of Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post  

Commemorative stamps issued in 1931, 1947 and 1950:

1) Three Series of original Indian stamps which depict : Inauguration of New Delhi (1931), First Independent India postage stamps (1947) and Republic of India Inauguration (1950)

 Postage Stamps from Thailand depicting Buddhist Jataka Tales:

1) Thailand postage stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Magha Puja Day (Part I)

2) Thailand Post stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Asalha Puja Day (Part II)  

3) Thailand Post stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Visakha Puja Day (Part III)

4) Postage stamps from Thailand commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales

Forever Stamps from United States Postal Service (USPS):

1) Forever Stamps: A Series of Stamps commemorating the "US Civil War 1861-1865"

2) Forever Stamps: The Hindu Festival of Lights - Diwali (2016) 

Postage Stamps from the Bailiwick of Jersey: 

1) "Man of Steel": A Superman movie. Jersey post stamps commemorating a local lad Henry William Dalgliesh who played Superman in the Movie 

Postage Stamps from Gibraltar:

1) 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta - the Universal guidepost/landmark in Liberty and Freedom: A miniature stamp sheet issued by the Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau

Postage Stamps issued by Hongkong Post:

1) Working Dogs in Government Service: A sheetlet showing six dogs issued by Hongkong Post in June 2012

Postage Stamps issued by New Zealand Post: 

1) ICC Cricket World Cup - 2015 14 Commemorative Stamps issued with the theme "Have A Ball"

International Philately Exhibitions :

1) World Stamp Show New York 2016

2) Thailand 2016 - FIAP 32nd Asian International Stamp Exhibition 10-15 August 2016