3078) 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between India and Mauritius, Bharat/India: Bharat/India Post has issued a joint Souvenir Sheet (SS) of 2,500 Paise (or Rs.25/-): Date of Stamp issue: 02.11.2023:
India and Mauritius share a longstanding bilateral relationship that spans several decades.
While formal diplomatic relations began 75 years ago in 1948, the arrival of Indians in Mauritius dates back to the early 18th Century, when Indian artisans and masons were brought to Mauritius under French Colonial rule.
In the 19th and early 20th Century, about half a million Indian indentured workers were brought to Mauritius under British rule, out of which, about two-thirds settled down in Mauritius.
The first batch of 36 indentured workers arrived in Mauritius on 02.11.1834 and 2nd November is now celebrated every year as ‘Aapravasi Diwas’.
Mahatma Gandhi visited Mauritius in 1901 and exhorted Indian workers to educate themselves and become politically empowered.
During the struggle for independence from British rule, Indian and Mauritian leaders were in regular contact.
Soon after India became independent, India deputed Shri Dharam Yash Dev as the first Indian Commissioner to Mauritius in September 1948.
The spirit of Indian Nationalism became a source of inspiration for Mauritius and when Mauritius became independent 20 years later, India’s diplomatic representation was upgraded to a High Commission.
There have been 27 Commissioners/High Commissioners of India to Mauritius in the last 75 years.
In a lasting tribute to these close ties, 12th March, the date on which Gandhiji began his Dandi March, was chosen as the "Mauritian Independence Day".
Since independence, both India and Mauritius have been walking hand-in-hand in their journey of nation building, economic growth and development.
From being a low-income, monocrop economy, Mauritius has emerged as a beacon of democracy, pluralism and prosperity. The bonds between the two countries have grown stronger over the decades with close cooperation in maritime security, development partnership, capacity-building, culture, people-to-people ties, and cooperation in international fora.
The close bonds between India and Mauritius are evident in the numerous India-assisted development projects that dot the Mauritian landscape, such as the Metro Express, the Social Housing Project, the Cyber Tower, the ENT Hospital, the new Supreme Court building, Rabindranath Tagore Institute, Upadhyay Training Centre, Swami Vivekananda Conference Centre, etc.
New projects like Civil Services College, Police Academy, Forensic Sciences Laboratory, the National Library & Archives, the 8MW Solar Power Project, continue to contribute to Mauritius’ economic and social development.
Mauritius is also one of the largest beneficiaries of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) capacity building programme, with more than 365 Mauritians trained every year in India.
The two countries have traditionally enjoyed close economic ties.
Mauritius has been a top source of Foreign Direct Investment into India, while India has been one of Mauritius’ top trade partners.
To further boost economic exchanges, the two countries signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) in 2021, which is India’s first such trade agreement with any African country.
With this, Mauritius stands uniquely poised to attract Indian investment and serve as a gateway for investments into Africa.
Indian music, dance, and cuisine are an integral part of Mauritian culture.
Hindi is also widely spoken in Mauritius, and Indian movies have a significant following. The enduring cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Mauritius are nurtured by the Pradhan Mantri Centre for Indian Culture (India’s largest cultural center abroad) and the World Hindi Secretariat, a bilateral organisation set up in Mauritius to promote Hindi globally.
The Government of India has also helped set up the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in Mauritius, which is dedicated to promoting Indian culture and language as well as the Pradhan Mantri Science Centre to promote Science.
People-to-people exchanges are at the heart of India-Mauritius bilateral relations.
Several thousand Mauritians visit India every year for tourism, shopping and medical treatment. Likewise, Mauritius is a popular destination for Indian tourists, with its pristine beaches and luxury resorts.
Over 500 scholarships were provided to Mauritian students to study in Indian universities last year, and there are several Indian educational institutions operating in Mauritius.
Through initiatives such as the ‘Know India Programme’ and the ‘NCC Youth Exchange Programme’, there is an ongoing effort to establish a connect between the younger generations of both countries.
Reflecting the special bilateral relationship between the two countries, Mauritius has been invited as a ‘Guest Country’ to participate in the G20 Summit during India’s G20 Presidency, starting from 01.12.2022.
With several new partnership initiatives and development projects in the pipeline, Mauritius-India relations are set to further strengthen in the years to come.
The Souvenir Sheet (SS)/Postage Stamp:
The joint issue of this postage stamp to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations is a testament to the strong ties between India and Mauritius and a symbol of their enduring friendship.
The Joint Stamp of 2500 Paise (or Rs.25/- features the National Birds of India - the "Indian Peacock" - and the "Mauritius Kestrel".
The Mauritius Kestrel (Falco punctatus):
The Mautitius Kestrel was declared as the National Bird of Mauritius on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the Republic of Mauritius on 12.03.2022.
An endangered species, the Mauritius Kestrel is endemic to the island of Mauritius. It usually nests in natural cavities on cliffs, ravines and trees in the south-eastern and Southwestern regions of the island.
The upper part of the Kestrel’s plumage is brown with black barring, while the under part is white with dark spots.
The ‘Mauritius Kestrel Recovery Programme’ being implemented since 1973, under which, Kestrel chicks have been hand reared and successfully translocated to endemic regions of Mauritius, is today recognised as one of the world’s most successful initiatives to save a bird species from extinction.
The Indian Peacock, (Pavo cristatus):
The Indian Peacock is a colourful, swan-sized bird, with a fan-shaped crest of feathers, a white patch under the eye and a long, slender neck.
The male of the species is more vibrantly colourful than the female, with a glistening blue neck and chest, and a spectacular bronze-green tail comprising around 200 elongated feathers.
In 1963, the Indian Peacock was declared the National Bird of India, since it embodies India’s rich fauna and is considered sacred in Indian mythology and culture.
With its magnificent iridescent blue-green plumage, and attributes such as joy, beauty and grace, the Indian Peacock embodies the vibrant spirit of India.
This First Day Cover (FDC) issued on 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relationship between Indian and Mauritius celebrates the rich and strong bond of the natural alliance between two nations.
At left is seen images of the Mauritius Kestrel and the Indian Peacock. The Joint Stamp/Souvenir Sheet (SS) of 2500 Paise (Rs.25/-) is affixed at top right, cancelled with a special cancellation postmark of New Delhi Head Office dated - "02.11.2023", featuring the two National Birds in the centre.
Technical Data:
Date of Stamp issue: 02.11.2023
Issuer: Bharat/India Post
Denomination: 2500 Paise (or Rs.25/-)
Souvenir Sheet Denomination: 2500 Paise (or Rs.25/-)
No. of Stamps Printed: 111,000 pieces
Printing Process: Wet Offset
Printer: Security Printing Press, Hyderabad
Links:
Posts on G20 Leader's Summit in New Delhi on this Blog:
1) G20 Leader's Summit, New Delhi 2023, Bharat/India: India Post has issued a Souvenir Sheet (SS) of two stamps of 2000 Paise (or Rs.20/-) each commemorating the G20 Leader's Summit in New Delhi: Date of Souvenir Sheet issue: 26.07.2023
2) G20 Leader's Summit, New Delhi 2023, Bharat/India: India Government Mint (IGM) Kolkata has released a combo of Rs.100/- and Rs.75/- Quaternary Silver Coin set commemorating the G20 Leader's Summit in New Delhi: Date/Year of Coin set issue: 2023
Posts on "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" on this Blog:
1) Did you Know Series (71): "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" (Bharat/India celebrates the 75th Year of Independence: A set of four coins in the denominations of Rs.2, 5, 10 and 20 issued by the India Government Mint, Mumbai
2) Did You Know Series (74): "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" ("Bharat/India celebrates the 75th Year of Independence"): A set of six coins in the denominations of Rs.5, 10 and 20 totalling Rs.75 issued by the India Government Mint, Hyderabad, together with a Special Cover issued by the Hyderabad Postal Circle of India Post
3) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: A Presentation Pack of Indian Postage Stamps prepared by the National Philatelic Museum, New Delhi comprising of : i) A First Day Cover: ii) the two Stamps of 500 Paise (Rs.5/-) and iii) the Information Brochure (IB): Year of Presentation Pack issue: 2023
4) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), India: "Special Edition - 2022-2023": India Government Mint (IGM) Hyderabad has issued two Presentation Packs in Coin Cards in the denominations of Rs.20/-, Rs.10/-, Rs.5/-, Rs.2/- and Re 1/- with the AKAM logo on the Reverse: Year of Presentation Packs issue: 2023
5) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Bharat/India celebrates 75th Year of Independence: A set of five Coins in the denominations of Re.1/-, Rs.2/-, Rs.5/-, Rs.10/- and Rs.20/- released by the India Government Mint, Mumbai in 2023
6) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Bharat/India celebrates 75th Year of Independence: A set of five Coins in the denominations of Re.1/-, Rs.2/-, Rs.5/-, Rs.10/- and Rs.20/- released by the India Government Mint, Mumbai in 2023
AMRITPEX 2023 (THE NATIONAL PHILATELY EXHIBITION) held at New Delhi from 11-15.02.2023:
1) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The "National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) WOMEN'S POWER: EXPLORING NEW HORIZONS": A Special Cover released on 12.02.2023
2) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The "National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "WOMEN's POWER: EXCELLENCE IN SPORTS": A Special Cover released on 12.02.2023
3) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The "National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: 11) "WOMEN'S POWER: CONSERVING NATIONAL HERITAGE": A SPECIAL COVER RELEASED ON 12.02.2023
4) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) WOMEN'S POWER: DEFENDING OUR NATION": A Special Cover released on 12.02.2023
5) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "DIVYANG: PRIDE OF INDIA": A Special Cover released on 13.03.2023
6) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "PUPPETRY: INDIA'S CULTURAL HERITAGE": A Special Cover released on 14.02.2023
7) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The "National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "BIRSA MUNDA": A Special Cover released on 14.02.2023
8) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "GOVIND GURU": A Special Cover released on 14.02.2023
9) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MILLETS -2023 (FOXTAIL MILLETS, FINGER MILLETS, PEARL MILLETS, SORGHUM MILLETS, BARNYARD MILLETS, LITTLE MILLET"): A Special Cover released on 14.02.2023
10) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The "National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "OUR FREEDOM STRUGGLE": A Special Cover released on 14.02.2023
11) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The "National Philately Exhibition"), held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "NATURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA": A Special Cover released on 15.02.2023
12) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "ACHIEVEMENTS AT 75 YEARS": A Special Cover released on 15.02.2023
13) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philatey Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "UTI ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED (UTI AMC)": A Special Cover released on 15.02.2023
14) "AMRITPEX 2023" (The National Philately Exhibition") held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 11-15 February 2023: ii) "INDIA POSTS IN SERVICE OF THE NATION": A Special Cover released on 15.02.2023
15) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), India: India Post has issued a 500 Paise (Rs.5/-) postage stamp highlighting the initatives taken by the Government of India (GOA) under the programme: Date/Year of Stamp issue: 11.02.2023
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: Five Special Covers released by Philately Division, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi:
1) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India: An initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 Years of Independence and India's glorious history: i) "FREEDOM STRUGGLE"
2) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India: An initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 Years of Independence and India's glorious history: ii) "IDEAS@75
3) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India: An initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 Years of Independence and India's history: iii) "RESOLVE@75"
4) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India: Am initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 Years of Independence and India's glorious history: iv) "ACTIONS@75"
5) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India: An intiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 Years of Independence and India's glorious history: v) "ACHIEVEMENTS@75"
Links to Special Covers issued by the Rajasthan Postal Circle of India Post:
i) "Bikaneri Bhujia", (Rajasthan), India: Rajasthan Postal Circle of India Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021
ii) "Makrana Marble", (Rajasthan), India: Rajasthan Postal Circle, Jaipur of Inda Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021
iii) "Blue Pottery of Jaipur", (Rajasthan), India: Rajasthan Postal Circle, Jaipur of India Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021
iv) "Thewa Art Work", Rajasthan, India: Rajasthan Postal Circle, Jaipur of India Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021
v) "Kathputlis of Rajasthan", (Rajasthan), India: Rajasthan Postal Circle, Jaipur of India Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers (SCs) on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021
vi) "Molela Clay Work & Pokran Pottery", (Rajasthan) Postal Circle of Inda Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021
vii) "Kota Doria", (Rajasthan), India: Rajasthan Postal Circle, Jaipur of India Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021
viii) "Sanganeri & Bagru Hand Block Print", (Rajasthan), India: Rajasthan Postal Circle, Jaipur of India Post has issued a set of eight Special Covers on Geographical Indications (GIs) of Rajasthan: Date of Special Covers issue: 18.08.2021
Links to Special Covers issued by Maharashtra Postal Circle recently:
Links to Special Postal Covers/Booklet issued by the Maharashtra Postal Circle (2021-2022):
Links to Special Covers issued by Uttarakhand Postal Circle recently:
Links to Special Covers issued by Madhya Pradesh Postal Circle:
Links to Posts on Special Covers issued by the Odisha Postal Circle:
Links to Posts on Special Covers issued by the North East Postal Circle:
Links to Posts on Special Covers issued by the West Bengal Postal Circle:
Links to Posts on Special Covers issued by the Tamilnadu Postal Circle:
Links to Posts on Special Covers issued by the Haryana Postal Circle:
Links to posts on Special Covers issued by Kerala Postal Circle:
IPKF Operations, Sri Lanka:
Links to posts on Army Post Office (APO) issues:
Other posts on the Indian Armed Forces on this Blog:
Links to posts on Mahatma Gandhi on this Blog:
Special Stamp Packs/Books:
Links to Posts on Our Solar System:
1) Did You Know Series (34): World Stamp Show NY 2016, being held at Javits Centre, New York from 28.05.2016 to 04.06.2016
2) The Solar System: A set of eight Stamps of 500 Paise (or Rs.5/-) denomination each, depicting the eight planets - Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune & Uranus, brought out by India Post on 20.03.2018
Links to posts on Mahatma Gandhi on this Blog:
Some posts on Banks on this Blog:
Links to posts on stamps on six Hill Forts of Rajasthan (UNESCO World Heritage Sites):
Links to some posts on the Forts of Maharashtra:
Special Stamp Packs/Books:
India Post Stamps on Special Mugs:
Permanent Pictorial Cancellations:
Links to Posts on Indian Post-Cards:
Commemorative Stationeries:
Registered Post Envelopes:
Links to Commemorative Stamps Posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2023:
Links to other Commemorative Stamps Posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2022:
Links to other Commemorative Stamps Posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2021:
Links to other Commemorative Stamps Posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2020:
Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian stamps issued during 2019:
Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2018:
Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian stamps issued during 2017:
Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian stamps issued during 2016
Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2014 and 2015:
List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on stamps issued in 2013:
List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on Stamps issued in 2012:
List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on Stamps issued in 2011:
List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on Stamps issued in 2010:
List of Commemorative stamps Posts on Stamps issued in 2009:
List of Commemorative Stamps Posts issued in 2008:
List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 2007:
List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 2006:
List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 2005:
List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 2004:
List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 1996:
List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 1964:
List of Commemorative Stamps issued posts in 1961:
Commemorative stamps issued in 1931, 1947 and 1950:
Postage Stamps from Thailand depicting Buddhist Jataka Tales:
Other Postage stamps from Thailand:
Forever Stamps from United States Postal Service (USPS):
Postage Stamps from the Bailiwick of Jersey:
Postage Stamps from Gibraltar:
Postage Stamps from Guernsey/Alderney Island:
Postage Stamps from Great Britain/UK:
Postage Stamps issued by Hongkong Post:
Postage Stamps issued by New Zealand Post:
Postage Stamps from Romania:
Postage Stamps from Kyrgyzstan:
Postage stamps from Tokelau:
Postage stamps from Israel:
Postage Stamps from Norway:
Postage Stamps from Correos (Spanish Post):
Postage Stamps from Armenia:
International Philately Exhibitions :
Links to posts on my Alma Mater - La Martiniere College, Lucknow:
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"A VERY nice stamp issued on BHARAT Mauritius diplomatic relationship. Thanks for sharing this informative and interesting post."
Thank you so much, Khanna sahab for visiting ths post.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Wonderful post 👍."
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab.
Delete