Saturday, June 19, 2021

International day of Yoga : India Post to issue a special cancellation at 810 Head Post Offices to mark lDY – 2021

To commemorate  the 7th International day of Yoga,  Department of Posts will put a special cancellation on mails on 21st June in all Head Post Offices.  The department has made this effort to capture the essence of Yoga day among people. On 21st June this special cancellation will be released in all 810 Head Post Offices across India including Varanasi Head Post Office and Cantt Head Post Office. This is going to be one among the largest such simultaneous philatelic commemorations ever. 

The above information was given by Mr. Krishna Kumar Yadav, Postmaster General of Varanasi Region.  Apart from this, people are also being made aware about Yoga Day through banners and LEDs in various post offices.  As an aspirational district, a special campaign is being run by the postal department for yoga in rural areas in Sakaldiha of Chandauli district.

Postmaster General Mr. Krishna Kumar Yadav said that 'Yoga' and 'International Yoga Day' have been popular subjects for philatelic commemorations over the year.

 In 2015, the  Department of Posts brought out a set of two  stamps and a miniature sheet on the International day of Yoga. 

In  2016, a commemorative postage stamp on Surya Namaskar was released by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, to mark the  commemoration of the 2nd International Day of Yoga.

In  2017, the United Nations Postal Administration issued a set of stamps showing 10 yoga asans to commemorate the International day of Yoga in New York. At present, all these stamps and philatelic  items have become an integral part of the collection of Philatelists.  Mr. Yadav said that any  person can easily open a Philatelic deposit account by depositing ₹ 200 in any post office in the country and get commemorative  stamps and other philatelic material sitting at home.

(Times of India : Postal department to release special cancellation stamps on Yoga day)

***********************

The Department of Posts [or India Post] is coming out with a special cancellation to capture the essence of the World Yoga Day on 21 June. This unique initiative will mark the commemoration of the 7th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2021. Indian Post will issue this special cancellation with a pictorial design through its 810 Head Post offices across India. This is going to be one among the largest such simultaneous philatelic commemorations ever.

All delivery and non-delivery Head Post Offices will put this special cancellation on all mail booked in the office on 21st June 2021. The same will be available at the Varanasi Head Post Office and Cantt Head Post Office in the Varanasi District only on 21.06.2021. The special pictorial cancellation stamp will be an inked marking or impression with a graphical design with International Day of Yoga 2021 written in Both Hindi and English languages. A cancellation is defined as a postal marking used to deface a stamp to prevent its reuse. Such cancellations are valued collectibles and often subjects of philatelic studies.

Over the years, the passion for stamp collection has seen a decline, and to revive this hobby or art, India Post runs a scheme for philatelists. They avail stamps for collectors at philatelic bureau and counters in designated post offices. One can easily open a philatelic deposit account in any head post office of the country by depositing Rs. 200 and get items like stamps and special covers. Additionally, Commemorative stamps are only available at Philatelic Bureau and counters or under the Philatelic Deposit Account Scheme. They are printed in limited quantities.

Yoga and IDY have been popular subjects for philatelic commemorations over the years. In 2015, the Department of Posts brought out a set of two stamps and a miniature sheet on the International Day of Yoga. In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released commemorative postage stamps on Surya Namaskar to mark the commemoration of the 2nd International Day of Yoga. In 2017, the United Nation Postal Administration (UNPA) issued a set of stamps showing 10 yoga asanas to commemorate the International Day of Yoga in New York.

The IDY has been celebrated all over the world in various (often creative) ways in the last six years. In India, many beautiful pictures from the past have depicted the unique celebrations of Yoga Day. It includes Indian Army personnel practicing Yoga in the icy ranges of the Himalayas, Naval officers and cadets performing Yoga on the decommissioned INS Viraat, creation of Sand Sculptures with IDY messaging, Indian Navy officials performing Yoga on the Indian Navy's submarine INS 'Sindhuratna' etc. The current Philately initiative adds to the diversity in the observance of IDY.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 21st June as the International Day of Yoga (IDY) in their resolution adopted on 11th December 2014. Since 2015, this Day has been observed all over the world in ever-growing numbers of participants.

This year considering the COVID-19 Pandemic led situation, most of the events will take place virtually, promoting the main theme of this year “Be with Yoga, Be at Home.” As the country is cautiously coming out of the lockdown, this massive postal commemoration activity with more than 800 collectibles (cancellation design of each post office being a collectible) opens up immense philatelic opportunities and is likely to re-ignite philatelic activity in the country.

No comments: