The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Philately exhibition throws light on Gandhiji's public life

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 03, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Philately exhibition throws light on Gandhiji's public life

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: A cancellation cover showing the house in which Gandhiji was born, a picture postcard issued by the Postal department of South Africa portraying the Pietermaritzburg station (where he was thrown out of an all-White train compartment), stamps published by the Nicaraguan Government on Gandhiji and Einstein, and a letter received by Gandhiji two weeks prior to his assassination formed part of a philately exhibition organised on Gandhi Jayanti Day.

Organised by Postal authorities and the South India Philatelists' Association, it depicts different phases of Gandhiji's public life, including the movement for Harijan temple entry and Quit India struggle.

The `charkha' has attracted the attention of several countries like Great Britain, Brazil and Venezuela, which have published postal covers or stamps on Gandhiji and his symbol. Similarly, different countries including Tajikistan, Kyrgzstan and Turkmenistan have covered the 1930 Salt March.

Trinidad and Tobago capture, through stamps, not only `charkha' and the Satyagraha but also Gandhiji as a school student. Uganda's stamp portrays him as a barrister. The United States, in its `Champions of Liberty' series, has brought out a stamp on Gandhiji. All these and more are on display.

In addition to Gandhiji, the exhibition has sections on the Vedaranyam March (which was led by Rajaji from Tiruchi to Vedaranyam as part of Salt Satyagraha) and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The exhibition was possible due to the efforts of G. Ram Mohan, Anil Kumar Reddy and J. Roland Nelson, all philatelists, says G. Balakrishna Das, president of the Association.

The exhibition at the Anna Road Head Post Office premises will be held on all Saturdays this month from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Special postal cover

To commemorate Gandhi Jayanti, the department brought out a special postal cover. S. Ignacimuthu, director of entomology at the Research Institute of Loyola College, receiving the cover, said Gandhiji's emphasis on simplicity and environmental protection was relevant now. Radhika Doraiswamy, Chief Postmaster General of Tamil Nadu Circle, released the cover.

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