This week I continue featuring stamps related to Universal Children's Day 2021. The theme is "Children's Day Stamps from India". I would like to dedicate this column to my colleague and editor team mate Sree Gururaja, and through her to the Girl Child of India.Though we have never met, (except on-line), in my view Sree epitomises "Mother India" with her knowledge, courage, traditional outlook with modern concepts, compassion and spirit of cooperation.
From my research I find that India is the country that has issued most regularly and the largest number of stamps for its National Children's Days. Having been the largest UNICEF country programme and office (both as country and as regional office) for a long time, India has also been where much of UNICEF's early policies, approaches to development and programme activities have taken place. In another sense it has been the major laboratory for UNICEF's own evolution from emergency to developmental work, and many of the senior UNICEF staff have earned their stripes serving in India.
Starting in 1957..a few years after the 1952 Conference in Vienna, Austria which launched the idea of a Universal Children's Day...India has issued stamps every 14 November to commemorate its National Children's Day. Regular issues came out every year from 1957- 1964; there was a break in 1965, and another break from 1967-1970 but I have not found the reasons why. Another short break was in 1979, the Year of the Child, but India resumed issuing stamps from 1980- 1987. Again there was a brief interlude and stamps started again in 1990 until 2005. My collection pretty much stops there, but I would be very grateful if readers can share with me information about the period from 2006 until today. If possible I would also be grateful if stamps issued during those years that I am missing could be shared with me.
Issued in 1957 this was India's first national Children's Day stamp. It shows a young girl very intent with her book, or writing on her notebook.
This stamp dated 14 November 1959 shows two young boys standing.
In 1971 this stamp for Children's Day shows a number of village girls and women working at various household tasks.
This two stamp set was issued in 1979 on the occasion of the International Children's Year. One shows Gandhi snuggling up to a child, while the other pictures educational materials. The inscription is; " Happy Child- Nation's Pride".
This 1977 stamp has a child's drawing of two felines... cats or tigers or lions? take your pick !
From 1976 this stamp has another children's drawing of a mother and a child in a crib.
This 1978 stamp shows a drawing of a young boy with a rooster.
The 1981 version also shows a drawing of a young woman carrying her household shopping on her head.
In 1982 this stamp shows a mother holding her baby and a toy elephant in front.
Here we see the modern evolution of development with a stamp from 1985 showing a young girl in front of her computer.
In 1990 this stamp was issued showing a drawing of a child with some toys and a pet.
And finally,this 1990 issue stamp could well represent the theme of this week's column; "Care for the Girl Child ".
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thank you Fouad
ReplyDeleteA real good narrative and collection .. was especially pleased that you ended with the stamp on the girl child.. the situation for girls has changed little since 1990.
honoured and humbled by your dedication
Sree
Thank you for your comment, one of the rare ones about my weekly Column. I am glad you liked the presentation of India's National Children's Day stamps. This occasioned a thorough review of my India collection and I have spent the past five days updating my album. In the process I became quite better informed of many aspects of Indian stamps and what they have represented over the years.
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