Our New Members
10. Dr Pradeep Jain, Balod (Chhattisgarh)
I am Dr Pradeep Jain from Balod in new state of Chhattisgarh.I am a physician by profession.Since schooltime I have started collecting philatelic material and I procured a good collection from my uncle on "INDIA AND PAKISTAN TOGETHER". I am collecting this material on Pakistan overprint on British India stamps.Recently in INPEX2008, held at Chennai it was awarded a Silver medal.My thematic collections are on JAINISM, AIDS, CHILDREN and ENVIORNMENT.
10. Dr Pradeep Jain, Balod (Chhattisgarh)I am Dr Pradeep Jain from Balod in new state of Chhattisgarh.I am a physician by profession.Since schooltime I have started collecting philatelic material and I procured a good collection from my uncle on "INDIA AND PAKISTAN TOGETHER". I am collecting this material on Pakistan overprint on British India stamps.Recently in INPEX2008, held at Chennai it was awarded a Silver medal.My thematic collections are on JAINISM, AIDS, CHILDREN and ENVIORNMENT.
E-Mail : jain_pradeep2000@yahoo.com. Contact no is 09425554530.
11. Prakash Mody, Canada
Prakash Mody completed his school education in Rangoon and his university studies in Calcutta. He lived in Mumbai before immigrating to Toronto in 1988. He recently retired after working for 40 years in the accounting field and continues to be active in Jainism and interfaith activities. He has edited and published books and contributes articles in Gujarati and English on a variety of subjects, including stamps and coins. He has been awarded for his voluntary services by the Ontario government and multifaith and Jain organizations. Mr. Mody also collects autographs of famous Indian people besides stamps. He wants widespread cultural diversity to appear regularly on Canadian stamps. As a Canadian citizen he would prefer Canada Post to vary its subject matter instead of issuing 6-10 stamps on one subject such as hockey or tourist attraction and wants the postal agency to issue a single stamp on each subject and open the rest to other more culturally diverse subjects. Mr. Mody is member of different philatelic societies in India and is closely associated with Indian stamps.
E-Mail : 4prakash@gmail.com
Dear Friends (individuals as well as representatives of the organizations),
I introduce myself as a philatelist and recently I studied the commemorative stamps issued by the Royal Mail (UK).
I notice that within last 37 years, about 750 new stamps are issued covering about 150 topics under 25 broad subjects! I find that very few, rather it is rare that a stamp is issued for diversity, greetings, multiculturalism or multifaith, even though the British public include a substantial number of people of mixed cultural backgrounds. I find that annually, since 1971, six or even more, Christmas stamps of the Christian religion is issued every year. Surprisingly, not a single stamp is issued in last 37 years of any other religion though it is not a restricted subject!
Let us request to the Royal Mail for a series of stamps for the important occasions like Diwali (Hindus, Jains, Sikhs), Id, (Islam - Muslims), Hanukkah (Jewish), and Kwanzaa (Aboriginals - Natives) and others. It may be mentioned that emphasis here is not of religion but it is of culture. Remaining within the 'British Way of Life', one would like to continue to maintain our cultural heritage that includes religion, food and dress.
Keeping this in mind, I am giving a DRAFT of a letter that I suggest you to send to the Royal Mail (they want in writing, mailed no emails) with your or organization belonging to you, name and address (on a letterhead). Please modify the text, as you may find suitable or treat this draft as a sample only and you may write in your own.
In case, if you do not like this idea, you may forward this message to any other person who may be interested or who may represent your organization. It will be more effective, if many more letters are sent. You may even publish in your publication, put on notice board, put on your website or may issue a media release of such suggestion having been made.
Please feel free, if you have any question or concern or you may send a copy of your letter to this writer.
With best wishes for seeing such stamp being issued in the near future.
Sincerely with kind regards,
Prakash Mody
On the letterhead of the organization sending
Please note to fit on a single page
May 30, 2008
Stamp Programme Manager,
Royal Mail House, 48 Old Street
LONDON, EC1V 9HQ.
Subject: Stamp for Diwali Festival by the Royal Mail
We, the persons of an Indian origin, who have come from the diverse parts of the globe and have adopted Britain as our mother land. We are part of the British way of life. Cultural Freedom is a hallmark of England. The Royal Mail can befittingly honour various communities by issuing commemorative stamps depicting their festivals.
Since long we celebrate Deepawali or Diwali. This ancient and joyous Festival of Lights that is celebrated by people of several cultures, reflecting the unity and multi-cultural rich diversity of the people of United Kingdom. Deepawali constitutes a medium to express gratitude and appreciation for the extraordinary diversity that is our nation’s greatest strength. Diwali is considered a time for communal gatherings and spiritual upliftment. The rich culture and spirit of Diwali has survived political, economic and social vicissitudes throughout history, while always carrying the universal symbolism of the triumph of light, goodness, knowledge and truth. Deepawali symbolizes our incessant prayers and endeavor to be led from darkness - ignorance to light - knowledge. It is celebrated to signify the victory of truth and righteousness over evil.
Deepawali presents all of us with an opportunity to reflect on the many ways, the talent, the history and the traditions of the people who have contributed to the national life and cultural heritage. Her Majesty the Queen even joins in celebrations of the Deepawali in the Parliament and even sends her personal greetings and felicitations to the community.
We have noted your guidelines and criteria for an issue of a new stamp. Our request squarely falls in the celebrations of an event of a single big group of national importance. It takes two years for an issue of a new stamp, so, your decision now can make possible for the Diwali stamp to be issued on November 6, 2010, the Diwali Day.
We are requesting you for an issue a postal stamp commemorating the festival of lights known as Deepawali. This request for Diwali stamp has come from the widespread support of British communities. This surely will be very much appreciated by the British public at large - people of several cultural backgrounds in general and Indo-British group in particular. As the Stamp Advisory Committee continues its plan for issuing new stamps, we hope that it will also consider issuing a Diwali stamp to honor this culturally important holiday of the significant population of Britain.
We hope and wish that your early favorable action would be highly encouraging to everyone.
Sincerely thanking you in advance.
(Name & Designation of the Signatory)
I introduce myself as a philatelist and recently I studied the commemorative stamps issued by the Royal Mail (UK).
I notice that within last 37 years, about 750 new stamps are issued covering about 150 topics under 25 broad subjects! I find that very few, rather it is rare that a stamp is issued for diversity, greetings, multiculturalism or multifaith, even though the British public include a substantial number of people of mixed cultural backgrounds. I find that annually, since 1971, six or even more, Christmas stamps of the Christian religion is issued every year. Surprisingly, not a single stamp is issued in last 37 years of any other religion though it is not a restricted subject!
Let us request to the Royal Mail for a series of stamps for the important occasions like Diwali (Hindus, Jains, Sikhs), Id, (Islam - Muslims), Hanukkah (Jewish), and Kwanzaa (Aboriginals - Natives) and others. It may be mentioned that emphasis here is not of religion but it is of culture. Remaining within the 'British Way of Life', one would like to continue to maintain our cultural heritage that includes religion, food and dress.
Keeping this in mind, I am giving a DRAFT of a letter that I suggest you to send to the Royal Mail (they want in writing, mailed no emails) with your or organization belonging to you, name and address (on a letterhead). Please modify the text, as you may find suitable or treat this draft as a sample only and you may write in your own.
In case, if you do not like this idea, you may forward this message to any other person who may be interested or who may represent your organization. It will be more effective, if many more letters are sent. You may even publish in your publication, put on notice board, put on your website or may issue a media release of such suggestion having been made.
Please feel free, if you have any question or concern or you may send a copy of your letter to this writer.
With best wishes for seeing such stamp being issued in the near future.
Sincerely with kind regards,
Prakash Mody
On the letterhead of the organization sending
Please note to fit on a single page
May 30, 2008
Stamp Programme Manager,
Royal Mail House, 48 Old Street
LONDON, EC1V 9HQ.
Subject: Stamp for Diwali Festival by the Royal Mail
We, the persons of an Indian origin, who have come from the diverse parts of the globe and have adopted Britain as our mother land. We are part of the British way of life. Cultural Freedom is a hallmark of England. The Royal Mail can befittingly honour various communities by issuing commemorative stamps depicting their festivals.
Since long we celebrate Deepawali or Diwali. This ancient and joyous Festival of Lights that is celebrated by people of several cultures, reflecting the unity and multi-cultural rich diversity of the people of United Kingdom. Deepawali constitutes a medium to express gratitude and appreciation for the extraordinary diversity that is our nation’s greatest strength. Diwali is considered a time for communal gatherings and spiritual upliftment. The rich culture and spirit of Diwali has survived political, economic and social vicissitudes throughout history, while always carrying the universal symbolism of the triumph of light, goodness, knowledge and truth. Deepawali symbolizes our incessant prayers and endeavor to be led from darkness - ignorance to light - knowledge. It is celebrated to signify the victory of truth and righteousness over evil.
Deepawali presents all of us with an opportunity to reflect on the many ways, the talent, the history and the traditions of the people who have contributed to the national life and cultural heritage. Her Majesty the Queen even joins in celebrations of the Deepawali in the Parliament and even sends her personal greetings and felicitations to the community.
We have noted your guidelines and criteria for an issue of a new stamp. Our request squarely falls in the celebrations of an event of a single big group of national importance. It takes two years for an issue of a new stamp, so, your decision now can make possible for the Diwali stamp to be issued on November 6, 2010, the Diwali Day.
We are requesting you for an issue a postal stamp commemorating the festival of lights known as Deepawali. This request for Diwali stamp has come from the widespread support of British communities. This surely will be very much appreciated by the British public at large - people of several cultural backgrounds in general and Indo-British group in particular. As the Stamp Advisory Committee continues its plan for issuing new stamps, we hope that it will also consider issuing a Diwali stamp to honor this culturally important holiday of the significant population of Britain.
We hope and wish that your early favorable action would be highly encouraging to everyone.
Sincerely thanking you in advance.
(Name & Designation of the Signatory)
