India on Children’s Day 1999

November 14, 1999

India on Children’s Day 1999

A commemorative postage stamp on the National Children’s Day 1999 :

Issued by India

Issued on Nov 14, 1999

Design : The first day cover portrays another award winning entry on the theme “India 2000: Vision of the Future”, by Kuhu Agarwal (Junior Category).

Credits :
Stamp : Rishikesh Gohain
FDC : Kuhu Agarwal
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 300 Paise

Overall size : 3.34 X 2.88 cms.

Printing size : 2.99 X 2.53 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Imported un w/m Adhesive Gravure Coated Stamp Paper in Sheets 50.8 x 53.5 cms.

Stamps Printed : 0.7 Million

Number per issue sheet : 42

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

About :

The Department of Posts marks Children’s Day; 14^th November, every year, with issue of a special stamp, to emphasise the country’s social and moral responsibility towards the needs and rights of its children. India’s commitment to the cause and well-being of its children is enshrined in its constitutional provisions. A planned approach to child welfare began with formulation of the first Five Year Plan and developed into the National Policy for Children (1974) which lays down the guiding principles for child welfare. The stamps issued to mark Children’s Day, over the years, highlight themes of relevance with special messages for the growth and well-being of children: nutrition, shelter, educational and recreational facilities, children’s literature, children’s paintings, empowerment of the girl child etc.
The design chosen for this year’s stamp is based on a painting by Rishikesh Gohain which won an award (junior category) at a nationwide Stamp Design Competition organised by the Department of Posts. A selection of themes was given and this award-winning entry shows a 9-year old child’s concept of the theme, “India 2000: Vision of the Future”. It was chosen for this Millennium Issue, which focuses on the global concern for preservation of the planet, as seen from the eyes of a child. The child with his message, ‘let us live tomorrow’, comes across, teaching the message of global peace and harmony, and preservation of the eco-systems. This century has seen two world wars and ever increasing violence. Mankind has evolved more and more sophisticated weapons of destruction capable of destroying the entire planet. The theme chosen for this Millennium Issue, calls for introspection, to build a better environment for the future generations, including those yet to born. Let all species live together in perfect harmony as all life-forms are interdependent, and depletion of one form of life threatens all other forms. The message has been put simply and most profoundly through the wisdom of a child, but then the simplest way of stating a profound truth, is often the best. The concept of the borderless world, being one family is something enshrined in our ancient scriptures: वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् – the whole world is one family.
Ultimately the theme of the stamp focuses on the moral duty of every individual to assure the children of this country, indeed of the world at large, their right to a harmonious co-existence. While the government efforts provide the impetus to all round development, there is need for coordinated and sustained effort from national institutions, voluntary agencies, local bodies and other formal and informal associations and most important, the people themselves. The Department of Posts through its special issue of stamps to mark Children’s Day, carries the message that a society owes to its children, the best it has.