Abdul Hamid
A commemorative postage stamp on Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid PVC, an Indian Army soldier, posthumously received Param Vir Chakra for his actions during 1965 Indo-Pakistani War [a part of the series ‘50 Years of the Republic of India : Gallantry Award Winners‘] :
Issued by India
Issued on Jan 28, 2000
Issued for : The Golden Jubilee of the Indian Republic provides the appropriate occasion to pay a grateful nation’s proud homage to the courageous soldiers who have won these awards through their outstanding deeds. On this occasion, the Department of Posts issues a set of 5 stamps to pay tribute to Gallantry Award Winners of the Indian Armed Forces.
Design : The issue commemorates gallantry award winners of the armed forces, on the occasion of fifty years of the Republic of India. The first day cover depicts a section of the First Republic Day procession marching towards India Gate.
Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Sankha Samantha
Cancellation : Alka Sharma
Type : First Day Cover
Colour : Multi Colour
Denomination : 300 Paise
Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.
Printing size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.
Perforation : 13 x 13
Paper : Un w/m Adhesive Gravure Coated Stamp Paper in Sheets 50.8 x 53.5 cms.
Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million
Number per issue sheet : 35 (7 Sets)
Printing Process : Photogravure
Printer : India Security Press, Nashik
Name : Abdul Hamid
Born on Jul 1, 1933 at Dhamupur, Ghazipur district, United Provinces, British India [now in Uttar Pradesh, India]
Died on Sep 10, 1965 at Chima, Khem Karan, Tarn Taran district, Punjab, India
About :
- The Indian Armed Forces, had an entirely different role to play, after India attained Independence. They now had the sacred purpose of defending the Motherland from aggression. Immediately after independence, they were called upon to safeguard India’s frontiers against the Pakistani invaders in Jammu and Kashmir. The jawans took up the challenge and performed remarkable deeds of valour, courage, endurance and self-sacrifice in repelling and defeating the invaders. In recognition of the supreme sacrifices made by the armed forces personnel, the Government of India instituted new Gallantry Awards for them, the highest being Param Vir Chakra.
- Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid PVC was posted in the 4th Battalion of the Grenadiers which was sent to the Khem Karan Sector when hostilities broke out between India and Pakistan in 1965. CQMH Hamid performed deeds of super human daring during the war, facing a Pakistani attack comprising of a Regiment of Patton tanks. Commanding a recoil-less gun detachment with his gun mounted on a jeep, he knocked out the leading enemy tank and then swiftly changing his position, he sent another enemy tank up in flames. But the enemy shelling and tank fire were so intense that he had to lay down his life in an uneven fight. Havildar Hamid’s brave action inspired his comrades who put up a gallant fight and beat back the heavy tank assault by the enemy. He was posthumously awarded the ‘Param Vir Chakra’ in 1966.
- Text : Based on material furnished by the Army Postal Service Corps.
