AERO India 2019

February 23, 2019

Complete set of 2 nos. of commemorative postage stamps on the 12^th AERO India International Show, dedicated to “Women in Aviation” :

Issued by India

Issued on Feb 23, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is proud to issue this set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps on Aero India 2019

Credits :
Stamps/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Kamleshwar Singh

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 & 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 502000 of 2500 p and 562000 of 500 p

Miniature Sheet Printed : 1.51 Lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About :

Since its inception in 1996, Aero India – the premier airshow in Asia – has had eleven successful editions and has established itself as a marquee event in the international aerospace calendar. Aligned with the Make in India initiative envisioned by Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, this show in its recent editions has attracted foreign and private investments in the sector. The show provides a unique opportunity for the aviation industry to showcase their capabilities, products and services with special focus on latest technologies. The show has also enthralled the general audience with captivating aerobatic performances and provided a glimpse into the rapid advancement of technologies in aviation, defence and aerospace.
While the event is emblematic of New India and its achievements have been the result of national endeavours, the contribution of women to the aviation and defence sectors deserves a special recognition. It is time to celebrate these role models of our time. Careers in military services, air traffic control, hospitality in the aviation industry and other allied activities are gaining popularity among women in the country. As of 2018, there are 1,561 women officers in the Army, 1,594 in the IAF and 644 in the Navy. India is proud to have the highest proportion of women commercial pilots at 12% of the total number of pilots against the corresponding global figure which is less than 5%. Women have made groundbreaking contributions in wide ranging fields from research in defence and aviation to undertaking daring flights. The courageous women are not only securing our skies and providing an invaluable national service, they have also broken glass ceilings and soared high. By setting precedence for young women across regions, countries and generations, these inspiring women have meaningfully contributed to not just the sector but to womankind as a whole. As a mark of recognition of the contribution made by women in the Aviation and Defence Sectors, Day 4 of the 12^th Aero India show (23^rd Feb 2019) is being dedicated to “Women in Aviation”.
The Department of Defence Production (DDP) – the driving force behind Aero India was set up in November 1962 with the objective of developing a comprehensive production infrastructure to produce the weapons, systems, platforms and equipment required for defence. Over the years, the Department has established wide ranging production facilities for various defence equipment through the Ordnance Factories and Defence Public Sector Undertakings. The products manufactured include arms and ammunition, tanks, armoured vehicles, heavy vehicles, fighter aircraft and helicopters, warships, submarines, missiles, ammunition, electronic equipment, earth moving equipment, special alloys and special purpose steels.
DDP has also worked to create and ensure a unified brand that positions the event as the premier Aerospace and Aviation exhibition in the region and this brand is firmly established by the conceptualization of the tagline and logo of the event.
The driving ethos of Aero India 2019 is perfectly encapsulated in its tagline “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities”. India is on the precipice of becoming one of the largest economies in the world and presents infinite investment opportunities under Make in India. With Passenger Traffic in India likely to increase to 350 million in 2020, India is expected to become the 3^rd largest aviation market in the world. In the defence sector, a requirement of $130 billion is projected for Military Modernization in the next 3 to 5 years. The tagline aptly represents the opportunities presented by these forecasts and outlines India’s emergence as the hub for the global aerospace and aviation industries.
The logo for Aero India 2019 is inspired by the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). The Tejas LCA together with its variants, is the smallest and lightest Multi-Role Supersonic Fighter Aircraft of its class. This single engine, Compound-Delta-Wing, Tail-less Aircraft is designed and developed to meet diverse needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy (IN). The Tejas LCA programme has achieved the rare distinction of completing over 4000 Successful Test Flights. The tri-colored silhouette of the Tejas LCA with the Ashok Chakra in the centre is the core motif of this logo, reminiscent of the spirit of New India. The defined outlines of the ‘A’ in Aero is symbolic of a fighter jet while conveying that Aero India is a premier global aerospace exhibition.
Women in the aviation sector have purchased frontiers and paved the way for other women and girls to become future leaders. Dedicated to those working towards increasing the role and leadership of women in the aerospace community, this set of two stamps is a tribute to these brave women making incredible contributions to our skies and security.
Text : Based on the information received from the proponent.