India on Asia 72
Complete Set of 2 nos of commemorative postage stamps on the Asia 72 (3rd Asian International Trade Fair, New Delhi) :
Issued by India
Issued on Nov 3, 1972
Issued for : The Posts & Telegraphs Department is proud to commemorate the opening of Asia 72 on 3rd November, 1972 through the issue of these stamps.
Description of Designs : The design of both the stamps is vertical. The insignia of Asia 72 appears on the 20 Paise stamp and the hand of Buddha in ‘Abhaya Mudra‘ is adopted on Rs. 1.45 stamp.
Colour : Orange and Black
Type : Stamps, Postal Used
Denomination : 20 Paise and Rs. 1.45
Overall Size : 3.91 X 2.90 cms.
Printing Size : 3.56 X 2.54 cms.
Perforation : 13 x 13
Watermark : Ap watermarked adhesive stamp paper
Number Printed : 30,00,000 each
Number per issue sheet : 35
Printing Process : Photogravure
Designed and Printed at : India Security Press
About :
- The meeting ground of six continents, ‘Asia 72‘ was the name given to the Third Asian International Trade Fair, an ECAFE (the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East) institution held every three years in one of the Asian capitals. It was a memorable event not only because it is being held in India coinciding with the twenty-fifth anniversary of her Independence, but also because it is opening up a new chapter in International understanding and co-operation. By stimulating trade between the Asian countries and also between them and the rest of the world, Asia 72 provides an opportunity to bridge the gaps in the trade flow in the Second Development Decade.
- The venue of the momentous international trade event is the Exhibition-Ground, Mathura Road – a 346-hectare plot, which boasts of unique situational advantage, placed in the heart of the capital and surrounded by most inviting tourist attractions. Full of trees, shrubs and potted plants and cut-flowers, the site offered a tempting feast to the eyes of the visitors.
- Providing 500,000 sq. ft. of covered exhibition space, the Permanent Complex is a well thought-out and equally well laid-out premises built to international specifications. The crowning structure of the Permanent Complex is the 102 ft. high ‘Hall of Nations’ – the biggest space-frame of its kind in RCC.
- The cultural pageant in the Fair was enacted in a vast open-air auditorium and a cinema-cum-theatre. The Nehru Pavilion and a Rural India Complex offered exciting insight into the make-up of the Indian nation. The prime attraction of the Fair was the ‘India 72’ exhibition, which tells the story of Indian transition and achievements down the ages. This was done with the help of multiple projection techniques.
- Seeking to promote “Peace and progress for Asia through economic co–operation” the Fair adopted for its symbol a stylised representation of the hand of Buddha, a sign of freedom from fear and as a mark of benediction to all mankind. The elements of the insignia represent the initials of the Fair nomenclature.
- This insignia of Asia 72 appears on the 20 Paise stamp to be brought out on this occasion. A 9th century sculptural representation of the hand of Buddha in ‘Abhaya Mudra’ is adopted on the Rs. 1.45 stamp. The original sculpture is available in the Patna Museum.
