Beaches of India

August 11, 1997

Complete set of 4 nos. of commemorative postage stamps on the INDEPEX ’97, World Philatelic Exhibition : Indian Beaches : Gopalpur-on-Sea, Kovalam, Anjuna and Bogmalo :

Issued by India

Issued on Aug 11, 1997

Issued for : The Department of Posts, India, is releasing a series of stamps to herald Indepex ’97. The first issued in this series depicting the logo of Indepex ’97 was released on 5^th October 1996. The second, a set of four stamps depicting centre of culture and tourism was released on 6^th June 1997.

Type : Stamps, Postal Used

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 200, 600, 1000 & 1100 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

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

Number of Stamps Printed : 0.5 million Each

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printers : India Security Press, Nasik

About :

Indepex ’97, World Philatelic Exhibition, was organised in New Delhi from 15-22 December 1997 brought together philatelic collections from far and near, and it was a gala event to promote philately as a hobby. The Exhibition assumed special significance as it was held during the 50^th anniversary of India’s Independence. This was indeed an occasion to portray before the world the natural beauty of this land.
This set of four stamps, third in the series, took up yet another aspect of the diversity of this beautiful country – the serene beauty of the Beaches of India.
(i) Gopalpur–on–Sea :
Gopalpur-on-Sea, an ancient seaport, is one of the most beautiful, unspoiled beaches around this subcontinent. It is a quiet place of rare beauty. Clusters of coconut and palm along lovely sand dunes over grown with Casurina separate the blue Bay of Bengal from the tiny town of Gopalpur, 16 km from Berhampur, the major city in southern Orissa. The backwater with the creeks and lagoons covered with canopies of high green foliage, is the special attraction of the Blue Beach at Gopalpur-on-Sea. Standing mute witness to a glorious past, is the Lighthouse which still beams its powerful beacon across the sea. The nearest railhead is Berhampur.
(ii) Kovalam :
This internationally renowned beach resort, 15 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram, is a sheltered natural bay. The azure blue waters and the sumptuous spread of green palm groves make it a tropical paradise. Kovalam consists of three successive crescent beaches, the southernmost, known as the Lighthouse beach, attracts tourists from all over the world. The airport is Thiruvananthapuram.
(iii) Anjuna :
A former Portuguese enclave, in Goa, this stretch of beach deserves every bit of the sobriquet ‘Pearl of the East’, the pristine beauty of the seascape, the rhythmic pounding of the sea and its swaying palms – all make it a fairy tale land for the traveller. It is claimed that the sight of the beach awash with the early morning sun is an experience of a lifetime. The airport is Panaji.
(iv) Bogmalo :
Another of Goa’s irresistible beaches, it is a secluded crescent-shaped cove of rare beauty. A number of water sports, like parasailing, water skiing, speed boating and deep sea diving add to the visual delight. The airport is Panaji.