A Miniature Sheet consisting of 4 nos. of commemorative postage stamps on the 3^rd Commonwealth Youth Games 2008 :

Issued by India

Issued on Oct 12, 2008

Issued for : India Post is proud to issue a set of four commemorative postage stamps on Commonwealth Youth Games Pune 2008.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise each

Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million each

Miniature sheet : 0.2 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

About : 

• The Commonwealth stretches from Africa to Asia and from the Pacific to the Caribbean, and has more than 1.7 billion people making up nearly 30% of the world’s population, comprising many faiths, races, languages and cultures. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the patron of the Games and HRH the Earl of Wessex, CVO, is the Vice patron.
• The Commonwealth Games Federation, founded on the intrinsic principles of humanity, equality and destiny, first discussed the idea of Millennium Commonwealth Youth Games in 1997. The Commonwealth Youth Games are a mini Commonwealth Games attracting the best young athletes (18 years and under) from the member countries. The city of Edinburgh in Scotland, hosted the first Youth Games in 2000 with participation from 14 countries and the second Games followed in 2004 in Bendigo, Australia with a participation of 24 countries respectively.
• The III Commonwealth Youth Games has confirmed participation of all 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth and will be held from 12^th to 18^th October, 2008 at the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City, Balewadi, Pune. Athletes will compete in 9 disciplines (Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Swimming, Shooting, Tennis, Table Tennis, Wrestling & Weightlifting). The unique feature of the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City, Balewadi is that all 9 competition venues and the Athletes Village are housed in one single complex.
• It is the first time that the Commonwealth Youth Games are being held in Asia in Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra, and one of India‘s fastest growing metropolises.
• Over 1300 athletes and 350 officials from all 71 nations and territories will participate in the Games, making this the biggest Commonwealth Youth Games yet.
• The Commonwealth Youth Games Pune 2008 showcases to the world India’s readiness to host world-class international sporting events and is prelude to the hosting of Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010. The Games will be telecast live on Doordarshan.
• With all athletes under 18 years of age, the Youth Games focus on mainly three aspects – sports, education and culture. Commonwealth Youth Games Pune 2008 struck a perfect balance between these three aspects.
• 71 schools of Pune have partnered with one Commonwealth nation each and are studying their history, geography, culture, sports background, etc. through a unique programme initiated by CYG called “Bond Forever“. The children of Pune will be cheering for athletes from their respective partner Commonwealth nations during the Games. Athletes and coaches from the visiting teams will interact with students and will exchange training tips and techniques. “Bond Forever” is becoming increasingly popular as it will forge lasting friendships with the young athletes of the Commonwealth.
• For the first time in history of the Youth Games, the unique concept of a Youth Baton Relay was introduced. The Youth Baton Relay was flagged off from Delhi University on 1^st August 2008 and after traveling through 9 states, 199 cities, towns, villages and visiting more than 1000 schools, colleges and universities, the Baton will reach Pune on 7^th October 2008.
• The YBR is being run in support of the “Save the Tiger” initiative of WWF and Green Games initiatives. The Relay also aims to promote Olympic sports in India.
• The Baton has been welcomed with daily celebrations, functions and cultural programmes to entertain and enthrall thousands of people who line the route in support of the Commonwealth Youth Games.
• The Baton is collecting water and sapling from each destination on its journey. The collected water, along with the water brought in by the athletes of 71 Commonwealth nations, will be used at the opening Ceremony to create a spectacular ‘Fountain of Youth‘. The saplings will be planted in the ‘Garden of Youth‘ which will be a legacy to the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City from CYG.
• Team Pune, the Volunteer Programme of the Youth Games has recruited 5000 volunteers, between the ages of 18 and 60 years. Coming from all walks of life, they will work with the Organising Committee to deliver the best ever Commonwealth Youth Games. The Pune Games involve a staggering 3000 volunteers for the various functional areas in addition to 500 Police volunteers, 300 NCC volunteers and 500 sports volunteers.
• The volunteers are the “Face of the Games” and the “Backbone of the Organising Committee“, as they forge lasting friendships and again invaluable, rewarding experiences. Their efforts will be recognized by the city and the Organising Committee with a grand Volunteer Recognition Programme on 21^st October, 2008.
• The III Commonwealth Youth Games have been declared as the Green Games. Regarding this, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between CYG and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). A Green Sport Consortium comprising IL&FS and Nature First are on board for implementing the Green Games initiative.
• The initiatives been undertaken by CYG Pune 2008 towards this objective are broadly classified into two categories – minimizing the environmental footprint of the Games and creating environmental awareness amongst the people. Some of the activities undertaken are :
  • Environmental Awareness Programme with Self-audit across 100 schools in Pune and the “CYG Pune 2008 Green School Award” for best performance.
  • E-waste management workshops in colleges and IT companies.
  • Extensive tree plantation in and around the city.
• Pune City will proudly adorn the colours and look of CYG. The city will wear a Festive look as it will dress up to welcome the athletes and officials from the Commonwealth and India.

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