India Defence Effort 1963
Complete Set of 2 nos of special postage stamps on the Indian Defense Campaign : In Defence of Liberty :
Issued by India
Issued on Aug 15, 1963 (Thursday, Independence Day)
Issued for : On the 16th anniversary of our Independence, the Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department feel honoured in bringing out two special postage stamps as a tribute to the valour and sacrifice of our defence forces and to the magnificent effort on the part of the nation as a whole.
Type : Stamps, Postal Used
Colour :
15 nP. : Olive Green
Re. 1.00 : Madder Brown
Denomination : 15 nP. and Re. 1.00
Size : 4.06 x 2.41 cms.
Perforation : 14½ x 14
Watermark : All over multiple ‘Lion Capital of Asoka’
Number of stamps printed :
15 nP. : 3 million
Re. 1.00 : 1½ million
Set : 40 stamps per issue sheet
Printing process : Photogravure
Designed and printed at : India Security Press
About :
- “I am glad to learn that the Posts and Telegraphs Department is bringing out a special issue of postage stamps on the 16th Anniversary of our Independence to honour our Armed Forces. Recent events on our northern frontier have demanded tremendous sacrifices from all of us, particularly from our troops who have had to resist the Chinese aggressor. It is a matter of deep gratification to us all that our officers and men have maintained the highest traditions of service in the face of heavy odds. It is but fitting that we should pay tribute to the sacrifice and heroism of our jawan by bringing out a special series of postage stamps on Independence Day.” – Jawaharlal Nehru, New Delhi, August 7, 1963.
- Ever since the attainment of freedom, India has been pursuing a policy of peace and friendship not only with her neighbours but with countries the world over. During this time she has waged a relentless war against poverty and striven to consolidate her freedom in the political as well as economic sense.
- However, recent events in the northern border have compelled the country to defend itself against wanton aggression. The border between India and China, hallowed by tradition and accepted by treaties dating back to centuries, was suddenly violated by the Chinese and a peace-loving nation was drawn into an armed conflict. The beauty and peace of the Himalayas were ruthlessly disturbed by the thunder of guns and the din of battle.
- The Jawan has met the challenge of the aggressor. Officers and men of our armed forces have lived up to their traditions of valour, heroism and, fortitude. They stand vigil today, all along the border, watchful and prepared for any sacrifice, so that the people of this country may live in peace and honour. There is a noble, if unenviable, task. Cut off from civilisation, the brave Jawan stands fast, in remote inhospitable valleys and, on cold snowy peaks braving the hazards of high altitude and an inhospitable climate. Men of the Air Force are constantly facing danger and death while flying through narrow valleys and, overtowering peaks to drop supplies, and afford medical relief to our sentinels on the frontier. The Jawan is not alone in this task of defending freedom and he knows that the whole Indian nation is behind him.
