A Miniature Sheet consisting of 4 nos of commemorative postage stamps on the 30^th Anniversary of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), an armed force protects India‘s maritime interests :

Issued by India

Issued on Aug 12, 2008

Issued for : The Department of Posts is proud to issue a set of four commemorative postage stamps on Indian Coast Guard.

Design : The miniature sheet depicts the coordinated air and surface capability of the Indian Coast Guard against a backdrop of a serene blue sea merging with clear skies in the horizon.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise each

Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million each

Miniature : 0.2 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The United Nations Third Conference on the Laws of the Seas in 1973 stressed the need for protection of life and property at sea, enforcement of national jurisdiction in the maritime zones and creating awareness towards dangers to ocean resources from sea pollution. This required an organisation which would be competent to not only enforce laws in the maritime waters of the nation but also to work as an agency for educating stakeholders on protecting the maritime resources from pollution and degradation. With this objective in mind, the Government of India constituted the Indian Coast Guard Organisation on 1^st February, 1877 as an Armed Force of the Union under the Ministry of Defence. It is primarily a law enforcement agency of the Government of India.
• The Coast Guard’s broad charter of duties includes providing protection to fishermen including assistance to them at sea while in distress, preservation and protection of marine environment, safety and protection of offshore installations and artificial islands, prevention and control of marine pollution, carrying out anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations and ensuring safety of life and property at sea. The Indian Coast Guard carries out its duties of surveillance through a combination of on shore installations, sea faring vessels and aircraft.
• The Coast Guard is ready round the clock, round the year to meet any eventuality at sea, with a CG ship on patrol at sea in most parts of India’s waters with ready response capability.
• In recognition of its sterling services to the nation, a set of four stamps and a miniature sheet are being issued. The stamps have been designed to highlight the relationship between the Maritime Waters of India and the Indian Coast Guard. The first two stamps highlight the air capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard, showing a Dornier Fixed Wing Aircraft and an Advanced Light Helicopter. The Dornier has played a major role in locating vessels in distress, intercepting suspected pirates and spotting vessels carrying contraband. The Advanced Light Helicopter and the Chetak are extremely well suited for rescue operations at sea. Both also act as a communication link during operations at sea.
• The surface capability of the Coast Guard is shown through stamps depicting a Hover Craft and an Advance Offshore Patrol Vessel. The Hover Craft is an amphibious vessel capable of both near shore and deep sea operations. Patrol vessels are the mainstay of the Coast Guard. These are well armed and capable of dealing with a variety of emergencies at sea.
• Text : Based on material provided by the proponent.

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