Pakistan on Help the Blind
A commemorative postage stamp on Help the Blind :
Issued by Pakistan
Issued on Feb 28, 1965
Issued for : Blind persons form a part of the community and “How to help the Blind” is a burning question facing the modern civilization. Every country is trying its utmost to do every thing possible for the welfare of the blind. Pakistan Post Office is issuing this commemorative postage stamp to direct the attention of the public and the concerning institutions to this national aspect of life.
Design : The design has been prepared by the famous artist Mr. A. R. Chughtai depicting the helplessness of the blind. The words “Help the Blind” appear at the top. The words “Pakistan” in Urdu and Bengali are at right and left margins respectively. The words “Postage 15-Paisa” and “Pakistan” in English are shown at the bottom.
Type : Stamp, Postal Used
Denomination : 15 Paisa
Colour : Deep Blue and Yellow Ochre
Size of Stamp : 28.6 mm x 34 mm.
Size of Print : 26 mm x 31.5 mm.
Perforation Gauge : 13 x 13 (c)
Quantity Printed : 15,00,000
Number of Stamps in each sheet : 100
Process of Printing : Litho Offset
Printers : The Pakistan Security Printing Corporation Ltd., Karachi
About :
- In Pakistan the work for the welfare of the blind is being supervised by the “National Federation for the Welfare of the Blind”. The Federation is a national body and is affiliated to the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind. It has a Braille Press, which is the only Press of its kind in Pakistan managed and run for the welfare of the Blind. The Federation has chalked out a syllabus which has been approved by the Education Department. The Braille Press started printing and publishing Text Books according to approved syllabus which are being supplied in Karachi and West Pakistan for the education of the blind. Arrangements to get the syllabus approved and to supply books for East-Pakistan is also in hand. The “Holy Quran” and a book on the life of the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) has also been printed in Braille. Besides all this, the Federation is also printing other literature, magazines and calendars.
- Not only does the Federation take care of the Education of the blind in Pakistan but also co-ordinates the work of the different agencies working for the welfare of the blind in the country and is in constant touch with all the International Bodies. It also sends its representatives to the International and National conferences for the welfare of the blind.
- On every Saturday the Hon. General Secretary of the National Federation for the Welfare of the Blind meets the blind at Karachi. Complaints are heard and efforts are made to educate and rehabilitate the visiting blind.
- In order to raise funds for maintaining, developing and expanding the manifold work of the Federation, it has launched a Seals Campaign and seals are being sent to the well-wishers all over Karachi in return for a small donation from them. An amount of Rs. 37,716.72 was collected till May, 1964 by sale of these seals. The Ministry of Education and the Directorate of Social Welfare are also contributing an annual grant of about Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 5,000 respectfully.
- The following Institutions/Schools are affiliated to the Federation :
- 1. The Adult Blind Centre, Karachi (West Pakistan).
- 2. The Ida Rieu Poor Welfare Association, Karachi (West Pakistan).
- 3. Rotary School for the Blind, Dacca (East Pakistan).
- 4. The Association for the Prevention of Blindness, Dacca (East Pakistan).
- 5. The West Pakistan Society for Blind, Rawalpindi.
- 6. The West Pakistan Department of Education, Lahore.
- 7. Blind Welfare Association (West Pakistan), Lahore.
- 8. Sunrise School for the Blind, Lahore (West Pakistan).
- 9. The Society for the Prevention and Cure of Blindness, Karachi (West Pakistan).
- 10. Pakistan Association of the Blind, Karachi (West Pakistan).
- 11. The Welfare Society for the Blind, Multan (West Pakistan).
- The above institutions provide healthy and good accommodation for the blind. They are taught to read and write in Braille and are taught handicrafts e.g. carpet-making, weaving of doormats etc., tailoring, plastic furniture-making, cane furniture-making and carpentry etc., to enable them to earn their livelihood. Students have opportunities for recreational activities too. They are encouraged to take part in outdoor and indoor games.
- With the compliments of the Director-General, Pakistan Post Office, Karachi.
