Goparaju Ramachandra Rao
A commemorative postage stamp on Gora, an Indian social reformer, propagated positive atheism, founder of Atheist Centre [a part of the series ‘Personality Series : Social Reformers‘] :
Issued by India
Issued on Sep 12, 2002
Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to honour the memory of these three great social reformers by issue of commemorative postage stamps.
Design : The design of First Day Cover symbolises the contributions of the three social reformers, viz. Ayyan Kali, Chandraprabha Saikiani and Gora.
Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Sankha Samanta
Cancellation : Alka Sharma
Type : Stamps, Mint Condition
Colour : Four Colour
Denomination : 500 Paise each
Overall size : 2.90 x 3.91 cms.
Printing Size : 2.90 x 3.91 cms.
Perforation : 13.5 x 13.5 with elliptical hole on each 39.1 mm sides
Paper : Matt Chromo
Stamps Printed : 0.4 million each
Number per issue sheet : 40
Printing Process : Photo Offset
Printer : Calcutta Security Printers Ltd.
Name : Goparaju Ramachandra Rao
Born on Nov 15, 1902 at Chhatrapur, Odisha, British India
Died on Jul 26, 1975 at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India
About :
- The Department of Posts is bringing out a set of commemorative postage stamps honouring three outstanding leaders of the country who strove to uphold the dignity and rights of the less privileged and to rid society of prevailing malpractices.
- Gora (1902-1975) was a social reformer, freedom fighter and educationist who strove to eradicate caste differences and untouchability. Born in an orthodox family, he made a name for himself as a teacher early in life. However, inspired by the spirit of nationalism and the reformist zeal within him, he moved to the remote village of Mudunur in Andhra Pradesh in 1940. He started the Atheist Centre, which soon became a centre of activity for social change. Fighting untouchability, empowering women and including the nationalist spirit were some of the programmes promoted by Gora. In the freedom struggle he was an associate of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. In post-independence India also he promoted programmes for social change and worked for Bhoodan and Sarvodaya Movements. He was a staunch advocate of atheism as a positive way of life.
- Text : Based on material furnished by the sponsors.
