A commemorative postage stamp on the Sukhna Shramdan Project :

Issued by India

Issued on Jan 29, 1990

Description of Design : The stamp has been designed by S/Shri T.S. Bedi and Sarvjit Singh of the “Daily Ajit“. The First Day Cover and cancellation designs have been supplied by Sh. Ashok Pradhan.

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 100 Paise

Overall size : 2.90 x 3.91 cms.

Printing size : 2.54 x 3.55 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Imported Un W/M Gravure Coated Gummed Stamp Paper

Number Printed : 15,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printed : India Security Press

About : 

• The Sukhna lake – centrepiece of Chandigarh – was created in 1958 spread over an area of 565 acres. From its inception it started silting, as a result of which by April, 1988 the water cover reduced to a third of the original area and unwanted vegetation grew on the dry bed. By May, 1988, one could walk across the ‘Lake’ before the onset of the monsoon.
• Sukhna Shramdan – a touching story how the agencies, governmental, non-governmental as well as citizens, joined hands to save the lake from extinction was mooted in April-July, 1988, to desilt the lake by dry and wet dredging, through voluntary manual labour. From an initial trickle of volunteers, the Shramdan turned into a torrent creating a unique experience. Transcending barriers of caste, creed, religion, social and economic status, people from all walks of life participated in this noble venture, signifying the underlying feature of our culture – unity in Diversity. The Save Sukhna Lake Society was formed to provide a banner to the campaign. The Society raised funds to the tune of Rs. 15 Lakhs trough membership fees and donations. The campaign, lasting over 75 days, put together manual efforts supplemented by machinery, made available free of hire charge, removed 35 lakh cu. ft. of earth, planted over 25,000 saplings in the catchment areas and sprinkled seeds and fertilizers on the lower Shivalikhs with the help of the Air Force, the NCC and NSS volunteers. The Government of India declared the water feature as a National Wetland releasing over Rs. 7 lakhs for conservation of the lake.
• Meanwhile, the National Games, 1989 were allotted to Punjab State, selecting Sukhna Lake as the venue for water sports provided the Chandigarh Administration could ensure a standard length rowing course before the onset of the monsoons. Sukhna Shramdan once again accepted the challenge and entered its second phase. The agencies of the Haryana & Punjab Governments, Punjab Tractor Ltd., HMT, Pinjore, the Western Command and the Save Sukhna Lake Society came forward once again with camel carts, earth excavators, dumpers, tippers and dozens to prepare a water course of international standards for the rowing competitions. In a period of 72 days, a rowing channel 2150 meters long, 62.5 meters wide and 3 meters deep was created by Sukhna Shramdan.
• Text : Courtesy Ashok Pradhan, Advisor to the Administration, Union Territory of Chandigarh.

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