In an age characterised by prolific scientific advances, the products of the intellect, mental retardation is naturally, though unjustifiably, feared. It refers to children who learn more slowly and cannot do all things that other persons can. Diminished mental ability may arise from many factors, including infection of the mother during pregnancy, trauma or disease in early childhood, malnutrition or simply an impoverished social environment. The number of these children in India is variously estimated but is perhaps not less than 2 million. Application of insights and techniques contributed by education, psychology, social work and other relevant disciplines have, however, opened new possibilities of economic independence and social adequacy for many retarded children. Our unsophisticated rural environment marks adjustment for the retarded child easier. The goal of education and rehabilitation for these children is to optimise the development of their potential and this can be best achieved by heightening community awareness of this poignant social problem through every possible means of communication.
The stamp and cover depict a combination of two illustrated motifs - a red motif of an interrupted spiral symbolising a retarded mind and a realistic form of a child's face given in silhouette.
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