Dargah Sharif, Ajmer 13.2.1989

From Gazni, Khwaja Sahib came to India with forty followers in 1191 A.D. He settled at Ajmer devoting himself to the spiritual needs of the poor, providing succour to the needy. In his eyes the true devotee was a man with charity that flowed endlessely like a river, affection warm as sunshine and as impartial, hospitality and humility like the earth which gave its riches to all men. People called him "Gharib Nawaz" (the sustainer of the poor) out of love and reverence. Khwaja Saheb passed away in 627 Hijri. But even today the Dargah Sharif Ajmer, stands in his memory drawing people to him and his mission of charity, love and goodwill.

The urs for Moinuddin Chishti is celebrated every year on the 6th and 7th of Rajab. The main attraction of the Urs are the kalanders from Mehrauli, called the friends of Gharib Nawaz, walk to Ajmer all the way from Delhi every year. They offer colourful chadders with gold and silver threads.

The 3rd Cavalry 8.2.1989

The 3rd Cavalry. Born and bred in the Cavalry tradition, 3rd Cavalry draws its lineage from 7th Irregular Cavalry raised in1841 at Bareilly and its off-spring, 17th Cavalry raised at Sultanpur in 1846. Often re-designated, by the turn of the century they were called 5th Cavalry and 8th Cavalry. The two regiments serving in India and abroad, saw action in Afghanistan, Bhutan, Mesopotamia and Palestine earning Battle Honours Afghanistan 1879-80 and Mesopotamia 1916-18. They were amalgamated in 1922 to form the 5th/8th Cavalry, re-designated in 1923 as 3rd Cavalry, which was amongst the first Regiments to be Indianised. In 1941, whilst still in the process of being equipped with armoured cars, 3rd Cavalry campaigned in Malaya to stem the Japanese tide. Names of battle fields like Taiping, Sungei Pattani, Penang Island, Perak River and Slim River were added to its history. Defying the Japanese combat, the Regiment earned the commendation, "The Third Cavalry stood fast". It earned the Battle Honours "North Malaya" and "Central Malaya" and Theatre Honour "Malaya 1941-42" for its commendable services. In 1946, 3rd Cavalry converted to an 'Air-borne Reconnaissance Regiment', the first armoured Regiment of the Indian Army to be so designated.

In 1948 the Regiment liberated Hyderabad from marauding Razakars and integrated it with the Indian Union. The era of Centurian tanks was herald by 3rd Cavalry which became the first armoured regiment to be re-equipped in the fifties. On 8 September, 1965, when enemy tanks swept through Khem Karan vilage to capture the Beas Bridge, they were checked by the 3rd Cavalry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Salim Caleb (later Major General Salim Caleb, Mahavir Chakra (Retired). Lance Daffadar Sahib Singh, Lance Dafadar Tarsem Singh and Sowar Udmi Singh were among those who received gallantry awards. Most treasured perhaps is the 'Sabash' it received personally from the late Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Prime Minister of India, and a note recording "Well done Caleb- Well done the 3rd Cavalry" from India's foremost soldier, Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa. The Battle Honour "Asal Uttar" and Theatre Honour "Punjab 1965" were emblazoned with pride in the annals of Regimental history.

In 1971, the Regiment struck again in the Khem Karan sector capturing the hostile defensive position of Shehjra on the banks of the Sutlej. The Regiment was awarded Battle Honour "Shehjra" and Theatre Honour "Punjab 1971". personnel of all communities serve in the Regiment, and have earned two Param Vishisht Seva Medals, one Ati Vishist Seva Medal, one maha Vir Chakra, two Vir Chakras, eight Sena Medals, eleven Mentions in Despatches and three Commendation Cards.

Don Bosco 31.1.1989

John Bosco was born on 16th August, 1815, to Francis Bosco and Margaret Bosco in the little hamlet of Becchi, near the industrial city of Turin, Italy. He was ordained a priest on 5th June, 1841.  The beginnings were hard, with no place to shelter and work but this did not trickle in. He obtained a small plot of land outside Turin at Valdocco. The small shed which he put up here was the nucleus of the present institutions. Valdocco in course of time became a town where his boys could learn a trade of their choice, acquire a sound education and move into the world with confidence. At the centre of this complex Don Bosco built a shrine to Mother Mary. Many of his own boys opted to share his mission. Thus was born the religious society of Don Bosco, called the Salesian Society in 1859.

In 1872 a similar society for women called the Salesian Sisters was formed to look after poor girls. Don Bosco organised his lay collaborators into a Salesian family. Don Bosco died on 31st January, 1888 at Valdocco, having lived a life wholly dedicated to his boys. His vision and spirit has continued to flourish and grow. Today there are 36000 Salesians and Salesian sisters working in over 100 countries, more so in the developing countries of Asia, Africa and South America.The first group of Salesians came to India in 1906. There are also over 2,500 Salesians ans Salesian Sisters working in India in about 300 communities.

8th Indian Antarctica Expedition Signed Cover From Dakshin Gangotri P.O 26.1.1989

Dakshin Gangotri was the first scientific base station of India situated in Antarctica, part of the Indian Antarctic Program. It is located at a distance of 2,500 kilometres (1,600 mi) from the South Pole. It was established during the third Indian expedition to Antarctica in 1983-84. This was the first time an Indian team spent a winter in Antarctica to carry out scientific works. The station was built in eight weeks by an 81- member team. Construction was completed late into January 1984 with help from the Indian army and Indian Republic Day was celebrated at the station along with the Soviets and East Germans.

India 89 World Philatelic Exhibition at New Delhi 20.1.1989

India 89 World Philatelic Exhibition. The Department of Posts has issued four sets of stamps in 1987 and 1988. This 5^th and last set of four stamps commemorating the World Philatelic Exhibition at New Delhi are on the following topics:-

(60P) This stamp is on stamp collecting, a hobby requiring very little introduction. The hobby must have begun soon after issue of the Penny Black (1840). Confined initially to school-boys and enthusiasts, by 1863 it had attracted serious interest. People find in stamps, apart from their illustrative and pictorial value, sufficient interest to justify the study of their specialities. Each design's history was worth tracing through various mutations of sade, paper, watermark and peforation. Thus stamp collecting moved towards a systamatic study and grouping of stamps. It also acquired a new name, "Philately' (Greek 'Philos' meaning 'fond of' and 'Atelia' meaning 'exempt from tax').

(Rs1.50) The  stamp shows a Traveller's Coach and Post Office, better known as Dawk Gharee (mailcart). The first wheeled cart was used in 1841 in Meerut by one Mr. Smith. Thereafter post offices hired whel carts. In 1842, the service was introduced between "Mynpooree" and "Allyghur" and later from Aligarh to Delhi and Meerut. the illustrated Dawk Gharee belonged to Mr. Beacon of M/s. Greenway and Company, Calcutta. The Company held a licence to carry the Rayal Mail/Foreign Mail between Calcutta, Diamong Harbour and Barrackpore. They also carried mail and passengers on the Calcutta-Banaras-Patna route. The coachman announced his approach whirling his bell-studded whip and sounding his bugle.

(Rs5.00) The stamp is a reproduction of the Travancore Anchel Stamp of 2 Chuckrams denomination.The former Idian Sate of Travancore had an independent postal or Anchal System with a mail transport service including a boat mail service and the Railway Anchel Service. The first adhesive Anchel Stampwas introduced on 16-10-1888 in denomination of 1,2, & 4 Chuckrams (1 Chuckram = 3.57 paise) in ultramarine, red and green printed on laid paper bearing a large sheet watermark showing a conch shell surrounded by "GOVERNMENT" in an arch with "OF TRAVANCORE" below in a straight line. These were the earliest feudatory stamps surviving till 1953.

(Rs6.50) The stamp depicts Early Philatelic Magazines. Phiatelic literature, especially periodicals, played a vital role in disseminating news and information and bringing togather philatelists. A few early efforts, such magazines as "The Philatelic World" and "The Indian Philatelists", both started in 1894, were short lived. 'The Philatelic Journal of India', issued by the Philatelic Society of India, was first published at Calciutta in 1897 and is still current. 'India's Stamp Journal' has seen over 50 years of publication and 'Signet' and 'Ind Dak', a decade. Other magazines like 'Top Phil', 'Stamp World', 'Digest', etc. are steadily contributing their efforts to Phiately. The stamp depicts the mast heads of some of the early philatelic magazines.

Nathuram Mirdha 17.1.1989

Nathuram Mirdha (1921–1996) was a parliamentarian, freedom fighter, social reformer and popular farmer leader of Marwar region in Rajasthan, India. He was born in Kuchera, Nagaur district, Rajasthan on 20 October 1921.  

State Museum Lucknow 11.1.1989

State Museum Lucknow is the oldest and largest multipurpose museum of Uttar Pradesh, established in 1863 by the then Commissioner of Lucknow. It harbours around one lakh antiquities in possession. Its areas of acquisition include: Natural History, Art & Archaeology, Paintings, Manuscripts, Numismatics, Decorative Art, Ivory, Anthropology and many more to count. A few very important antiquities like lion slayer type gold coin of samudra gupta of Gupta Period, Standing Buddha, Reclining Vishnu, Dancing Natraja, Rare Birds and animals are quite important.

The stamp depicts a round terracotta plaque showing goddess Durga seated on a lion. The plaque has a diameter of 36 cms and is dated 5th Century AD, from Sravasti (Bahraich) U.P. This is one of the many beautiful items displayed at State Museum, Lucknow. A Kangra painting depicting Radha & Krishna is shown on the first day cover.