Wednesday, September 24, 2014

India makes history on first try as Mangalyaan enters Mars orbit



India’s Mars Mission : India created history on Wednesday, becoming the first country to successfully get a spacecraft into the Martian orbit on its maiden attempt.

Indian Space Research Organization’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) spacecraft started orbiting the red planet at 7.47am, but it was only 12 minutes later —because of a time delay in radio signals travelling the 680 million km -- that scientists at Isro Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network in Bangalore, could erupt in joy as Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood a happy witness.

For most of the time the main engine was firing — 20 of the 24 crucial minutes — MOM was hiding behind Mars, adding to the suspense.

The scientists had waited for more than 300 days as MOM journeyed on through space, but the last 54 minutes were virtually unbearable. For, it was during this period that the orbiter first reoriented itself and then fired its engine and thrusters for about 24 minutes to get into the Mars orbit.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Commemorative Stamps on Indian Musicians - 3rd September 2014.








 

India Post issued a set of eight Commemorative Stamps on Indian Musicians commemorating Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Ms. D.K. Pattammal, Ms. Gangubai Hangal, Pandit Kumar Gandharva, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan on 3rd September, 2014. The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee released stamps at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. India Post has issued eight separate sheetlets of all eight musicians containing nine stamps each in a sheetlet and a Miniature Sheet containing eight stamps.

Friday, August 8, 2014

The 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 : South Korea Stamps


Incheon was once the gateway through which western civilization entered Korea 100 years ago when the Incheon port was opened. Now it is the logistics hub for northeast Asia and the Asian gateway housing the Incheon international airport. To further cement this international status The 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 will be held in this beautiful port city.
The Incheon Asian Games are to take place from September 19 to October 4, 2014 with about 13,000 athletes and officials participating and some 7,000 media representatives from all 45 member countries. Athletes will compete in a total of 36 sporting games including 28 Olympic sports and 8 non-Olympic sports. Under the slogan of “Diversity Shines Here,” these games will be about bringing real peace and harmony with the participation of North Korea.
In particular, the most talked about aspect of the upcoming event is balanced sports development across Asia and environmentally friendly policies. The organizing committee and the city of Incheon have provided substantial support to countries which have less sporting competitiveness and offered an opportunity to train in Korea, with the dispatch of coaches, sports facilities and equipment at an investment of 20 million dollars. Environmental policies include: a landfill which has been converted into a golf course and geothermal and photovoltaic energy which are to be used for air conditioning, heating and indoor illumination. With this tremendous effort, the Incheon Asian Games aims to pursue a low-carbon & eco-friendly event.
It is hoped, the games will be a true festival which 4.5 billion Asian people can enjoy together. The commemorative stamps featuring, bowling, squash, rhythmic gymnastics, wrestling, cricket and the mascots of the event will be issued. The spotted seal chosen as a mascot and designated Korea’s natural monument no. 331, inhabit the waters of Incheon’s Baengnyeong Island, in the northernmost location of the Republic of Korea. They are known as a symbol of peace between North and South Korea since they travel freely between the two Koreas.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Royal Mail : Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games


Created by designer Howard Brown, illustrator Nanette Hoogslag and photographer Andy Hooper, the Mint Stamps depict Judo, Swimming, the Marathon, Squash, Netball and Para-Sport Track Cycling. They also carry the official logo of the Glasgow 2014 XX Commonwealth Games together with the XX logo, which has been cleverly created from the iconic Scottish Saltire.

Judo: Fourteen gold medals are up for grabs across 14 weight categories in this tough sport, which requires strength and tactical skill. Judo, which takes place at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) Precinct, will make its third Commonwealth Games appearance. Second Class

Swimming: An established Commonwealth Games discipline, swimming has been contested at every event since 1930. Six Para-Sport swimming events will also be contested. Tollcross International Swimming Centre, which features a 50-metre, ten lane competition pool and a new 50-metre, six lane warm-up and training pool, will host the swimming competition. First Class

Marathon: The route begins at Glasgow Green in the city’s heart, and takes in well-known areas such as George Square and Buchanan Street. 97p

Squash: Technical and demanding, squash has been thrilling crowds at the Commonwealth Games since 1998. In Glasgow, players will do battle in Individual Men’s and Women’s Singles events as well as Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles contests. The venue is Scotstoun Sports Campus. £1.28

Netball:  In Glasgow, 12 women’s teams chase gold in this fast-paced sport, first seen at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. £1.47

Para-Sport track cycling: This Para-Sport makes its Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow, with four exciting events scheduled: the Men’s 1000m Time Trial, the Men’s Sprint, the Women’s 1000m Time Trial and the Women’s Sprint. The events are at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. £2.15

Stamps Technical Specifications :
Design Howard Brown
Stamp format /size Landscape 37mm x 35mm
Printer International Security Printers
Print process Lithography
Perforation 14 x 14.5
Phosphor Bars as appropriate
Gum PVA
Number per sheet 25/50
Illustration Nanette Hoogslag
Photography Andy Hooper
2014 logo © Glasgow 2014 Ltd