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Save Tigers, Save Our National Heritage.........

The Bengal Tiger is generally found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. This is the biggest subspecies of Tigers in the world.  Bengal tigers are on the edge of extinction, but if we try spread, share about them, we still have a chance to save them. And this is my first blog in the series to tribute to mission Save Tigers. The Bengal tiger’s populations estimated at 1,411 in India, 200 in Bangladesh, 155 in Nepal and 67–81 in Bhutan.

Only 1411 are left save them in India. Save our National Animal, Save our National Heritage………

Basics and Physical Characteristics

The total length for the male Bengal Tiger is of 270-310 cm and those of the females is of 240–265 cm, The average weight of a Bengal Tiger is 221.2 kg (487.7 lb) for the males and 139.7 kg (308 lb) for the females, also it is found that who inhabit the north of India and Nepal have an average weight of 235 kg (518 lb) for the males and 140 kg (308.6 lb) for the females. The biological info is as below,

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Genus species: Panthera tigris

Sub species: Panthera tigris tigris

Mutation/Sub Species

Bengal Tigers normally are of same appearance as other species. But a special subspecies exists due to mutation, called as White Tigers. They have dark brown or reddish brown stripes on a white background color, and some are entirely white.Please see the picture aside to know how beautiful are they.

Behaviour and Food

Behaviour of Bengal Tigers is different. They don't live in groups as the Male Tiger is not responsible for growing the offspring.Tigers mark their territory by spraying urine on a branch or leaves or bark of a tree which leaves a particular scent behind. This is also useful to attract the opposite sex.

Bengal tigers are  obligate carnivores, it means that they have a diet of strictly meat. Bengal tigers eat a variety of animals found deer (sambar, chital, barasingha, hog deer and muntjac), wild boars, water buffalo, gaur, nilgai antelope.

Tiger Kill Count

According to Wikipedia following is the chart of Tigers killed in last two decade.

Year Tigers known to be killed

1994     95

1995    121

1996    52

1997    88

1998    44

1999    81

2000    53

2001    72

2002    43

2003    35

2004    34

2005    43

2006    37

2007    27



Official Website of Save Tiger Mission : http://www.saveourtigers.com/

For your views and suggestion, Please write me : olympic125@gmail.com

Philippines : 2004 Athens Olympic FDC

Happy Diwali

I WISH ALL MY FRIENDS, PHILATELISTS, WELL-WISHERS, READERS, BLOGGERS AND ONE AND ALL A VERY HAPPY DIWALI.

Happy Diwali

दीपावली की शुभकामनाएं

शुभ दीपावली /दिवाळीच्या शुभेच्छा

தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்

ദീപാവലി ആശംസകള്‍

ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಷಯಗಳು

దీపావళి శుభాకా౦క్షలు

 

Deepavali (also: Depawali, Dipavali, Dewali, Diwali, Divali, Dipotsavi, Dipapratipad ) marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year according to the Lunar Calendar. It literally translated means 'Row of Lights' (from Sanskrit: dipa = lamp / awali = row, line). It celebrates the victory of Goodness over Evil and Light over Darkness - it ushers in the new year. Especially for this event people are cleaning their houses and wear new clothes. Diwali is a 5 day festival as Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Badi (Main) Diwali, Padwa and Bhaiduj. There are many different names for the days of Diwali in different regions of India (South & North India, East & West India) and in the different languages spoken in that regions (i.e. Hindi, Urdu, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi). During Deepavali people pray to Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, light, prosperity and wisdom, but also to Ganesha, the 'Remover of Obstacles' and the 'Lord of Beginnings'.

Deepavali celebrations take place in many countries in the world. On the first day of the Diwali festival people pray and having a special breakfast made of many different foods. The Hindu Goddess Lakshmi's statue and images are carried through the streets in processions. There are various legends and stories associated with the Diwali festival. The story of Bali, Emergence of Laxmi, Krishna Narakasur Fight, Victory of Rama over Ravana and many more. Dipa Lights (also called Diwali Diyas, Kandils, Ghee Lamps or Parvati Ganesha Lamps) - made of clay, fueled with Oil from Coconuts, Mustard or Ghee (clarified butter), the wick made of cotton wool - are placed outside of houses, on floors and doorways. During Diwali festival, doorways are hung with torans of mango leaves and marigolds. Deepavali Melas are being enjoyed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains & Buddhists alike. On the day of Deepavali people exchange gifts, bursting firecrackers, lighting fireworks, colourful sparklers & bonfires and having festive meals. Diwali Melas (fairs) are held throughout India and the celebrations abroad. The Indian Festival of Lights takes place after the monsoon season has finished and the weather is nice and pleasant again.

Wishing Happy Diwali to everyone! Deepavali Valthukkal!! Shubh Diwali!!

Diwali starts from Vasubaras which is the 12th day of the 2nd half of the Marathi month Ashvin. This day is celebrated by performing an Aarti of the cow and its calf - which is a symbol of love between mother and her baby.

The next day is Dhana Trayodashi. This day is of special importance for traders and business people. It is also considered an auspicious day for making important purchases, especially metals, including kitchenware and precious metals like silver and gold.

This is followed by Naraka Chaturdashi. On this day people get up early in the morning and take their bath before sunrise while stars are still visible. Bathing is an elaborate process on this day with abundant use of ‘ubtans’, oils and perfumes, and is preceded by an Aarti performed on the person by some lady, usually mother or wife. The whole process is referred to as ‘abhyanga-snaan’.

Then comes Lakshmi- pooja. It occurs on Amavasya i.e. no moon day. The dark night is illuminated by lamps and at dusk firecrackers are burst. New account books are opened after a pooja. Generally the traders do not make any payments on that day (according to their belief Lakshmi should not be given away but must come home). In every household, cash, jewellery and an idol of the goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. Friends, neighbours and relatives are invited over and celebrations are in full swing. The broom used to clean one's house is also worshipped as a symbol of Lakshmi in some places .

Padwa' is the 1st day of the new month – Kartik in the Hindu calendar. It marks the start of Hindu financial year. Its a special day for Husband and wife. The wife puts tilak on her husbands forehead and gets an expensive gift. In recent times there is a growing trend of organising a cultural event called 'Diwali Padwa' early in the morning.

Bhaubeej – it is the time when the bond of love between a brother and sister is further strengthened as the sister asks God for her brother/s' long and successful life while she receives presents from her beloved brothers.

Diwali Postage Stamps!

2008 Indian Diwali Stamp

Canada Post has created two picture postage stamps specifically designed to celebrate the festival of light.  One depicts a beautiful Diwali lotus flower and the other the Diwali candle symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and the renewal of life. However, these stamps will not be available at retail counters and those wanting it will need to call Canada Post

Beautiful Australian Cover

I have received one more awesome cove from Australia, sent by Robin. This time with 2004 Gold Medalist and 2008 Beijing Olympic stamps on cover, as well as Mint and used stamps for 2000 Sydney Olympics stamps inside the cover. 3 Olympics in a cover………….. Great :)

Ryan Bayley :
Born in Perth, Western Australia, Bayley started competitive cycling in 1997 at fifteen years of age. He is a member of the Albany Cycling Club and employed by the Australian Institute of Sport.
Bayley won gold medals for the Sprint and Team Sprint track cycling events at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
His greatest success as a track cyclist came in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, where he won gold medals in the sprint and Keirin events.

Anna Meares :

Anna Meares started competitive cycling at the age of 11 in 1994, following her older sister Kerrie Meares into the sport. The family were inspired to take up competitive cycling by Kathy Watt winning a cycling gold medal at the 1994 Commonwealth Games. With the family living in the small Queensland coal-mining town of Middlemount, it was more than two hours drive to the nearest cycling track at Mackay for the girls to train.
During the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, she won a gold medal, and set a new world record in the Women's 500 metre time trial of 33.952 seconds. Meares had to beat a new Olympic record set just minutes previously by the reigning World Record holder, Yonghua Jiang of China. (See Cycling at the 2004 Summer Olympics). The event was abolished from the Olympic program so Meares could not defend her title in 2008.
Meares also won a bronze medal in the Women's 200m Sprint event in Athens.


This commemorative issue for the Beijing Olympics features the three sports of basketball, cycling and gymnastics, events that Australia has representatives in.

Incorporated into the design of the three stamps are the Olympic rings and the number eight. This number is auspicious in Chinese culture and fittingly, the Beijing Games will start at 8.00 pm on the eighth day of the eighth month in the year 2008.

This issue was designed by Hobart-based Lynda Warner who is one of Australia's foremost graphic designers. Lynda has designed other stamps for Australia Post including Outback Services (2001), Australian Antarctic Research (2002) and Aviation in the AAT (2005).

Australia Issued these stamps for 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Commencing with the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games during the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, stamps featuring Australians who have won an Olympic gold medal are issued on the next postal business day after the achievement.