Lithuania : “XXXVII EUROPEAN MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP”

After a 72 years break Lithuania will host the European Men’s Basketball Championship of 2011, which will be held from August 31 until September 18. The 24 strongest European men’s basketball teams will compete for medals and qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The most outstanding European basketball players will show their talent for the residents and guests of six Lithuanian cities.
The group matches of the tournament will be played in Alytus, Klaipėda, Šiauliai and Panevėžys. Afterwards the strongest 12 teams of the Old Continent will gather in Vilnius and the champion and prize winners will be announced in the new Kaunas Arena, which is the largest arena in the Baltic countries

Artist E. Paukštytė.
Offset. Art paper. Stamp – 32,25x26 mm. Perf.14¼x14. Sheet of 9 stamps (3x3). The upper and lower margins of a sheet are with inscription.
Face value: 2,45 Lt.
Edition: 180 000.
Printed in "Österreichische Staatsdruckerei GmbH" printing-house in Austria (Vienna).

Lalbaugcha Raja-2011

Happy Ganesh Festival

GANAPATI BAPPA MORAYA....................
MANGAL MURATI MORAYA..........................

लालबागचा राजा हे लालबागचा राजा सार्वजनिक गणेशोत्सव मंडळाच्या गणेश मुर्तीला लोकांकडून मिळालेले नाव आहे. मंडळाने गणेशोत्सव 2011 च्या तयारीला जून महिन्यातच सुरुवात केली आहे. भाविकांना लालबागचा राजाचे व्यवस्थित दर्शन व्हावे यासाठी मंडळ नेहमीच प्रयत्नशिल असते. गणेशोत्सव 2010 साठी सुमारे 2500 सहकारी सभासदांची नियुक्ती करण्यात आली आहे. यांच्या बरोबरच सुमारे 5000 स्वयंसेवक लालबागच्या राजाच्या भाविकांच्या मदतीसाठी तयार आहेत. आपाद्कालीन परिस्थितीचा सामना करण्यासाठी काही स्वयंसेवकांना विशेष प्रशिक्षण देण्यात आले आहे.
गणेशोत्सव 2011 साठी व्यवस्था
यावर्षी लालबागच्या राजाला नवस करण्यासाठी वा फेडण्यासाठी आलेल्या भाविकांची नवसाची रांग ग.द.आंबेकर मार्गावरील ओमशांती डेव्हलपर्सच्या आवारातून लागेल. या ठिकाणी पोहोचण्यासाठी भाविकांनी करीरोड - भारतमाता सिनेमा - साईबाबा पथ - ग.द.आंबेकर - अभ्युदय नगर या मार्गाचा वापर करावा. रेल्वे मार्गाने येणाऱयांनी मध्य रेल्वेचे करीरोड स्थानक वा पश्चिम रेल्वेचे लोअर परेल स्थानक अथवा हार्बर मार्गाचे कॉटनग्रीन स्थानक येथे उतरावे.
लालबागच्या राजाचे मुख दर्शन घेऊ इच्छिणाऱया भाविकांची `मुख दर्शन रांग' गणेशोत्सव 2010 सारखीच असेल. ही रांग दत्ताराम लाड मार्ग, काळाचौकी येथून चालू होऊन छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज क्रिडांगण (गरमखाडा) मार्गे श्रीं च्या आवारात येईल. मुख दर्शन घेऊन इच्छिणाऱया भाविकांनी मध्य रेल्वे मार्गाचे चिंचपोकळी स्थानक अथवा हार्बर रेल्वे मार्गाचे कॉटनग्रीन स्थानक येथे उतरावे.

For More information About Ganesh Festival and LalBaugcha Raja
Please Log On to :
http://www.lalbaugcharaja.in/

What is Ganesh Festival? :
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular and auspicious Hindu festivals. Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the symbol of wisdom and remover of obstacles. This festival is also known as Ganesh Utsav which means festival of Ganesh. Lord Ganesha is also referred to as Ganapati, Gajanana, Vinayaka, Vighneshawar and Pillaiyar. This auspicious day falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September). This festival is observed throughout India, as well as by devoted Hindus in all parts of the world. This festival is widely celebrated in Maharashtra,West Bengal,Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Andra Pradesh. This year this festival date falls on Saturday, the 1st of September, 2011. In 2010, Eid and Vinayaka Chaturthi was on the same day but this year it has fallen one day after Eid.

This festival lasts for 10 days starting with devotees bring home a Ganesha Idol and offer him prayers daily and ending on Anant Chaturdashi day. One can also see huge Ganesh Statues in every locality pandhals during the period which attracts huge crowds to see and worship this Elephant God. One of the best Ganesh Mandals in Maharashtra is the Lalbaughcha Raja in Mumbai which is one of the most popular among pandhal hoppers. However, these days more and more people are turning to eco friendly Ganesh Idols instead of Plaster of Paris to protect the environment. This Ganesha idols are kept for 10 days from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi and worshipped with rituals and mantras and then taken on the 11th day in a procession where devotees sing and dance before immersing Lord Ganesh idol to the water symbolizing the removal of all obstacles and misfortunes of his devotees and retuning to Mount Kailash to his parents. This ritual of immersing Lord Ganesh Statue is known as Ganesh Visarjan.

2008 Beijing Olympic Stamps

Aland :


Luxembourg:


Liechtenstein:

Happy Eid ul Fitr (Ramadan Eid)

Wish you all Very Happy Eid.
EID MUBARAK


UAE Eid Al Adha Stamps 2009


USA : Eid ul Fitr Stamps 2001


2008 Eid al Adha FDC of UAE

Macau : 2008 Beijing Olympic Torch Relay Stamp

France : World Fencing Championship stamps

France Post has issued a set of stamps commemorating the World Fencing Championship which was taken place in France (Paris) from 4 to 13 of November 2010.

Symbolical practice of the knights' age, fencing had developed through the centuries into a subtle, elegant and artistic battle sport.
Three arms of the fencing (rapier, foil and saber) and a wheelchair-bound fencer are illustrated on the two stamps of the set. The central image represents the stained-glass window of the Grand palace hosting the championship.

France : 2010 Singapore YOG Stamp

France : 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Stamps

The French post issued a set of two stamps to commemorate the Winter Olympics 2010, featuring 2 disciplines – alpine skiing and figure skating.

Title: Winter Olympic 2010 – France
Date of Issue: 8 February 2010
Country: France
Denominations: 0,85€ x 2

UAE : YAS MARINA CIRCUIT

The Yas Marina Circuit is the venue for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke, and is situated on Yas Island, about 30 minutes from the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. Yas Marina is the second Formula One track in the Middle East, with the first being in Bahrain. A two day GP2 Asia Series test was held to officially open the circuit, which was held a week before the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It will also host the opening event for the Australian V8 Supercars series, the Yas V8 400, in February 2010.

Lithuania : Sport Stamps

Sixth-World-Lithuanian-Games-1998

FIFA Anniversary Stamp-2004

1991 Sports Games of The Lithuanians

South Africa : 2010 FIFA World Cup Stamp

Belgium : 2008 Beijing Olympic Stamps

UAE : 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic FDC

First Youth Olympic Games (YOG) held in Singapore

Main Aim of Youth Olympic Games (YOG) :
To promote cultural education among the participating youths, the YOG programme incorporated live youth performances, art installations and festivals revolving around the Olympics spirit and cultural diversity. A wide range of activities took place, such as hands-on workshops, talks by Olympians, outdoor activities, community projects and exhibition booths, all based on five themes:
• Olympism – the origins, philosophy, structure and evolution of the modern Olympics.
• Skills development – the different aspects of a professional athletic career, such as personal development, career options and management of transitions in life.
• Well-being and healthy lifestyle – healthy eating, stress management and risks in sport such as doping.
• Social responsibility – being a responsible global citizen by caring for the environment and promoting sustainable development and community relations.
• Expression – interacting with and learning from fellow athletes through digital media and evening festivals at the Youth Olympic Village.

Greek Olympic Stamps

Hi
I received these awesome stamps from Athens, Greece with nice cover. Thanks you Anthony.

2008 Beijing Olympic Games :


2004 Athens olympic Games :

I Support Anna Hazare

Please Join Anna's Protest Against Curruption :

Dear NRI Brothers and Sisters,

In whichever country you might be living at the moment, you might be remembering your motherland and will be delighted to know what's happening here. Yes, moments of great action is going on here since this great soul Anna Hazare took up hunger strike demanding implementation of a powerful anti-corruption Lok Pal Bill. Here's Anna's biography in brief:

1. Who is Anna Hazare?
An ex-army man. Fought 1965 Indo-Pak War

2. What's so special about him?
He built a village Ralegaon Siddhi in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra

3. So what?
This village is a self-sustained model village. Energy is produced in the village itself from solar power, biofuel and wind mills. In 1975, it used to be a poverty clad village. Now it is one of the richest village in India . It has become a model for self-sustained, eco-friendly & harmonic village.

4. Ok,...?
This guy, Anna Hazare was awarded Padma Bhushan and is a known figure for his social activities. He was also conferred with Raman Magsaysay Award in recognition of his outstanding social service.

5. Really, what is he fighting for?
He is supporting a cause, the amendment of a law to curb corruption in India .

6. How that can be possible?
He is advocating for a Bill, The Lok Pal Bill (The Citizen Ombudsman Bill), that will form an autonomous authority who will make politicians (ministers), beurocrats (IAS/IPS) accountable for their deeds.

7. It's an entirely new thing right..?
In 1972, the bill was proposed by then Law minister Mr. Shanti Bhushan. Since then it has been neglected by the politicians and some are trying to change the bill to suit thier theft (corruption).

8. Oh.. He is going on a hunger strike for that whole thing of passing a Bill ! How can that be possible in such a short span of time?
The first thing he is asking for is: the government should come forward and announce that the bill is going to be passed.
Next, they make a joint committee to DRAFT the LOK PAL BILL. 50% goverment participation and 50% public participation. Because you cant trust the government entirely for making such a bill which does not suit them.

9. Fine, What will happen when this bill is passed?
A LokPal will be appointed at the centre. He will have an autonomous charge, say like the Election Commission of India. In each and every state, Lokayukta will be appointed. The job is to bring all alleged party to trial in case of corruptions within 1 year. Within 2 years, the guilty will be punished. Not like, Bofors scam or Bhopal Gas Tragedy case, that has been going for last 25 years without any result.

10. Is he alone? Whoelse is there in the fight with Anna Hazare?
Baba Ramdev, Ex. IPS Kiran Bedi, Social Activist Swami Agnivesh, RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal and many more.
Prominent personalities like Aamir Khan is supporting his cause.

11. Ok, got it. What can I do?
* At least we can spread the message. How?
Putting status message, links, video, changing profile pics.
* At least we can support Anna Hazare and the cause for uprooting corruption from India.
* At least we can hope that his Hunger Strike does not go in vain.
* At least we can pray for his good health.

Good Luck to all of us and our Motherland!

Yours Truly,

Ganesh Potphode