INS Brahmaputra - F31

Date of Issue: April 14, 2000

India Post issued a special cover to commemorate commissioning of Brahmaputra Class Missile Frigate, INS Brahmaputra. This cover was jointly released by the then Defence Minister of India, Mr. George Fernandez and the Chief Post Master General, West Bengal Circle on board INS BRAHMAPUTRA on the day of her commissioning. Further, it bears the autograph of Captain Pradeep Chauhan, Commanding Officer of INS Brahmaputra at time of commissioning, which makes it more special for my collection.

Many thanks to Mr. Sekhar Chakrabarti, Kolkatta, former employee of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Ltd., for sending me this special cover.

INS Brahmaputra was built at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkatta. The design and construction of the ship is entirely Indian, and is a modification of the Godavari class of frigates.

The Brahmaputra is the second ship of the Indian Navy named for the River Brahmaputra. The first vessel of the name was a Type 41, Leopard class frigate that was commissioned in 1958. The symbol of the INS Brahmaputra is 'The Raging Rhino' (shown on cover), for the one-horned rhino native to the Brahamaputra valley.

Source: wikipedia

Cover from China

Received this cover last week from Mr. Wei Xu, China, member of MyPhilately.com for Souvenir sheet round robin, an event organized every month to exchange covers among philatelists from all over the world.

This wonderful stamp sheet on cover was issued by China on 2005 to commemorate 600th anniversary of Admiral Zheng-He's voyages.

Click here to see the stamps issued along with this sheet and more details about Zheng-He's voyages.

The President's Colours

Date of Issue: November 26, 1984 to commemorate Presentation of President's colours to Southern Naval Command

Thanks to Mr. D. H. Rao, Chennai for sending me this valuable cover to my collection.

Excerpts from the information sheet within the cover....

Significance: A Colour given to a fighting unit has the same significance as a national flag has to a nation. Down the ages, Colours have served as a rallying point in battle and a source of strength and inspiration for the men in times of stress. During the pre-independence period, the King's Colours were used by the Indian Armed Forces. All these Colours were laid to rest formally at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun in 1950. Subsequently, on May 27, 1951, the Indian Navy was awarded the President's Colours - the first of the three services to be so honoured. On November 26, 1984, Southern Naval Command became the first Naval Command presented with President's Colours.

Area of Responsibility: The maritime jurisdiction of the Southern Naval Command covers the area from Goa to Kanyakumari including the Gulf of Mannar between Indian and Srilanka, extending into the Arabian Sea in a south-westerly direction down to 5 degree South latitude in the Indian Ocean. The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, with his Headquarters at Cochin, exercises his operational control over this area through the Flag Officer Commanding, Goa Area and the Naval Officers-in-charge, Cochin, Lakshadweep, Tuticorin, Mangalore, and Karwar.

The President's Colours: The presentation of Colours by the President indicates the symbolic recognition of the Southern Naval Command. The colour being presented is a naval ensign, white in colour and marked with the red St. George's cross. It has a national flag in the upper canton, Ashoka Lion - the emblem of India in the center and a gold-embroidered elephant in the lower fly. The elephant symbolizes "Strength and Stability."

JDS Shirane and JDS Chokai

Date of Issue: October 01, 2002

Scott #: 2834

Japan issued a single stamp to commemorate International Fleet Review held at Tokyo Bay on Sunday, October 13, 2002.

As part of the events marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), it was the first time an international fleet review has been held in Japan, and in addition to 24 JMSDF vessels, a total of 17 ships from the United States, Republic of Korea (ROK), India, France, Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Chile, New Zealand, Thailand, and Singapore took part in the review.

The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy after World War II. Its main tasks are to maintain control of the nation's sea lanes and to patrol territorial waters.

The two warships depicted in the stamp are:

JDS Shirane (143) - A Shirane class Destroyer Helicopter (DDH)

JDS Chokai (176) - A Kongo class Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG)

Celebrating 1st Anniversary

It seemed just like today that I started this blog, and now I am celebrating first anniversary. Thanks for all fellow bloggers, followers, stamp collectors, and viewers from all parts of the globe for providing continued visits, support, comments, and exchange offers which keeps me motivating and maintaining the blog and improving my collection day-by-day. Hoping to see many anniversaries with all your support.

Card #3 from USA

Received this great card today from Mr. Doe E. Lion, USA.

USS Midway (CV-41) was an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, the lead ship of her class, and the first to be commissioned after the end of World War II. Active in the Vietnam War and in Operation Desert Storm, currently, she is a museum ship in San Diego, California. It is the largest museum devoted to carriers and naval aviation.

Since June 2004, the USS Midway has been in San Diego as the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum (now known as the USS Midway Museum).

Click here to know more about USS Midway at Wikipedia.

The Tall Ships Race, Baltic 2009

Date of Issue: July 25, 2009

Lithuvania issued this stamp to commemorate the Tall Ships Races Baltic 2009, during which the Regata came to an end at Klaipeda for the second race conducted during July 31 - August 03, 2009 . The race is supported by Antwerp and organised by Sail Training International.

The coupon shows the emblem of the Regata, and the stamp shows the yacht 'Brabander' which participated the race with Lithuania flag.

Brabander is one of the fastest sailing ships in Lithuania and was built in 1977 in the Netherlands. It was primarily built for teaching the students practicum, as well as for scientific expeditions.

Cover from Lithuania

Thanks to friend, Ms. Donata, Lithuvania for sending me such a nice ship stamp on cover. She also sent me a mint stamp and a souvenir sheet, obviously of ships of Lithuvania.