2nd Award for my Blog - Silver Medal at Kalanchiam@79°E, Thanjavur

Latest Award for my blog - Won a silver medal at Kalanchiam@79°E - District Level Philatelic Exhibition organized by India Post, Central Region, Tamilnadu held at Tamil University, Thanjavur on October 8 & 9, 2024.

INS Nirupak (J20) - Decommissioning - Special Cover - 1985-2024 - Visakhapatnam

INS Nirupak (J20) - Decommissioning Ceremony (1985-2024)

Date of Issue: January 29, 2024

A special cover was issued during decomissioning ceremony to honor 38 years of service to the nation. Issued by India Post, Visakhapatnam Region, sponsored by Eastern Naval Command, Govt. of India.

INS Nirupak was built by GRSE, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata and commissioned into the Indian navy at Visakhapatnam naval base in 1985 under Eastern Naval Command.

The primary tasks of INS Nirupak include hydrographic surveys, nautical chart preparation, cartography & training. The ship also has disaster relief capabilities because it can operate as a hospital.

Nirupak's achievements are etched in awards like the prestigious Admiral Jal Cursetji Rolling Trophy for best survey ship, which it bagged in 1994, 1995, 2005, and 2009. Beyond charting the seas, the ship served with distinction in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. Notably, it played a critical role as a hospital ship during Operation Gambhir, providing vital relief to Indonesia after the 2004 tsunami.

The meaning of the name 'Nirupak’ is one who is an indicator. The crest design depicts the Indian Ocean and an imaginary dial of a Navigational Geographic Grid, with concentric circles being divided by the eight compass points. The entire image is shown on a Bluish Grey background.

As Nirupak sails into history, it leaves behind a rich legacy of maritime excellence. Its 38 years of service stand as a testament to the dedication and expertise of the Indian Navy and its commitment to ensuring safe and secure oceans for all.

Text Source: Wikipedia, Deccan Chronicle, Indian Navy FB page.

Click Here to see other special covers of Indian Navy Ships in my collection.

Postcard from Lithuania - Lithuanian Maritime History

Thanks to Lithuanian Postcrossing user myjoy63 / Eddie for this stamp sent on picture postcard.

This stamp issued in 17.07.2023, designed by A.S.Kazdailis.

The stamp features a wind rose (graphical charts that characterize the speed and direction of winds at a location) and a sable. A wind rose is a star-shaped figure whose rays indicate the direction of the wind. Usually, these are 32 geographical directions, to which sometimes the names of the winds of that area are listed.

Here is the front side of the postcard I received, depicting a bottle showpiece with tall ships race stamp, Baltic 2009 - which is already explained in this post - Click here

Text Source: Wopa-Plus.com
Click Here to see other picture postcards I have received.

Special Cover - 2023 - Launching of INS Vindhyagiri Under Project-17 A

Special Cover issued on 17.08.2023 at Kolkata. Cover illustration depicting Howrah Bridge in Kolkata and aerial view of Mazagon Dock, Mumbai, and digital image of INS Vindhyagiri.

Cancellation depicting logo of GRSE and words "Builders of 100+ Warships" and "Strengthening Nation's Maritime Security" in English and Hindi.

Launch of  Project-17A Stealth Frigate - INS Vindhyagiri, by Hon. President of India - Srimati Droupati Murmu.

INS Vindhyagiri is a Nilgiri Class (Project-17A) frigate of The Indian Navy. It was jointly built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Mumbai.  Named after the Vindhyagiri Hill in Karnataka, Vindhyagiri is the sixth ship of the P-17A Frigates, which are the advanced version of Shivalik-class frigates with enhanced stealth features, upgraded weapons and sensors and better platform management system on-board. Seen as demonstration of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence sector, this indigenously evolved stealth guided-missile frigate equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

Text Source: Wikipedia

Click Here to see other special covers of Indian Navy.

Thanks to Mr. Kanishka Malik, Kolkata for helping me to add this special cover in my collection.

Postcard from China - Hainan Free Trade Port (HFTP)

Received this postage-paid picture postcard today from Mr.Ling, depicting Hainan Free Trade Port. We can see two tugs moving a container ship to unload containers, and another container ship doing loading / unloading containers.

The Hainan Free Trade Port (HFTP) is a special economic zone (SEZ) on the island of Hainan in China. 

The HFTP was established by the Hainan Free Trade Port Law, which was passed on June 10, 2021. The law's goal is to transform the island into a globally influential free trade port.

Hainan, an island roughly the size of Taiwan that has been dubbed China's Hawaii for its tropical scenery and beaches, is being transformed into a world-class free-trade hub.

Click Here to see other picture postcards received by me.

First Award for my Blog

Front and Reverse of the Silver-Bronze Medal

I have submitted my blog (shipthemegallery.blogspot.com) in Literature Class at the recently concluded Philately Exhibition - SIPA AMRITPEX, organized by SIPA - South India Philatelists's Association, Chennai, held at Olympia Tech Park, Guindy, Chennai during August 13-15, 2022; and was awarded Silver-Bronze medal. I am delighted to share the news with my blog readers.

I would like to thank SIPA and the Exhibition Committee team for this opporutnity.