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| Diwali stamp of USA |
Deepawali is a Sanskrit word. It means a necklace of lights. The word Deepawali in colloquial language has become Diwali. Whether it is Deepawali or Diwali, it is a festival of lights. It is celebrated with equal fanfare by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and followers of a few other religions. Incidentally, the festival of lights is also celebrated by other countries, of course under different names. For example, the festival of lights is called Hanukkah, a Jewish festival, which is celebrated according to Hebrew calendar. A Joint Issue of Hanukkah and Diwali stamps was issued by Israel Post and India Post in 2012.
Diwali is one festival which has been featured in stamps not only in India but by a few other countries, like Fiji (issued on 26th Oct 1973, 10 Cents), British Guyana, Canada (issued on 12th Sept 2011), Singapore (2016), Malaysia (2017), and New Zealand as latest as Oct 2021.
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| Emission by Singapore Post (Courtesy: Vijay Kumar Singh) |
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| Diwali Stamp (Courtesy: Vijay Kumar Singh) |
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| Emission by Malaysia Post (Courtesy: Ong Pang Jin) |
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| Diwali stamp by Malaysia Post (Courtesy: Ong Pang Jin) |
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| From New Zealand Post (Source: Internet) |
USA issued a postage stamp on the Hindu festival Diwali. The stamp was issued on 5th Oct 2016 in USA, much in advance of actual day of Diwali which was 30th Oct 2016 in India. Here is the story behind the screen.
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| A vertical strip (Gifted by Siddhartha Chowdhury) |
The resident Indian-American community in USA had long been trying for an official Diwali stamp. The efforts were on for nearly a decade. New York based Ranju Batra, Chair Diwali Stamp Project had picked up the mantle in 2010 with ultimate objective of official issuance of a Diwali stamp by United States Postal Services (USPS). She spearheaded the movement, with the active support of her husband Ravi Batra and other like-minded people. She organized petitions – both on-line and off-line. Later the strategy was changed and it was focused on offline applications i.e. petitions were sent through hard copies. She mobilized petitions to Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee who decides and approves the subject of the postage stamp in USA. The number of applications grew from tens to hundreds to thousands to tens of thousands!
Carolyn Maloney, the Congresswoman rendered her unconditional support and organized a meeting between Ranju and Stroman, Deputy Postmaster General. Hon’ble Indian Premier Narendra Modi, during his visit to USA (24-30th Sept 2015), was kept informed about the effort and was requested to impress upon US President Barack Obama for issuance of Diwali stamp. Applications were sent to Barack Obama as well as Megan Brennan, Postmaster General, USA. In other words, no stone was left unturned to achieve the goal – Diwali stamp.
The hard work and continuous follow up with the postal authority finally bore fruit. With the emission of Diwali Forever stamp by USPS, a long cherished dream for Indian-Americans became a reality.
On 5th Oct 2016, the Diwali stamp was issued by United States Postal Service (USPS). It was officially released at Indian Consulate in New York. The function was hosted by Indian Consulate in association with the USPS and the Diwali Stamp Project. There was a cultural function and reception. The gala release was done in the august presence of Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das, Indian Consul General; US Congresswomen Carolyn Maloney and Grace Ming, USPS Mail Entry VP Pritha Mehra and Ranju Batra, Diwali Stamp Project Chair and others. M R Rangaswami of Bay Area, California who relentlessly, along with others, had followed up for the release of this stamp was also present.
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| A full pane (Gifted by Dr. Biswajit Maiti) |
On the occasion, Pritha Mehra of USPS had said –
"The Postal Service is honored to issue this Forever stamp that celebrates the Festival of Diwali".
"We hope these will light up millions of cards and letters as they make their journey through the mail stream."
For the Diwali Forever stamp project, William J. Gicker of Washington, DC was the Art Director. Photograph of the oil filled earthen diya (lamp) with burning wick in full glow, featured on the stamp was clicked by ace photographer Sally Andersen-Bruce of New Milford, Connecticut. The whole stamp, keeping earthen diya at the center, with glitter of gold dust and glimpses of colorful flower petals at the base was designed by Greg Breeding of Charlottesville, Virginia. Each of Diwali Forever stamps was of worth 47 Cents.
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| President Obama lighting traditional Diwali lamp in 2016 (Source: Internet) |
Diwali stamp is a symbolic acceptance of presence and recognition of significant contribution of Indian community on the soil of USA.
The Diwali festival was first celebrated at the White House in 2003 by President George W. Bush, who joined Indian Americans in marking this special occasion. President Barack Obama carried on the tradition, symbolically lighting Diwali candles in the Oval Office. In 2016, President Joe Biden, then Vice President, hosted a Diwali celebration at his residence, and in 2017, President Donald Trump continued the custom.
US President Barack Obama while lighting the auspicious traditional Indian Diwali lamp at Oval House on October 30, 2016 stated:
“To all who are celebrating the festival of lights across America and around the world, happy Diwali. As Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists light the diya, share in prayers, decorate their homes, and open their doors to host and feast with loved ones, we recognize that this holiday rejoices in the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. It also speaks to a broader truth about our shared American experience. It's a reminder of what's possible when we see beyond the differences that too often divide us. It's a reflection of the hopes and dreams that bind us together. And it's a time to renew our collective obligation to deepen those bonds, to stand in each other's shoes and see the world through each other's eyes, and to embrace each other as brothers and sisters - and as fellow Americans.
I was proud to be the first President to host a Diwali celebration at the White House in 2009, and Michelle and I will never forget how the people of India welcomed us with open arms and hearts and danced with us in Mumbai on Diwali. This year, I was honored to kindle the first-ever diya in the Oval Office - a lamp that symbolizes how darkness will always be overcome by light. It is a tradition that I hope future Presidents will continue.
On behalf of the entire Obama family, I wish you and your loved ones peace and happiness on this Diwali. “
And the tradition continued.
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| President Trump in Diwali mood (Source: Internet) |
And the tradition continued further (2021)
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| It has turned into glorious tradition (Source: Internet) |
2024 Diwali in East Room of White House.
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| Source: Internet |
On October 28, 2024, President Joe Biden lit a diya in the White House’s East Room, its warm glow standing out against the brilliant lights of the grand chandeliers. He noted, "Diwali is celebrated openly and proudly here in the White House," affirming the commitment of successive U.S. Presidents to honoring this cherished festival.
Participants had to buy the stamps either in person on October 5, 2016 at the inauguration venue or opt for special pre-sale by filling in a form which was exclusively designed for that purpose. The form had logos of USPS and Diwali Stamp Project. This was required to be sent before September 27, 2016 so that they are received by the Diwali Stamp Project positively by October 3, 2016. Only those travelers / philatelists, who had purchased pre-sale Diwali stamps through DSP or at Consulate General of India, New York on October 5, 2016, the very first day when USPS had unveiled, dedicated and released the stamp, were eligible for the raffle.
First 7 persons who bought Diwali Forever stamps worth US $ 10,000 or more through pre-sale got 1 free trip. Some lucky winners from the buyers who had bought Diwali stamp worth US $ 10,000 or more were H R Shah, CEO TV Asia, Madan Goel, Neeta Jain, Dr. Dhaval Shah, Ranju Batra etc. Other winners were Shashi Ravi, Surinder Kathuria etc.
No doubt that the first day sale of this stamp had beaten all past records of first day sale of USA stamps. On the very first day, 100,000 numbers of stamps which is equivalent to 5000 panes were sold.
The Diwali stamp was issued as Forever stamp which was equivalent to First Class Mail of 1 Ounce. Now clarity is needed about Forever stamp and how different it is from normal postage stamps.
USPS had introduced Forever stamps on April 12, 2007. Forever stamps are non-denominational First Class Postage stamps. These stamps are applicable for 1 ounce First Class domestic mail irrespective of postal rate at that point of time.
Firstly, Forever stamps are meant for mailing letters, within USA, which are not more than one ounce by weight. If it is heavier than the prescribed weight then additional stamp would be required else it would be returned by USPS to the sender for inadequate postage paid.
Secondly, they are non-denominational i.e. no value is printed on the stamp making it unique.
Thirdly, and most importantly, it is evergreen i.e. if someone purchased it today and in future if postal tariff goes up, one would still be able to send the 1 ounce envelope with same forever stamp of today.
For illustration purpose, let us assume today you've purchased one Diwali Forever stamp for 47 Cents. Now suppose in 2022 or 2030 or anytime in future the postal tariff goes up, you will still be able to send 1 ounce letter to your friend or relative within USA with the same 47 Cents worth Diwali Forever stamp!
Like any commodity or service, the postal tariff also moves northward with passage of time. Thus Diwali Forever stamp is not only a stamp but a good investment tools. However, there is a word of caution. On April 10, 2016, as per the directive of Postal Regulatory Commission, USA the price of Forever stamp was reduced by 2 Cents which was equivalent to 4%. This was first drop in postage rate in last 97 years!
This Diwali Forever stamp is a live example of patience, perseverance and persistence which are three pillars of philately.
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Webliography:
http://indiaamericatoday.com/article/interview-ranju-batra-talks-about-journey-diwali-forever-stamp
http://topyaps.com/us-postal-service-releases-diwali-stamp
Disclaimer:
The information provided in the article is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith. This is only for the sharing of knowledge of Philately with philatelist fraternity. No commercial angle, whatsoever, is involved. No intention to infringe any type of copyright. Under no circumstances I shall have any liability for reliance on any information provided in the story.
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This article was published as cover story in the Nov '2021 issue (Diwali was celebrated on November 4, 2021 in India) in popular philatelic e-magazine Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin (issue no. 69). Here are the scanned pages of the story.
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| Cover page |
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| Page 1 of 3 |
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| Page 2 of 3 |
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| Page 3 of 3 |
Informative and illustrative article. Very good.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your kind words.
DeleteRegards.
I am amazed to find so much information on Diwali( Deepavali) celebrations in different parts of the world through philately . Kudos to Prof. Biswas, who takes keen interest in promoting such Indo philic topics through his blog writings.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dr. Dube for your encouraging words. Happy Deepawali.
Delete