India – Republic of Korea : Joint Issue

India, a sheet with two stamps, a joint issue of India and South Korea. A queen and a princess are shown with a magnificent ship.

Bilateral consular relations between India and Republic of Korea (RoK) were established in 1962. In 1973, relations were upgraded to Ambassador-level (also with Pyongyang). Consistent Indian support for peaceful reunification of the two Koreas has been well received in this country. •

However, historical and cultural contacts between the two peoples date back to ancient times. According to “Samguk Yusa” or “The Heritage History of the Three Kingdoms” written in the 13th century, a Princess from Ayodhya (Suriratna) came to Korea, married King Kim–Suro, and became Queen Hur Hwang–ok in the year 48 AD. Queen Heo, then 16 years old, sailed across the ocean under the orders of the king of the “Ayuta” kingdom on a vessel that carried the Pasa Stone Pagoda, which was said to have calmed the high seas. She thus became the first woman to ever immigrate to Korea. After the royal wedding, the queen bore her king 10 sons and two daughters. Of the 10 sons, two took their mother’s surname and became the progenitors of the Gimhae Heo clan. The Pasa Stone Pagoda that the queen brought to Korea was kept at Hogyesa Temple until the late Joseon Dynasty, at which time it was moved to the Tomb of Queen Heo. The pagoda currently sits inside a dedicated pavilion at the tomb and is preserved in excellent condition. Korean Buddhist Monk Hyecho (혜초, 704-787 CE) or Hong Jiao visited India from 723 to 729 AD. His travelogue “Pilgrimage to the five kingdoms of India” gives a vivid account of Indian culture, politics & society, including food habits, languages and climate.

The rationale for a close relationship between India and RoK has been reinforced in modern times by political and economic imperatives. The experience of colonial rule and the anti-colonial movements in both countries revived interest in each other. Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore composed a short but evocative poem – ‘Lamp of the East’ – in 1929 about Korea’s glorious past and its promising bright future. He wrote: “In the golden age of Asia Korea was one of its lamp bearers, And that lamp is waiting to be lit once again For the illumination of the East.”

India played an important and positive role in Korean affairs after Korea’s independence in 1945. Mr K P S Menon of India was the Chairman of the 9-member UN Commission set up in 1947 to hold elections in Korea. The successful general elections held for the first time in the South in 1948, led to the establishment of the Republic of Korea on 15 August 1948.

In recent years, India – Republic of Korea (RoK) relations have made great strides and have become truly multidimensional, spurred by a significant convergence of interests, mutual goodwill and high level exchanges. In 2015, the relationship between both the countries were upgraded to “Special Strategic Partnership”. The areas of cooperation between the two countries span areas as diverse as Trade, Commerce, Defence, Science & Technology, Culture, People-to-People exchanges etc.

 The relationship witnessed new momentum following the inauguration of President Moon Jae–in’s administration in May 2017. In the last one year, both countries had three VVIP visits. President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung–sook visited India in 2018. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited ROK in February 2019. The two countries are exploring areas of further collaboration under the synergistic frameworks of ROK’s ‘New Southern Policy’ and India’s Act East Policy.

• Text : Based on the information received from Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
*Source : https://www.istampgallery.com/india-republic-of-korea-joint-issue/

India - I.N.S DELHI

 Issued by Army postal service on 30 June 1978
Acquired the beautiful cover with the Brochure.

INS Delhi was a Leander-class light cruiser built for the Royal Navy in 1933 as HMS Achilles, and commissioned into the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy (from 1941 the Royal New Zealand Navy) in 1937 as HMNZS Achilles. She was returned to the Royal Navy at the end of the Second World War and in 1948 was sold to the Royal Indian Navy to be recommissioned as HMIS Delhi. In 1950 she was renamed INS Delhi and remained in service until decommissioned at Bombay on 30 June 1978.

By Allan C. Green - This image is available from the Our Collections of the State Library of Victoria under the Accession Number:, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10812391

The ship was commissioned into the Royal Indian Navy as HMIS Delhi on 5 July 1948 under the command of Captain H. N. S. Brown of the Royal Navy.Captain Brown was also serving as Commodore Commanding Indian Naval Squadron (COMINS). She had 17 British officers and petty officers, the rest of the crew being Indian. Commander Ram Dass Katari was her executive officer and the senior-most Indian officer, while Lieutenant Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda was her first lieutenant. HMIS Delhi arrived at Bombay on 16 September 1948.She conducted her first major goodwill cruise in 1948, to East Africa, the Seychelles, and Mauritius.
After India became a Republic in January 1950, she was renamed INS Delhi. In June 1950, Commander Adhar Kumar Chatterji (later Chief of the Naval Staff) became her first Indian commanding officer; the same month she conveyed Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to Indonesia on an official visit. In 1951 her first lieutenant was JB Simmons and she sailed to Africa and Madagascar, showing the flag for the first time since Independence. In 1953 she took part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
In 1956, she played herself, as Achilles, in the film Battle of the River Plate. In 1958 she was moved to a training role.
Portuguese-Indian War

On 18 December 1961, during the annexation of the Portuguese State of India, also known as "Operation Vijay" or the Portuguese-Indian War, in which the state of Goa and its dependencies of Daman and Diu were annexed, Delhi was tasked to patrol the waters off Diu.[6] At dawn, the ship was spotted by the Portuguese defenders, but they did not recognize its hoisted battle flag. The Portuguese land based artillery did not open fire considering it might be a cargo vessel. Indian Navy reports state that Delhi supported the Indian Army's advance by firing on the citadel, and neutralizing the airport control tower. The detailed Portuguese reports on the invasion do not mention fire from the main 6-inch (150 mm) guns of the Indian cruiser,though a possible cause of the discrepancy is that the source of the fire from the ageing cruiser may not have been identified, due to the Indian Army firing from the landward side. Alternatively, the cruiser's shells may have fallen short of the citadel.
The only documented event of naval action between India and Portugal in Portuguese reports in the Diu region, was the sinking of the Portuguese patrol boat NRP Vega by Indian Air Force aircraft, after Vega opened fire on them with its sole Oerlikon 20 mm cannon. After the sinking of Vega the crew was taken prisoner-of-war on the shore.
Visit to New Zealand
In 1969, Delhi visited New Zealand under Vice Admiral Barbosa. The visit was the occasion of many reunions of Achilles veterans who were plied with large quantities of rum and beer, and taken on a quick trip by the ship.
Decommissioning
Delhi was decommissioned at Bombay in 1978. Subsequently, one of her gun turrets was sent to New Zealand, where it is preserved. A second turret, or gun, is reported to be preserved at the Regiment of Artillery Museum Nashik. The precise fate of the third turret is unknown, but a persistent rumour holds that it was officially recorded as "eaten by white ants". The remainder of the ship was scrapped. The main mast serves as the quarterdeck through which cadets from the National Defence Academy of India pass out.

Egypt 2019- Coast Guard - COMMEMORATIVE SET OF STAMPS “100 YEARS HELLENIC COAST GUARD”

COMMEMORATIVE SET OF STAMPS “100 YEARS HELLENIC COAST GUARD”

This year, the Hellenic Coast Guard completes 100 years of history. Ever since its foundation, the Hellenic Coast Guard is the body which the Hellenic State has entrusted with controlling and safeguarding our homeland’s coasts, protecting human life at sea and supporting the Hellenic Merchant Shipping and Greek Seamen.

The Hellenic Coast Guard's duties are exercised in its maritime space, ships and all kinds of floating construction, ports, port zones, as well as shoreline and coastline, as specified in particular by the applicable provisions.

The Hellenic Coast Guards’ mission comprises in particular: a) proper care in order to ensure public order, b) proper care seeing in order to prevent and fight crime, c) setting terms and ensuring safe navigation conditions, maritime safety and safe management of ships and port facilities, d) search and rescue at sea, e) proper care in order to protect the maritime environment, f) measures for monitoring, policing and controlling maritime borders, which constitute the European Union’s external borders, g) supporting the Hellenic Merchant Shipping, h) providing support for issues related to the working terms and conditions on the ships and seamen’s training.

The Hellenic Coast Guard’s contribution over time is uncontested and acknowledged by society, while its executives stand out for their high professionalism while exercising their duties.

CATEGORY	DESIGN	QUANTITIES
0,20 €	Hellenic Coast Guard's Air & Sea Means	1.000.000
20gr Domestic Mail	Hellenic Coast Guard's Emblem	2.000.000
0,90 €	“100 Years of Hellenic Coast Guard” Logo	2.000.000
20gr International Registered Mail	Hellenic Coast Guard’s Patrol Boat	1.000.000

DIMENSIONS                 : 35 X 45 mm in sheets of 25

DESIGN                         : Eleni Apostolou

PRINTING METHOD       : Multicolored (OFFSET)

PRINTERS                     : «VERIDOS MATSOUKIS S.A. SECURITY PRINTING»

Source : Link

Commissioning of INS Talwar 18 June 2003

INS Talwar (F40) (translated as "Sword") is the lead ship of the Talwar-class frigates of the Indian Navy. Its name means "Sword" in Hindi (see Talwar). She was built in Russia, and commissioned into the Indian Navy on 18 June 2003.

Talwar is a multirole frigate and true to her name, has participated in various operations and exercises since her commissioning, including anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia.

Talwar is the lead ship of her class of frigates. The Talwar-class guided missile frigates are modified Krivak III-class frigates built by Russia. Much of the equipment on the ship is Russian-made, but a significant number of systems of Indian origin have also been incorporated.

Talwar was built by the Baltiyskiy shipyard. She was launched in May 2000. Delivery to the Indian Navy was scheduled for May 2002 after running, state and acceptance trials. Sea trials were completed in the Baltic Sea on 29 May 2002. The ship was commissioned formally into the Indian Navy on 18 June 2003 by (later Vice Admiral) Satish Soni. INS Talwar arrived home at Mumbai's Naval Dockyard on 12 August 2003, after a long journey from St. Petersburg.

NS Talwar has been deployed around the Indian Ocean, making friendly visits at various ports. She has also participated in various exercises including Malabar 2008 with the United States Navy, and with the French Navy.

The ship is affiliated with the 16th Cavalry of the Indian Army and continues to be a frontline warship of the Indian Navy's Western Fleet

Emblem

Above is the cover which was released on occasion of the commissioning of INS Talwar on 18 June 2003

This cover was issued by the Army Postal Service 2003

Source : Wikipedia

First Day Cover 04 Dec. '05 Builder's Navy.(FDC-2005)

The existence of an ancient sea-faring, shipbuilding and repair tradition in India can be traced back to around 2300 BC. It is believed that the first tidal dock of the world was built at Lothal during the Harappan Civilization, near the present day Mangrole harbor on the Gujarat coast. The Rig Veda mentions Varuna, who has knowledge of the ocean routes. It describes naval expeditions, which used hundred-oared ships to subdue other kingdoms. The Atharva Veda also mentions boats, which were spacious, well constructed and comfortable.

Even in the pre independence India, Indian shipbuilders continued to hold their own well into the nineteenth century. Many Indian built ships were inducted into the HMS Hindostan in 1795, the frigate Cornwallis in 1800, HMS Camel in 1806 and HMS Ceylon in 1808. Another landmark was the construction of the Bombay Dock>, which was completed in 1735 and is in use even today in the Naval Dockyard at Fort Mumbai

The Navy of independent India made a modest beginning with half a dozen destroyers and frigates, a few mine sweepers along with a corvette and a survey vessel inherited from the Royal Indian Navy. The creation of a Corps of Naval Constructors in 1954, setting up of a Central Design Office (CDO) in 1964 and the decision to construct Leander class frigates under license at Mazagaon Dock Ltd. in early sixties marked the early steps of modern warship building in the country. The Directorate of Naval Ship Design, established in 1970, followed by Directorates of Ship Production and Submarine Design has metamorphosed into the controllerate of Warships Production and Acquisitions at Naval Headquarters. The Indian Navy’s resolute pursuit of indigenous design efforts, combined with the relentless endeavors of our shipyards in construction of warships and submarines have laid the foundation of what is proudly termed a Builder’s Navy

From a modest beginning of designing small vessels such as Ocean Going Tugs,Landing Craft Utility, Seaward Defense Boats and Survey Crafts, the naval designers graduated to designing of Landing Ship Tank, Sandhayak class Survey Vessels and Training ship (INS Tir) productionised by the three defense PSUs, Mazagaon Docks Ltd., Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers and Goa Shipyard. In the mid eighties, designing of missile corvettes,Delhi class Missile Destroyers and Brahmaputra class Missile frigates posed many challenges, which were all successfully overcome. The production of two German type 209 submarines in MDL under license between 1984 and 1994 was another hallmark achievement. The Navy is presently engaged in the design and production of the modern Shivalik class multi-purpose Frigates incorporating latest design concepts and stealth features.

Along with indigenous ship building efforts, development of indigenous machinery, equipment, systems, weapons and materials has also been progressed. Initially, this was done by establishing collaborations between foreign manufacturers and Indian companies and subsequently developing our own vendor base, involving both public and private industries. These efforts have resulted in increasing the indigenous content of our warships and submarines to over 70%.

Based on Brochure material given by the Indian Post 

India- President's Fleet review ,Vishakhapatnam and Indian Coast Guard Stamp on Cover

Recently acquired the India- President's Fleet review ,Vishakhapatnam and Indian Coast Guard Stamp  on Cover with Guwahati cancellation.

India- President's Fleet review ,Vishakhapatnam released on 12 Feb 2006 

A Naval Fleet Review is a long-standing tradition followed by Navies across the Globe. It is a grand occasion when every operational ship is spruced up, proudly displaying its crest/emblem and its company (officers and crew) in a spirit of loyalty and allegiance to its Sovereign and the State/Nation.

The concept of a Review of naval ships was conceived as a show of naval might or an inspection of readiness for battle at sea.

Presently, the Fleet Review has transformed into more of a “symbolic sail past” where warships are assembled without any belligerent intentions. Sometimes, such Reviews are conducted as a “celebratory demonstration” for victories achieved in battle or for a coronation of a monarch or on the occasion of visits by important State Guests.

On many occasions, ships have sailed across the seas to participate in Fleet Reviews of friendly nations. When this happens, the assembly of ships undergoes an “International Fleet Review (IFR)”.

Indian Naval tradition dates back to Vedic times, but there are few instances of records of Fleet Reviews over the ages:

India has a naval tradition dating back to Vedic times, although records of Fleet Reviews are found few and far between.

Indian Coast Guard : India Post released a set of 4 stamps in the denomination of Rs 5 each and a miniature sheet on August 12, 2008 to mark 30 years of Indian Coast Guard. The stamps depict the Dornier Fixed Wing Aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter, Hovercraft, and Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel. The five Sheetlets have also been issued. The Indian Coast Guard is the fourth armed force service created to guard India's vast coastline on August 18, 1978. The coast guard works closely with the Indian navy and the Indian Customs Department, and is usually headed by a naval officer of the rank of Vice-Admiral. India's coast guard has a large number of fast craft including hovercrafts and hydrofoils. They patrol the seas and river mouths. The coast guard has performed a number of commendable tasks of rescuing distressed personnel. It has also apprehended pirates on high seas and cleaned up oil spills. Heavy patrolling of sensitive areas such as Gujarat, West Bengal and Mumbai have resulted in catching a large number of smugglers and illegal immigrants.