Introducing Kids to Stamps of India Can Innovate Our Education System

Imagination is something that you should always let loose. The day we stop becoming imaginative, we would be soon nearing the end. The best of inventions in the world are outcomes of an imaginative mind. The education system in our country is very restrictive in terms of letting students become as free as possible. Children start mugging up concepts from a very young age. Recently I came across a friend telling me about how children from kindergarten are being asked to learn complex subjects. What is the end motive? Do you want to take away the innocence of childhood from children so early? At an age when children should be ideally running around playing a few games, they are asked to mug up something. This will definitely affect the overall development of kids. Academics should not be the only focus in schools. Sports and other extracurricular activities should be given equal importance. This will make students ready for all kinds of challenges that they would face when they grow up. They could be introduced to different kinds of hobbies that will not only keep them occupied and happy, but also will increase their general knowledge. Schools in India should introduce children to Stamps of India so that they are learning facts about our country in an interesting way.

The main problem with our education system is that it is obsolete and boring. Teachers only stick to textbooks and do not go for innovative teaching aids. Old Indian Stamps can prove to be a fun way to learn about our country. There are so many interesting subjects that are depicted on Rare Indian stamps. Everything from important personalities to inventions, traditions, cultures, geography, historical events, wildlife etc! The list is endless really. Now imagine if kids are asked to start collecting Stamps of India and asked to read up on the subjects that have been featured on them. This would definitely have a better impact than learning about these subjects from textbooks. I have had personal experiences when I have fallen asleep while reading some of these textbooks. Basically there is no kind of motivation to read these textbooks. When learning is clubbed with a fun activity then it definitely becomes even more effective.

Image Courtesy: mintageworld.com

Till the 2nd grade, I was this dull student who had no interest in studying. I was always looking out of the window and waiting for the recess bell to ring. The recess was the only exciting time for me in school, when I got a chance to interact with my friends and play a few interesting games. The summer vacations arrived and thankfully I was introduced the hobby of collecting Indian Stamps for the very first time. My uncle from Jamshedpur came over with his collection of Rare Indian Stamps. The moment I looked at those Rare Stamps of India, I fell in love with them. I kept pestering my uncle with various kinds of questions. He told me how he had started building his collection of Stamps in India from the last 15 years. Honestly, I was inspired by my uncle to start collecting Old Indian Stamps. Suddenly, I started losing interesting in playing outside and spent several hours only talking to my uncle about his collection of stamps. 

If it wasn't for him, i wouldn't have owned a collection of such amazing rare stamps of India. He was 70 years old back them and left me with his bounty before he left. Those were the first ever Indian Stamps that I collected in life. Even today, these stamps are really close to my heart. I can't imagine misplacing them somewhere and always make it appoint to keep them safely inside a drawer. Even today, the first thing that I show my fellow collector friends is that special collection of stamps that I borrowed from my uncle. I am greatly thankful to him for introducing me to this amazing hobby.

From the day I graduated to 3rd grade, i was a changed boy. I started concentrating on different subjects and topics. I looked at ways in which I could relate what I was learning at school with the collection of Indian Stamps that I had with me. The result was astonishing really. I suddenly started scoring more marks in exams. I was not bored of reading and gaining knowledge. Clearing exams and scoring marks was not my only intention. I wanted to read just to know more about my country. Stamps of India were a medium through which I was doing it. When my parents observed that I started reading, they also started supporting me to pursue my hobby. Ever since then, there was no looking back. I kept collecting Indian stamps as and when I got some free time. When I look back at my early days, I feel lucky that i found my passion in stamp collecting.

Colourful History of Old Indian Stamps and Philately

There is a lot to explore when it comes to the history of Indian stamps. Some of these old Indian stamps are extremely rare. Let’s take a quick look at some interesting facts about Indian Philately. 

Old Indian Stamps
Scinde Dawk is not only considered to be the very first stamps of India but also as the earliest stamps of Asia. It was made of red ceiling wax wafers and had an embossed design. These rare Indian postage stamps were circulated within the Sindh region and are highly sought-after by collectors all over the world. They bore the denomination half anna and only 100 such stamps exist today, making them highly desirable.

Indian stamps issued during the British regime featured portraits of kings and queens. The inverted head four annas stamp issued in 1854 is a rare gem which is auctioned for lakhs of rupees. This octagonal shaped postage stamp of India featured an inverted image of Queen Victoria and was printed due to an error. Owning these Indian rare stamps is every collector’s dream.

First Stamps of Independent India
The very first stamps in India issued after independence featured the tricolour flag along with the slogan “Jai Hind”. It bore the denomination three and a half annas and was issued on 21ist November 1947. However, these Indian stamps were used for international correspondence. The second postage stamp of India depicted the Ashokan Lion Capital. It bore the denomination 1 and half annas and was released for domestic mails. 

Commemorative Stamps of India
There are numerous fascinating aspects of our country which are worth exploring as themes for Indian stamp designs. Over the years, India has issued numerous interesting commemorative Indian stamps to celebrate important events, achievements or to honour important personalities. These events, institutions, organisations and personalities belong to different categories.

Through the study of these unique stamps in India, the younger generation can discover many amazing facts about our country. That’s the reason why, it’s very important to promote the hobby of stamp collecting among youngsters. They should be encouraged to collect stamps of India based on various themes such as animals, birds, flowers, monuments, history, science, art, culture etc.  This will increase their general knowledge to a great extent.

Now, that you know something about the history of old Indian stamps, start looking for some interesting varieties and put together an impressive collection.

Stamps of India and their Innumerable Varieties

For a philatelist or stamp collector who is interested in collecting thematic postage stamps, stamps of India present a wide array of exciting options. Let’s take a look at a few of them today.

First Stamp of India
The very first stamp of India was the Scinde Dawk. These old Indian stamps issued by the British are considered to be the oldest ones to be issued in Asia as well. The design was embossed on red sealing wax wafers which were later stuck on paper by people who wanted postal service.  These rare Indian Postage stamps were used within Sindh province. The word “Dawk” comes from a Hindi word “Dak”, meaning “Post” in Hindi. These rare Indian stamps bear a face value of half anna and less than 100 such stamps can be found in the market, making them even more desirable.

First Stamps of Independent India
The first stamp of Independent India featured the Indian tricolour with the slogan Jai Hind and was issued for foreign correspondence. These old stamps of India bore the denomination three and a half annas and were issued on 21st November 1947. Indian stamps dedicated to the father of our nation – Mahatma Gandhi on the 1st Anniversary of India’s independence – 15th August 1948. Temples, sculptures, monuments and fortresses from different parts of the country highlighting Indian heritage were featured on a series of definitive stamps of India that were issued on 15th August 1949. Old Indian stamps commemorating the inauguration of the Republic of India were issued on 26th January 1950. A variety of stamps in India based on the theme Technology and development were issued in 1955.

Modern Indian Stamps
Modern stamps of India feature various aspects about our country like culture, history, important personalities, art, literature, wildlife, architecture, science, innovations etc. India post has also issued four scented stamps of India dedicated to sandalwood, coffee, jasmine and rose. Indian stamps celebrating Children’s Day are designed based on a nationwide drawing competition for kids. A 15 rupees Indian stamp in the shape of a hexagon was released in the year 2008 featuring the Giant Tortoise. Stamps of India released last year highlighting the major events of the Hindu Epic Ramayana are also very artistic and beautiful. Special sets of Indian stamps have been released on trains, Indian dogs, Indian horses, migratory birds and many other interesting themes.

If you like collecting Postage Stamps of India than you must definitely look out for these unique varieties.

Collecting Stamps of India – The Perfect Stress buster

We live in a day and age when stress has become an organic part of our lives. It all boils down to how you manage your stress in the long run. The number of cases related to depression and suicides are on the rise day by day. There is a need to start a conversation or indulge in something that releases your stress in some way or the other. Though physical exercise for at least half an hour can bring down stress levels to a great extent, hobbies are something that can make a bigger impact. Unlike other common hobbies, collecting Stamps of India doesn’t just bring joy into your lives but also increases your general knowledge.

I have been collecting Indian stamps from the last four years now and the journey has been truly exciting so far. The joy of adding rare Indian stamps in your collection cannot be expressed in words. It definitely boosts your morale and confidence levels greatly. The most fascinating aspect about old Indian stamps is its variety. India is such a vibrant country with so many different cultures, traditions and landscapes that stamps in India are a treat to collect for any philatelist. Moreover, you are keeping your mind engaged on most occasions, trying to read about the imagery depicted on rare stamps of India.

Whenever I am stressed out, I take out my collection of Indian rare stamps and keep gazing at them for hours together. A lot of effort goes into putting together an impressive collection of Indian stamps. Sometimes, all you feel like doing is pull them out of your drawers and appreciate the time you spent on making this collection and the hard work you put in for the same. There are very few hobbies like collecting stamps of India which can give you so much pleasure and knowledge at the same time.     

Why you should make your kids collect Indian Stamps

Parenting is something that not many give importance to. The future of your kids depends completely on how you raise them. Children learn from their elders and follow their guidance. It is always advised to guide children at the right time so that when they grow older they become responsible citizens. These days, there are various hobbies and skills that you can teach your kids. From drawing, to skating, the list is endless. Finding an interesting way to learn new things is also very crucial. That’s where a hobby like stamp collecting comes into the picture. I myself love collecting Indian Stamps and I plan to teach my kids too about the hobby. The reason for that is very simple, because the conventional educational system in India is extremely boring.

I remember when I was kid, I hated the textbooks completely. Most of the teachers would only read one chapter after the other and explain concepts. We used to comeback home and spend hours doing our homework but nothing used to go into our heads. Even during exam times, all we did was memorize everything without understanding the core concept.

Things changed drastically the moment I started collecting Stamps of India. I started looking carefully at the images that were depicted on all those Rare Indian Stamps. Then I slowly started reading about whatever was shown on a new stamp I got. Many a times, I also related what I was learning by collecting Old Indian Stamps with what I was learning at school. What really matters is the right kind of attitude more than anything else.

Now when I am a parent, I would want my kids to pursue the hobby of collecting Indian Stamps so that they are not just stuck in textbooks. Apart from that, the hobby allows you to make a few more good friends in life!

 

Find Your Escape Through Stamps in India

It all started with one postal stamp of India. A hobby that went on to become my best friend! Well, I understand it’s really difficult to personify a hobby, but that’s what exactly happened with me. Nobody would ever imagine how relieving collecting stamps in India can be. When there is no much going on in the real world, who wouldn’t seek an escape? Far away from boring reality, the imagery depicted on stamps in India, slowly take life. I always have a dream to visit different beautiful locations of our country, experiencing traditions that define us as Indians. Being brought up in a middle-class family, you don’t get too many chances to travel that far. The only opportunity you have is during school vacations when parents might make a plan to visit and explore a new place. But then, that happens only once a year. By collecting stamps in India, you can actually get transported to a whole new world. 

As they say, it’s all in your head! The moment you decide to imagine, you can go wherever you wish to. Stamps in India cover various interesting topics and collecting them can actually enrich your knowledge. It’s at least better than other pastimes like whiling away time on the internet or social media websites.  The first thing you need to do when you find a postal stamp of India, is read about whatever is depicted on them. The best part of researching this ways is that there is no time constraint. You are not preparing for an exam or something. Relax, take your own sweet time and understand concepts for actually understanding them and not for clearing your exams. Apart from that, when I started indulging myself in collecting stamps in India, I started opening up, talking to random people who are into the hobby, making more genuine friends!