Udupi: The Department of Posts will bring out a “Special Cover” and “My Stamp” to mark the dedication and proclamation of St. Lawrence Minor Basilica of Attur Karkala on January 18.
M K Krishnayya, a retired bank officer, philatelist, curator and guide of Corporation Heritage Museum, Udupi took the initiative to bring out the “Special Cover” and “My Stamp.”
Pope Francis, the 26th Pope of the 1.2 billion Catholics in the world, had elevated the shrine of St. Lawrence at Attur in Karkala to the status of a Minor Basilica on 26 April 2016. St. Lawrence Shrine is the 22nd basilica in India and the second in Karnataka, with St. Mary’s Basilica in Bengaluru being the first. The dedication and proclamation ceremony of St. Lawrence Shrine at Attur Karkala Udupi district as a minor basilica was held on August 1.
According to M K Krishnayya, the special cover is dedicated to promote the tourism and to create awareness and introduce the history of the Basilica. The special cover carries a picture of the front view of the Basilica and statue of St. Lawrence.
‘My Stamp’
“My Stamp” is the brand name for personalised sheets of Postage Stamps of India Post. The personalisation is achieved by printing a thumbnail photograph of the customer images and logos of institutions, or images of artwork, heritage buildings, famous tourist places, historical cities, wildlife, other animals and birds etc., alongside the selected Commemorative Postage Stamp.
“My Stamp” was first introduced in India during the World Philatelic Exhibition, “INDIPEX-2011.” There was considerable demand for it during the exhibition and many requests to resume its printing have since been received. This enthusiasm from stamp lovers prompted India Post to extend the “My Stamp” scheme to cover all Postal Circles. This scheme is available in selected Philatelic Bureaux and counters /Important Post offices situated in tourist places. Selected themes are available at selected My Stamp Counters.
‘Special Cover’
An event which is not nationally important enough to be commemorated by issue of a Commemorative or Special stamp or for which a stamp cannot be accommodated in the annual issue programme may be commemorated by the Department of Post by issuing Special Covers which can be cancelled with a special cancellation at the post office selected for the purpose. Such covers can also be issued at the instance of private parties on payment of requisite charges. These covers should bear minimum postage stamps of any kind equivalent to the minimum inland letter mail rate.
A cancellation (or cancel for short) is a postal marking applied on a postage stamp or postal stationery to deface the stamp and prevent its re-use.
On January 18 at 12 PM, the Department of Posts will release the “Special Cover” and “My Stamp” in the presence of Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi diocese said M K Krishnayya.
