India
UN Launches Stamps to Commemorate Diwali
Picture Credit: UNPA Twitter @unstamps
The background of these stamps also displays the UN headquarters building illuminated with the message of “Happy Diwali.”
The UN’s Postal Administration has launched special stamps with pictures of ‘Diyas’ or clay oil lamps to commemorate Diwali, the Hindu festival of light.
On the launch of the special Diwali themed stamps, the UN said, “Diwali, also known as Deepawali is the joyous and popular festival of lights, which is celebrated in India and by followers of many faiths across the world. During the five-day celebration clay lamps known as diyas are lit to signify the victory of good over evil. The festival also symbolizes the start of a New year for many communities.”
Today, UN Stamps issued a special event sheet to commemorate the festival of #Diwali . The sheet in the denomination of US$ 1.15 contains ten stamps and tabs featuring festive lights and the symbolic lamps known as diyas.. More @ https://t.co/jMUKgBI3S6 pic.twitter.com/kMFzbfwms6
— UNPA (@unstamps) October 19, 2018
The background of these stamps also displays the UN headquarters building illuminated with the message of “Happy Diwali” to cherish the true spirit of the festival.
This UN initiative was greatly appreciated by the Indian community. Syed Akbaruddin, India’s Ambassador & Permanent Representative to the United Nations tweeted, “The struggle between Good & Evil happens everyday @UN. Thank you @UNStamps for portraying our common quest for the triumph of Good over Evil in your 1st set of Diwali stamps on the occasion of the auspicious Festival of Lights.”
Others were quite ecstatic on the launch of the stamp. One Twitter user wrote
“We all Indians were very happy that people of @unstamps’s respect the culture of our country and take pleasure in it too.
Thank you very much, and you also wish Deepawali’s best wishes.”
Each of the sheets in the denomination of $ 1.15 contains ten stamps and tabs featuring festive lights and the symbolic lamps known as diyas.
In 2016, the UNPA had launched Diwali themed stamps, PTI reports. The news agency said the stamps were possible after many years of efforts by the Indian-American community and influential American lawmakers in Congress like Carolyn Maloney.
Last Year, India and Canada jointly issued commemorative postage stamps on the theme of Diwali, with a statement from the Indian government stating, “India and Canada have a long-standing close relationship based on shared values of democracy, pluralism, equality for all and rule of law. Strong people-to-people contacts and the presence of a large Indian Diaspora in Canada provide a strong foundation for the relationship.”