Utsav-2016, 8th Delhi State Level Philatelic Exhibition - 15th - 17th February 2016.

Utsav-2016, 8th Delhi State Level Philatelic Exhibition was organized from 15th to 17th February, 2016 at National Science Centre, New Delhi. Exhibition was inaugurated by Shri Sanjeev Thapar, Member (PLI), Postal Services Board on 15th February, 2016. On the inaugural day of exhibition two special covers were released.

Special Cover on Greater One-horned Rhinoceros – 15th February 2016.

The greater one-horned rhino is the largest of the rhino species. Once found across the entire northern part of the Indian sub-continent, rhino populations were severely depleted as they were hunted for sport and killed as agricultural pests. This pushed the species very close to extinction in the early 20th century and by 1975 there were only 600 individuals surviving in the wild. Currently Greater One-horned Rhinos are found in India and Nepal and their population is around 2500.

The greater one-horned rhino is identified by a single black horn about 8-25 inches long and a grey-brown hide with skin folds, which give it an armor-plated appearance. Greater one-horned rhinos are solitary creatures, except when sub-adults or adult males gather at wallows or to graze. Males have loosely defined home ranges that are not well defended and often overlap. They are primarily grazers, with a diet consisting almost entirely of grasses as well as leaves, branches of shrubs and trees, fruit and aquatic plants. The greater one-horned rhino are good swimmers and can dive and feed underwater. The Mughal emperors of South Asia used the Greater one-horned rhino in fights against elephants as entertainment. The rhinos would often win. Thankfully, this sport is no longer practiced or permitted.

Special Cover on Asian Elephant – 15th February 2016.

Elephants have been revered for centuries in Asia where they play an important role in culture, religion and ecosystems. The Asian or Asiatic elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed in Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Three subspecies are recognised—E. m. maximus from Sri Lanka, the E. m. indicus from mainland Asia, and E. m. sumatranus from the island of Sumatra. Asian elephants are the largest living land animals in Asia. Since 1986, E. maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years. Asian elephants are primarily threatened by degradation, fragmentation and loss of habitat, and poaching. In 2003, the wild population was estimated at between 41,410 and 52,345 individuals. Female captive elephants have lived beyond 60 years when kept in semi-natural surroundings, such as forest camps. In zoos, elephants die at a much younger age and are declining due to a low birth and high death rate.

Special Covers on Greater One-horned Rhinoceros and Asian Elephant were released by Shri Sanjeev Thapar, Member (PLI), Postal Services Board on 15th February 2016.

Special Cover on National Science Centre – 16th February 2016.

The National Science Centre, Delhi is a unit of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), which is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India. It is a pioneering institute engaged in the popularisation of science among the people of the northern part of India in general and among the students in particular. It was inaugurated on the 9th of January 1992 by the then Prime Minister of India. Since opening, the Centre has rendered yeoman service to the cause of science popularisation.

Special Cover on National Science Centre was released on 16th February 2016 at Utsav-2016 exhibition at New Delhi.

Two Special Covers were released during the closing ceremony of Utsav-2016 philatelic exhibition. One on “Agrasen ki Baoli” and another on“Birla Mandir” to celebrate the rich architectural heritage of Delhi. Both the special covers were release by Member (Operations) Shri T. Murthy and other dignitaries present.

Special Cover on National Heritage Maharaja Agrasen ki Baoli – 17th February 2016.

Ancient Indians used to build water temples as well as earliest forms of step wells and reservoirs. Agrasen ki Baoli (also known as Agar Sain ki Baoli or Ugrasen ki Baoli) is among a few of its kind in Delhi, consisting of 103 steps made of red stone. The Baoli is an unique blend of architecture with an impressive design known to have existed centuries ago. The stone walls of the Baoli, dressed with inventive designs with a series of arched structure are grim and desolate, but still beautiful. The Baoli was originally built by Maharaja Agrasen, in the Mahabharat era, and later rebuilt by the Agrawal community in the 14th century, most probably during the Tughlaq period. It is located on Hailey Road near Cannought Place in Delhi in the vicinity of Jantar Mantar. Agrasen ki Baoli is designated as protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958.

Special Cover on Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir) – 17th February 2016.

Laxmi Narayan Temple, also known as Birla Mandir, is one of Delhi's major temples and a major tourist attraction. Built by the industrialst Sh. Jugal Kishore Birla in 1939, this beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place. The temple is dedicated to Laxmi (the goddess of prosperity) and Narayana (The preserver). The temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi on 18th March 1939, on the condition that people of all castes will be allowed to enter the temple.

Source : Indianphilatley