2017-10-17 Tue

It is time to rejoice as the most loved season is about to commence. While everyone is all geared up to burst crackers, exchange gifts and savour festive delicacies, here is a philatelic delight for all those stamp collectors out there. Joint-issue stamps celebrating the festival of Lights – Diwali were issued on 21st September by Canada and India. The two postal departments issued the first ever joint issue between them.

The official ceremony took place at Toronto City Hill. Officials claimed that the stamps portray the fact that Canada welcomes various traditions and celebrations. It also represents the strong ties between Canada and India.

Diwali is celebrated on the 15th day of Kartika in the Hindu calendar over 5 days. This year, it would fall on 19th October. Like all other joint issues, one of the stamp-design comes from Canada Post while the other from India Post. They feature Diya or oil lamps. The background features symbolic fireworks and geometric rangoli patterns.

“Deepavali” literally means ‘a row of lamps’. People decorate their homes with Diyas during this festival. These two permanent stamps from Canada pay the domestic rate which is 85¢ currently. A single booklet of 10 self-adhesive stamps are issued with five of each design.

The Indian stamp is denominated 5 rupees and 25 rupees. A souvenir sheet from India has se-tenant stamps. A souvenir sheet from Canada Post has $2.50 international-rate Canadian stamp and the 25r stamp from India.

To know more about the significance of Diwali, click here.