| Postal Stamp Image |
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 |
| Stamp Issue Date |
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02/02/1985 |
| Postage Stamp Dinomination |
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1.00 |
| Postal Stamp Serial Number |
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1152 |
| Postal Stamp Name |
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MINICOY LIGHT-HOUSE |
| Stamp Information |
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MINICOY LIGHTHOUSE
From time immemorial, lighthouses have been proudly 'Lamp Posts of the Ocean'. The Pharos of Alexandria built in 3rd Century B.C., which was one of the earliest lighthouses, was admired as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. India has had a glorious maritime heritage and relies of lighthouses towers are also found near erstwhile ports in medieval India.
The main function of a lighthouse is to guide ships while sailing in the high seas and also when approaching the coastline. Lighthouses also mark danger such as submerged rocks, shoals and wrecks and thus play an important role in ensuring the safety of life as well as navigation.
Amongst the few major Lighthouses in India built in the 19th and which are still in use today, the lighthouses at Minicoy Island (Lat. 08" 16' N; Long. 73"01.6'E) in the Union territory of Lakshadweep, which was established in 1885, stands as the foremost. By virtue of its strategic location in the Arabian Sea, this lighthouse renders vital navigational guidance to all ships plying in the international sea lanes from Alden to Colombo and Suez to Singapore and the far East. The circular masonary tower, which is 47 meters high, is provided with a powerful revolving lens apparatus capable of giving an effective beam intensity of 100,00 candles with a visibility range of 26 nautical miles. A powerful medium frequency Radio-beacon with an effective range of 400 km. has also been installed recently at this lighthouse in order to provide increased navigational guidance to mariners. Minicoy Island Lighthouse which has beer acclaimed for and wide as an important navigational landmark amidst the high seas has been completed one hundred years of service to the mariners on 2.2.1985.
The Department of Lighthouses and Lightships, Ministry of Shipping and Transport, Government of India, is responsible for the provision and maintenance of navigational aids all along 6700 Km. coastline of the country and there are 147 Lighthouses, 14 Radio-beacons, 12 Decca Navigator Chain Stations, 13 Fog Signals, 6 Recons, 12 Light buoys and 1 Light vessel at present.
(Text Courtesy: Director General of Lighthouses & Lightships).
The Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department is happy to issue a commemorative stamp on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Minicoy Island Lighthouse. |
| Philatelic Stamp Description |
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Description of Designs
The 100 P. multicolour stamp showing the Minicoy Lighthouse has been designed by the India Security Press, Nasik. The First Day Cover shows the seascape at Minicoy as seen from Lighthouse. The cancellation has been designed by Nenu Bagga.
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| Stamp Currency |
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R |
| Stamp Type |
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COMMEMORATIVE |
| Stamp Language |
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English |
| Stamp Overall Size |
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4.06 x 2.7 |
| Postal Stamp Print Size |
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3.71 x 2.3 cms. |
| Number of Stamps Per Sheet |
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40 |
| Stamp Perforations |
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13 x 13 |
| Postal Stamp Shape |
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Vertical |
| Postage Stamp Paper |
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Unwatermarked P.G. Matt coated paper |
| Indian Stamp Process |
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Photogravure |
| Number of stamps printed |
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15,00,000 |
| Stamp Printed At |
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India Security Press |
| Indian Stamp's Color |
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Multicolour |
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