United Nations


I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps

I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters – snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts, Food and so on.. It is amazing!

As in every AtoZ challenge, a couple of alphabets are challenging and we end up stretching the theme so as to complete our AtoZ posts.

After the alphabet Q; I again, find myself in such a dilemma and am taking such liberty in the choice of stamps for todays alphabet U. Todays stamps, technically do not have flowers whose names start with U but I am sure you will enjoy knowing about these. 

In 1954, India post issued a stamp in honour of the United Nation Day of denomination 2 Annas. It bears a beautiful Lotus on it. 

Another stamp issued in 2020 of denomination 12 INR that depicts Nanda Devi  and Valley of Flowers National Park.  Valley of Flowers is the place to see the Blue Poppy and Brahma Kamal and many many more unique plants.

Post of India, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Post of India, GODL-India https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf, via Wikimedia Commons

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps – what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

You can catch up with my previous posts here. We meet tomorrow for yet another beautiful plant and its stamp! 

Saussurea obvallata


I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps

I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters – snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts, Food and so on.. It is amazing!

Saussurea obvallata is commonly known as Brahma Kamal and belongs to the Asteraceae family. This prized bloom grows in the higher reaches of the Himalayas and the lucky few can see it in the Valley of Flowers trek.

Locally, in Pune, the Epiphyllum oxypetalum is called Brahma Kamal but that belongs to the Cactaceae family. This is a totally different species. It is beautiful and fragrant but its not the real Brahma Kamal.

The stamp issued by India Post captures the beauty of this flower. Issued in 1982, it is of denomination 2.85 INR

Post of India, GODL-India https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf, via Wikimedia Commons

Sal or Shorea robusta of the Dipterocarpaceae family are handsome tall deciduous trees. Its wood is much sought after in India. Here is an image of the Sal flowering from my visit to Corbett in 2016.

The Sal tree finds itself on a 1987 stamp of denomination 5INR. 

Post of India, GODL-India https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf, via Wikimedia Commons

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps – what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

You can catch up with my previous posts here. We meet tomorrow for yet another beautiful plant and its stamp! 

Fruit or Bowl (ThursdayTreeLove)

Kamamdalu, Beggars Bowl are just 2 of the common names of this tree of the Bignoniaceae family. Quite self explanatory I think! Calabash is yet another name this tree is known by.

The common names suggests that the fruit shell continues to be useful even after its pulp is consumed. Very few plants can boast that….coconut is one. Can you think of another?

This tree is Crescentia cujete and is seen around Pune mostly as a planted tree. It doesn’t grow very tall and bears flowers directly on its trunk. (This is referred to as Cauliflory. Jackfruit grows in this manner.) The large fruit seem too heavy for its stalk but it does a good job!! The evergreen species is originally from South America yet seems to be happy in our country!

Flowers!

Here is You Tube video of the same tree .. I have added this video as it gives a nice perspective of the plant and fruit.

Have you seen this Fruit-Bowl?

I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. Do head over to see trees from around the world. Better still, join in!

A New Day (Wordless Wednesday)

The Moon sets as we walk up the hill

Tip: Do Watch in full screen mode

This is an image at the same spot.. the video is much better isn’t it?

The Sun rises as we head home

Do watch in Full Screen Mode!

Continuing with scenes from our daily exercise route, this time I decided to capture the beautiful sky in a short video as my phone camera is woefully inadequate to share the same with you. I hope you can hear the sound of the insects in the Moon set video.

A huge motivation to get out for walks every morning! Dont you agree? 🙂

I am joining Natasha in her Wordless Wednesday Bloghop!

Here’s wishing everyone a very Happy Healthy and Prosperous 2021!