Hong Kong and brazil simultaneously issued a set of four stamps to commemorate the FIFA World Cup Fooball 2010.
Read for Details: Soccer Postage Stamps Popular as World Cup Nears
Friday, June 11, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Postage Stamps of the The Karakoram Peaks by Pakistan Post
The Karakoram Peaks: Top:Malubiting [left] - Haramosh [right], Bottom: Baltistan [left] - K2 [right]
Pakistan is a blessed country to have three of the major mountain ranges in the world, the Himalayas, the Karakoram and the Hindu Kush. Thirteen of the world's 30 tallest peaks are in Pakistan (of eleven over 8,000 meters high mountains tops, five are located in Pakistan). K-2, the world's biggest pyramid and second to Mt Everest and the Trango Towers are just the two examples of richness of our mountain treasure.
The Karakoram mountain range is spread over some 400 kilometres and over 192 kilometres wide. Protected Himalayas on south-east, Hindu-Kush on south-west, Kun-Lun chain of China on the north, the Pamirs on the west and high desolate Tibetan Plateau on the east, the Karakoram forms the greatest barrier on earth to the migration of the people. The junction point of the Karakorams and the Himalayas is shrouded by yet another mountain range, known as the Pir Panjal. The mighty Indus river, one of the fifteen longest rivers of the world, forces its way through the Karakorams and the Himalayas. The Karakorams are also known as the highest mountains range of the world since it houses seven peaks over 26,000 feet and thirty others over 25,000 feet. That is on an average the Karakoram tops are 25,000 feet and above.
The Pakistan Post issued a set of four stamps on 20th August 1981 describing four of its important mountain tops.
The Paisa 40 stamp (above top left) features Malubiting (also known as Malubiting West), which is the second highest peak in the Rakaposhi-Haramosh Mountains ( a sub range of the Karakoram). Malubiting rises above the north bank of the Indus River between its tributaries the Hunza River and the Shigar River. Malubiting lies about 40 km east-southeast of Rakaposhi, and about 50 km east of Gilgit. Malubiting rises steeply over the Phuparash River to the southwest, while on the east the large Chogo Lungma Glacier starts on its slopes.
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The Re. 1 stamp (on the top right) features Haramosh Peak of the Karakoram range, with a height of 7,409m. The top is located some 65 kilometres east of Gilgit, in the south-central region of the Rakaposhi-Haramosh Mountains. It rises steeply above the north bank of the Indus River, a little ways upstream of its confluence with the Gilgit River. The massif has two summits, Haramosh Peak and Haramosh Kutwal Laila Peak.
The third stamp (above bottom left) of Rs. 1.50 denomination features K6, or Baltistan Peak, located in the Masherbrum Mountains. Despite being much lower than its sister mountains, the Eight-thousanders and high 7000m peaks such as Masherbrum, it has huge, steep faces, and great relief above the nearby valleys, making it an impressive peak. K6 is the highest peak in the area surrounding the Charakusa Glacier, a region which has seen renewed climbing interest in recent years. This glacier lies at the head of the Hushe Valley, which in turn leads to the Shyok River and thence to the Indus River.
And finally the Rs. 2 stamp (above bottom right) that features the K2, the second-highest mountain on Earth after Mount Everest. With a peak elevation of 8,611 metres (28,251 ft), K2 is is located on the border between the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Xinjiang, China and Gilgit, in Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan. Due to the difficulty of ascent, K2 is known as the Savage Mountain. It is also the second highest fatality rate among the 'eight thousanders'. K2 is also known as “Chogori” in local language and Mt Godwin Austin.
First Day Cover was also issued on the day:
First Day Cover was also issued on the day:
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Friday, June 4, 2010
Inauguration of First Nuclear Science Training Institute in Pakistan
In the late fifties, when Pakistan embarked upon nuclear program, two major constraints were immediately faced: the dearth of appropriately trained manpower and the absence of even rudiments of a viable scientific and industrial infrastructure. The solution to these problems was the establishment of research, development and training centers. The first major step in this direction was the establishment of Pakistan institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH), at Nilore, near Islamabad.
Designed by world-renowned architect Edward Durrell Stone, PINSTECH blends eastern elegance with western functionality. Construction of the Institute proceeded in two stages: In the first stage, reactor building and ancillary facilities were completed with the reactor becoming critical on 21st December 1965. The second stage, consisting of various laboratories, workshop, library and auditorium, became operational in 1974. The project won the 1966 American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Professional Award for design excellence.
On its inauguration, which was indeed a hallmark in the history of Pakistan, the Pakistan Post issued a commemorative stamp of 15 Paisa on 30th April 1966.
Today, PINSTECH is the premier scientific R & D centre of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. PINSTECH symbolizes the will and the ability of a small developing nation to embark upon a viable nuclear program aimed at peaceful exploitation of atomic energy for socio-economic uplift. Self reliance is the basic philosophy shaping the evolution of the institute's facilities and R&D program, and has become the hallmark of its achievements.
Write up with the courtesy of official website of Pinstech
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Zamzamma – Kim’s Gun or Bhangian di Tope
On 24 December 1960, Pakistan issued a commemorative stamp (above top right with the the Zamzamma Gun in the background) with a face value of 2 Ana to mark the third Pakistan Boy Scout Jamboree held at Lahore. The stamp bore the photo of the famous gun “Zamzamma”, now placed on the Mall Road, in front of the National College of Arts, Lahore. The gun has a long interesting history that has changed hands many a times till its final resting place as of today.
This 18th century heavy artillery gun was manufactured on the orders of Afghan King Ahmed Shah Abdali in 1757. It is said that the people of Lahore were asked to give their kitchen utensils for the cauldron. The gun was used for over 100 years. Ahmad Shah Abdali used these guns against the Marathas in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761 AD). After the battle, due to the lack of suitable means of transportation, he left the Zamzamma gun with Khwaja Ubaid, the Governor of Lahore. In 1762 AD, Hari Singh Bhangi, attacked the territories of the Khwaja and seized the Zamzama. It then changed many a hands and in 1802, Ranjit Singh, after defeating the Bhangis, got hold of the gun. He used it in the battles of Daska, Kasur, Sujanpur, Wazirabad and Multan.
In the siege of Multan, the gun was badly damaged and was removed to Lahore and decommissioned from the service. From 1818 to 1870, it was placed outside the Delhi Gate. For its prolonged possession with the Bhangi Sikhs, the gun came to be called as "Bhangian-di-Tope", the gun of the Bhangis.
In the British ruled era of the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent, the gun came into the possession of the British. From Dehli Gate, it was removed to be placed in front of "Exhibition Hall" (present day Tollington Market). With completion of Jubilee Building of central museum of Lahore, it was moved a few yards up the "Exhibition Road". When the Duke of Edinburgh visited Lahore in February, 1870, the gun was placed opposite to the gate of the museum where it rests to date.
The famous British writer Rudyard Kipling would often sit and relax by the side of the gun and recall his memories of his stay in India. "Who hold Zam-Zammah, that fire-breathing dragon', hold the Punjab; for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror's loot" wrote Rudyard Kipling. Thus the gun came to be known as the Kim's gun.
Next time you are visiting Lahore, don’t miss to see this fine piece of artillery – finally resting peacefully after spitting fire and hell for over a century.
Read More:
Zamzamma (Pakistanpaedia)
