11th April - National Pet Day

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To cheer everyone up during the darkness cast by the pandemic, let us celebrate National Pet Day through this blog post while  sitting at home safely.

The internet was taken by storm during the pandemic with news of many people casting away their furry buddies and other pets scared they would pick up any infection and spread the germs. This day, luckily comes during such a distraught situation to spread the word that our pets are the best friends we could get to keep ourselves stress free and happy.

Originally began as an unofficial holiday in the USA in 2006 , it spread around the world quickly. 

This day is dedicated entirely to pets that are our trustful loyal pals no matter what and our stress buster. They bring so much joy, happiness and love but we are mostly unable to give them back the love they deserve due to our hectic work schedules etc. This holiday is being celebrated to give us a golden opportunity to thank them for their love and support back through love and clear our debts of affection with them. This day was also founded in order to highlight the saddening situation of those pets waiting patiently at shelter homes waiting to be pampered like the rest in loving  homes.

Now, then we are anyways spending more time at home due to lockdown, try to spare some time for your furry friends and enjoy every moment you get with them :)!

Below is a stamp issued by 

Seen above is one stamp, part of a se-tenant issue by Angola with lots of cats (year-unknown: If you know when it was issued, please let us know) and below is a postcard of a fluffy puppy :)!

Meteorite dust on stamp: Austria

In 2006 Austria Post has Issued a stamp with Meteorite dust.  The dust came from a 19 kg stony meteorite found in Morocco in 2004.  The meteorite was crushed into very fine dust and 0.03gms of that dust was hand affixed to the stamp using a special adhesive.  I am very thankful to Mr.Sudhan for this unique material on the stamp.  Nice addition to my Odd and Unusual stamp collection.

Antonov O K - Pioneer of Russian Aviation

The multifaceted Antonov O K is a pioneer of Russian Aviation. Antonov is interested in aviation since his childhood and spent most of his time making paper gliders.  His painting skills came handy in designing aircrafts.

He designed 52 Gliders and 22 airplane types and he is the man behind Guinness record holder AN 225.

Antonov was born on February, 1906. In 2006 for his 100th Anniversary, Russia post issued a miniature sheet with his picture and the aircraft designed by him. I got these through a private swap from Olga of Russia.  Thanks Olga.

15th January : Pongal, Harvest Festival

Indian Economy is heavily dependent on Agriculture.  To thank the Gods and our farmers who have helped us, we celebrate harvest festivals all over India in various names.

Pongal is the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu.  It usually occurs mid-January.  It is a four-day festival. The first day is called "Bhogi".  On this day people use to clean their houses, burn the old unwanted things, and buy new things to mark the beginning of a new life. The second day is the real "Pongal".  On this day people say thanks to the Sun God and prepare a dish called "Sweet Pongal" and "Salt Pongal".  Pongudhal (Pongal) is a Tamil Word meaning flourishing/boiling.  People boil fresh milk in a mud or Copper vessel. While it is boiling they chant "Happiness should overflow in our life like this overflowing boiling milk" and "Pongalo pongal, Pongalo Pongal" and with this milk only they prepare sweet pongal.  The third day is to say thanks to the animals which helped on the field and is called "Maattu Pongal".  Usually, Cow and Buffalos are decorated well on this day and they worship those animals.  The fourth day is called "Kaanum pongal",  On this day relatives get to gather in some commonplace like beach, park and have their dinner together.  "Kaanum" means "Meeting".

Few other harvest festivals in India are Sankranti, Baisakhi, Bihu, Hareli, Nuakhai. 

The first stamp is issued by India Post in the year 2006 and the second one is issued by Singapore Post in the year 2008.

12th June: World Day Against Child Labour

World Day against Child Labour is observed on 12th June every year by the International Labour Organization (ILO), to raise awareness against employing child labour and for the rehabilitation of child workers. The first World Day against Child Labour was celebrated in the year 2002. Because of poverty, children are forced to go to work and they are paid less.  Every Year ILO is focusing on a certain theme. 

The set of stamps below was issued in the year 2006 under the theme "End of Child Labour: within reach".