14th November: International Diabetes Day

14th November : World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by IDF and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225.

The campaign is represented by a blue circle logo that was adopted in 2007 after the passage of the UN Resolution on diabetes.  It signifies the unity of the global diabetes community.

Below stamp was issued on 28th February,1995 for the Bangladesh National Diabetes awareness day. Dr Mohammed Ibrahim,  established Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (then Pakistan) on February 28, 1956.  This day became Bangladesh's National diabetes Day.

SIPA Monthly Meeting Update: Nov-8th 2015

Today being the second Sunday we had our SIPA Monthly Meeting. Since it is raining cats and dogs in Chennai there were only few people present at the meeting. The information discussed in the meeting are as follows:

Mr.Bhaskar & Mr. Das started the session by referring to the unavailability of new issues on the first-day. This has been a perennial issue. He also covered some points about the upcoming TANAPEX exhibition. It seems the number of requests for frames is almost 50% higher than available frames. So, discussions are on to limit the number allotted to participants. To encourage and increase visibility of Philately as a hobby and SIPA as an organization, we are planning to setup a stall during the book fair preceding TANAPEX. He is also solicited ideas for TANAPEX special covers, and also requested for volunteers to man the booth and explain exhibits.

Up next was one of our SIPA member (whose family are into philately for 3 generations!) shared his interests and also enlightened us with efforts at the archaeological department in Chennai  to preserve old documents. There was widespread interest in using similar techniques to preserve philatelic material.

Then it was my turn to speak. I spoke to them about my plan for the Exhibition on the topic Flights of  Fancy.  I am happy to say that they helped me gather more ideas for my exhibit.

That was all we had for today. I wish all my fellow Indians an advance HAPPY  DIWALI.

Philharmonic Gold Coin Stamp

The World famous Vienna Philharmonic or simply Philharmonic Gold coin has turned 25 in 2014.  To commemorate its 25th Anniversary Austria Post has issued a set of Gold foil stamp.

On 10th October 1989 Austrian Mint introduced a bullion coin and named it after a Vienna Orchestra "Wiener Philharmoniker" .  Philharmonic (philmarmoniker) means "devoted to music".   Because of the Orchestra's inspiration, on one side of the coin depicts the "Great Hall" of Viennese Music Association, Wiener Musikverein which is the home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Wiener Philharmoniker).  This hall is considered as one of the finest concert halls in the world along with Berlin's Konzerthaus, Amsterdam's Concertgebouw and Boston's symohony Hall.  The other side of the coin has various musical instruments like the Vienna horn, Bassoon, Harp, Violin (4 of them) and  the Cello.

Until 2002 one ounce coin was denominated in Austrian Schillings (ATS) and after the introduction of Euros it changed into Euros.  It is considered as a purest gold bullion coin in the world and it fetched the best selling gold coin in the years 1992, 1995, 1996 and in 2000 from the World Gold Council.

Every year the design of the coin remains the same but the year only differs.

Thanks Mr. Markus for these beautiful stamps. Nice addition to my circular as well as Gold foil stamp collection.