India Post issues perfumed stamp

The India Department of Posts, in its series of bringing out commemorative postage stamps, has issued the first perfumed stamp having the unmistakable fragrance of Sandalwood.

As Sandalwood is an integral part of the Indian heritage which needs to be treasured and conserved, the Department of Posts has issued a perfumed postage stamp to commemorate this national treasure.

The stamp in the denomination of rupees fifteen was formally released by Shri Dayanidhi Maran, Minister of Communications & Information Technology, on December 13. The stamp, printed at Government of India Security Press at Nasik, is of 29 x 39 mm dimension having fragrance to last for over a year.

So far, countries like New Zealand, Thailand and Switzerland have issued perfumed stamps of this kind. As regards Sandalwood, it dates back to 2000 BC and has found mention in Indian classical literature and scriptures.

The Sandalwood tree is found in India, Sri Lanka, Australia, China, Taiwan, Hawaai and some other South Pacific islands.

It may be recalled that the Department of Posts has so far brought out more than 1200 stamps since Independence. A record number of 57 stamps have been released in the current calendar year itself. Prominent among "themes" category were Lakes of India, endangered birds of India etc.