To celebrate the 160th “Lokmanya Tilak Birth Anniversary” on 23rd July 2016. www.mintageworld.com launched a docudrama on the history of the various stamps & coins being launched to celebrate his life, struggle and triumph of Indian Freedom Struggle
23rd, July 2016, Mumbai : On 23rd, July, 1856, Keshav Gangadhar Tilak, nicknamed as ‘Bal’ by his mother was born in the Chitpavan Brahmin family in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.
He grew up to become a major political leader by joining the Indian National Congress in 1890. He was among one of the first generation of Indians to receive college education. Being the first leader of the Indian Independence movement he was strongly referred as “Father of the Indian Unrest”. He was one of the first and strongest advocate of self-rule (Swaraj) and known for his famous quote – “Swaraj is my birth right and I shall have it”
The echo of these words stirred the nation from its slumber. A common man with an ardor to bring forth a reorientation of his motherland brought about an insurrection. He is credited to the task of awakening political consciousness through his two weekly newspapers ‘Kesari’ in Marathi and ‘Mahratta’ in English. He became known for his bitter criticism against the British and moderate nationalist’s methods of social reform.
Some of the Unique Coins, Stamps & Currency Notes launched to celebrate his life, struggle and triumphs were as follows: Stamps;
* On the eve of his 1st birth centenary on 23rd July 1956, Indian Post launched a 2 annas stamp. A very unique aspect of this stamp is, that this was the last stamp issued in Annas in India. After this all the stamps issued were in naya paisa. Also, after Independence, this is the first commemorative stamp issued on a birth centenary of any freedom fighter.
* On Tilak’s 150th birth anniversary, on 23rd July, 2007 a unique definitive one rupee stamp was issued by the Indian Post to commemorate this great man of our Indian history
* On 15th August 1987, On the 40th anniversary of Indian Independence, An artistic painting by M.F.Hussain was converted to a 60 paise stamp. The stamp bears the legendary, “Swarajya mera janmasiddha adhikar hai” in Hindi and its translation “Swaraj is my birthright” in English along with the name Bal Gangadhar Tilak on the face of it.
Coins : The RBI, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his birth, issued a coin of Rupees 5 and 100 in 2007. Both portray an image of Tilak on the reverse with the inscription “150th Birth Anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak” in English and “Lokmanya Tilak ki 150 vi Jayanti” in Hindi.
First Day Cover : The 2 annas stamp on the eve of the 1st birth centenary of Tilak on 23rd July 1956 was released before the official date. The official cancellation mark of 23rd July, 1956 on the First Day Cover was offered only at Hyderabad, Jaipur and Ratnagiri. It was, however, exclusively in Ratnagiri that the cancellation mark bears the legend of ‘Tilak Janma Sthan, Ratnagiri (Tilak Birth Place, Ratnagiri) in Hindi
Tilak’s zeal for nationalism was fundamental for Swarjya. During his lifetime he earned the title “Father of the Indian Movement. He started the “Home Rule League” as well as the celebration of “Ganesh Chaturthi” and “Shivaji Jayanti” to build national spirit. He authored books like “The Orion”, “Geeta Rahsya” and “The Arctic Home of the Vedas” which became a sensation. An amazing story of this courageous man justly called ‘Lokmanya’ breathed his last on 1st August, 1920 but his glory continues to live.
To watch this docudrama, please click on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NImRPtUTy7g
