COVER N. 487 - INDIA

Postmark: Basantia SO

Posted on ?; Received on the 10th July 2024

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Once again Mr. Postman brought me two letters from the same faraway country on the same date, for  a second cover from India was resting inside the letterbox, after the long journey, when I opened it up. Thanks a lot Gianaranjan.

Not that long ago I had received another letter from India with the same four  local fruit stamps, so I'll just paste the notes I made at the time, here again:

Products with a Protected Designation of Origin, a EU and UK certified label, are products that are part of the culture and traditions (mainly gastronomic) of the restricted region in which they are produced, such a classification  being a way of ensuring their sustainability and preservation as well as contributing to their popularisation and market penetration.

I would imagine that a similar classification scheme is awarded by other countries in the world to products produced locally which have specific charateristics linked to the region wherein they are produced.

That is probably the case with the fruits that take the stage in the stamps  on this cover. In fact, the  mini-sheet comprising twelve 5 Rupee stamps of which they are part of, issued on 12FEB2023, is entitled "Geographical Indications. Agricultural goods".

The stamps on the cover correspond to the middle strip of the sheet and they highlight, from left to right, top to bottom:

Shahi Litchi of Bihar

The pulp of these fruits is considered to have a rose scented aroma, and they are produced in the Muzaffarpur District, in the state of Bihar. 

It obtained the Geographic Indication tag in 2018.

Naga Tree Tomato

Locally called Si Binyano or Khwüdi,  the Naga tree tomato (known as tamarillo in most places) is a fruit that has its origins in the Andean region of South America. In India, it is generally cultivated in the State of Nagaland in kitchen gardens, and amongst other culinary uses it is at the heart of a famous chutney. 

It was given the Geographic Indication tag in 2015.

Mahabaleshwar Strawberries. 

Quoting direct from wikipedia "Mahabaleshwar strawberry is a strawberry grown in the hilly slopes of Mahabaleshwar, [in the state of Maharashtra] accounting for about 85 percent of the total strawberry produced in India". Production reaches about 30,000 Tons per year, which is a lot of strawberries, by all accounts.

They obtained the Geographic Indication tag in 2010. 

Allahabad Surkha Guava 

The Allahabad Surkha Guava are distinct from the regular Gouava by the fact that they have a deep pink flesh, and an  apple red  skin. They are cultivated in Allahabad, in the sate of Uttar Pradesh.

It obtained the Geographic Indication tag in 2007.

Postage was completed with a 20 rupee definitive stamp issued on 01MAR2009 as part of a set of  6 stamps dedicated to the "Builders of India", featuring the effigy of Mother Teresa of  Calcutta, now Saint Teresa of Calcutta for the Roman Catholic (1910-1997), who was distinguished with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

Curiously, the cover is also marked with a rubber stamp calling on the attention to the Lok Sabha (House of the People, one of the two cameras of the Indian Parliament) election of 2024, which took place from the 19th April till the 1st June of the current year.