COVER N.702 / POSTCARD N. 223 - CANADA.

Postcrossing Postcard sent on the 7th April ; received on the 15th April 2026.

Postcard image: landmarks of Prince Edward Island

_________________________________________________________________________________

What a lovely piece of mail I got from Sofi in Canada, through Postcrossing. Thank you so much Sofi. I really appreciated the care you have in sending the postcard in an envelope with so many outstanding stamps. I couldn't be happier about it!

There are no less than 9 stamps on this particular cover, so let's get down to them, left to right, top to bottom, as usual:

- 4 cent stamp, part of a definitive set of  8 stamps ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9,  10; 25 cents) dedicated to  "Traditional Trades". The 4 cent stamp is illustrated with a photograph of an oyster and of the hands of someone shucking an oyster, with a very tiny legend on the frame reading: Ostréiculture / Oyster Farming

- Between 2007 and 2014, Canada Post issued a series of definitive stamps dedicated to "Beneficial Insects". There were 5 issues in this series (2007; 2009; 2010; 2012; 2014). The 3, 1, 10 and 5 cent stamps on the cover pertain to the  first issue of the series, dated of 12OCT2007, while the 2 cent stamp was the 2009 issue, dated of 22APR2022.

Although tiny, these stamps are absolutely wonderful and capture in great detail images of insects that we all are familiar with and which we sometimes forget about their importance in the sustainability of life on this planet, through their role as pest controllers, pollinators and part of the food chain of other species.

On the cover we have stamps with illustrations of the following insects:

- 3 cent - Chrysopa oculata

This green lacewing of the Chrisopidae family is used to control aphid populations in orchards.

- 1 cent - Convergent Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens)

Another insect used to control aphid populations, the convergent Lady Beetle is a coleopter, member of the Cocinellidae family.

- 10 cent - Canada Darner (Aeshna canadiensis)

A member of the Aeshnidae family, this dragonfly as other dragonflies is a voracious insect predator,  being, therefore, very beneficial.

- 5  cent - Common Arctic Bumblebee (Bombus polaris)

According to Wikipedia, the Common Arctic Bumblebee, a member of the Apidae family,  is  is one of three bumblebees that live above the Arctic Circle and is also one of the earliest pollinators of vegetation in the Arctic each year.

- 2 cent - Monarch Caterpillar (Danaus plexippus)

A member of the Nymphalidae family, this beautiful lepidopter is a stout pollinator of wildflowers on its amazing migrations in the American Continent.

- Eid, or more precisely Eid al-Fitr (The breaking of the fast) is the Festival that celebrates the end of Ramadan for the Islamic communities and therefore a very relevant event on the calendar.  

On 24APR2020, the first day of Ramadan that year, Canada Post, following a tradition it inaugurated in 2017,  issued a "P" stamp, celebrating this important festival. 

- "Between the 1830s and 1990s, more than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children across Canada were taken from their families and sent to federally created Indian residential schools. They were stripped of their languages, cultures and traditions. Children endured unsafe conditions, disease, and physical, sexual and emotional abuse while at the church-run schools. Thousands of them never made it home. Residential school Survivors continue to experience trauma from their time at the institutions, and that has been passed down to successive generations"

The third edition of Canada Post’s annual Truth and Reconciliation Stamp series focused on artwork by Survivors of residential schools.

Issued on 27SEP2024, it comprised three "P" stamps. On the cover we have the stamp honouring the artwork of Helen Iguptak, and I can't resist transcribing some text from the stamp release notes:

"Helen Iguptak recalls the time she was taken away from her home in what is now Nunavut, at age 7, to live at Turquetil Hall residential school in Chesterfield Inlet. She was taken by boat and remembers the feeling of trading her warm caribou clothing for store-bought cotton clothes.

"I noticed it was kind of windy and the wind was going right through my clothes. I started thinking, how am I going to survive this winter,” Iguptak told CBC in an interview in 2018.

Iguptak today carries on Kivalliq dollmaking – a centuries-old Inuit tradition from the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut.

She took up the artform in the 1990s. But Iguptak learned to make her first doll at residential school. She befriended an older girl who taught her how to make the “little friends” that comforted her and helped protect her culture from being taken away.

“When I was in Chesterfield I had one friend who taught me how to make a doll, so I made one under her instruction. She taught me how to make basic clothing,” she told CBC. “I was only like 7. Just before I finished it – I think I was putting the hair on – I ran out of thread and I was too scared to ask for thread. I looked around the floor and saw something black, so I used that to finish the doll. It was a human hair.”

When she eventually left Chesterfield to go home, she says she was so excited she completely forgot about her doll.

Today, Iguptak is recognized as an artist helping to protect Inuit culture and continue the doll tradition. Her dolls are intricately stitched to capture the details of Inuit traditional dress. Details in her work typically include caribou-skin clothing, kamiks (sealskin boots) and colourful beadwork. They’ve been displayed in galleries and exhibitions across Canada."

- "The Canada Post Community Foundation is a registered charity distributing grants to Canadian schools, charities and community organizations that provide programming to children and youth (up to age 21)."

Annually, Canada Post issues a stamp with a10 cent charity surcharge to help fund its Community Foundation. On the cover we have the 2025 issue illustrated with some giraffes, issued on 28APR2025.

Prince Edward Island is the smallest Province of Canada, but is also the most populous. Located just in front of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the island as an area of 5,660 square Kilometres and a population in excess of 182,000.

Its capital is Charlottetown, on the centre south of the island.

The postcard features photographs of

- the confederation bridge, built in 1997, that links Prince Edward Island and Canada's mainland; 

- Park Corner fields, park corner being a small rural community  for its picturesque landscapes and proximity to the island's beaches;

- Cap-Egmont lighthouse, dating from 1884.

 

POSTCARD N.222 - NETHERLANDS

Postcrossing Postcard sent on the 6th April; received on the 15th April 2026

Postcard image: Vintage photo of Amsterdam Central Station in 1906

_________________________________________________________________________________

The first thing a more inspective view over the nice vintage photo on the postcard I got from Sascha, in the Netherlands - Hartelijk dank, Sascha! - is that.... there are no bicycles on view....

In fact, the "second coming" of bikes in the Netherlands took place in the 70s of last century, after popular pressure over the government to promote safer urban transportation, due to the rise in urban accidents with cars, in the booming years after the second world war.

And I say "second coming" because it seems that between the wars, the bicycle was also quite a widespread means of displacement for the Dutch and quite justifiably so, given the flat nature of most of its territory.

Today, an image like the one on the postcard would be unthinkable and it suffices to do a Google search on images of the bike parking right on the side of the still beautiful Central Station of Amsterdam to understand why. 

The fact is that Dutch got it right, and the humble bicycle, which was once frowned upon as the means of transportation of those that could not afford a car, is now spreading all over the world as a rational, non-polluting and quite fuel efficient means of transportation.

Of course, this change of attitude came together with a dramatic increase in the options so that those that like to herald their economic might over the rest of us can still pay tonnes of money for features that do nothing more special than making your bike more expensive... but for some that's really what matters most, right?

Amsterdam's Central Train Station was conceived by Architect Pierre Cuypers, who was also responsible for the conception of the  Rijskmuseum, started to be built in 1881 and was inaugurated in 1889.

Having undergone refurbishing works in 1997 it is now under a new development plan that started in 2022 and will take some years to complete.

Stamps (left to right; top to bottom):

- 0,39 € stamp from a mini-sheet comprising 12 x 0,39 € stamps, issued on 30AUG2002each one with a se-tenant stamp and vignette,  dedicated to the Dutch Provinces. Each stamp carries an artistic graphic illustration of a provincial flag while the vignette features a photograph of a landmark, person, artefact, etc,  characteristic of the province. 

This particular stamp on the card is illustrated with the flag of the Province of Overijseel and carries a photograph of the 16th century walls of the city of Zwolle, the Province's capital.

- 0,34 € stamp from a mini-sheet comprising 12 x 0,34 € stamps issued on 18NOV2008 with stamps dedicated to the December festive Season.

- 0,39 € stamp from a mini-sheet comprising 12 x 0,39 € stamps issued on 04JAN2006, themed on endangered animals. The highlighted animal on this particular stamp is the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis), native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily in Liberia, with small populations in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast.

- 0,61 € self-adhesive stamp, issued on 02JAN2004, as part of a two stamp set (0,64 + 0,77 €) dedicated to Ancient Art. The stamp replicates the painting "Woman Reading Letter with Maid" by Dutch painter Gabriel Metsu (1629 - 1667)

- 0,39 € stamp from a mini-sheet comprising 10 x 0,39 € stamps issued on 10MAY2004, celebrating the enlargement of the European Union, which from the 1st of May of that year, registered 10 new member states: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

The stamp is dedicated to teh Czech Republic, featuring a subdued flag of Czechia over a map and a stamp 

The mechanical postmark was applied at Amsterdam, the Capital. 

COVER N. 701 - SOUTH KOREA

Postmark:  Gwanghawamun Korea  20.03.2026  

Posted on the 20th March;  Received on the 14th April 2026

_________________________________________________________________________________

A very neat letter from the Republic of South Korea completes a circuit that was initiated thanks to the precious help of LCCC manager Roland Montagne, so un grand merci, Roland, pour votre précieuse aide,  and 감사합니다, Park, 

Park used the two 270 won stamps issued on 28OCT2011 as a joint issue between South Korea and Australia, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Korea-Australia diplomatic ties, as can be read in the legend on the stamps.

 The beautifully illustrated stamps highlight traditional local instruments: for Korea we have the Haegeum, a string instrument akin  to a vertical fiddle, being stringed with two  silk strings which are played with a bow, while the Australian istrument depicted is the Didgeridoo, a wind instrument that is played "with vibrating lips to produce a continuous drone while using a special breathing technique called circular breathing" (wikipedia).

Postmark from the  Gwanghawamun Post Office, which handles all the mail of  Jongno-gu, which together with Jung-gu,  forms the city centre of Seoul.

POSTCARD N.221 - INDONESIA

Postcard sent on the 14th January; received on the 15th April 2026

Postcard image: Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta

_________________________________________________________________________________

Better late than never, it is said, and in what concerns mail, I could not be more in favour. 

The path of  the restless wanderer, my friend The Phantom, led him through South East Asia, it seems, at some point in the beginning of the year, and three months later I get proof of this in the form of a nice postcard from Jakarta, Indonesia. As always Danke sehr, Alex. Truly appreciated!

Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country by population, and it is also the fourth most populous country in the world,  so large mosques must be quite common in the country to accommodate the religious needs of the population.

One such Mosque is the Istiqlal Mosque, located in Jakarta, the country's capital, which is the largest Islamic temple in all south east Asia and the 9th largest mosque in the world.

Its name "Istiqlal" signifies "Independence" in Arabic for it was built in celebration of Indonesia's independence. The temple opened in 1978 and can accommodate no less than 200,000 worshipers

Alex used three stamps from a set of 6 x 3000 Rupiah se-tenant stamps + 1x10,000 Rupiah single stamp, issued on  05NOV2018, dedicated to Flora and Fauna of Indonesia.

left to right , the stamps are illustrated with photographs of:

- Knobbed hornbill (Rhyticeros cassidix), a species of hornbill native to Indonesia, dwelling in evergreen forests up to an altitude of 1800 metres, in the islands of  Sulawesi, Buton, Lembeh, Togian and Muna. 

- Ursine tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus ursinus), a long-tailed, furry, bear-like mammal found only in tropical forests on the island of New Guinea (Indonesia).

- Celebes crested macaque (Macaca nigra), a critically endangered species endemic to the north tropical regions of the island of Sulawesi.

Postmark from Central Jakarta  (Jakarta Pusat).

POSTCARD N.220 - AUSTRIA

Postcrossing postcard sent on the 01th April (?); received on the 14th April 2026

Postcard image: A view of unidentified  fields

_________________________________________________________________________________

Not much to say about this postcard I got from Emilia with a nice photograph of  some calm fields on an unidentified location, other than it looks like a good place for a hike, one of my activities of choice. 

Unfortunately it mush have had a rough ride while in trasit since it arrived  with a pretty nasty crease....

Anyway, Danke sehr, Emilia!

Emilia used a small, yet atractive in its formal simplicity, 1,25€, self-adhesive, stamp, issued os 02HAN2026 as part of a 3 three stamp set (2 x 1,25; 2 €) in the "Three and bush" definitive series started in 2025.

The tree that illustrates the stamp is the Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), a member of the  Rosaceae family, which can grow up to 20 m high and which can be found all across Europe. The berries it produces are edible and can be made into jam.

Postmark from the Capital, Wien.

POSTCARD N.219 - CROATIA

Postcard sent on the 07th April; received on the 14th April 2026

Postcard image: Night view of Vela Luka - Kurcula Island

_________________________________________________________________________________

What a pleasant surprise. A friend and colleague of my wife's who has accompanied her relentless efforts to ensure I get a postcard or a letter posted from the local Post Office whenever she travels abroad for work reasons, was immensely kind and volunteered to send us this beautiful postcard fromCroatia, knowing that such a generous gesture would make us (well, me, for sure 😀) immensely Happy.

Muito obrigado, Francisca. Fiquei mesmo muito contente por ter recebido este bonito postal. 

Como as boas ações não devem ficar sem resposta, já vai outro postal de resposta a caminho também 😀

Vela Luka, which translates into "Big Harbour" is a port town on the Island of Korčula, one of the Croatian Islands in the Adriatic. The economy of the  town, as I could learn from wikipedia,  aside from the activities related to the sea and tourism, leans on the existence of a medical centre specialised in patient  rehabilitation and rheumatic disorders.

Francisca used a "C" tariff self-adhesive stamp,  part of a set of three, (Tariffs A/B/C) of the "Natural Beauty of Croatia" series, issued on 28JAN2020, illustrated with a photograph of Telašćica Nature Park.

This nature reserve is located in the central part of the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, in the south-eastern part of the island of Dugi Otok and was upgraded in protection status from Protected area in 1980 to Nature Park in 1988, in recognition of the importance of its "valuable flora and fauna, geological and geomorphological phenomena, versatile sea bottom life, and interesting archaeological heritage", as stated in the Park's official site. 

POSTCARD N.218 - UNITED KINGDOM

Postcrossing postcard sent on the 08th April; received on the 14th April 2026

Postcard image: The Red Arrows - reproduction of a stamp issued on 20JUN2024

_________________________________________________________________________________

Oh the fumes.... the roar... the ballet like perfection of the 9 Hawks symmetrically aligned... Thanks a lot Hannah, I really like it!

The year was 1973. I was 13, then. The news on TV couldn't make me happier: The Red Arrows would be performing in Lisbon, over the Tagus near Belém.

I immediately put on a request with my father: Please, please daddy, please let’s go see them. Daddy said ok. we'll go.

Anticipation, anxiety.  I could hardly wait for it. 

Days later at school, during the break between two classes. Suddenly a glimpse of  red in the sky, getting bigger: the Red Arrows Gnats flying over my head, and then that  roar, I was bursting with enthusiasm. Tommorow as promised we'd go see the full performance.

Then the day came. I was ready to go. but then came lunch. and for some reason it took a lot of time for us four, my parents my sister and I, to leave home.

The day  was terribly hot, and even with the windows opened in our tiny Austin 850, I felt truly uncomfortable. The more so since everywhere I looked there were cars. all jammed up.  Everybody wanted to go the same direction but no one was moving an inch... the hour set for the performance was rapidily coming near, and still we did not move... and then it all went past and still we almost did not move... 

and then we returned home... 

and I cried a lot....

I would see the Red Arrows performing many years later at Montijo Air Base, already flying the Hawks, but I'll never forget the disappointment of that day when I spent most of  the afternoon sweating and crying, on the rear seat of that green Austin 850.

C. S. Lewis (1898 — 1963), was a prolific Irish author who is probably best remembered by his Chronicles of Narnia, comprising seven fantasy novels written between 1949 and 1954.

Celebrating the series,  British Mail issued on 22MAY2025 a set of 8 "1st Class" stamps each dedicated to one of the books in the saga (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was entitled to two stamps). 

The stamp on the left is illustrated with an image of "The Silver Chair", while the one on the right evokes "The Horse and His Boy"

POSTCARD N.217 - GERMANY

Postcrossing postcard sent on the 06th April; received on the 14th April 2026

Postcard image:The Ports of Dornumersiel/Westeraccumersiel

_________________________________________________________________________________

Fishing trawlers  and the control tower of a port that was once two, so Ulla tells me. Vielen Dank, Ulla.

Dornumersiel and Westeraccumersiel are neighbouring communities separated by the waters of the Dornumersieler Tief, right on the western tip of the German North Sea coast.

These two towns used to have separate ports, but following storms that occurred in 1962,  and which I presume left behind a trail of destruction, both ports were merged, so Ulla tells me.

Judging by the image on the card, fishing boats (herring?) are probably the port's most important users.

The Waken Open Air Festival is the world's largest Heavy Metal Festival, which has been taking place since 1990, in the town of Waken, State of Schleswig-Holstein,in the north of the country.

The 2025 edition, which took place from 29 July till 2 August, was celebrated by Deutsche Post with a self-adhesive three stamp set (2 x 0.90 + 1.25 €) illustrated with what I presume to be the Festival's Logo, issued on 25JUL2025.

The mechanical postmark reads Briefzentrum 49, which locates the dispatch place  in the vicinity of  Osnabrück in the Sate of Lower Saxony.

COVER N. 700 - SRI LANKA

Postmark:  Headquarters P. O. Colombo Mail 24.03.2026  

Posted on the 24th March;  Received on the 13th April 2026

_________________________________________________________________________________

While Sri Lanka commemorates the 75 years of its Air Force, I celebrate the 700th cover on my blog... all in one go. So the usual බෝහම ස්තුති goes out to Ravi, who kindly helped me get another nice aviation cover and stamp in my collection.

The Sri Lanka Air Force was established on the 2nd March 1951 as the Royal Ceylon Air Force, drawing on the assistance and experience of the Royal Air Force.

According to SLAF's site, it's first aircraft were the trustworthy De Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk trainers that arrived in Sri Lanka in 1950, what puzzles me a bit, since the same source says the upon inception (1951) SLAF had no aircraft...

Anyway, today, SLAF's inventory is quite a mixed bag, since it comprises aircraft of as diverse origins as China (Chengdu J-7, Hongdu JL-8, Harbin Y-12) USA (Beechcraft King Air,  Lockheed C-130,  Bell 206/212/412, Cessna 150), Russia (Antonov An-32, Mil Mi-24/Mi-17), Germany (Dornier 228) and Israel (Kfir C12).

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of its national Air Force, Sri Lanka Post issued on 02MAR2026 a 70 Rupee stamp, illustrated with a fly by over parading troops, of  aircraft that were historically part of the operational history of SLAF: Hunting Jet Provost; Douglas DC-3 Dakota; Westland Dragonfly; De Havilland Dove and De Haviland Chipmunk.

The stamps also bears the Badge of the Sri Lanka Air Force and the 75th anniversary logo.

A usual with Ravi's letters, this one bears the postmark of Colombo's Central Post Office.

 My National Covers

Every now and then I have the opportunity to add what I call a "National Cover" to my collection.

These are nothing fancy. In fact they are but covers that I print  at home with the flag and coat of arms of a specific country and which I then either send to a fellow collector who is willing to help or give to friends or family or take my own self whenever travelling abroad, in the hope that these might find a way to a local post office to get a stamp and a postmark.

I will be adding these to a new "My National Covers" section in this blog.

If you don't see your country here and are willing to help me add your own country's national cover to my collection, please email me at pnsoares1@gmail.com. 

You'll get a cover from Portugal (if you want I'll be happy to print a Portuguese National Cover just like the ones I print for myself, although in a somewhat larger envelope) and a printed envelope with the relevant symbols printed, so that you can then return it to me.

Thanks a lot.

Note: Whenever possible I will try to transcribe the flag and coat of arms information from the relevant national site. Failing that I'll transcribe from Wikipedia.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Argentine Republic / República Argentina 

The Flag

The flag of Argentina was created by Manuel Belgrano on February 27, 1812, during the struggle for Independence of the United Provinces of Río de la Plata. Belgrano took the colors of the badge that was already in use. The first time the flag was raised in Buenos Aires on 23 August 1812.

Following the declaration of independence on July 9, 1816, sky-blue flag and white was adopted as a symbol by Congress on July 20 of 1816, Congress added the sun was on 25 February 1818. On June 20 is declared Flag Day as a tribute to Manuel Belgrano (died June 20, 1820).

It consists of three horizontal stripes of equal size, upper and lower blue-blue, and white center, in the middle, a golden yellow sun. The Official Flag measures are 1.40 m long by 0.90 m high (ratio 9 / 14).

The sun will be the figure of eight gold coin shields and silver eight reales, which is recorded in the first currency in Argentina, by Act of the Sovereign Assembly on 13 April 1813, with thirty-two flamboyant and straight rays alternately placed in the same position observed in those currencies. The color of the sun is yellow gold.

Source: Consulado General en Sidney | Our Symbols

The Coat of Arms

Elliptical shape.

Cut sky-blue and silver (white).

In the bottom half, right-handed two-handed shake, holding a pole in sky-blue half holding a Phrygian cap, symbol of freedom. In the end, a rising sun (figuratively, of gold) with twenty-visible rays alternately straight and flame.

Two branches of laurel wreath on the forming face of the sun and cross at the base, tied with a ribbon with the colors of the National Flag.

Source: Consulado General en Sidney | Our Symbols

The Stamps

Being a very large country it is no surprise that Argentina has quite a few national parks and natural reserves, which some sources say number more than 50 in total.

Since 2019, Correo Argentino, the national postal operator has issued several sets illustrated with images of the nation's parks and reserves.

On the cover three of these stamps can be seen:

1500 Pesos, issued on 13NOV2023 - Laguna El Palmar National Park 

2000 Pesos, issued on 13NOV2023 - Campo de San Juan Federal Park 

200 pesos - issued on 03JUN2029 - Patagonia National Park

 

The Postmark

Although hard to read, I know that the postmark was applied at the Post Office of Ushuaia, the most austral town in the world, as the legend in the postmark reads.

Again, a huge thanks (clad in green, for my envy is immense), to Marta, my youngest daughter, who went through the trouble of getting to the post office at Ushuaia to send daddy a letter.

COVER N. 699 - INDIA

Postmark: Airoli Node Sub Office 400708 14.03.2026

Posted on the 14th March;  Received on the 31st March 2026

_________________________________________________________________________________

Piyush always sends me outstanding covers, and this one is no exception. आपका बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद, Piyush.

Medicinal Plants. A truly fascinating world and by itself a great theme to collect, the more so when the stamps are as nice as these.

Medicinal Plants have been used from God knows when, and they are still the go to pharmacy of many that lack the comfort and ease of a pill washed down with water for many an ailment. In fact, an important proportion of the medicines we take today derive from active principles found in plants and it is an undisputable fact that there are a lot more waiting to be discovered. 

On 19DEC2025, India Post issued the very interesting set of 5 x 5 rupee stamps on the cover, each stamp featuring an illustration of a Medicinal Plant used in India.

From left to right:

- Shatavari, (Asparagus racemosus)

Shatavari is a species of Asparagus (Asparagaceae family)  which can be found from Africa to southern Asia, including the Indian subcontinent, and northern Australia.

It is used in Ayurvedic medicine as a fertility and lactation enhancer.

- Indian Pennywort (Centella asiatica) 

This is a member of the Apiaceae family,  native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, and islands in the western Pacific Ocean.

It is used both culinary and medicial uses.  As far as the latter is concerned, The Indian Pennyworth is used to treat dermatological conditions and also minor wounds.

- Long Pepper (Piper longum) 

Another plant that has both culinary and medicinal uses.

This flowering vine of the  Piperaceae family is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat respiratory infections (bronchitis, asthma, cough), enhance digestion, and reduce inflammation.

- Heart-Leaved Moonseed (Tinospora cordifolia)

A herbaceous vine of the family Menispermaceae native to South and Southeast Asia.

In Ayurvedic medicine it is used to boost immunity, treat chronic fevers, manage Type 2 diabetes, and protect the liver. 

- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

A member of the Solanaceae family, which can be found in the Middle East and North Africa, and also in other African regions, southern Europe, Indian subcontinent, and across Southeast Asia.

Its roots, once reduced to powder, are used to treat  stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

Although long consumed for medicinal purposes, it should be noted that the entries in Wikipedia regarding these particular plants state that, in general, current clinical evidence is insufficient to confirm their safety or efficacy.

Postage was completed with a 5 rupee stamp issued in January 2016 as part of the year's issue of the definitive series "Makers of India", featuring the portrait of Nationalist Netaji Subash Chandra Boise (1897 - 1945). 

The very interesting Pictorial postmark featuring a pair of flamingos hails from Airoli Node, a residential and commercial area in the metropolitan area of Mumbai.