Postal Dept. to bring out stamp to mark church’s dedication

Postal Dept. to bring out stamp to mark church’s dedication

The Postal Department will bring out a special cover and ‘My Stamp’ to mark the dedication and proclamation of St. Lawrence Minor Basilica of Attur near Karkala on January 18.

According to a press release issued by the Udupi Catholic Diocese here on Thursday, M.K. Krishnayya, a retired bank officer, philatelist, curator and guide of Corporation Heritage Museum, Udupi, took the initiative to bring out the special cover and stamp.

Pope Francis elevated the shrine of St. Lawrence at Attur, Karkala, to the status of a minor basilica on April 26, 2016. The St. Lawrence Shrine is the 22nd basilica in India and the second in Karnataka, with St. Mary’s Basilica in Bengaluru being the first.

The St. Lawrence Shrine was proclaimed as minor basilica on August 1, 2016.

According to Mr. Krishnayya, the special cover is dedicated to promote the tourism and to create awareness and introduce the history of the Basilica. The special cover carries a picture of the front view of the Basilica and statue of St Lawrence.

‘My Stamp’ is the brand name for personalized sheets of stamps of India Post.

The personalisation is achieved by printing a thumbnail photograph of the customer images and logos of institutions, or images of artwork, heritage buildings, famous tourist places, historical cities, wildlife, other animals and birds etc., alongside the selected Commemorative Postage Stamp.

The ‘My Stamp’ scheme is available in selected philatelic bureaux and counters/post offices situated in tourist places.

An event which is not nationally important enough to be commemorated by issue of a commemorative or special stamp or for which a stamp cannot be accommodated in the annual issue programme, may be commemorated by issue of special covers which can be cancelled with a special cancellation at the post office selected for the purpose.

The department will release the special cover and ‘My Stamp’ in the presence of Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese, at noon on January 18, the release added.