Indian Post issues special postal covers. These are specially designed commemorative envelopes, that are mark an occurrence, place, event or an institution. While same is true of postage stamps, there are clear differences. Postage stamps are issued nationally by the Indian Post, and there are intricate guidelines on when and how these shall be issued. On the other hand, postal covers are issued by Postal circles, sub-units of Indian Post responsible for postal administration at the state level. While Guidelines for issuance of special covers are comparatively less stringent, for a philatelist these are often more precious. This is because of numbers, as each stamp is issued in millions, while special covers are in thousands.
What follows is a gallery of special covers from India, starting with 2006 avian flu (or bird flu), and a windfall of covers issued by postal circles during COVID pandemic of 2020. These are presented in a chronological order to weave a story. Front of a special cover has an illustration, with a special cancellation on the day of issue. Back of a special cover has a write-up, that explains the context. So here we go!
The 2006 Avian flu (H5N1) special cover
In 2005-2006, a global Avian (Bird) Flu epidemic was identified in various bird species, including in Maharashtra in India. Millions of birds, including chicken and hens were culled across the world. Fortunately human cases were limited to only about 800, with about 60% deaths.
The 2016 H1N1 flu special cover
In June 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a pandemic alert concerning the spread of an influenza A (H1N1) virus. It was a recombination of genes from four viruses, two swine, one avian, and one human. Over one year, this pandemic resulted in about 18000 deaths. Subsequently local H1N1 epidemics were reported across various countries. In India, 2015 epidemic led to about 30,000 laboratory confirmed cases and 1700 deaths. Next year in 2016, the case load was higher with about reported 3000 deaths.
In later years, H1N1 flu weakened in India, with fewer cases and deaths. However another respiratory illness storm was yet to come. In November 2019, a new respiratory illness started in Wuhan, China. On 30 January 2020 WHO declared this illness, now known as COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On 11 March 2020, WHO had declared it as an pandemic.
Special covers April-June 2020
In April 2020, India was in lock-down. As more and more individuals were getting infected, prevention was the key. Philately focused on spreading the message of prevention, as well as lauding efforts of various front-line workers or corona-warriors, who were maintaining healthcare, logistics, social order, quarantine-laws, and above all a semblance of sanity.
Special Covers July-August 2020
By July, strict lock-down was slowly being dismantled. However, Covid restrictions were still in place. It was mandatory to wear masks in Public. Social distancing was a virtue, and crowds were to be avoided.
Special Covers October-December 2020
Most special covers were issued in these three months. Some were on role of Indian Post, that was a key logistic organization in the previous years, and others were portrayal of Covid imagery as child art.
December – India’s COVID stamp
India’s first COVID postage issue, featured various warriors in this struggle, was issued in December 2020. Many later special covers will have one of these on them.
Vaccine Special covers in 2021
On 16 January 2024, India launched its vaccination drive, using the Indigenous Covaxin and Covishield vaccines. In a few months, this became the largest vaccination program, we have seen in our lives.
Excellent…well said and compiled.