HYDERABAD, DECEMBER 20, 2024: Vandita Kaul, Secretary to Government of India, Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, released a Special Postal Cover on “Mothers of the Indian Constitution” on the 75th year of promulgation of the Indian Constitution at Shraddha Conference Hall, Dak Sadan, Abids, Hyderabad-5,00,001. Dr. P V S Reddy, Chief Postmaster General, Telangana and Officers and Staff were present on the occasion.
- The 15 Women Members in the Constituent Assembly played a significant role in framing the Constitution. 11 Women Members officially signed the grand document of the Indian Constitution on 24th January 1950.
- The Information Booklet features 8 artworks by Nandlal Bose from the original illustrated Constitution of India.
- The Special Cover showcases individual portraits of the 15 Women Members of the Constituent Assembly that framed the Indian Constitution. The 15 members are arranged in three rows, with five members in each row. In the top row, from left to right, are Ammu Swaminathan, Annie Mascarene, Begum Aizaz Rasul, Dakshayani Velayudan and G. Durgabai. The middle row features Hansa Mehta, Kamla Chaudhri, Leela Ray, Malati Chowdhury and Purnima Banerji, from left to right. In the bottom row, from left to right, are Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Renuka Ray, Sarojini Naidu, Sucheta Kripalani and Vijayalakshmi Pandit. The border for the special cover is inspired by the border illustration on the cover page of the Constitution of India by Shri Nandlal Bose.
- The Special Cancellation was created using the line drawing from the Seal of the Constituent Assembly.
- The women members of the Constituent Assembly, though few, played a significant role by offering distinct insights, moving crucial amendments, raising important questions and influencing key decisions through committees, debates, written notes, and dissent, and contributing both publicly and behind the scenes in the framing of the Constitution.
- Hansa Mehta and Amrit Kaur were part of the Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee and G. Durgabai was in the procedural Committee, ensuring that the Constitution addressed gender equality, advocating for equal rights and opportunities for women.
- They significantly contributed to the framing of the Constitution by raising social issues such as forced labour, human trafficking, and child protection, and advocating for key provisions on fundamental rights, individual liberty, equality before the law, and the moral vision of women.
- Women Members, with their shared vision of justice, played a pivotal role in the Constituent Assembly, earning them the title of “Mothers of the Indian Constitution”, a legacy highlighted by the Telangana Postal Circle.
- Special Postal Cover along with an Information Brochure on “Mothers of the Indian Constitution” with special cancellation is priced at Rs. 25/- & without cancellation is priced at Rs. 20/-. It will be available for sale at all the Philatelic Beauraus (all Head Post Offices) and online @ epostoffice.gov.in.
- Sumitha Ayodhya, Postmaster General, Hyderabad Region, Ms N.R. Visalatchy, Postmaster General, Head Quarters Region, Shri B Arumugam, Director Postal Services (HQ), Telangana Circle, Ms U Sai Pallavi Director Accounts (Postal), Officers and Staff of Postal Department participated in the function.
