Category: #Covers

PHILIPPINES | Greetings from Philippine

Greetings from Philippine
Postage StampDate of Issue
Greetings from Philippine – “Malaus Ko Pu” Kapampangan, LuzonAugust 18, 2023
Filipino, National LanguageOctober 15, 2024

“Malaus ko pu” is a polite Kapampangan phrase from Luzon, Philippines, meaning “Welcome” or “You are welcome”. Often used to greet visitors to the province of Pampanga, the expression reflects the warm hospitality and rich culture of the Kapampangan people.

INDIA | Bharati – Indian Antarctic Station

Maitri Indian Antarctic Station

Bharati is India’s third and most advanced permanent research station in Antarctica. Commissioned in March 2012, it was designed to supplement the aging Maitri station and specifically focus on oceanographic and geological research. As of 2026, Bharati remains fully operational and is the primary hub for India’s high-tech polar research during the 45th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA).

Location and Design

  • Region : Larsemann Hills, Prydz Bay, East Antarctica.
  • Coordinates : 69°24.41’S, 76°11.72’E$.
  • Unique Construction : The station is built using 134 shipping containers interlocked to create a compact, energy-efficient structure with a “small footprint” to minimize environmental impact.
  • Distance from Maitri : Approximately 3,000 km to the east.

Capabilities and Infrastructure

Unlike the older stations, Bharati was built with a focus on self-sufficiency and modern living in extreme conditions.

  • Occupancy : 47 personnel (year-round); up to 72 in summer.
  • Laboratories : Dedicated labs for Biology, Earth Sciences, and Chemical Sciences.
  • Connectivity : High-speed satellite link for real-time data transfer and video conferencing with India.
  • Comforts : Includes a sauna, automated heating/AC, and aesthetically designed living quarters.
  • Status : Fully Operational; serving as a key site for the 45th ISEA (2025–2026).
Bharati Indian Antarctic Station

Experimental Post Office Bharati Indian Antarctic Station

Postmark Date : March 27, 2025
Postmark Location : Bharati Research Station in Antarctica ( MH – 1718 )

INDIA | Maitri – Indian Antarctic Station

Maitri Indian Antarctic Station

Maitri is India’s second permanent research station in Antarctica, serving as the cornerstone of the Indian Antarctic Programme since the late 1980s. As of 2026, the station remains operational but is transitioning into a new era as the Indian government has officially approved its successor, Maitri-II.

  • Region : Schirmacher Oasis, Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica.
  • Coordinates : 70°46’S, 11°43’E.
  • Terrain : It is built on an ice-free, rocky plateau, which makes it more stable than India’s first station, Dakshin Gangotri (now submerged in ice).
  • Freshwater Source : The station is located beside Lake Priyadarshini, a freshwater lake created/identified by the Indian team.

Current Infrastructure

  • Established : 1989.
  • Capacity : Accommodates ~25 people in winter and up to 40–60 during the summer.
  • Facilities : Includes a main building, fuel farm, pump house, and specialized laboratories for biology, earth sciences, and glaciology.
  • Operational Status : Currently active, but many components have outlived their original 10-year design life, leading to the push for a replacement.

Maitri Indian Antarctic Station

Maitri Branch Post Office

Postmark Date : March 27, 2025
Postmark Location : Maitri B.O.

Pincode: 403001 (It uses the Pincode of Panaji, Goa, as it falls under the Goa Postal Division).

ALGERIA | The 19th Mediterranean Games – Oran

The 19th Mediterranean Games - Oran

Postage Stamps : The 19th Mediterranean Games – Oran
High Jump | Table Tennis | Volleyball
Date of Issue : June 25, 2022

“Immerse yourself in the spirit of competition with this vibrant First Day Cover (FDC) from Algeria, issued to commemorate the 19th Mediterranean Games in Oran (2022). This stunning collector’s piece features a trio of stamps highlighting High Jump, Table Tennis, and Volleyball, perfectly capturing the athleticism of the event.

The design is anchored by a dynamic illustration of athletes in motion—featuring a prominent boxer and basketball player—set against an electric blue stadium backdrop. It is a beautiful example of sports philately that celebrates the unity and energy of the Mediterranean nations.”

INDIA | AXIOM MISSION 4

Axiom Mission 4 Shubhanshu Shukla

The AXIOM-4 crew launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station from LC-39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on June 25, 2025 at 2:31 a.m. ET.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a distinguished pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF), has been handpicked as one of the four astronauts for the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) historic Gaganyaan mission—the nation’s inaugural human space flight endeavor. Shukla is honored and excited as he prepares to pilot the historic Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS), leaving an indelible mark on India’s remarkable advancements in human space exploration.

NAL S.O. – 560017
ISRO Satellite
Date of Introduction : 19-05-2025
Postmark Date : 25-06-2025