Decade of Development (October 27, 1968)

10 Paisa (Political Reforms). The caption \"Leadership through Basic Democracies\" appears in the bottom black panel in reverse. Three groups of people are shown in front of Union Council Buildings indicated in simple red outline with \'Union Council\' written in black underneath of each. Beyond this there are two smaller groups of people and further up there appears the proposed National Assembly Building in brick red colour. This whole thing forms a vista with the people in the forefront and the National Assembly Building at the other end. Rays of light representing delegation of powers are shown as emanating from the people and focussing on the National Assembly. The blank upper portion of the stamp on either side of the National Assembly Building is tinted in green with an ornamented circle on each side. The emblem of Decade of Development appears in the left circle and the denomination figure 10 with \'paisa\' and \'postage\' appears on the right in red colour. The word \'Pakistan\' in Bengali, English and Urdu appears at top in black.
15 Paisa (Industrial and Agricultural Development). Industry is represented by a factory in the upper portion at the right hand side in ultramarine against the lighter background of the same colour. The lower portion depicts Agriculture. The left portion is in lush green and the lower right portion in chrome yellow colour. The green portion is subdivided in three tones of green-the top one is pale green with dark green trees at both ends, the middle portion represents cultivated land with red tractor and dark green trees at the bottom, the last portion is medium green representing a pasture. A corn of wheat and bundle of raw jute are shown in lemon yellow with black outline. Pakistan in English, Urdu and Bengali appears in black at the bottom. The denomination figure 15 appears in black with words \'Paisa\' and \'Postage\' beneath it. The symbol of Decade of Development appears in red in the white circle at top left corner.
50 Paisa (Defence). Defence being the subject it is represented by our three forces Army, Navy and Air Force. The space of the stamp is so divided that the subject of the stamp appears on 4/5th of the total space and the lettering and emblem of Decade of Development in the remaining 1/5th portion. In the upper blue portion at right three fighter planes (Mirage, F-104 and MIG.19) are shown. Sailing below is a modern destroyer and a submarine. In the foreground below appears in brown colour a Tank at the left corner. A Chinese tank is shown in the background. Two soldiers are shown climbing a bank. The denomination figure 50 appears at top right corner with \'Paisa\' underneath the black colour. In the white panel which is 1/5th of the total space appears the word \'Postage\' at top in black. The word Pakistan in Urdu Bengali and English alto appears at the bottom in black but in a vertical position. The emblem of Decade of Development appears in red in between the above lettering.
60 Paisa (Scientific and Cultural Advancement). Science is represented by a factory and Atomic Reactor building on the right hand side of stamp. Culture is represented by a Minaret Symbolic of modern Islamic architecture, contained within the arched window of the decorative panel at the left, which is after the style and colour scheme of Hala tiles. The panel, Minaret, factory and the Atomic Reactor building all appear in Mauve colour against Cobalt blue background. The symbol of Decade of Development appears in red colour in the white circle at the top on the right side of the decorative panel. The denomination figure 60 appears in the top right hand corner with words \'Paisa\' and \'Postage\' beneath it. The word \'Pakistan\' in English, Urdu and Bengali appears in reverse in the red panel at the bottom.
To celebrate the Decade of Development, the Pakistan Post Office is issuing a set of four stamps of 10, 15, 50 and 60 paisa denominations on the 27th October, 1968, on the following four aspects of development
(i) Political Reforms
(ii) Defence
(iii) (iii) Agriculture and Industry;
(iv) (iv) Science and Culture.
Ten years is a very short period in the life of a nation, yet these few years of its twenty one years span are memorable for the striking progress achieved in different sectors of national life. Pakistan is now recognised as a model among the developing nations of the world.
Political Reforms
President Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan has given the much-needed political stability to the country and this one factor alone has contributed enormously to the well being of the state and people. This he has achieved by giving a new Consititution to Pakistan. The system of Basic Democracies has ensured rural development and participation of the masses in national development programmes. The slogan \"Leadership through Basic Democracies\" has given a new life to the nation. 1,20,000 Basic Democrats elected on adult franchise basis now elect the President of Pakistan as well as members of the Provincial and National Assemblies, for a term of five years.
Defence
During the decade, the Pakistan Armed Forces have been reorganised in such a manner that despite its small size it can repel aggression from any quarter. The three arms of Pakistan forces have been equipped with modern weapons and recognizing the importance of the man behind the weapons the personnel also have been given intensive training. For training of officers separate academies for each service have been set up and provision has been made for specialisation in the technical branches of each service to ensure absolute efficiency in the operation of complicated weapons and equipment used in modern warfare. The service conditions of personnel have also been considerably improved to inspire confidence in the rank and file. The Defence services are now fully capable of guarding Pakistan\'s land frontiers, shores and skies and to protect Pakistan\'s commerce, fisheries and maritime rights in the Arabian sea and the Bay of Bengal. Agriculture and Industry
Agriculture, neglected earlier, received high priority for development during this decade. To revolutionize agriculture, Land Reforms and Agricultural Reforms Commission were set up. In accordance with the recommendation of the Land. Reforms Commission, 2.5 million acres of land were resumed from the absentee landlords and distributed among landless peasants. Large scale canal irrigation system has been developed and where this is not possible or found uneconomic, low-lift pumps have been installed as in Dinajpur district of East Pakistan for facilities of irrigation. To protect crops from the ravages of floods, embankment projects have been taken up. To save millions of acres of land from water logging, reclamation projects have been undertaken in right earnest. Production of fertilizers has been stepped up. Of singular importance is the introduction of high-yielding crops-Mexi-Pak wheat and Irri rice- which are expected to bring self-sufficiency in food by 1970. Already West Pakistan has attained self-sufficiency in food crops. The Industrial sector has registered impressive growth due to incentives and facilities provided by the Government. As a result Pakistan has attend self-sufficiency in a larger number of consumer goods and some capital goods. Attention is now being diverted to the development of heavy and more sophisticated industries such as heavy engineering, electrical equipment, machine tools and petrochemicals, etc. From a few cotton mills in 1958 the number has grown to 150, employing 200,000 workers. The cotton industry presently produces about 550 million lbs. of yarn and about 800 million yards of cotton\' cloth annually. There are 32 jute mills. The existing mills produce about 4 lakh tons of jute goods earning over Rs. 580 million annually. The Karachi Shipyard has been remodeled to under-take ship-building and repair facilities. It has already built a 12,000 ton ocean-going ship \"Al-Abbas\". The first steel mill in Pakistan has gone into production in Chittagong and three more are being set up. Science and Culture
Scientific education as well as cultural advancement had been sadly neglected in the past. President Ayub set up Com-missions for Scientific Research, Education and Sports and Culture. Government gave due considerations to recommendation of the Commission. The results have been spectacular. In 1960 the estimated number of scientists were only 300. To-day Pakistan has about 1200 scientists engaged in Research in agriculture, medicine and industrial production. A National Science Council has been established to co-ordinate research work.
A revolution has been brought about in education by changing the old lopsided system which had neglected scientific out-look on education. More attention is now being given to produce scientists and technicians. Number of educational institutions and enrolment have increased several fold. There are now 12 Universities, including two Engineering and two Agricultural, which were set up in 1961. Number of Scholarships has been increased. Boards and Academies for advancement of regional languages have been set up to promote them and awards for best literary works are given. During the last ten years sports has been put ~n a sound basis to ensure that talent shall get all the opportunities it needs and to raise the all-round standard of skill, a Sports Control Board has been formed. In short, the last decade has seen nationwide activities in all sectors and with the country\'s reoriented policy on Foreign affairs, a new generation with a new outlook on both national and international affairs and development has been born. Pakistan is now on the sure road to progress and prosperity.

Surcharged Definitives (July 18, 1968)

Colour of surcharge: black and an addition overprint in red on 4paisa on 10 anna (Chughtai value). Due to change in postal rates effecting slabs as well, the post office observed the need of some make-up values to meet the correct amount of postage. Facing shortage of time, the department overprinted anna values into decimal coinage.
Three stamps wore prepared, two of them belong to Chughtai Art set of l95l. The first 3—anna value (Hour Glass) was surcharged “4 PAISA” in black by typography. Old currency numerals at upper corners of design, was obliterated with two horizontal bars of different lengths and thickness, space between the two adjacent bars is also varying. In fact the whole sheet of 80 stamp surcharged, have no matching overprint throughout. An average measurement of bars is (upper) 4mm and (lower) 2.5mm, space in between bars 1mm, obliterating bars are l6mm apart and the distance from ‘4 PAISA” is 8.5mm, denomination itself spans l5mm with letters 2mm high.
The second value is taken from ‘Industrial set’ of 1955. The 6 anna stamp is surcharged “4 PAISA” in red, its old value which is diagonally opposite, is cancelled with two bars, the denomination is not precisely at center but slightly above, and towards right. The surcharge covers an overall area of 22x16.5mm.
Third value in the set is from (Chughtai Art again, the 10 anna (Archway and Lamp) is surcharged “60 PAISA” in red and in black separately. In this stamps the old value tablets are at bottom which are obliterated as before and new value is printed at the center of the stamp; 30xl2.5mm. The size of the denominator is 17mm (length) and 2mm height of the letters. Some major shifts are recorded in this item, value is transposed at top and bars at the middle of the stamps. Quantity of overprinted stamps is not announced.

Universal Children Day (October 7, 1968)

The main feature of the stamp is three children, two girls and a boy, chasing three hoops. The girls appear in embroidered Kurtas and red Pajamas whereas the boy appears in the middle of these two girls wearing green sport shirt and a dark green short-pant.
The hoops are in dark green, light green & cream colours respectively. A butterfly in red and brown colour is shown flying over the hoops.
The word \'Pakistan\' in English, Bengali and Urdu appears in reverse in the lower bottom dark green panel. The caption \"GOOD HEALTH-A BASIC RIGHT OF EVERY CHILD\" appears in red and brown at top left corner, whereas the denomination Paisa 15 and the word Postage appear at the top right in green.
Mankind owes the child the best it has to give. Because of his physical and mental immaturity, he needs special safe-guard and care. To make people conscious of this sacred responsibility, Pakistan and many other nations observe the first Monday in October every year as the Universal Children Day. Every year a special theme is chosen by the UNICEF and the International Union for Child Welfare to focus attention on the special need of the child. For the year 1968, the theme is GOOD HEALTH-A BASIC RIGHT OF EVERY CHILD.
To commemorate this occasion Pakistan Post Office is issuing a stamp of 15 Paisa denomination on October 7, 1968.
There are over 1.2 billion children in the world under the age of fifteen. Three quarters of them are born and live in countries with per capita income of less than Rs. 2500.00 a year; half of them in countries with average per capita income of under Rs. 500.00 per year. Under the present circumstances many of them will not have the chance to grow up because of ill-health, mat-nutrition, lack of recreational facilities, etc. The first need of the child is, no doubt, health-a basic right of the child. No body knows just how many children today are slowly starving to death,- how many more children fall victim to diseases because their resistance is weakened by mal-nutrition; how many die of malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy and other diseases which medical science today knows how to detect, prevent and cure.
UNICEF and W.H.O. have been active in protecting children against malaria, tuberculosis, trachonia, and leprosy. F.A.O., have, in co-operation with UNICEF and W.H.O, been providing protein foods to developing countries to fight against mal-nutrition of the children. These organisations have helped and sponsored the establishment of Child Welfare Clinics, Centres for Pre-natal Care, Maternity and Child Health Centres, Schools for crippled and blind children.
In Pakistan the Universal Children\'s Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm through out the country. The Pakistan Council for Child Welfare, in co-operation with UNICEF, Inter-national Union for Child Welfare, various government and semi-government departments, national member agencies and its own regional councils, has been celebrating the Day regularly since 1957. Apart from using the publicity media of Press, Radio and Television, the Council also organizes Conferences, Seminars, Symposia, Art and Craft Exhibitions, Children\'s Mela (Fairs), Parades and Parties in addition to sponsoring Baby Shows and Films Shows, etc. etc. On the eve of the Universal Children\'s Day, President of Pakistan Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan, who is also the Patron-in-Chief of the Council, broadcasts a special Message to the Children for focusing the attention of the nation to our children. The children are given President\'s awards for Art, Literature and Spontaneous Act of Courage and Service which are announced on the Universal Children\'s Day and the recipients of the awards of the previous year are decorated at Rawal-pindi by the President himself. The pilot projects of the Council have been fairly successful. Ashiana (Home for abandoned babies) was established in Karachi in 1957. Another Home called Gosha-e-Itfal with similar objectives was established in Lahore in 1967. Nasheman, home for young, shelterless, neglected and delinquents girls was started in Karachi in 1960 and a clinic for the rehabilitation of crippled children was established in Dacca by the East Pakistan Branch. These significant achievements were in addition to the normal work of the Council which consists of supporting, promoting and co-ordinating all activities that relate to the mental and physical well-being of the child in the country.

Kazi Nazarul Islam Commemoration (June 25, 1968)

The portrait of Kazi Nazrul Islam appears at the right hand side against a lemon yellow background on 15 Paisa stamp and a strawberry red background on 50 Paisa stamp. The portrait is hand engraved and printed in brown colour. The word "Pakistan" in English, Urdu and Bengali appears in reverse in the brown panel at the bottom. The words "Kazi Nazrul Islam Poet and Musician (b. 25th May 1899)" are printed in brown at the top. The denominations "15 Paisa" and "50 Paisa" are also printed in brown in the top right hand corner. The word "POSTAGE" appears at the left hand side just above the bottom panel. On the left hand side of the portrait the following verse from his works is printed in Bengali Script in brown.

To highlight the role played by the Rebel Poet and Composer, Kazi Nazrul Islam (b. 1899), as a fighter for freedom of the Indo-Pakistan Subcontinent, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a set of two stamps of 15 Paisa and 50 Paisa denominations in the "Poet Series" on the 25th of June,1968.

Kazi Nazrul Islam popularly called ‘Nazrul’ hails from the Kazi family of Churulia in Asansol Sub-Division, of Burdwan District. His father was a man of moderate means and when he died, Nazrul was only eight years old. His uncle then took care of him and under his influence Nazrul started writing poetry early in life as the former was also a poet and well-versed in Persian. He also took to composing songs and dramatic pieces for the local "Letto" (rural opera) parties and made his mark in the art of writing and earning something for the family. "But the little bird in the family cage" felt suffocated, as he said later. The lure of life made the "child of light", as he used to be called by his family, slip away to Asansol where he took service as a page on a paltry pittance.

Attracted by his musical and literary talents, Qazi. Rafizuddin, a sub-inspector of Police, sent Nazrul to his village home in Mymensingh district and got him admitted ihto the local High School where he studied for a year, and then went back to Asansol and joined the Raniganj Searsol Raj High School. Here he studied for three years till 1917 when he joined as an ordinary soldier the 49th Bengal Regiment formed during the First World War. He was then a student of Class X. That was the end of his formal academic career. The Regiment was quartered in the Abyssinia Lines of the Karachi City. And here began his outstanding literary career by the publication in some Calcutta Journals, of his prose and poetical contributions under the name of "Havildar" Kazi Nazrul Islam, the 49th Bengal Regiment, Karachi". While in Karachi, he also studied Persian and translated some of the Rubaiyats and Ghazals of Hafiz into Bengali.

The following contributions of Nazrul from the Karachi Cantonment heralded the advent of a rising star in the firmament of Bengali literature, viz.

(a) Boundeler Atmakahini—Autobiography of a Vagabond—in ‘Saogat’ of Jaistha, 1326 B.S.;
(b) Mukti (poem) in the ‘Bangiya Patrika’ (Srabon, 1326);
(c) Kabita-Samadhj—Burial of Poetry—in ‘Saogat’ (Aswin, 1326)
(d) Hena—story—in the ‘Bangiya Musalman Sahitya Patrika’ (Kartik, 1326);
(e) Byethar Dan—Gift of Sorrow—in ‘Ditto’ (Magh, 1326).

The poem "Mukti" was a most remarkable performance for a youngster. Nazrul Islam is the only poet to whom Tagore dedicated a book of his—’Vasant’, a song-drama.

"Rikter Bedon"—a story book was admittedly written "on the sands of the Arabian Sea". The book contains eight stories and is woven round the author and his dream-2irl Meher Nagar. The last story in this book is entitled ‘Duranta Pathik’— Traveller Desperate—in thrilling but somewhat mystified language. The depiction is of the Poet himself. The Traveller came across Terror on the way. Terror threatened: "Don’t you know me ? I am Fetters, out to kill you whatever be your explanation. I am to fetter Salvation. You have to die". The Traveler stood stiff and said: "Well, beat me and chain me if you can. But you cannot fetter me unto death, for I have no death!". The story ends with the couplet

"Thy Trumpet ring, loud and deep, far and away;
The heroic bond clustereth round thee
thy command to obey "

On his return in 1919, after disbandment of the 49th Bengal Regiment Nazrul jumped headlong into the field of Bengali Literature with a dash and dazzle all his own
Nazrul’s debut in the domain of literature coincided with the countrywide upheavals over the Khilafatcum-Non-Co-operation movements. A patriot from top to toe, Nazrul utilised his natural talents and powerful pen in support of the emancipation of the people, oppressed and suppressed people in particular, for whom he spoke, wrote, sang, thought and thundered all his life. He was for complete independence of the country and composed stinging satires on Dominion Status and other similar ideals.
The publication of Nazrul’s ‘VIDROHI’ (The Rebel) and ‘KAMAL PASHA’ in the monthly ‘Muslim Bharat’ (Kartic 1328: 1921) made the greatest sensation in the literary circle of Bengal. The "Rebel" in particular was reproduced in a number of other journals.

The "VIDROHI" starts with the thrilling words

The ‘Vidrohi’ is a long poem. Here are the translations of the lines quoted above, and some other typical lines:

"Proclaim, Hero proclaim
Towering high is my head
Making the Himalayan peak bend low.
Proclaim, Hero proclaim
Tearing the great firmament of the great universe;
Transcending the moon and sun, planets and constellations,
Piercing the heart of earth, celestial sphere and cosmic path,
And Allah’s A rash have I risen,
The wonder of wonders of the Lord’s universe,
With the might of majestic might on forehead blazing bright.
Proclaim, Hero, proclaim—My head is ever held high.
I am Creation, I am Destruction,
I am Habitation, I am Desolation.
lam the end and close of the darkest night.
I am the Hero in revolt for ever,
Rising beyond the universe,
Along with my head ever held high".

(Translated by Mizanur Rahman.)

For sometime he served on the editorial staff of the "Nava Jug" started by the late Mr. A.K.Fazlul Huq and later brought out his bi-weekly Dhumketu, the Comet, in which he cast fire and brimstone against the foreign administration which could not stand it long. Nazrul was prosecuted on a charge of sedition and thrown into imprisonment for a year early in January, 1923. The Rebel Poet put up no defence except making a long statement explaining his standpoint, later published as ‘Rajbandir Jabanbandi’. He said, inter alia:

"It is out of my intense faith in myself that I have described wrong as wrong, oppression as oppression and untruth as untruth, without faultier or flattery. I have raised the standard of revolt against the King, as also against the society, nation and country, holding aloft the Sword of Truth in my hand.. . .1 am the lyre of Truth Divine in that I am a Poet with the Soul of a Seer....

Inside the goal Nazrul carried on hunger-strike for 40 days and wrote his famous Shikal-Bhangar Gaan "This wearing of shackles by us is but a ruse to break your shackles." After his release, in April 1924, he married and sought to settle down to a peaceful life, pursuing his love of literature. The same year he started his weekly paper called ‘LANGAL’.

In 1928, Nazrul lost his dear and talented son, Bulbul. By now the Rebel in hun mellowed down into a music composer. and seeker of inner light. He flooded Bengal with enchanting songs, ghazals, kirtans, etc. He holds the world’s record ‘of recorded music with more than three thousand to his credit. In 1938, his wife was attacked with partial paralysis of her body. In August, 1942, the Poet himself fell victim to a disease, making him senseless, speechless and motionless. The malady did not yield to treatment at home and abroad—in London and Vienna. The spell still continues. The Poet who did so much for our national freedom and renaissance is unconscious of what has happened to us since 1942.

Nazrul Islam wielded a most facile pen. During his active literary life of about twenty-two years, he wrote over sixty books, of which the most outstanding ones are Agni-Vina (Flute of Fire), Binsher Banshi (Flute of Poison), Bhangar Gaan (Songs of Destruction), Zinzir, Chakrabak, Natun Chand, Maru Bhaskar, etc. (Poetry) ; Bulbul, pts. I & II, Zulflqar, Bon-Geeti, etc. (Songs

and Ghazals); Rubaiyat-i-Hafiz, Umar Khayyam and Kavve Ampara (Translation) ; Byethar Dan, Rikter Bedan, Kuhelika and Mrita-Kshudha (novel and stories). He enriched the Bengali language by the apt use and introduction of many Arabic, Persian and Urdu words. Nazrul Islam also wrote poems, songs, ghazal on Islamic themes and the Muslim heroes of the world. His "Fatehai-Duazdaham" dealing with the birth and death of the Prophet (May peace be on him) is a masterpiece. A quotation from his poem CHIRA-NIRBHOY written in March 1942, would indicate the fiery temperament he possessed and the manner in which he exhorted his fellow Muslin-is to rise and break the shackles of bondage and slavery.

A soldier of Allah that I am, no obstacles for me, nor fear,
By the Sword of I-us light and rigour all knots are cut by me clear.

The tempest burst at my birth; 1 am the stormy wind;
‘Jihad and Jihad’, Revolt and Revolution-that the song I sing.

The old and worn out traditions all I burn.
As I move, the mad and don’t-care traveler that I am, anon.
No sky, no star, no planet, no cover,
No chain, no prison can hold me ever - - -
The Ever-Eternal Most perfect draweth me night and day;
So 1 am invincible and free from death and dismay;

(Translated by Mizanur Rahman).

It is a pity that the greatest Muslim poet of the Bengali language and literature stricken by an incurable disease is still mute and inarticulate. But his songs, ghazals and kirtans and his musical compositions have already earned him a glory that will never fade and a name cannot be effaced from the face of the earth.

20th Anniversary of W.H.O. (April 7, 1968)

The format of the stamps is rectangular. The emblem of the “World Health Organization” is shown in the centre. Two images of doctors in abstract form in silhouette are shown in reverse. The background in respect of 15 Paisa postage stamp is green and orange in respect of 50 Paisa postage stamp which is bleeding upto perfora-tion. The wording “World Health Organization” appears vertically on the left side of the stamp. “Pakistan” in Urdu and Bengali is printed vertically on the right side whereas the word “Postage” is printed on top and “Pakistan” at bottom in English. The year 1948 and 1068 appear on either side of ~1gures on top left and right. The denomination is just below the emblem in between the legs of silhouetted forms.
DURING its thirty ninth session—seventeenth meeting, January 26, 1967—the Executive Board of the World Health Organization decided to celebrate the whole of 1968 as the twentieth anniversary of the Organization. Pakistan, along with a num-ber of other countries, is issuing two postage stamps of 15 Paisa and 50 Paisa denominations on April 7, 1968 to commemorate the occasion.
Defining health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well being,” the WHO Constitution states that The objective of the World Health Organization is the attain-ment by all people of the highest possible level of health. The functions of WHO are
1. To act as the directing and co-ordinating authority on international health work.
2. To propose conventions, agreements and regulations and make recommendations concerning international health matters.
3. To develop, establish and promote international standards for food, biological, pharmaceutical and similar products.
4. To promote Co-operation among scientific and pro-fessional groups which contribute to the advancement of health.
5. To promote and conduct research in health.
6. To study and report on public health and medical care from preventive and curative points of view,
including hospital services and social security.
7. To assist governments, upon request, in strengthening health services.
8. To promote maternal and child health and welfare and to foster the ability to live harmoniously in a changing environment.
9. To stimulate and advance work to eradicate epidemic, endemic and other diseases,
10. To standardize diagnostic procedures as necessary.
11. To promote the improvement of nutrition, housing, sanitation, recreation, economic or working conditions and other aspects of environmental hygiene.
12. To promote the prevention of accidental injuries.
13. To foster activities in mental health, especially those affecting human relations.
14. To promote improved standards of teaching and train-ing in health, medical and related professions.
Delegates of WHO’s 127 Member States and Associate Members (countries not responsible for their external affairs) meet annually, usually in Geneva. The Assembly establishes policy and decides on the programme and budget for the follow-ing year.
For WHO purposes the world is divided into six regions, each with its own organization—a regional committee com-posed of delegates from governments in the region and a regional office that administers WHO-aided projects and supervises staff in country projects. More than 12,000 scientists, health administrators and educators of many nations are members of 44 WHO standing expert panels whose advice is sought on matters in their field.
Since 1955, WHO has been engaged in the greatest public health venture the world has ever known: the eradication of malaria. This disease still causes more deaths than any other, as well as inestimable human distress and economic loss. Eradica-tion is proceeding in the great majority of the world’s still ma-larious countries.
Every year tens of thousands of people still get smallpox although vaccination has been known for 150 years. In 1965, there were 59,608 cases in the world and 9,735 deaths. Eradication is one of WHO’s objectives and in 1966 the Assembly decided to make an all out attack to eliminate the disease. A 10-year campaign began in 1967. 220 million vaccinations are planned for the first year. The cost to WHO $ 2,514,000.
Lack of doctors, nurses, sanitariums and trained workers of all kinds constitutes the greatest single obstacle to improving the world’s health. WHO encourages the creation of teaching institutions and provides consultants and key staff, calls expert committees and publishes reports on training of health personnel and organizes educational meetings and courses. It facilitates advanced studies abroad by awarding about 3,000 fellowships a year.
Water-borne infections include diarrhea, dysentery, ty-phoid, cholera. Less than 10 per cent of the people in the developing areas of the world are supplied with safe water in sufficient quantities. WHO helps develop new water systems, recommends water standards, trains engineers, chemists, ba-cteriologists. WHO also fights air, soil and water pollution.
WHO is studying and co-ordinating research on the medi-cal aspects of sterility and fecundity and on population dyna-mics as they affect health. WHO’s role in this field, as defined by the World Health Assembly in 1966, is “to give Member States, upon request, technical advice in the development of activities in family planning, as part of an organized health service, without impairing its normal preventive and curative functions”.
WHO is helping countries to solve many health problems. The main objective is to build up the national potential and train personnel so that eventually outside help will no longer be needed. Regional offices are responsible for planning and operating country projects, while technical staff at Headquarters is ready to advise and help. The process starts with a request from a government for WHO, to investigate a problem that cannot be solved with local resources. Discussions follow between the national health authorities and the WHO regional office and a plan of operations is drawn up.

First Convocation of East Pakistan Agricultural University, Mymensingh (March 28, 1968)

The format of the stamp is rectangular. A portion of Agricultural University is shown in perspective on the right hand side of the stamp in Burnt Sienna colour against a light Blue background. The bouquet appearing on the left hand side represents the major crops of Paki-stan and is printed in Yellow, Green and Burnt Sienna colours. The in-signia of the University appears in Black in top right hand corner, while ‘Pakistan’ in English, Urdu and Bengali appears in Blue at the bottom. The denomination ‘15 Paisa’ and ‘Postage’ are printed in Black beneath the bou-quet. The caption ‘First Convocation of East Pakistan Agricultural Uni-versity’ appears in Black running along the top edge.
To commemorate the First Convocation of the East Pakistan Agricultural University, Mymensingh being held on March 28, 1968, the Pakistan Post Office is issuing a Postage Stamp of the denomination of 15 paisa on that day.
About 85 per cent of the population of Pakistan lives in rural areas and most of this population is directly or indirectly depend-ent on agriculture for its livelihood. Development of agriculture is thus the sine qua non for the development of the country’s economy. An adequate supply of properly trained technical personnel is essential for the successful implementation of Agri-cultural development. The most important achievement, in this respect, is the establishment of two agricultural universities— one at Lyallpur and the other at Mymensingh.
The East Pakistan Agricultural University at Mymensingh came into being with effect from the session 1961-62 on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission on National Educa-tion and such other expert bodies. The location of the Univer-sity Campus is an ideal one with the river Brahmaputra running almost parallel to the University Campus on the east and rural areas on the western side. The Campus lies at a distance of about 3 miles from the district town Mymensingh and 72 miles from Dacca, the Provincial Capital. The land around the Campus offers commendable possibilities of experiment and research. The nearby rural areas can provide thc requisite sites for extension work. The Brahmaputra water washing the eastern boundary of the Campus serves as Nature’s laboratory for practical training in fisheries. This idyllic setting of the University enables it to carry the fruits of modern agricultural and allied technologies from the class-rooms and laboratories to the tillers of the soil.
The academic programme of the University may be outlined briefly as under
(i) Teaching-under-graduate and post-graduate;
(ii) Research-fundamental and developmental;
(iii) Pre-service and in-service training;
(iv) Refresher courses-for teachers in rural science and also for employees of non-teaching organisation; and
(v) Short-Courses--particularly for public servants of all levels.
By now the University has opened 6 Faculties, namely, the Faculty of Veterinary Science, the Faculty of Agriculture, the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, the Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology and the Faculty of Fisheries. Courses and degree are offered faculty-wise. Each faculty has a number of Departments manned by highly qualified teaching staff. Besides, there is a Committee for Basic Science and Language Departments to take care of Bengali and English languages, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Zoology. The East Pakistan Agricultural Institute, Tejgaon, Dacca, has been affiliated to this University.
At the Bachelor’s Degree level the University offers courses leading to B.Sc. (Ag.), B.Sc. (A.H.), B.Sc. (Ag. Econ.), B.Sc. (Ag. Eng.), D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) and B.Sc. (Fisheries) Degrees. The University has instituted Master’s Degree Courses in a good number of subjects. Candidates admitted to the Master’s Degree Courses are full-time students at the University. Besides, selected in-service personnel working in relevant research institutes under well-reputed guides recognised by the University are also enrolled as Master’s Degree students. The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy has also been introduced in this University. Considerable research activities are going on in the University. Some of the research programmes are being financed by the University itself, while the expenditures for some other ones are being borne by outside agencies like the Agricultural Research Council of Pakistan. Besides, a large number of tea-chers of the University are engaged in their own personal research. A number of research programmes have been accomplished by the Master’s Degree Students in partial fulfilment of their Master’s Degree Courses under Senior Teachers of this University and also under Senior Researchers at the University approved Re-search Institutes.
There are four Halls of Residence with accommodation for over 1200 students where students are provided with necessary amenities and facilities for modern living. Two Halls of Residence with accommodation capacity of over 600 students are now under construction. There are two canteens attached to the Halls for supplying wholesome food to the students at a reasonable price. The University library, housed temporarily on the second floor of the University main building, is the treasure of knowledge particularly relating to rural sciences and allied disciplines. The pursuit of Knowledge being continuous, the library functions throughout the year and is open for long hours on alF days excepting Sundays and holidays. It has a good collection of books of selective nature and new books are being added every month to meet the growing needs of the University.
The students, after admission, must be prepared to do hard manual work in the University’s Agricultural and Horticultural Farms, Workshop, Dairy and Poultry Farms, Botanical Garden etc. They have facilities to earn money by doing field work during their leisure hours under the “Earn and Learn Programme” of this University. The University made its humble start in 1961 with 303 students and 30 teachers approximately. By now the number of students has risen to over 1200. The number of teachers and trainees on the staff at present is 161. Among them 9 are Professors, 18 Readers, 70 Senior Lecturers, 54 Lecturers and 10 Trainees. Out of them 13 teachers and trainees in various fields have been sent to different Foreign Universities for higher studies. It may be mentioned here that 101 teachers and trainees were so far sent abroad of whom 50 have already returned after successful completion of their training.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission has decided to estab-lish an Agricultural Research Station in the Campus, and the University has agreed to spare 4 acres of land for building the research station. This work is expected to be taken up shortly and completed rapidly by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commis-sion. The construction of a new Power Station, Water Tower and Poultry Farm Building is being started soon. The University has made a considerable head-way in the physical side of construction. Besides the Halls of residence and Teacher -Student Centre, it has completed construction of two Faculty Buildings, large number of residential quarters, a Guest House, University Club building-cum-Bachelors Quarters and a five storey Administrative Building.
The University is now going to hold its First Convocation on March 28, 1968. Over five hundred graduates with Bache-lor’s and Master’s Degrees are expected to attend this Con-vocation.

International Year for Human Rights (January 31, 1968)

The Central feature of the stamps portrays the flame, which has been adopted as the symbol of human rights, encircled at the base by the wreath of the United Nations, printed in red on both denominations. The year ‘1968’ appears at the summit of the flame whilst the wording “International Year for Human Rights” is printed at the foot of the stamps. This word-ing is also printed in red on both denominations. The word “Pakistan” in English is printed at the top of the stamps while the Bengali and Urdu versions appear vertically on the right. The denominations 15 and 50 Paisa respectively appear at bottom left of the stamps immediately below the wreath while word “postage” appears vertically at the top left.
The Commemorative Postage Stamps will be available for sale on and from 31st January, 1968 for a period of three months at all important Post Offices, Philatelic Bureaux and Counters and also at some of the Pakistan Diplomatic Missions abroad. Thereafter, if the supplies are still available, they will be sold only at the Philatelic Bureaux and Counters.
The United Nations General Assembly, noting that the year 1968 would be the 20th Anniversary of the adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, designated that year as “International Year for Human Rights”. To commemorate this important event, Pakistan Post Office, along with a number of other countries, is bringing out two postage stamps of 15 and 50 Paisa denominations. Meeting in Paris on December 10, 1948, the General Assem-bly of the Nations unanimously adopted the Universal Declara-tion of Human Rights. Undoubtedly the Universal Declaration has had a profound effect throughout the world. Its influence is reflected in a number of national constitutions promulgated since 1948. Its direct influence is evident in national laws and decrees issued in various countries and it has been cited in a number of court decisions. The Universal Declaration states:—
1. “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” This is the simple but profound principle from which all other human rights and freedoms flow.
2. “Everyone has the right to education” — everyone, without exception, young and old, rich and poor, male and female.
3. “Education shall be free, atleast in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory.”
4. “Technical and professional education shall be made generally available.
5. “Higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.”
6. “Education... shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
7. “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, language, religion, poli-tical or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”
8. “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as sex.
9. “Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cul-tural life of the community” (and) to enjoy the arts.
10. “Everyone has the right...to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.”
11. “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and ex-pression.. . and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
12. “Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.”
All of UNESCO’s efforts are directed towards realization of the above rights. The purpose of this Organization, as defined in its constitution, is “to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples Of the world without distinction of race, sex, language or re-ligion by the Charter of the United Nations.