On 11th April 1999, the DRDO has successfully flight tested AGNI-II with a range of 2000 Km. using solid propellant Rocket motors in both stages and rail mobile launcher system from its new launch complex in the Orissa coast. With this launch, the country has reached the point of operationalisation of AGNI-II as a weapon system.

The stamp designs capture the well known objective of the country's defence progarammes, "peaceful deterrence".

Katchal-the sunrise island as it is called now-is a tiny island situated on 8 degree latitude and between 93 degree and 94 degree longitude. It belongs to the Nicobar group of islands, in the Bay of Bengal.

The unique and historical value of the occassion has been portrayed for posterity through this special stamp being issued to commemorate the First Sunrise Of The Millennium to be witnessed at Katchal, in the Nicobar group of Islands, of the Indian subcontinent.

" The Constituent Assembly which derived from the people... all power and authority ". held its first session in December 1946 and the work of framing of the Constitution made rapid progress after India attained Independence. It was Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar the chairman of the Drafting Committee who played the major role in framing of the constitution. Dr. Ambedkar presented the final draft of the Constitution.

Subedar and Honorary Captain Karam Singh PVC was conferred the 'Param Vir Chakra' for his exemplary acts of courage and endurance during the 1948 operations of the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir.

Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid PVC was posted in the 4th Battalion of the Grenadiers which was sent to the Khem Karan Sector when hostilites broke out between India and Pakistan in 1965.He was posthumously awarded 'Param Vir Chakra' in 1966.

Lance Naik Albert Ekka PVC was in the 14th Batallion of the Brigade of the guards during their attack on the enemy  defence at Gangasagar on the Eastern Front during the war for the liberation of Bangladesh. For displaying the most conspicuous valour and determination in the best traditions of the armed forces, he was awarded the 'Param Vir Chakra' posthumously.

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon PVC is remembered for the determination and valour with which he, along with his colleagues, fought off successive waves of  Pakistani air attacks in December 1971. He was posthumously awarded the 'Param Vir Chakra' in 1972.

Capt. (IN) Mahendra Nath Mulla MVC was in command of the anti submarine frigate INS Khukri which was on a hunter killer mission in the Arabian Sea in the 1971 war. For his supreme sacrifice he was awarded posthumously, the award of the 'Maha Vir Chakra'.

The  Golden Jubilee of the Indian Republic provides the appropriate occasion to pay a grateful nation's proud homage to the courageous soldiers who have won the awards through their  outstanding deeds. On this occassion, the Department of Posts issued a set of 5 stamps to pay tribute to Gallantry Award winners, of the Indian Armed Forces.

The Bagatur is a moderately large web footed, aquatic species of terrapin. The species is found in fresh, brackish or even salt waters. However, its most favourite habitat is the shallow, muddy, tidal regions at the wide river mouths lined with mangrove or other vegetation. It prefers to nest in a colony on large sand banks with slopes and also on riverine islands.

Olive Ridley turtle is one of the common sea turtles in the Indian subcontinent found in the Gulf of Kutch, coastal waters of  Kerala, Tamilnadu, Orissa and Andaman islands. Olive Ridley's are the smallest of all sea turtles. These nest along the entire length of Orissa coastline wherever there exists a suitable sandy sea beach, but the largest aggregation occurs at three sites, viz. Ekakulanasi rookery of Gahirmata coast and rookeries at Devi and Rushikulya river mouths.

The Department of Post has released these stamps on the occassion of Millipex 2000, the National Philatelic Exhibition being organised