Asian Games – MASCOT

The inauguration of the first Asian Games took place at the National Stadium in New Delhi on March 4, 1951. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the President of India, officiated the opening ceremony. The grand event unfolded against the backdrop of the majestic Purana Qila, where the booming salute of 21 guns echoed through its ramparts. Amidst the stirring sound of fifteen trumpets, the flags of the eleven participating nations were hoisted, signaling the commencement of the historic sports rendezvous of Asia.

The sky above the stadium was adorned with eleven hundred pigeons and numerous colorful balloons, creating a spectacular display of joy and enthusiasm around the flag of the Asian Games Federation. Thus began an event that has since brought together nations across the continent in a spirit of camaraderie and cooperation.

The history of Asian sports reflects the resilient spirit of the region amidst various challenges. The Philippines took the lead in hosting the Far Eastern Championship Games as early as 1913, followed by subsequent events held in Shanghai, Tokyo, and Manila. Despite discontinuation due to the dissolution of the Far Eastern Athletic Association, the spirit of sportsmanship persisted, leading to the establishment of the Orient Championship Games in 1934.

In India, the First Western Asiatic Games in 1934 saw the participation of India, Afghanistan, Ceylon, and Palestine, with plans for a second edition in 1938 disrupted by World War II. It was G.D. Sondhi, an esteemed Indian sportsman, who envisioned the Asian Games in its modern form, with staunch support from Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister.

In 1949, representatives from Burma, the Philippines, and India, along with observers from several Asian countries, convened in New Delhi to form the Asian Games Federation. The inaugural Asian Games held in New Delhi from March 4 to 11, 1951, witnessed the participation of 489 athletes, including 31 women, from eleven nations.

Subsequent editions of the Asian Games were hosted by various countries, including Manila, Tokyo, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Tehran. New Delhi is set to host the IX Asian Games in 1982, marking another significant milestone in the history of Asian sports.

To commemorate this momentous event, the Indian Post & Telegraphs Department announced plans to issue a series of stamps during 1981 and 1982. The first set of stamps featured the mascot and logo of the Games, with the iconic Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory in New Delhi, depicted in the logo. Architecturally significant and symbolizing the quest for knowledge and perfection, the Jantar Mantar also incorporated the sun, a symbol of the Asian Games. The mascot, a dancing Indian Elephant adorned with the sun symbol as a Bindiya on its forehead, added a touch of tradition and vibrancy to the event.