Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (V. I. Lenin) Birth Centenary
Technical Data
| Stamp Set | Birth Centenary |
|---|---|
| Date of Issue | April 22, 1970 |
| Denomination | 20 nP |
| Quantity | 3,500,000 |
| Perforation | comb 13 |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Orange brown | Sepia |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 497 Stamp Number IN 513 Yvert et Tellier IN 296 Stanley Gibbons IN 611 |
| Themes | Anniversaries and Jubilees | Communism | Dictators | Famous people | Heads of State | Men | Politicians | Revolutionaries |
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, born on April 22, 1870, in Simbirsk, dedicated his life to the cause of the working class revolution from his early youth. His commitment to this cause became the driving force behind his every action. Lenin began his political activism as a student, organizing and educating the workers of St. Petersburg despite facing the displeasure of the Czarist regime, which eventually led to his exile to Siberia.
For nearly two decades, from 1898 to 1917, Lenin lived the life of a persecuted revolutionary, either in hiding within Russia or in exile abroad. His most significant contribution was his leadership of the Great October Socialist Revolution in 1917, which established the first Soviet Socialist State. Lenin played a crucial role in formulating its decrees, leading the successful defense against foreign interventionists, and outlining the future direction of the Soviet Union.
Lenin firmly believed in the superiority of socialism and its potential to transform society, marking a new stage in human development. He combined practical revolutionary work with extensive study and scientific thought, as evidenced by his vast collected works spanning fifty volumes, which remain unmatched in the world.
Lenin also showed a keen interest in the freedom movement in the East, particularly in India. He condemned the arrest of Lokmanya Tilak in 1908 and vehemently protested against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919. Lenin recognized and praised the unity of Hindus and Muslims in their struggle against British imperialism during the 1920s, and he personally welcomed many Indian revolutionaries.
His insights into India’s socio-political developments were profound and reflected in his writings and discussions. Lenin passed away on January 21, 1924, due to a cerebral hemorrhage caused by bullet injuries sustained years earlier. His preserved body rests in the Lenin Mausoleum in Moscow, revered by millions as a place of pilgrimage.
In honor of the first birth centenary of V.I. Lenin, the Posts and Telegraphs Department proudly commemorates his legacy by issuing a special commemorative stamp, paying homage to his enduring contributions to humanity and the revolutionary cause.