USPS Prints 20 Million Rangoli Stamps For Diwali

WASHINGTON, DC-The US Postal Service (USPS) has printed 20 million of its new Diwali Forever stamps, citing strong advocacy by the Indian community and the popularity of the first stamp issued to mark the festival.

The stamp, featuring a colorful rangoli design, was unveiled at the Indian Embassy in Washington on Oct. 21.

“There was so much advocacy on behalf of the Indian community to create a second stamp. And we just knew that this one was gonna be super popular like the first one, and hence we printed a little bit higher quantities for folks to enjoy,” said Sahibani Gambhir, a USPS vice president.

The new stamp is only the second issued by USPS to mark Diwali. The first was released in 2016 and proved popular with the Indian community, with millions sold, Gambhir said. Stamp collectors are also expected to buy the new issue.

Gambhir served as the dedicating official at the ceremonial first-day-of-issue unveiling and reception at the Embassy of India in downtown Washington.

India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra said the festival was “first and foremost” about “the millions of Indian Americans who call this country their home, students, professionals, the artists, families”.

Indian Americans “are the ones who connect to society and hence become what we call as the living bridge of our relationship” between the two countries, Kwatra said, describing the stamp as an opportunity to celebrate India’s cultural heritage with the Indian American diaspora and the wider US public.

“This stamp is one of the important threads in our celebration as we go forward into the Diwali festive season,” he said.

The stamp features a vibrant rangoli created by Houston-based artist Sangita Bhutada against a purple background. Bhutada, who has been making rangolis for nearly 30 years, used starch-based colored powder and colored sand to create the artwork, according to USPS.

Bhutada said she chose vibrant colors such as red and orange because of their significance to Diwali.

Jennifer Arnold designed the stamp, while William J. Gicker served as art director, according to USPS.

The stamps are sold in panes of 20 at post offices and online. As Forever stamps, they will always cover the current First-Class Mail postage rate for a one-ounce letter. (IANS)