Mother Teresa 12.9.2002

Cyprus issued this stamp and FDC on 12.9.2002. Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu (26 August 1910 – 5 September 1997), more commonly known as Mother Teresa, was a Roman Catholic nun of Albanian ethnicity and Indian citizenship, who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, in 1950. For over 45 years, she ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying, while guiding the Missionaries of Charity's expansion, first throughout India and then in other countries. Following her death, she was beatified by Pope John Paul II and given the title "Blessed Teresa of Calcutta".
Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity at the time of her death had 610 missions in 123 countries including hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis, soup kitchens, children's and family counselling programmes, orphanages and schools. She received numerous awards including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, and the Bharat Ratna in 1980. Merja gave me this nice FDC commemorating this Saint.

Cyprus – Mahatma Gandhi 26.1.1970

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement. A pioneer of satyagraha, or resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience—a philosophy firmly founded upon ahimsa, or total nonviolence—Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Gandhi is often referred to as Mahatma or "Great Soul," an honorific first applied to him by Rabindranath Tagore). In India, he is also called Bapu or "Father" and officially honoured as the Father of the Nation. His birthday, 2nd October, is commemorated in India as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, and worldwide as the International Day of Non-Violence.

The whole world acknowledged this Great Man as The Man of Peace. However, due to some unknown kind of amnesia the Nobel Committee members failed to recognise this simple man for what he was, and overlooked him for the Peace Prize. Just imagine, the only man of Peace during his lifetime was not recognised by these puny egotists who danced to the tune of the wealthy and powerful nations. But, I personally feel, that in hindsight, the award if it had been given To Bapu, would only have sullied his image. One doesn’t award or present decorations to a holy man.

Cyprus issued these two stamps shown on the First Day Cover on 26^th January 1970, which incidentally was the 20^th anniversary of India’s Republic Day. Thank you Merja for this wonderful cover.