Permanent Pictorial Cancellation inaugural day covers

Description: Hasthampatti is a historically significant locality in Salem, forming part of the Salem Metropolitan Area. The area gained prominence due to its association with Mahatma Gandhi, who visited Salem on February 14, 1934. During this visit, he stayed as a guest at the residence of Zamindar Natesa Pandaram, a notable figure in the region at the time. The building where Gandhi stayed still stands today and is a fine example of colonial-era architecture. It now houses the Hasthampatti Sub Post Office. Recognizing its historical importance, the Government of India acquired the property in the 1980s and repurposed it for public use by establishing a sub post office within the premises. This adaptive reuse ensured both preservation and continued relevance of the structure. 

A key highlight of the site is the room where Gandhi resided during his stay. This room has been carefully preserved and transformed into the Mahatma Gandhi Philately Museum, which was officially inaugurated on January 30, 1997. The museum serves as a tribute to Gandhi’s legacy and offers insight into philately, the study and collection of postage stamps. The museum’s collection includes stamps, first-day covers, and postal stationery issued not only in India but also in several other countries. To commemorate its inauguration, the Department of Posts released a special cover and a PPC. These featured the spinning wheel (charkha), a symbol closely associated with Gandhi, along with the word “Bapu” inscribed in both Tamil and Hindi, reflecting his enduring national influence.