V. K. Krishna Menon 1997
A commemorative postage stamp on the Death Anniversary of Krishna Menon, Indian Defence Minister (1957-62) under Jawaharlal Nehru ministry :
Issued by India
Issued on Oct 6, 1997
Issued for : The Department of Post honours his memory with the issue of a commemorative postage stamp.
Credits :
Stamp, FDC : Department of Culture, Ministry of H.R.D.
Type : Stamp, Mint condition
Colour : Multicolor
Denomination : 200 Paise
Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.
Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.
Perforation : 13 x 13
Paper : Imported un w/m Adhesive Gravure Coated Stamp Paper in Sheet 50.8 x 53.5 cm.
Number of stamps Printed : 0.4 Million
Number per issue sheet : 35
Printing Process : Photo Offset
Printer : India Security Press, Nasik
Name : Vengalil Krishnan Krishna Menon
Born on May 3, 1896 at Calicut, Malabar district, Madras Presidency, British India
Died on Oct 6, 1974 at Delhi, India
About :
- Shri V.K. Krishna Menon was born on 3rd May, 1896 at Panniankara in Calicut. He started his education at the Municipal School at Tellicherry. He passed the Intermediate examination from the Zamorin’s College, Calicut, in 1915 and B.A. examination from the Presidency College, Madras, in 1918. In 1924 he went to England, obtained a teacher’s diploma, taught for a while and in 1927, he joined the London School of Economics with a First Class Honours. He obtained his M.A. degree from the University College London in 1930 and M.Sc. degree from the London School of Economics in 1934. In the same year, he was called to the Bar from the Middle Temple.
- The most notable traits of Shri Krishna Menon‘s character were shaped by his parents. Among those outside his family circle who profoundly influenced Krishna Menon were professor Harold Laski, Jawaharlal Nehru and Mrs. Annie Besant.
- Krishna Menon had political leanings as a student, but he did not associate himself with any particular group or party. His political activity really started in England where he lived continuously from 1924 to 1947. During his stay in England, he contacted many intellectuals in almost all walks of life and had a large circle of friends.
- His social leaning brought him into active association with the Labour Party, in which he created an important position for himself. For political work for India’s Independence, he started the “India League” in London which soon became an important factor in British political. He was a staunch nationalist and worked incessantly for India‘s Independence from 1924 to 1947, a firm believer in the constitutional method. He was also an ardent internationalist and had a deep knowledge of world affairs.
- In 1946, Krishna Menon advised the Congress to accept the Cabinet Mission‘s proposals. He also took an active part in the negotiations which followed. After independence, V.K. Krishna Menon returned to India and was sent to various European countries as the Prime Minister’s Personal Envoy to explore the possibility of exchanging diplomats. He represented the Government of India at the UNO General Assembly Meeting held at Lake Success in 1946-47. He served as High Commissioner for India in London from 1947 to 1952 and also led the Indian delegation to the UN a number of times. His speech at the UN on Jammu & Kashmir in January, 1957 is considered as one of the masterpieces of oratory as well as diplomacy. He was elected as a member of the Lok Sabha in 1957 and again in 1962. From 1957 to 1962, he served as the Minister of Defence in the Government of India.
- Shri Krishna Menon passed away on 6th October, 1974.
- Write up : Department of Culture, Ministry of H.R.D.
