2016 - Bhisham Sahni | Unreleased Commemorative Coin

There was a press release about the issuance of a commemorative coin marking the Birth Centenary of Bhisham Sahni.

However, it appears that due to numerous releases in the year 2016, this commemorative coin didn't receive final approval for release. On May 31, 2017, India Post released a commemorative postage stamp to honor Sahni.

Notification from PIB, Government of India dated 19-May-2015:

First meeting of the high level National Implementation Committee on Commemorations held

Year- long Commemoration celebrations of six eminent personalities to be held this year

The high level National Implementation Committee (NIC) on Commemorations  held its first meeting in New Delhi today to deliberate upon the ‘commemoration schedule’ for this year. The meeting was chaired by the Union Minister of Home Affairs, Shri Rajnath Singh. The Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley, Union Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma and Governor of Nagaland, Shri P.B. Acharya and other members associated with the celebration of commemorations were also present in the meeting.

During the meeting, the date and venue for the commemoration ceremony of the following six commemorations were discussed:-

1. Birth Centenary of Rani Gaidinliu 
2. 150th Birth Anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai
3. 200th Birth Anniversary of Tatya Tope
4. 475th Birth Anniversary of Maharana Pratap
5. Birth centenary of Bhisham Sahni 
6. 500 Years of Return of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to Vrindavan

Addressing the meeting, Shri Rajnath Singh said that these great personalities have enriched the history and culture of the country and  high quality, befitting commemorations on a large scale should be organized for each one of these personalities, considering their contribution and stature. 

Shri Rajnath Singh  said that the message of these commemorations should not be limited to the local areas, but should be spread to the whole country as well as the whole world.  He suggested that the commemoration ceremonies should be held in the national capital, Delhi along with the local places/birth places associated with these personalities.   He said that the year-long celebrations should be held to organize various events related to the lives of these personalities.  The celebrations of these six commemorations should begin in a phased manner between July-October this year to give enough time for adequate celebration, he added. 

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Arun Jaitley said that to pay tribute to these personalities, structures like auditoriums/theatres etc should be set up at their birthplace to create permanent symbols of remembrance. 

Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that the details of the activities to be carried out during the commemoration ceremonies will be worked out by the sub committees formed for each of the six commemorations. 

Senior officials of the Ministry of Culture and State Government officials as well as representatives of social organizations connected to these personalities were also present in the meeting.

NB/NK/PB

(Release ID :121860)