NEW DELHI: In a landmark celebration of cultural and civilisational ties, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) has become the first country globally to issue a postage stamp depicting Ram Lalla of Ayodhya. The commemorative stamp was unveiled during a special ceremony held in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, marking a significant milestone in the cultural exchange between India and Laos.
The stamp was officially released by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Lao PDR’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith. The event, which took place during Dr. Jaishankar’s visit to Laos for the ASEAN meetings, also saw the presence of India’s Ambassador to Laos, Prashant Agrawal.
In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar thanked Kommasith for the warm welcome and said, “A good meeting with DPM and FM Saleumxay Kommasith of Lao PDR. Thanked him for the warm hospitality.” “Launched a special stamp set celebrating our shared cultural treasures of Ramayana and Buddhism”, he added.
A good meeting with DPM and FM Saleumxay Kommasith of Lao PDR. Thanked him for the warm hospitality.
Witnessed exchange of MoUs on 10 Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) for Laos under Mekong Ganga Cooperation and cooperation in sharing successful Digital Solutions.
Launched a… pic.twitter.com/XB02tPpJ80
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 27, 2024
The newly issued stamp set includes two distinct stamps: one featuring Shri Ram Lalla, the five-year-old form of Bhagwan Ram enshrined in the Ram Mandir of Ayodhya, and the other depicting Bhagwan Buddha of Luang Prabang, an ancient and significant Buddhist site in Laos. This dual representation underscores the profound historical and cultural connections between India and Laos, particularly in the realm of Buddhism, which has long been a bridge between the two nations.
Sri Ram Lalla’s statue, sculpted by Arun Yogiraj, is a dark-coloured stone murti standing 51 inches tall. It was ceremoniously installed in the garbhagriha of the Ram Mandir on January 22, 2024. This new stamp celebrates not only the religious significance of Ram Lalla but also the shared cultural heritage embodied in the Ramayana, known as the Ramakien in Laos. The epic, central to both Indian and Laotian cultures, is performed during important cultural and religious events in Laos.
The theme of the stamp set, “Celebrating Shared Cultural Heritage of Lao PDR and India,” highlights the long-standing historical and cultural ties between the two countries, with Buddhism serving as a vital link. The release of the stamp set reflects the deep-rooted bonds and mutual respect between India and Laos, further strengthening their relationship through this symbolic gesture.
The issuance of this unique postage stamp not only commemorates the shared cultural heritage but also signifies the growing diplomatic and cultural engagement between India and Laos, fostering greater understanding and appreciation of their intertwined histories.
