The Konkan railway boasts of longest tunnel in the country, with a length of 6.5 Km in length. It also has the highest railway bridge in Asia, which has been built over Panval Nadi valley in Ratnagiri standing at the height of 64 metres. The route involved the construction of 92 tunnels, 179 major bridges, 2,819 minor bridges, and 59 stations. Building of Konkan railways involved technical innovations as long tunnels have been devised with ballast-less tracks for a smooth ride, controlled noise, andlow maintenance.

The deck of the Panval Nadi bridgeconsists of single continuous pre-stressed concrete box girder, manufactured and pushed down from one end by an incremental launching system. This technique has been used in India for the first time.

Even though first plans for linking the picturesque western coast with railways line were formulated in 1882 the formidable task has been survey fresh plans were drawn for the railway route. The stamp is a collector's item.

On May 3 the country remembered Dr. Zakir Hussain and to pay homage to ex-President-academician, a special commemorative stamp was issued on his death anniversary. His initiation into politics, is owed to Gandhiji's call while he was a post graduate student at Mayo College in Aligarh. Dr Hussain founded Jamia Millia Islamia and at the age of 29 was appointed as the vice-chancellor, where his emphasis was on `work-centred' and less on book-oriented learning. This was in accordance to Gandhiji's theory of `basic education'. Later he became the vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.He was more of a literary figure rather than a politician. He was involved in active politics when he was nominated for Rajya Sabha in the category of distinguished personalities in art, science and social service.

The other four stamps brought out in May are in the series of freedom fighters. All of them have one thing in common-they were influenced by Gandhiji. Narayn Ganesh Goray from Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, a lawyer by profession, who under the influence of Gandhiji's teachings participated in the Salt and Forest satyagrahas and the Quit India movement. Goray was an eminent thinker and social reformer and prolific writer in English and Marathi.

Vikkom Abdul Khader, the brave martyr is remembered on his birth anniversary on May 25. Lokanayal Omeo Kumar Das was one of the torch bearers of National movement in Assam. As Labour Minister he was instrumental in setting up Tea Plantation Worker's Provident Fund for the benefit of large number of tea plantation workers of Assam, a move whichinfluenced workers of Asia.

Muhammed Abdurahiman Shahib, another freedom fighter was the founder of Al-min Malayalam, a tri-weekly which became a daily paper to promote nationalism amongst his community.

Puluk Gupta, Secretary, Philatelic Club of India says that the stamp on Konkan railways is important. `'Railways is a popular subject, and is among the top 20-25 hot topics. It has value because of world wide popularity of subject and also because of technological innovation its execution''. The Konkan Railways stamp is specially designed for collectors as the denomination of Rs 8 can be used with local or international mail. The size, however, is too big and against international standards, Gupta says.