The International Union of Railways, otherwise known as UIC was founded in 1922. Its objective is to standardize and improve on the railways with special regard to International traffic. The UIC is also responsible for ensuring co-ordination and unity of action amongst the International Railway Organisation.

The principal European Railway Administrations, as also a certain number of administartions outside Europe are members of the UIC.

Since 1950, the UIC has set-up 4 new ofices, namely, (a) The office for Research and Experiments (ORE) for the pooling of means on technical research; (b) Information and Publicity Centre of the European Railways (CIPCE) for pubicity and public relations regarding the railway activities; (c) International Railway Documentation Bureau (B.D.C.) which facilitates exchange between the railways, and which publishes jointly with the :International Railways Documentation" in four languages. (d) The Railway Films Bureau (B.F.C) which enables information to be exchanged in that field.

The UIC brings out certain publications on matters of railway interest. The publications comprises: (i) A monthly magazine entitled "Railway International" brought out by the 'Joint Executive Commitee for Information' of the International Railway Congress Association (IRCA) and the UIC. (ii) A document entitled "Quarterly Railway Statistics," showing comparative results of the principal data in relation to the preceding year; (iii) "International Railway Statistics" showing yearly statistics of route and track miles, rolling stock, traffic, receipts, expenditure, finance, staff and accodents.

The Indian Railways are associated with the International Union of Railways since 1957. The Union recently celebrated its golden jubilee. These celebrations have a special significance for India because on this ocasion te UIC held a Colloqulum on 'sharing of Railway Knowledge' which was presided over by the Chairman of the Indian Railway Board, and was attended by a number of representatives from railways of both developed and developing countries all over the world.

The Indian Railways constitute Asia's ;argest and the World's fourth largest railway system. They are also the world's second biggest state-owned railway system with route length over 60,000 km. Of all the members of the UIC, the Indian railways have the biggest route kilometrage. The Indian Posts and Telegraohs department fell privilaged in bringing out a commemorative tsamp to mark the Golden Jubilee of the International Union of Railways.

The stamp design is based on art work by the well known French artist George mathieu. Famous as the promoter of Lyrical Abstraction of art free from all classical restrictions and customs, Mathieu has held exibitions of his work in many countries. he is also the inovator of tachism and has specialised in tapestry and porceline designs.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India