India today symbolizes continuity and change. While traditional skill are still thriving, modern technologies are taking root.

The Festival of India 1985-86 has been connived as a major event to provide the American and the French people with glimpses of life, art and culture of India­ both past and present. The Festival is expected not only to bring these nations closer to India but also to develop better understanding between the peoples of the participating countries.

The Festival offers a most comprehensive projection of the various facets of social and cultural life in India, from the ancient times to the present day. The celebrations consist of a series of exhibitions and programmes of music, dance, drama and film shows, as also of seminars, workshops and lectures to discuss various aspects of Indian literature, arts and social sciences. The Festival seeks to depict the variety, character and quality of modern India by presenting the continuity of her traditional skills in folk and classical arts, simultaneously with her technological achievements, contemporary films, books, graphics and photography.

Major educational programmes are planned so that children in the US and France become aware of both the rich heritage of India's past and of the dynamic progress of contemporary India, There will be programmes in the Universities of these countries as also on the TV networks to project India's image amongst as wide and audience as possible.

Commencing in June 1985, the Festival will continue till spring 1986 and will be one of the biggest event ever mounted to promote goodwill and understanding between the participating countries. It will not only fill the gaps in the knowledge about India, but also give an insight into the deep roots of Indian culture. It is also expected to give a tremendous boost to trade and tourism.

The Department of Posts, India  is proud to commemorate the Festival of India in U.S.A. and France by issuing two postage stamps. The present stamp depicts a copper coin of the Yaudheya circa 200 BC symbolising Ahimsa 'Not to injure any living being".

The coin whose obverse is seen on the stamp is a numismatic rarity, an ancient coppercast coin which was in circulation over 2000 years ago. Issued by the Yaudheya tribal republic of 200 BC, the coin is rich in the symbology so typical of those times. The deer represents the gentle and compassionate doctrine of "Ahimsa", credo of the Buddha, which held all life to be sacred. Above the deer appears the "Kalash", the pot of plenty; and above the pot, the symbol of 'Shri", goddess of good fortune and well being. The reverse depicts the Republic's  Deity, Karthikeya, the second son of Lord Shiva and His consort Parvati.

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