Jose Marti was born in a modest home in Cuba on January 28, 1853. He dedicated his life to the cause of liberation of Cuba from the domination of the Spanish Empire. He began to write at a very early age and his revolutionary ideas moulded the thoughts of generations of his people. Fidel Castro aptly called him the intellectual author of the Cuban Revolution.
At the tender age of 17 he was imprisoned in very difficult conditions and wrote "The Political Prisoner in Cuba", a very thought provoking condemnation of colonisers.
In 1892 he founded the Cuban Revolutionary Party with the avowed objective, "to attain absolute independence of the Isle of Cuba and to foster and help the independence of Puerto Rico. The same year he brought out the newspaper Patrial.
On the eve of his heroic death Jose Marti expressed to his friend Manuel Mercado that independence was the driving force in his life. He has promoted through his multiple works a number of economic measures that range from redistribution of land to installation of an economic regime based upon small land holdings. He fought to eradicate all discrimination based on the colour, creed, region etc.
Perhaps, the most poignant tribute to Jose Marti comes from the pen of Nicolas Guillen
No, think not that his voice is a whisper
Or his hands like mere shadows
Or that his look is like a shivering dewdrop
on a rose petal.
His voice and hands
Have the power to crush rock and iron.
His burning eyes can penetrate the darkest woods.
Touch him-you will feel the burning fire.
Take his hand - you will realise
That all of Cuba fits in it
Like a bird taking shelter from the storm.
Look at his eyes - and you will be blinded by their fire.
But follow his eyes in the dark of night,
For his brilliance will light the way.
The Department of Post is happy to issue a stamp in honour of this international Cuban hero.
Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India