stamps issued in 2000

february

Balwantrai Mehta (1899-1965), former chief minister of Gujrat was valiant freedom fighter and social worker. He was the pioneer of Panchayathi Raj. The Panchayathi Raj being implemented in the country is based on the recommendation of the Balwantrai Mehta Committee. 
 

Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab (1899-1987), former Chief Minister of Orissa, was a freedom fighter and courted imprisonment on many occasions. Sardar Patel described him as a person who loves Orissa but loves India more.  He was associated with publications like Jhankar, Prajatantra and has 23 books in English and Oriya to his credit. 
 

Arun Kumar Chanda (1899-1947) played a major role in the National Movement attracting the masses into the struggle for freedom. He founded the Guru Charan College of Silchar in 1935 and became the Honorary Principal. He was an accomplished writer and formulated public opinion through the Bengali Weekly Saptak. 
 

The Patna School of Medicine was opened on June 23, 1874. This was renamed as Temple School of medicine. The school was upgraded and the Patna Medical College was opened on July 25, 1925 by Sir Henry Wheeler, Governor of Bihar. The college has one of the earliest radiotherapy units and today it has 1700 free beds, 500 undergraduates, 500 postgraduates and 300 teachers.