The Department of Posts is one of the oldest departments of the country which plays an important role in the socio-economic development of the country. It is an organization that helps us to reach not only within the country but also other countries outside the borders of the country. World Postal Day is celebrated all over the world on 9 October. This time its theme is ‘Post for Planet’. While providing above information Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav, Postmaster General, Varanasi Region said that in this sequence, ‘National Postal Week’ will be celebrated from 9-13 October and every day will be focused on a particular product or service-
9 October – World Post Day
10 October – Vittiya Sashaktikaran Diwas
11 October – Philately Day: Celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
12 October – Mails and Parcels Day
13 October – Antyodya Diwas
Postmaster General, Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav said that the objective of World Post Day is to spread awareness about the role of Postal services in daily life, business and social and economic development of the people across the world. To realize the concept of ‘One World – One Postal System’, ‘Universal Postal Union’ was established on 9 October 1874 in Bern, Switzerland, so that a uniform postal system could be implemented across the world. India was the first Asian nation, which became its member on 1 July 1876. Later in 1969, at the Universal Postal Union Congress held in Tokyo, Japan, this foundation day was declared to be celebrated as ‘World Post Day’.
Postmaster General, Shri Yadav said that during the National Postal Week, emphasis would be laid on wide publicity of Postal services and increase its customer base. On the other hand, school children visit post offices to understand the working of Postal Services, Philately Quiz, Stamp Design and Dhai Aakhar letter writing competition, Seminars, Workshops, felicitation of Postal employees for excellence, Customer Meet, Saving Bank Services, Postal Life Insurance, Financial empowerment camps will be organized in every district regarding Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and India Post Payments Bank products etc.
Postal Services in Varanasi
Varanasi has a long history of postal services. Postal services have influenced the socio-economic environment even before independence. Varanasi, Chandauli, Bhadohi, Ghazipur, Jaunpur and Ballia districts are established under Varanasi Postal Region. Postmaster General, Shri Krishna Kumar Yadav informed that there are a total 1,716 Post Offices in Varanasi Region, out of which there are 6 Head Post Offices, 268 Sub Post Offices and 1,442 Branch Post Offices under 6 districts. There are a total 252 Post offices in Varanasi District alone. Even today, the Varanasi Head Post Office (built in the year 1920) and the Varanasi City Post Office (built in the year 1898) operate in British-era buildings. Varanasi City Post Office is functioning as Sampoorna Mahila Post Office which is a fine example of women empowerment. Even today, the pre-independence letter box is installed in the Varanasi Head Post Office at Visheshwarganj as a heritage site, while the spears used by the postmen for distributing mail have also been kept safe. The Philatelic Bureau located in the Head Post Office is a major destination for stamp collecting enthusiasts, where all new and old postage stamps are displayed. Many celebrities have also had a relationship with the Department of Post. The father of Munshi Premchand, popularly known as the novel emperor, also worked in the Postal department.
