Dehradun (Uttarakhand): Marking the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which started in Switzerland in the year 1874, October 9 is observed as World Post Day. The day aims to highlight the importance of postal services worldwide.
During the early days, post was the only service to connect people across the globe. Letters were the only medium to connect people and exchange information.
Following the entry of private parcel companies into the market and digitisation, the importance of posts and postmen declined decade after decade.
On 9 October 1874, 22 countries in Switzerland's capital Bern had signed an agreement to form the Universal Postal Union. In the year 1969, during a conference held in Japan's Tokyo, October 9 was selected as the day to celebrate the spirit of the postal network at an international level.
World Post Day 2019: Here's why we celebrate this day India was the first Asian country to become a member of the Universal Postal Union in July 1876 due to its large population and international mail traffic.
Indian Post is one of the oldest government bodies of the nation which dates back to the 18th century. As time passed, post became the most reliable, accessible and cheapest means to exchange information. The organisation also provided telegram, parcel, money orders and deposit facilities to the people.
With the expanding digital network, letters have been replaced by quick and effective mediums of computer and mobile phones. These electronic gadgets are easily accessible without the boundaries of time and place.
Looking at recent trends, there is a need to enhance Indian post so that its existence in the present time can be retained. Government must emphasise on the infrastructural and technological upgradation of the body for the future generation.
Read:| Are you Pakistanis?: BJP's Sonali Phogat to those not chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' at rally
