India Post has been serving the nation since last 167 years. Established on 1st October 1854 under the name ‘Company Mail’ during the tenure of Lord Dalhousie as the Governor General of India of the East India Company, it has grown to become the most widely distributed postal system in the world.
The specially designed Tableau of India Post for this year’s Republic Day Parade in New Delhi, attempts to capture its robust reach and modern face. Also being portrayed is the Department’s profound commitment towards women empowerment both within the organization and outside. Not to forget that nearly 50% of account holders of India Post Payments Bank as well as Post Office Savings Bank are women.
In the front of the two part Tableau is a young post woman with a digital device in one hand and a postman’s bag in the other, thus conveying the message of blending technology with tradition. Standing tall beside her is the ubiquitous red-letter box that reflects people’s unabated faith in India Post, over the 167 years. The image of the postwoman is juxtaposed with that of the Harkara – the Dak messenger or runner of yesteryears – on high relief projecting the transition of India Post over the decades.
Also displayed are India Post Services like speed post, e-commerce, ATM Cards etc. which are trusted by millions of customers. The ramp leading up to the Post Office can not be missed, which portrays the social commitment of India Post for the disabled.
The trailer features the Floating Post Office of Srinagar with emphasis on the ‘Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana’ a scheme under the Government of India’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign. The Floating Post Office of Srinagar on the Dal Lake, besides serving the customers, is an important tourist attraction, often visited by travelers, just to send a post card to their families or friends from such unique destination.
The All Women Post Office showcases India Post’s resolve and a step towards gender equality. The 3D images of the post office counters where we see women officials rendering multiple services to the customers such as Aadhar enrolment as well as Postal ATM Counters, emphasizes India Post’s resolve towards women empowerment.
At the rear is the Kolkata GPO, a proud witness to the journey of India Post and one of the iconic heritage buildings of India. Designed by Walter Grenville and built in 1868, the building at B B D Baug is well known for its imposing high dome and tall Ionic-Corinthian pillars.
The uniqueness of the tableaux lies in its foot soldiers who are real-life postmen / post women from different parts of India. They stand symbolic to the transition of India Post from the harkaras to the postmen on bicycles and now on e-bikes.
So, this Republic Day, turn on your TV and watch live the spectacular Parade, as it rolls down the Rajpath, going past the India Gate monument and beyond.
For those who miss the live telecast, needless to mention that the YouTube back up will always be there.
(The Republic Day Parade will be telecast live on Doordarshan network. It will also be live streamed on PIB India YouTube channel) .
(With contributions from Swati Pandey, Post Master General, Mumbai)
MD / BPost / XII
ON THIS DAY 