Be it a simple letter or an important document, we all are aware of the contribution of the postal services. They have been going on since ancient times and though we are now more tech-savvy and prefer sending our message across with one click, postal services are equally important in helping us deliver our packages.
Be it about sending gifts through post or sending our packages internationally, the postal systems have been very helpful and have made our life easier.
With World Post Day just around the corner on October 9, we are here to brief you through the timeline and theme of this wonderful day.
Ministry of Culture (Government of India) posted on the day:
Apart from connecting people, postal services have an important contribution to socio-economic development. This year's theme is Innovate to recover. #WorldPostDay #AmritMahotsav pic.twitter.com/lehwHgT0Kq
— Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) October 9, 2021
World Postal Day History
It was in 1969 that the first World postal Day was celebrated on October 9, which marks the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). The UPU showcased the global invention of writing letters to people across the globe.
Since its birth, this day is celebrated internationally with people acknowledging the postal services. The invention of postal services dates back to the 1500s when people used to write letters that were delivered on foot or on horsebacks by messengers.
In the 1600s, postal systems started establishing in various countries and were used by many. Gradually, the exchange of letters started happening globally and it was in the late 1800s that a global postal system evolved. Though it was slow and rigorous, it was with the establishment of the UPU in 1874 that it became efficient.
The UPU was made an agency of the UN in 1948. During the 1969 UPU Congress in Tokyo, Japan, October 9th was first commemorated as World Postal Day. The proposal was accepted by the member of the Indian delegation, Mr. Anand Narula and it is since then that we celebrate World Postal Day every year on October 9.
World Postal Day Theme
The theme of this year (2022)’s World Postal Day is ‘Post for Planet’, last year was ‘Innovate To Recover’. This theme is apt as it highlights the plight of today’s problem where the postal system is beyond recovery. With everything going digital, the postal service is not gaining traction. Thus, the UPU requests to help in recovering it and innovate better ideas for its survival.
This day is all the more important to honor the tireless service that the postal department provided us with during the pandemic in the year 2020. While everyone was working from home, this industry didn’t have a choice.
We should remember this and celebrate this day with great pride. The UPU Director-General said, “When Covid-19 was at its peak all across the globe last year, the postal services still managed to provide their continued service. It is this innovativeness and their committed service that we are celebrating on World Postal Day”.
How is World Postal Day Celebrated?
World Post Day is celebrated every year with full enthusiasm in more than 150 countries. Every country celebrates it in a different manner. Some take it as an opportunity to introduce new postal products and services and some honor their employees in response to their excellent service.
A few countries also conduct exhibitions where new stamps are issued or display World Postal Day posters in post offices and museums to promote the importance of postal services.
Some post offices also grant special souvenirs such as badges and T-shirts for their employees and for common men. In other countries, World Postal Day is also a working holiday.
