World Post Day - 9 October

Tags: Important Days

World Post Day is celebrated every year on 9 October.

An Overview of the News

• World Post Day celebrates the establishment of the United Nations agency, the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

• The UPU was founded on October 9, 1884, in Bern, Switzerland.

• The tradition of celebrating World Post Day began in 1969 during the UPU Congress in Tokyo, Japan.

Theme of World Post Day 2023:

• The theme of World Post Day 2023 is “Together for trust: Collaborating for a safe and connected future”.

• This theme emphasizes the role of post offices in achieving the goals of the digital economy.

First postage stamp in India:

• India's first postage stamp was issued on 21 November 1947, with 'Jai Hind' and 'Bharat' written on it.

• The value of this stamp was three and a half annas or 14 paise and was used for domestic mail.

• Mahatma Gandhi had the distinction of being the first Indian to have a postage stamp issued in his name.

• Sachin Tendulkar became the first living person in India to have a postage stamp issued in his name.

History of Indian Post:

• The Indian postal system was started 257 years ago in 1766.

• In 1774, Warren Hastings established the first post office in Kolkata.

• Postage stamps in India were introduced in 1852.

• A postage stamp bearing the image of Queen Victoria on October 1, 1854 marked the establishment of the postal department in India.

• India's postal network is extensive, with 89.87% of post offices located in rural areas.

Notable stamp issues in India:

• On 20 August 1991, India issued its largest postage stamp, bearing the photograph of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Universal Postal Union (UPU):

• UPU is a specialized agency of the United Nations.

• Established: October 9, 1884.

• Headquarters: Bern, Switzerland.

• Current head: Masahiko Matoki.

• The UPU works under the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.