India increases postal network in Antarctica, inaugurates third post office branch with unique pin code MH-1718
Total Views |
New Delhi, April 6: In a historic moment, India has inaugurated a third post office branch in Antarctica, accompanied by a new PIN code, MH-1718. This is the third post office to be established in Antarctica.
The new post office was inaugurated at Bharati Station, Antarctica, through web link by K K Sharma, chief postmaster general, Maharashtra Circle. Sharma said, "The department had earlier installed a post office at Dakshin Gangotri Station in 1984 and another at Maitri Station in 1990. This is the third post office to be established in Antarctica."
Shailendra Saini, group director (Antarctic Operations), said, "This is a symbolic yet milestone effort. Our scientists do have access to modern means of communication including WhatsApp, albeit at slow speeds, so they do keep in contact with their families. But the souvenir value of receiving a letter stamped 'Antarctica' -- in an era when people have stopped writing letters altogether -- holds great importance. We will collect the letters once a year and despatch them to our headquarters in Goa from where they will be mailed to the scientists' families."
During a scientific expedition to Antarctica, a researcher typically carries these letters from the NCPOR to the continent. At the research base, the letters undergo "cancellation", then they are brought back and dispatched via post. These 'cancelled' letters bear vital information such as the date and post office location, serving as invaluable artefacts for stamp enthusiasts.
Unlike typical Indian post offices, which are located within Indian territory, the post office in Antarctica provides a unique opportunity as it operates in foreign territory. Therefore, it serves a strategic purpose by asserting India’s presence on the continent.
India’s two research bases on Antarctica, Maitri and Bharati, are situated 3,000 km apart. The letters addressed to the post office in Antarctica are initially sent to the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa. Therefore, April 5 was chosen to inaugurate the third post office branch because it marked the 24th Foundation Day of NCPOR.
#𝙋𝙍𝙀𝙇𝙄𝙈𝙎 𝙋𝙊𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙎
— Tathastu-ICS (@Tathastuics) April 6, 2024
India Expands Antarctic Postal Network#upsc #tathastuics #drtanujain #todaytopics #upsc2024 #UPSCPreparation #upscprelims #upscprelims2024 #PrelimsSuccessWithTathastuics#indiaexpands #postalnetworkindia #antarctica #postal pic.twitter.com/MY7ChquqJa
Shailendra Saini, group director (Antarctic Operations), said, "This is a symbolic yet milestone effort. Our scientists do have access to modern means of communication including WhatsApp, albeit at slow speeds, so they do keep in contact with their families. But the souvenir value of receiving a letter stamped 'Antarctica' -- in an era when people have stopped writing letters altogether -- holds great importance. We will collect the letters once a year and despatch them to our headquarters in Goa from where they will be mailed to the scientists' families."
During a scientific expedition to Antarctica, a researcher typically carries these letters from the NCPOR to the continent. At the research base, the letters undergo "cancellation", then they are brought back and dispatched via post. These 'cancelled' letters bear vital information such as the date and post office location, serving as invaluable artefacts for stamp enthusiasts.
Unlike typical Indian post offices, which are located within Indian territory, the post office in Antarctica provides a unique opportunity as it operates in foreign territory. Therefore, it serves a strategic purpose by asserting India’s presence on the continent.