Kolkata, 09 October (H.S.): On the occasion of World Post Day, the West Bengal Postal Circle of the Department of Posts marked the grand commencement of National Postal Week 2026 on Friday. Addressing the inaugural ceremony held at the historic Town Hall in Kolkata, Chief Postmaster General (CPMG) of the West Bengal Circle, Ashok Kumar, stated that India Post is the largest network in the world, closely connected to every single household across the country.

He noted that by embracing modern technology, India Post is keeping pace with a rapidly evolving world. Today, the department's operational framework has become so robust that if anyone in any corner of the country urgently requires cash, they simply need to place a call to India Post. Following this, a postman will visit their doorstep and disburse up to ₹10,000 in cash directly from their bank account using biometric authentication via phone number and fingerprint verification.

The global theme for National Postal Week this year is World Post Day: One Postal Network, Infinite Possibilities. This theme highlights the expanding role of the postal network, technological integration, and citizen-centric service delivery. The weeklong celebrations will feature themed days, including Fun with Philately Day on October 12, Financial Inclusion & CCS Day on October 13, Mails & Parcels Day on October 14, and Technology & Innovation Day on October 15.

The inaugural event was graced by the presence of Riju Ganguly, Postmaster General (South Bengal Region), alongside representatives from the Prayag Philatelic Society. Key highlights of the program included the official release of a Special Cover on the theme Durga Puja – Intangible Cultural Heritage. Additionally, an inter-school philatelic fashion show titled Philately on the Runway—featuring costume designs inspired by postage stamps—was organized. Circle-level winners of the UPU International Letter Writing Competition for Young People 2026 were also felicitated during the event.

The ceremony also shed light on the key strategic achievements of the West Bengal Postal Circle. To cater to the preferences of youth and contemporary consumers, the department has operationalized five new Next-Generation (N-Gen) post offices equipped with modern layouts and digital facilities.

Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Government of West Bengal to conduct e-KYC verifications for Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries, paving the way for the direct doorstep delivery of physical cards.

In a push toward environmental sustainability and green energy, the postal network—in collaboration with the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL)—is planning to deliver messages from the Hon’ble Chief Minister regarding solar energy initiatives directly to farmers and landowners via Speed Post. Additionally, the department has strengthened its presence in express logistics and continues to provide vital civic services, such as Aadhaar enrollment and mandatory biometric updates, through regular camps in remote areas and schools.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh