Mumbai: India Post launched its third post office in Antarctica on Monday, close to the South Pole, in a historic and significant move. India conducts research expeditions in populated, cold regions, employing anywhere from 50 to 100 scientists on a contract basis for different months.
Chief Postmaster General of Maharashtra Circle K K Sharma used the web link to officially open the new post office at Bharati Station, Antarctica. Sharma said that the department had earlier installed a post office at Dakshin Gangotri Station in 1984 and another at Maitri Station in 1990. It is the third post office to be established in Antarctica.
April 5 was selected as it was the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa’s 24th founding day. The group head of Antarctic operations, Shailendra Saini, stated that the initiative is historic and symbolic. Although at slow rates, he noted, his team of scientists does have access to modern communication tools like WhatsApp, allowing them to stay in touch with their families. However, getting a letter stamped “Antarctica” at a time when people no longer write letters at all has significant sentimental value. He went on to say that the letters will be gathered once a year and sent to their Goa headquarters, where they will be mailed to the families of the scientists.
On the occasion, a postcard featuring Bharti Station was released. In addition to senior postal department representatives, several scientists from Goa and Antarctica participated virtually in the event, including NCPOR director Thaman Meloth and the team heads of the Maitri and Bharti stations.
According to KK Sharma, the new endeavour demonstrates the postal fraternity’s dedication to serving even the most remote regions of the world. He congratulated everyone who helped make this virtual launch possible and said he had faith in the postmaster stationed at the Bharti Branch Post office to help people connect deeply by encouraging them to write letters to their loved ones.
