Kolkata: The secretary of the Department of Posts, AN Nanda, said on Saturday that the Postal department will be embracing the latest technology and utilise it in a way beneficial for the common people and will continue its journey even at a time when internet, smart phones and e-mails have almost replaced the practice of writing personal letters.
"We are past rich but at the same time we are future ready as well. We will adopt technology as and when it comes. When telegram was introduced somebody had said there will be no use of post office as it reached its recipient so fast. But now telegram is history but post offices have remained," Nanda said at a programme to commemorate the 150 years of Kolkata General Post Office (GPO).
He added that it is the strength of network and the relevance to the public that have made the postal services survive in the days of cell phones and emails.
Chief Post Master General (West Bengal) Arundhaty Ghosh said the postal payment bank that has been introduced recently has taken the postal services to the doorstep of every one.
"The postmen are now carrying smartphones with them. More than 53,000 accounts have been opened under the payment bank," Ghosh said adding that the department has introduced a number of services in the last few years to serve the people.
A coffee table book on the history of Kolkata GPO was released by Nanda and a documentary on the GPO's history was also screened during the programme.
The employees of the GPO, who have given a commendable service, were also awarded at the programme.