Celebration of 250 years of Kolkata GPO Inaugurated by WB Governor Dr. Bose

Partha Roy, Kolkata: West Bengal Governor Dr. C . V. Ananda Bose inaugurated celebration of 250 years of Kolkata General Post Office (GPO) on 14 th March 2024 at iconic landmark heritage building named Kolkata GPO in the city of joy Kolkata.

The GPO was established on 31st March 1774 at Calcutta (now Kolkata) by then Governor General of Bengal Lord Warren Hastings at the Fort William. Tha old GPO was relocated to various locations between 1774 to 1868. After construction of the present GPO Building, GPO opened to the public on 2nd October 1868.

As a part of celebration, on 15th March Postal and Phillatelic Exhibition in a moving Tram from Esplanade to Gariahat to be inagurated. Special covers on “Transportation of Mails through Ages” on moving Tram and “Grand Clock of Kolkata GPO” at Kolkata GPO to be released. Celebration of 250 years of GPO to be held from 14th-19th March 2024.

Inaguration Ceremony was attended by top bureaucrats, top officials of India Post, members of civil society, representatives of various trade & commerce organisations, heritage enthusiasts, general public from across Kolkata, West Bengal, and neighbouring States.

Shri Niraj Kumar Chief Post Master General (CPMG) West Bengal Circle presented rich history of GPO during his address. Secretary of Department of Post Shri Vineet Pandey highlighted recent measures to modernise India Post .He mentioned recently approximately 5000 new appointments were made.
Shri Sanjiv Ranjan Post Master General Kolkata Region thanked the august gathering. Establishment of GPO in 1774 was precursor of establishment of modern postal communication system in entire South Asia.

GPO in Kolkata played major role in socio-cultural-economic development of people of Bengal, in fact, Eastern India and across India over centuries since its inception. It evolutionised communication processes of all sections of the society from urban elites to common people of the society through its wide range of services. It facililated trade and commerce across many nations with the development & establishment of modern postal systems in different nations. It promoted inclusiveness in the society. It touched lives of billions of Indians positively over centuries in myriad ways.