Team TrickyScribe: In a historic celebration of postal heritage, the Chief Postmaster General of Bihar, Anil Kumar, released a special My Stamp at Meghdoot Bhawan, the Patna GPO campus. The stamp marks two milestones: 250 years of the Copper Ticket, the world’s first prepaid mail token, and 107 years of the iconic Patna GPO building.
Honoring Postal Innovations
Speaking at the ceremony, Kumar highlighted the significance of the Copper Ticket in revolutionizing communication. “On March 31, 1774, the Copper Ticket, the first ‘prepaid token,’ was introduced to facilitate the conveyance of mail from Azimabad, now Patna. Issued by the East India Bengal Presidency during the administration of Governor General Warren Hastings, this innovation laid the foundation for modern postal services,” he said. Kumar also recognized the roles of Thomas Evans, Postmaster General, and Charles Graeme, Deputy Postmaster General, in implementing this landmark initiative.
A Century of Patna GPO
Kumar also celebrated the architectural and historical legacy of the Patna GPO, which was designed in the British Revival Gothic style after Bihar’s separation from Bengal in 1912. Built on 22 acres with a total area of 1.93 lakh sq. ft., the GPO was constructed between 1915 and 1917 under the supervision of English architect Joseph Philips Munning. Kumar noted, “The building, inaugurated on July 1, 1917, at a cost of ₹2.69 lakh, remains a symbol of Bihar’s rich postal history. Renovated in 2000 at a cost of ₹1.25 crore, it now boasts five gardens, two murals, a majestic millennium gate, and three porticos.”
Public Engagement and Future Outreach
The My Stamp is available to the public, allowing individuals to personalize the stamp with their photographs alongside the theme of the Copper Ticket and Patna GPO. Kumar encouraged residents to visit their nearest post offices to avail themselves of this unique offering.
Distinguished Attendees
The event witnessed the presence of senior postal officials, including Parimal Sinha, Postmaster General (North Region, Muzaffarpur), Manoj Kumar, Postmaster General (East Region, Bhagalpur), and Pawan Kumar, Director Postal Services. Several officers, including Narsingh Mahto, Ranjay Kumar Singh, Manish Kumar, Robin Chandra, and Kumari Sarita, were also present. The event attracted philatelists, media personnel, and members of the general public, marking a proud moment for Bihar.
Preserving History
This initiative not only commemorates two significant chapters in postal history but also reinforces the importance of preserving and celebrating heritage. The Patna GPO and the Copper Ticket serve as enduring symbols of Bihar’s cultural and historical richness.
Total Views: 2,13,962