India 2018

108 India 2018
such as Speed Post, Express Parcel, Business Parcel and Regd. Post, including
COD parcels and capturing real time delivery information. The app has the
provision of taking the signature of the addressee/ payee. Real time delivery
information eliminates the inaccurate capturing of the same prior to the
introduction of the application and hence improves overall customer experience
and delivery performance.
Development of Road Transport Network for Parcels
Based on the need for providing safe, secure and faster transmission of parcels
particularly e-commerce consignments, the Department has set up a dedicated
road transport network for transmission of parcels. Under the initiative so far,
a total of 43 routes in 17 circles have been made functional connecting 67 cities
across the country.
Nodal and Mechanized Delivery
In order to cater to the rapidly increasing volume of e-commerce consignments
which requires a change in the manner of traditional parcel delivery being the
volumetric nature of the consignments, the Department has separated parcel
delivery from regular delivery and introduced Nodal Mechanized Delivery of
parcels from identified delivery offices and hubs in metros, state capitals and
important cities. By June 2017, delivery has been implemented in 46 cities
through 231 nodal delivery centres covering 915 delivery PIN codes.
Philately
Philately is the hobby of collecting stamps as well as the study of postal history
and other related items. It is a mode of commemorating, celebrating and
promoting national heritage, culture, events and eminent personalities. A
postage stamp plays a great role as an ambassador, a brand image of the postal
administration concerned and a statement of sovereignty of nation.
After independence, the medium of postage stamps was initially used to
highlight the country's achievements in science and technology as well as its
socio economic development by depicting themes like Five Year Plans, steel
plants, and dams, etc. Subsequently, the country's rich cultural and natural
heritage came to be showcased and many beautiful stamps were issued in
thematic sets on art, architecture, crafts maritime heritage, science, technology,
defence, and cinema. Great leaders of national and international standing have
also been honoured with commemorative stamps, the most important being
Mahatma Gandhi. The Father of the Nation has been honoured with
commemorative as well as definitive stamps. Personalities, who have made
contribution in areas like painting, literature, science, music, social upliftment,
etc. have also been honoured.
In keeping with their dual character as a 'Token of Postage' and as 'Cultural
Ambassador', there are two categories of stamps viz. definitive and
commemorative postage stamps. The definitive postage stamps are meant for