“Tring, tring — postman!” Oh ... you haven’t heard of any such call on your door? But at least you can imagine a time when the ring of a bicycle bell meant the postman, dressed in his khaki uniform had arrived with letters from faraway loved ones at your door. Sounds unfamiliar, right?

Those handwritten letters were filled with surprises, family news and captivating stories about their lives and the events unfolding around them. You may not know the excitement of waiting weeks to read a letter, but those were the days when people wrote letters and eagerly waited for replies with much impatience and enthusiasm. Once the letter was received, the sender’s waiting time would begin, and the recipient would fill the pages with all their good and sad chit chat, writing everything down in ink. They would then carefully place the letter in an envelope, paste a stamp on it, and head to the post office to send it.

Your parents may remember using them, and your grandparents certainly have stories about writing and receiving letters during their time. They can tell you the significance those letters held in their lives as they brought immense excitement, love and regard.

Later, with the advancement in technology, mailing systems started delivering through private courier services, and traditional postal services took a backseat but kept rolling. Sometime later, services improved, and what once took weeks to deliver was reduced to mere days. With advanced transportation systems and communication tools, the wait shortened further to just one. And then — boom — came email, phone calls, text messages and voice notes.

However, as technology has advanced and transformed many aspects of our lives, postal services also recognised the need to adapt. They retained their original essence while continuing to thrive alongside digital communication. Despite these changes, the postal service remains a classic method that paved the way for the world we live in today.

Honestly, kids, I still love the postal service. I would have continued writing letters to my friends and relatives living far away, but only if they had taken the time to reply. Due to challenging lifestyles, people prefer easy and fast methods of communication, but that doesn’t undermine the postal service’s charm and uniqueness that no other form of communication can replace. The long wait to send and receive letters has always been fascinating. If you’re connected to friends and family across continents today, it’s because this postal service laid the foundation for the advanced communication systems we now rely on.

The joy of a personal touch

If I received a birthday wish through email, e-card or a message on social media, I would be happy. However, if I received a card or a letter with a birthday wish delivered to my doorstep in hard copy, my joy would know no bounds. Ask yourself: how happy would you be if you suddenly found a card with a heartfelt message written just for you waiting on your doorstep?

Ancient origins

For a very long time in history, most people didn’t travel far from home, so they didn’t need mail much. However, this early mail was mainly used by rulers to gather information, send messages to rulers or leaders of other areas, and also to collect taxes.

The oldest known piece of mail dates back to ancient Egypt, around 255 BCE. While messengers were used for communication much earlier, around 2400 BCE, the preserved letter from 255 BCE is the earliest physical example of mail we have today.

According to research, many ancient civilisations had mailing systems. For example, Persia had an impressive network of roads for messengers, Rome, known for its efficient administration, employed a system of horse-drawn carriages, called cursus publicus, to deliver government messages and official documents across the vast empire.

Ancient India and China also had well-developed postal systems. In India, the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka established a network of messengers and post houses to facilitate communication within the kingdom. The Chinese, too, had a sophisticated postal system, with designated routes and stations for relaying messages.

Apart from these, the Mongols had a famous mail system called the Yam or Ortoo. It was set up by Genghis Khan in 1200. The Yam used relay stations where messengers could get fresh horses. This made sending messages across Asia much faster.

These early mail systems helped connect faraway places and spread information quickly. They were an important part of how ancient empires communicated and stayed in control.

The evolution of the postal service

The establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU, by the UN) in 1874 marked a significant turning point. This global organisation laid the groundwork for a unified postal system, standardising mail delivery across borders. Every year, October 9 is celebrated to commemorate this milestone, serving as a reminder of the postal sector’s critical role in our daily lives.

The modern postal landscape

Due to the availability of digital alternatives, the volume of traditional letter mail has declined to a significant number. However, after undergoing a remarkable transformation, postal services now work alongside several local and international courier companies that deliver small business shipments, where postal services handle millions of parcels daily, often charging minimal rates compared to private couriers. They have also implemented advanced tracking systems, allowing customers to stay informed about their shipments.

Bridging the financial divide

While new and advanced courier systems have dominated the world, postal services still play a vital role in many developing countries by providing essential financial services to unprivileged/underserved communities.

Through partnerships with local banks, these postal networks offer banking services like money transfers, savings accounts and also bill payments. This financial service empowers those who may lack access or knowledge about traditional banking systems and modern digital apps, thus helping them manage their finances and improve their livelihoods.

Embracing sustainability

Though still not implemented in our part of the world, in many parts of the world, postal services are working on being more environment-friendly. They are using electric vehicles for deliveries instead of gas-powered ones, choosing eco-friendly packaging materials; encouraging customers to use digital services, such as e-billing and electronic notifications, to reduce paper usage and using recyclable or biodegradable materials for packaging, minimising plastic waste and promoting sustainability among many. These efforts show their commitment to reducing pollution and contributing to a healthier planet.

The future of postal services

Postal services face both challenges and opportunities. The shift towards e-commerce will continue to thrive, which will push postal organisations to enhance their logistics capabilities and explore innovative solutions. Moreover, as technology advances, the integration of drones, AI and automation may revolutionise how postal services operate, further improving efficiency and delivery times.

Even so, I believe postal services are far from obsolete; they are evolving entities that continue to adapt to the changing landscape of communication and commerce. Let’s not forget this wonderful traditional means of communication and honour those who still go door to door, ringing bells and delivering letters — bridging distances and developing connections.

Published in Dawn, Young World, October 26th, 2024