The transformations due to advancement in the technology led primitive postal systems unsustainable. Gradually, the old postal service is being taken over by the digital modes. Nevertheless, letters written by hand is still considered as a bolt from the blue even today. Unexpected posts from loved ones or others can make a chronically frown faces to happy face. Perception about post service has changed today comparatively from old times. People of all ages have many suitable and convenient ways to send their message starting from pigeon posts in the earliest times in history to e-mails, chats and voice calls of recent times. Only thing that remained steady throughout is the irresistible impulse to be in touch. Nowadays posts refer to the social media, created and shared by its users on different social websites.

Way back in history, postal services have been in operation from centuries. Letters were delivered on foot or on horseback through special messengers. The world’s first postage stamp was introduced in 1840 and began springing in many countries. Universal Postal Union was established in 1874 in Swiss capital Berran. This day was declared as World Post day by UPU in a Conference held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969 and is celebrated annually as the anniversary of UPU across the world. The birth of UPU opened the way for well-organized postal service in existence.

Word Post day is celebrated each year on 9 October. UPU is a network consisting of more than 650,000 offices and 5.3 million staff globally. Posts are incomparable in its capability to deliver services to anyone and anywhere. World Post day is observed globally to create awareness about the role of postal sector in people’s lives and its contribution to the development of countries. Postal services have changed the way people communicate with each other in drastic ways but it remained significant to global communication even in the era of digital communication.

UN Secretary General António Guterres in his message on World Post Day said, “I thank postal workers and postal operators for your efforts, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Nations will continue to build on our partnership with you and the Universal Postal Union in our efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

More than 150 countries celebrate World post Day in different ways, Philatelic exhibitions are organized, new stamps and date cancellation marks are issued. Seminars, conferences, workshops, cultural sport and many other recreational activities are arranged. On this day many posts reward their employees for good services. 

Postal sector has been changing rapidly since the growth of digital communication. Postal business, once the golden goose is on the way out due to continuous shifts in the market. Competition and extension in postal sector has brought many benefits for its consumers but there is still a need for improvements. Nowadays consumers expect more convenient, ever-faster and transparent delivery of their posts.  To celebrate the Postal Day, every year Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Letter-Writing Competition is held and the  national winners are honoured on 9 October to mark the day.