No country can compare with the efficient postal network of India: John Samuel
Chief Postmaster General, J&K John Samuel is among the dynamic Administrative officers of the country and has played a great role in positively transforming the postal services of the country.
In an exclusive interview with ‘The Kashmir Scenario’, John Samuel talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.
Tell us a bit about your early day’s especially academic life?
I am from down South (Tamil Nadu) where I studied Charter Accountancy as my basic qualification and later on I did MBA in Marketing . When I was studying at ST. Xavier College, I had knitted the dream to join the civil services so as to be part of the transformation of country. I would like to state that I enjoyed not a purely urban background but a semi-urban background.
I always had a dream to develop India as prosperous, developed nation where the masses would feel better about their overall life.
A bit about your professional journey?
My initial posting was in Kerala and then to Delhi. Since 1986, I have been fully associated with the development of speed post services and in this regard I was deputed to different foreign countries to understand how speed post is operated throughout the world and how courier services are doing it.We call it express Mail services. Today, I am happy speed post in our country has greatly improved and has a good market share. We have done lot of improvement in tracking and delivering the speed post .From 1992 to 1997, I was deputed to Bangkok (Thailand) where I was posted as a part of international assignments in international postal union and I could understand global post services and played a leading role in developing postal services for 30 countries.
Later on I came back to headquarters to play a role in developing diverse products especially for business customers and “Parcel” was an important item in this context.
We have been also successful in transforming parcel system and introducing dynamic concept of sale of gold coins (India post gold service) wherein we sell 24 carat gold coins via post offices which are a good move investment vise.
How has been your family support like?
My wife has been a great support for me. She started her career as a banker and later on could not continue as we were posted in different places. She has been a great support for me and greatly assisting me. She will be eyes and voice for me when we go to different post offices and give me impressive feedback .We have been together involved in lot of social development projects especially for poor people, children and women.
My children (Two daughters), who are currently in United Kingdom have been a great support. My father and mother since childhood provided me every sort of support to join civil services and follow my dreams.
Since you enjoy global experience, how would you rate the Indian postal services when compared to ‘west’?
Definitely, the developed countries of west have gone a long way ahead in developing their postal services. The development of postal services depends upon the health of an economy and these countries have a richer economy when compared to ours.
But, I would like to state that no country can compare with the efficient postal network of India, we have about 1 lac 55,000 Post offices in India, China has 80,000 and USA also has lesser number than us. We have nearly 7,000 Post offices in Jammu & Kashmir alone . The postal network of India Post is spread throughout the length and breadth of country and such huge network of post offices is great laurel for us.
Where do these countries actually have edge over India?
Well these countries are investing more and have better mail and article services than us. In west, every small place has better automatic mail sorting services wherein machines sort 350000 articles per hour and here we have such facility still limited to 4 major metropolitan cities.
How would you describe the major achievements achieved in your tenure as Chief Post Master General?
The improved postal services in Jammu & Kashmir are not only limited to delivering Money Orders, Parcels and Mails at a faster pace but connecting with the people. The postal staff in the state has been able to win the hearts and minds of the people and this has been a great achievement. The infrastructure in post offices in Kashmir has seen a vast improvement in different respects.
Your take on the overall efficiency of J&K Postal circle?
I would like to state with great pride that our postal circle has emerged as the best postal circle of country. We have witnessed an impressive 34 percent growth in revenue; best performance award in speed post services was bagged by J&K Postal Circle. We have been able to connect with people via different programs and schemes. We have been first to launch ‘My stamps initiative’. Now, you can have your own stamps, with your own photo. The efficient and hardworking staff has greatly contributed in achieving this magnificent success.
How tough is the completion from private courier services to postal services?
Yes private courier services have emerged over the years, but I would like to state that as far as courier services are concerned they have a very limited reach and speed post of ‘India Post’ enjoys many advantages- great reach and less cost.
Yes Courier services did enjoy an advantage that one could collect the article or mail from his selected destination but now we are also introducing such services.
Financial writers have been critical that gold coins at post offices offered by India Post are high priced?
You cannot compare an apple with mango. We offer gold with 24 carat and there is a vast difference between 22 carat and 24 carat. One also needs to bear in mind that we are offering gold coins not jewelry and this is highly superior in quality and cheaper .These gold coins are also a great investment prospect.
Your message?
I would like to say to people of Jammu & Kashmir that I love you. People are very honest, loving, possess great potential and live in a place with immense natural potential. People should dream big and utilize the potential to fullest.
We at India Post will go extra mile to make the postal services more efficient in the state.