Receiving an award is a proud moment. But what makes it ultra special is your being the only one at the national level. With over 2.50 lakh postmen working across the country, Ashok Nagar postman K Ganapathy received Meghdoot award from the Union government.
At a function in New Delhi 14 December 2018, Minister of State for Communication Manoj Sinha presented the award to Ganapathy for his excellence in service and for generating revenues by marketing postal products. The award carries a shield, gold medal and cheque for Rs 21,000.
Speaking to News Today, 58-year-old Ganapathy said his cordial relationship with customers and officials won him the award. His day-to-day work during the financial year (2017-18) was taken into account and was forwarded to Senior Superidendent of Post Offices, Chennai City South Division, who, after scrutinising it, recommended Ganapathy’s name to the jury at the national level.
Ganapathy joined Ashok Nagar Post Office as daily wage earner in 1980. Later, he moved to Extra Department (Gramin Dak Sevak) in 1984 and was appointed postman in 1989.
Apart from delivering posts, Ganapathy has conducted several melas in the neighbourhood, where he was instrumental in opening nearly 1,000 savings bank accounts and selling ‘My Stamp’ product to over 100 customers.
Ganapathy, who has nearly three decades of service, said, “Those days there were six beats (six postmen) and we used to deliver only letters and telegrams. Over the years, the working model changed. Now, we do all postal works, including selling postal products and offering postal banking services at customers’ doorstep. At present there are 20 postmen in Ashok Nagar branch.”
Postmen hold great responsibility as people repose full faith in them. True to this, Ganapathy has won the hearts of many. Citing a couple of incidents, he said, “A senior citizen at Kamarajar Salai, Ashok Nagar, was bedridden. He sold his lands in his native place and was having Rs 10 lakh. He did not want to give it to his children as did not trust them due to various reasons. He called me and said the money should be used properly. I helped him open nine accounts benefiting his grandchildren and daughters-in-law.”
In another case, Ashok Nagar Post Office got a short in the arm in achieving its target to attain first position among all post offices in Chennai. Gapathy did not let them down. Through his good relations with customers, he approached a Ashok Nagar resident, who immediately opened a savings bank account and deposited Rs one lakh.
“Till now, there has been no public complaint against me and I will continue to serve them till my retirement,” said Ganapathy. Ganapathy resides at MMDA Colony, Arumbakkam. He can be reached at 94448 02590.