Africa-Press – Mauritius. The First Day Cover for the 250th anniversary of the creation of postal services in Mauritius as well as the 175th anniversary of the Post office stamps, were launched by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, this morning, at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port Louis.
The ceremony was also marked by the launching of the First Day Cover for the 175th anniversary of the post office stamps, by the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr Darsanand Balgobin.
The milestone of the Mauritius Postal Services of attaining 250 years of existence was celebrated with the launching of a logo, the unveiling of a stele, and a commemorative plate.
In his address, Prime Minister Jugnauth highlighted that the achievement of an iconic institution is being celebrated, which he said, since its setting up has had a long and rich history based on the unflinching principles of bringing people closer together.
The Mauritius Post has contributed to the economic development and ensured communication among people and between businesses, he stated. Mr Jugnauth also lauded the significant contribution of the employees of the Mauritius Post since its inception.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister underlined the privilege for the country to be the first British Colony to issue the Red and Blue Penny Stamps and to feature among the few countries to have issued world-renowned stamps.
He further emphasised that the institution has remained undaunted by the challenges that new technologies brought forth and has showed remarkable resilience and managed to remain relevant.
He pointed out that through phases of modernisation and diversification, the Mauritius Post now provides a whole range of new services, including safe and secure channels for money transfer, the payment of old age pension and settling of utility bills, amongst others.
According to Prime Minister Jugnauth, it is crucial for the Mauritius Post to devise a restructuring plan and a new strategy that will enable it to continue to be a trusted service, reaching households every day, help businesses move forward, and keep on contributing to the national economy. Mr Jugnauth also announced that the services of the Mauritius Post may be extended in the future in the Chagos Archipelago as well.
As for Minister Balgobin, he remarked that the celebrations to mark the twin events namely the landmark anniversary of the creation of the postal services in Mauritius and the 175th celebration of the renowned “Post Office” Blue and Red Penny, are being held in the context of the “World Post Day”.
The theme of this year, “Post For Planet”, he said , reminds us of the importance of the efforts we all need to do to protect the environment and promote activities in this sphere.
On that note, he announced the installation of photovoltaic cells to produce clean energy at some of our Post Offices as well as invest in electric vehicles upon renewal of the postal vehicle fleet.
On its sestercentennial anniversary, added the Minister, the Mauritius Post is rising to the next level, by aiming at giving its employees a friendly environment to work and citizens and businesses a service they can continue to rely on.
He underpinned the deep respect that should be attributed to those men and women who made enormous sacrifices to ensure delivery of postal services during a span of two and a half centuries.
The Minister observed that since it was decided to corporatise the postal services in 2003, the Mauritius Post has actually brought in several postal and non-postal products and services for the benefit of citizens across the country and at their doorsteps.
He also dwelt on the important social and economic role played by post offices in the country and affirmed that its greatest victory will be its success in building a revamped, modern and prosperous Mauritius Post.
Mr Balgobin further informed that Mauritius Post has recently requested from a consultant, a 10-Year Restructuring and Strategic Plan, with the objective to pursue its reinvention along new strategies in order to offset the setback suffered lately by the COVID-19 impact with the closure of borders whereby international businesses were affected, causing large reduction in revenues and impacting its profitability.
The event concluded with a symbolic ceremony to honour the long service of five employees who received an award for their dedication. Winners of an essay writing and a drawing and painting competitions that were held as part of the activities marking the event, each received an award.
Painting and writing competition for Grade 5 and 6 Students Frivet Colleen Marion was awarded the first prize, that is Rs 5,000, whilst the third prize, Rs 2,000, was remitted to Arnirvan Moloo.
The second prize, a cash prize of Rs 3,000 was conferred to Taksheel Goodur. Essay competition for grade 12 and 13 students Ayushana Surdha was proclaimed the winner of the competition and won a cash prize of Rs 8,000.
Elie Gail Yael Aristide was awarded the second prize, that is Rs 3,000, and Retoo Greedharry obtained the third prize, that is a cash prize of Rs 5,000.
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