The Unique Floating Post Office of the World

The Floating Post Office, Dal Lake, Srinagar, India (Picture source: Internet)

This is an era of electronic communication. There are verities of electronic modes viz. email, sms, Whatsapp etc. for almost real time transfer of messages, data, files, pictures etc. On the other hand traditional post services are slow and hence termed as snail mail, at times. Many have thought that the days of normal mail is likely to get over and in due course of time they may be extinct like Dinosaurs.  

However, in India, the scenario is little different. Post offices have dotted the Indian topography which no other Government service centre can match. Be it urban area or rustic rural segment, post offices are found at every nook and cranny of the country.

According to the Annual Report of India Post for the year 2019-20, as on 31.03.2019, the total number of Post Offices was 1,56,600. Out of this, the number of Rural Post Offices was 1,41,001. It is matter of pride that India Post has largest postal network in the world, even surpassing the most populous country - China. At the time of independence (1947) the number of post offices in India was just 23,344.

It had made a humble beginning with the first post office established in Calcutta  way back in 1727, under British rule. Subsequently, three General Post offices were set up in the Presidencies of Calcutta (1774), Madras (1786) and Bombay (1793). In the year 1854, Railway Mail Service was introduced. The same year, Sea Mail Service commenced for carrying mail from India to Great Britain and China. 

People visit post offices for variety of purposes - starting from sending letters or parcels to meeting various savings and banking needs. In most of the places, people simply walk across the road to the post office. Interestingly, there is one post office in India, which is not on a lane or in the midst of a busy commercial locality, but actually functioning from a boat in a lake. It is not an ordinary post office. The post office is on a houseboat, floating on the aquamarine water of Dal Lake of Srinagar in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India.

Picture source: Internet

Beauty of Dal Lake, nestled in the lap of Himalaya has attracted tourists since ages. In fact, Dal Lake along with its shikara was first featured in Indian postage stamp issued on 15th March 1967. The stamp was printed by photogravure process on un-watermaked paper at India Security Press, Nasik. Valued at Rs. 2/- , this was one stamp out of six stamps issued under 4th definitive series i.e. for regular use by post on that date.

A stamp depicting Dal Lake

Another stamp on Dal Lake was issued on 23 Jan 1978, in connection with Pacific Asia Travel Association, Delhi.

A shikara floating in Dal Lake

Postal service is an integral part of thriving tourism, both domestic and international, in the state. On 22 August 2011, a post office was inaugurated in Srinagar, Kashmir by Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology (IT),  and Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, and was presided over by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister for New and Renewable Energy. The function was graced by Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Tourism; Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of State for Tourism  and John Samuel, Chief Post Master General (CPMG), Jammu and Kashmir Circle. 

Special Cover issued on 22.08.2011, Black Cancellation (Picture courtesy: Dr. Sudhakar, MD)

There was Nehru Park Post Office at Dal Lake since British era. It was the brain child of John Samuel, the then CPMG to reposition that heritage post office and rename as Floating Post Office.

Special Cover issued on 22.08.2011, Blue Cancellation (Picture courtesy: Dr. Sudhakar, MD)

In the bygone era, in Dal Lake, mails were delivered and collected from shikaras through small boat. Presently, since the floating post office is already there, it is happening other way round - people visit it to meet their needs. The post office can be reached by walking through the boulevard alongside the houseboat and climbing a few steps on wooden ladder.

Floating Post Office on a Special Cover

It has been set on a intricately carved huge house boat, floating on the placid water of Dal Lake, at the backdrop of picturesque snow clad Pir Panjal mountain range. The boat has been moored on the western side (in between ghat no. 14 and 15) of the Dal Lake, floating majestically on turquoise waters. India Post is paying a monthly hire charge Rs. 30,000/- for the houseboat. 

A Special Cover of 13.09.1978 with Pictorial Cancellation (Picture courtesy: Dr. Sudhakar, MD)

The post office was established keeping in mind the growing need of postal services by the tourists flocking in this picturesque town of natural beauty. It provides both of postal services as well as banking services to locals and tourists.  The Post Office ‘complex’, other than a post office, comprises a Philatelic Museum and one exclusive Philatelic shop. The post office room has intricate hand crafted lattice wood-craft, in local parlance known as Khatam-bhand, meaning several polygons closed by joining together using wooden beads.

A Special Cover of 13.09.1978 with  Dal Lake Stamp (Picture courtesy: Dr. Sudhakar, MD)

The shop sales stamps, first day covers, special covers issued in Jammu and Kashmir, picture post cards, greeting cards, local souvenir items, stationary, even Saffron (Jafran) and several books on Kashmir. The history of the post office was displayed at the museum. However, the museum is presently closed.

Famous Saffron of Kashmir

One of the objectives of setting the post office at Dal Lake was to promote tourism and focus Kashmir as an attractive tourist destination, across the globe. For that purpose, what can be better way than putting a Permanent Pictorial Cancellation on letters posted at this post office?

In the postal term, cancellation is a round shaped (normally) postal marking put on the letter or stamp, to indicate that it has been used by the post. A postmark contains date, time (sometimes) and the location of the post office through which it has been processed.

A Typical Standard Cancellation

Other than regular cancellation, there are broadly two types of special cancellations done by the postal authorities of different countries. They are - commemorative and permanent (so non-commemorative) cancellations. 

A Special Cover on Post Office Passport Sewa (Service) Kendra (Center)

The cancellation used for First Day Covers and Special Covers for commemorating an event, occasion, personality etc., for a fixed and limited duration, are examples of commemorative cancellations.

Innovative Commemorative Cancellation, designed by author and approved by India Post

The another type which is used for a fairly long period, spanning several years, hence termed permanent, depicts places of tourist interest, historical importance, religious significance, cultural relevance etc. Popularly, they are called Permanent Pictorial Cancellation. They are provide by the post offices located at or near the place which features in the cancellation.

In India, Permanent Pictorial Cancellation was introduced sometime in 1950s. Some of them were Sanchi Vihara (30 Nov 1952 and 13 May 1965), Qutab Minar (10 Nov 1954, 12 Oct 1955 and 29 Nov 1960). Another batch of Permanent Pictorial Cancellation were introduced on 01 Jan 1965 with  Ajanta, Sanchi Vihara, Mahabalipuram and Khajuraho.

Besides India, such Permanent Pictorial Cancellation are being applied by post offices at Canada, China, Taiwan, UK and many other countries. The designs of such cancellations are very unique and attractive. After all, the main objective is to create awareness and promote the tourist destination.

For promoting tourism at Floating Post Office of Dal Lake, a Permanent Pictorial Cancellation was introduced during its inauguration. It depicts a famous shikara (boats made of Deodar wood which does not decay with water) of Dal Lake on the water, complete with the rowing boatman at the rear of the boat. What gondolas are to Venice, shikaras are to Kashmir.

Permanent Pictorial Cancellation looking like a shikara (Courtesy: Rajat Banerjee)

The letters going through this unique floating post office of India, carry the special seal with an open invitation to this spectacular beauty of Dal Lake, the unforgettable icon of Kashmir.

A letter with Permanent Pictorial Cancellation (Courtesy: Rajat Banerjee)

In the early morning, the famous and unique floating market does brisk business on the water of Dal Lake. Afterwards, traders row their boats to the floating post office for doing banking transactions. As the day progresses, tourists on board shikaras, head for the floating post office, some for their postal needs and rest out of curiosity. 

The entry gates both from land and water (Picture source: Internet)

During peak tourist season, when enough footfalls are encountered, entry has to be restricted keeping in mind the load bearing capacity of the post office or to be precise that of houseboat. Interesting to note that when tourist season reaches its peak, in order to handle traffic, it remains open on Sundays also.

A Pharma Company used picture of Floating Post Office to draw the attention (Picture courtesy: Dr. Sudhakar, MD)

The 'journey' of the boat on the turquoise water of Dal Lake was not free from ripples. In Sept 2014, there was massive flood in Jammu and Kashmir which was worst flood in more than a century.  Overflowing water of Jhelum river, caused by incessant rain, gushed into the city. The quiet water of the lake became furious and turbulent. In the heavy deluge, the boat was tossed like a paper-boat. Civil administration had to extend hand to save this heritage post office. The houseboat was taken to safer corner, anchored securely and was brought back to its original position, after the fury of nature subsided.

Whenever any of you visit Srinagar, please keep some time to drop in at this floating post office. Also please don’t forget to post a few letters from there to your near and dear ones, which will make nice memorable souvenirs from the only floating post office of the world.

Posting a letter (Picture source: Internet)

And when rest is snow covered, it is business as usual at Post Office -

Beauty and business (Courtesy: India Post)

A short video on Floating Post Office (Courtesy: Brut Footage: Newsflare). No commercial interest involved. No liability. Only sharing of knowledge. 

https://www.newsflare.com/video/386279/would-you-visit-this-200-year-old-floating-post-office-in-north-india

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The story was published in July 2020 issue of Ananthapuri Stamp Bulletin, an e-magazine on philately. The printed version is given below:

Additional information:

According to Annual Report of Post & Telegraph Department for 1955-1956,  three different floating post offices operated in Shikaras during that period. In that financial year, the Floating Post Office, Jhelam, Srinagar was operational from 10 Apr to 31 Oct 1955. Similarly the Floating Post Office, Naginbagh, Srinagar functioned from 02 July to 31 Oct 1955. Another Floating Post Office, Dal Lake which we talked about was at service of tourists and locals during 16 Apr to 31 Oct 1955. They operated during peak tourist seasons (Apr - Oct) every year for quite some time. The Floating Post Office of Dal Lake was commissioned for the second time on 13 Sept 1978 and after a long gap of more than 30 years, it was again put into service on 22 Aug 2011. 

Courtesy: stampofindia.com (FloatingPO)

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Disclaimer:

The information provided in the article is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith. This is only for the sharing of knowledge of Philately with philatelist fraternity. No commercial angle, whatsoever, is involved.

Under no circumstances I shall have any liability for reliance on any information provided in the story.

Owney: The globe-trotter postal dog

Owney - the postal dog (Source - Internet)

This real life story occurred more than a century ago. The story is about Owney, the scruffy mutt who later became a globetrotter celebrity and won many hearts and medals.

In the year 1888, on a rainy night, a drenched homeless Border Terrier puppy entered a post office in Albany, New York State, USA. The back door of the post office was left open by someone and possibly in the quest of food and shelter he had ventured inside. Postal staff made the shivering puppy comfortable by wrapping him in a postal gunny bag and kept him in the backroom. Shortly, the supervisor of the post office came to know about the new guest. He raised his objections as it was against the rules and regulations of postal authorities.

When the supervisor objected, he was told that it was Owen's dog. Thus his name became Owney. Meanwhile, because of his loving and adorable nature, he became friendly with a staff of that post office. Upon seeing the sweet nature of Owney and insistence of staff members, the supervisor allowed Owney to stay. However, after some time the staff, to which Owney was most attached, left the post office. But to the surprise of many, Owney remained attached to the post office like a postage stamp stuck to an envelope. That is how Owney made a humble entry into the annals of postal history.

Owney with one of the 'owners', the kindhearted postal employee (Source - Internet)

Gradually, Owney became a permanent feature of the post office. It was noticed that Owney had special affinity for postal bags. He would sniff them, lick them and would make a bed out of one such bag. He got comfortable when he curled up and slept on a postal bag. When outside temperature dipped, postal staff would wrap him in postal bags ensuring warmth against the severe chill.

Due to his affinity towards mail bags, Owney started following the mail bags along with the postal staff all over. However, before we look into the travel log of Owney, let us see the strategic position of Albany railway station. From this station, railway mail train chugged to Boston (East), to Buffalo, Cleveland, Toledo, Chicago, etc. (West) and New York City (South). Owney began accompanying mail bags which were sent by railcars in all these directions. Over a period of nine years, from 1888 to 1897, he crisscrossed the country boarding mail cars. He traveled along with postal staff throughout contagious United States (48 numbers).

As the journey of Owney became regular, the postal clerks of Albany devised ‘Owney tag’ which was a dog collar with a metal tag inscribed "Owney, Post Office, Albany, New York". As he visited post offices, one after another, the mail staff added metal and leather tags to record his journey. Gradually this became a standard practice.

John Wanamaker, Postmaster General saw this and was quite amused. He presented Owney a specially designed harness like jacket on which the tags could be attached. Mail clerks would pin a baggage tag bearing the name of the city he would visit on the vest. These tags had recorded his visit to places like Canada, Mexico and Alaska etc. Tags and tokens on the new jacket jingled like Christmas bells with movement of Owney.

The travel log of Owney was not only interesting but also incredible. We are talking of an era when travel was not so easy. Aero plane was not invented (First powered and controlled flight by Wright Brothers was in 1903). For long distance journeys, the mode of travel was limited by rail cars on land and by ships on choppy water of oceans. Yet against all those odds of that time Owney became most traveled dog of the world.

The railway system, during that time, was in its infancy and was frequented by derailments and accidents. One interesting factor was noted by the staff that they found the trains with onboard Owney had never met with an accident!

Once this unique aspect was noted, Owney became permanent feature in the postal rail cars. He was considered as good luck. On the other hand, Owney became self-appointed guardian of mail bags. In his presence, other than the postal staff, nobody dared to come close and touch mail bags.  

Let us narrate one example of his dutifulness.

In one of the rail journeys, one mail bag fell down from the train and nobody noticed it other than Owney. When the train reached the destination, the staff found that one bag was missing from the lot. They also discovered that Owney was also not found in the railcar.

They started walking backwards on the track and found that at one desolate place, by the side of rail line, the bag was lying. They were greeted by Owney who was guarding the consignment in that deserted location. Staff was happy to find out the missing bag, while Owney was happier as he did his duty.

Owney posing with US Mailbag (Source - Internet)

However, Owney was also known for taking French leaves. Sometimes he would disappear for days together and at times the absence spanned for a couple of months. In the year 1893, Owney vanished for several months and was not found at any of the stations. It was presumed that he might have died. But finally Owney reported back to his ‘duty’ with some injury which was caused due to some accident in Canada.

His one trip to Montreal, Canada has an interesting twist. When he visited the post office, the post master kept him at a rented kennel. He claimed that he had paid US$ 2.50 towards kennel expenses. He sent a demand note and stated that Owney could be released only after reimbursement of the expenditure.  Owney was allowed to undertake his return journey, only after settling of the bill by Albany post office.

He had logged more than 1,40,000 miles around the world. On 19th Aug 1895 he boarded a steamer along with mail staff and mail bags at Tacoma, Washington. In the voyage, his journey was recorded as "Registered Dog Package". His travel itinerary through the steamships "Victoria" and "Port Phillip" included Japan, China, Singapore, Suez, Algiers and the Azores etc. After making a world tour he returned to New York on 23rd Dec 1895 and then by rail to Tacoma. It was a jubilant moment for the fans of Owney.

He traveled town after town along with the postal professionals. He was a sensation or a celebrity some sort of. Believe it or not, the local newspapers would feature the visit of the town by Owney. The arrival of Owney to the town was informed to the office of the newspaper by the local postmaster. Editor of the newspaper would depute a reporter to cover the arrival story of Owney in the newspaper of next day morning. The Los Angeles Times dated 20th April 1893 had given a wide coverage about the arrival of Owney on the previous evening.

The story of Owney was not taken from fairy tales and hence there was no happy ending. It was 11th June 1897; Owney was chained at the basement of the post office of Toledo, Ohio. A publicity hungry postal staff called a reporter from a local newspaper to show off Owney. The poor Owney was already aged by this time. Moreover he was not accustomed to such type of treatment. It was not known what else he was subjected to at that time of 'interview'. The bottom line was that he was very upset with the environment - the chain, the damp basement, may be also unfriendly behavior of the postal staff and that of the reporter. He became agitated and started barking. In that process, the postal staff might have irritated him more than his tolerance limit. Exasperated, at the spur of moment, he bit the hand of the postal clerk.

Taken by surprise, once bitten, the postal staff became angry. He wanted to take revenge on poor Owney. He immediately rushed to the Post Master of Toledo Post Office and complained that Owney has gone mad. As proof of his allegation he showed the injury purportedly caused by Owney. The Post Master was reluctant to believe the story but he with his evil arguments, convinced him. With his heavy heart, the Post Master called the Police. The Policeman did his duty. He shot Owney to death!

History says that the postal staff died afterwards from the bite but that was a different story.

Death of Owney caused a shock wave among his fan followers. There were many fans of Owney in the postal department.  It was not only limited in the postal department of US but also all over the world.

When the question was raised to bury the beloved Owney, the postal staff simply denied doing that. Postal staff from all over the country demanded that due honor to be given to Owney, even after death, by preserving his mortal remains. To show their love and affection towards departed Owney, the mail staff raised money and got his body stuffed. The marvelous work was done by Paul Rhymer, the Smithsonian’s former taxidermist. Initially the taxidermy body of Owney was displayed in a glass box at the Headquarter of Post Office in Washington, DC.

The lifeless body of globe trotter Owney kept on changing places, even after many years of his death. In the year 1904, it was taken to St. Louis Fair. The journey still continued. Stuffed Owney then moved to Smithsonian Institution and from there to Philadelphia. After sometime he was again shifted back to Smithsonian Institution. Finally in 1993, his remains were moved to New National Postal Museum in Washington, DC. Posthumously, Owney has been granted a permanent shelter at this museum.

Even today, his lifeless body is loved and adored by million people from all over the world. Though Owney is dead, the Preservation Department of the museum has a duty to preserve the taxidermy body of Owney. Periodically Owney is taken out of the display box, cleaned, examined and again returned to the case for public admiration. According to available records at the museum, he was taken out for a 'walk' in 2005, then again in 2010 and the periodic check continues.

One of many stamps on Owney, worldwide

There he can be found standing wearing the vest which was once decorated with 1000+ medals and tags. The items on his jacket had wide ranges e.g. badges, tokens, baggage claim tags, buttons, coins, medals, hotel key checks and other trinkets. Some of these tags testify the journey of this globe trotter. Many of the tags have not survived but New National Postal Museum has a collection of 372 Owney tags and several tokens, trinkets, and medals etc. On the back side of one tag it was inscribed "Republique Francaise / N.J. Schloss & Co."

One of the preserved tags (Source - Internet)

These laurels were bestowed on him during his journey as unofficial mascot of the Railway Post Office as well as United States Postal Service.

Besides these tags and trinkets, Owney had won many accolades during his lifetime. No dog show (known as Bench Show at that time) in the nearby town was complete without his gracious presence. He was always decorated with some award or other, in each and every such show.

At the peak of his ‘career’, in between 1893 and 1897, as celebrity dog he was given several special awards and medals by various Kennel Clubs. Winnona Kilbridge of the Los Angeles Kennel Club gave him a medal for "Best Traveled Dog" of 1893. In the year 1894, he had received a "Globe Trotter" medal from one Mr. William Winter Wagner of Chicago. It was reported that Emperor of Japan had awarded him two passports and several medals bearing the Japanese coat of arms.

In order to immortalize Owney, on 27^th July, 2011, United States Post Services issued a Forever postage stamp worth 44 cent on beloved Owney. That stamp has spread wings all over through US Postal Services.

Postage stamp honoring Owney by United States Postal Service (USPS)

For the lovers of Owney, breed or pedigree was not important but his dedication to the services of mankind was most appreciated.

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The story was published in Buddy Life Magazine (July-Sept 2019 issue). 

Cover of the magazine

The scanned relevant pages of the magazine are given below.

Page 1 of 5

Page 2 of 5

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Page 5 of 5

Bringing A Stray Puppy Home

'Bringing a stray puppy home' is a real life story about a little puppy loitering on a busy street in the dark of night. He had probably lost his den, wanted to go back, seeking help from the passerby but would his feeble voice be really heard?
The narration illustrates about his journey. The story was published in Buddy Life Magazine.
The story is re-written here (for better readability) along with the scan copy of the print.
May like to opine or comment.
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The cover of the magazine

The story could have had a sad but common ending. But things went the other way round. Instead of a tragic end, it took a golden turn, possibly leading to a happy continuum.

Kalu the lovely puppy

He was born like a million others on this cruel Earth as a cuddly black ball of fur on the street. Nobody took notice of him in the corner of the street of NOIDA, where he was one of the five or six born of his undernourished mother. There was a shortage of life saving nectar which he was looking for desperately. There was always jostling and fight among the siblings for the precious lifesaving mother’s milk.

As he grew up, only a few weeks by now, he ventured a little outside and away from the maternity center. Knowingly or unknowingly he walked away from his so far well-known domain and started strolling on the main road. It was a busy road, full of vehicles, moving at high speed in both directions. He was scared. He wanted to go back to the lane where his mother was there with his other brothers and sisters. But meanwhile he has lost the track.

On one hand, he has walked in the unknown territory for a long time and on the other hand he had walked that long path on an empty stomach. He was tired. He was hungry. Gradually, as the Sun set behind the tall residential towers of the posh human locality, he became desperate to go back to his mother, as early as possible. The glares of head lights of cars on the road and artificial illumination from lamp posts of street lights scared him.

With his little legs trembling and hunger pangs in the empty stomach, he started approaching every person walking down the road. He went close to them seeking some help - starting from street vendors to well-dressed ladies and gentlemen.

Alas, none cared for the hungry poor puppy. Most of them, busy in never ending talks over their mobile phones, simply ignored him. One of the passersby kicked him in the belly and laughed. He was stunned when he got hurt instead of getting help from them.

He tried to get closer to the people walking down the road. He wagged his little tail vigorously. He even strained his tender vocal chords. But nobody paid heed.

He wanted to ask them

- ‘Do you know where my mother lives?’

- ‘Can you please show me the way to reach her?’

- ‘I am very hungry; can you give me something to drink?’

But in vain, as the passersby and evening walkers didn’t care for his plight.

As night set in, darkness and the chill of the winter night began spreading its cold blanket beyond the well-lit streets, an unknown fear gradually gripped him. He felt helpless and became worried about his life in this unfamiliar environment.

As the needle of the clock moved forward slowly, the number of people on the road started diminishing. At the same time, the cars zooming on the road drove like mad at much higher speed. It was scary all over. But he never gave up his hope. He would rush to the person, whosoever came in sight, seeking help. They all were indifferent and heartless, irrespective of their gender and age. They might be rich, living in high rises but they were definitely poor in their hearts. He started crying within and outside.

When he had almost lost his hope to find either his mother or shelter, he saw a young man walking down the road. He found him to be smart looking but he too was talking over his mobile phone. A thought came to his mind to try once more and approach the young man. In a renewed vigor, he rushed to him on the other side of the road, oblivious of the cars moving at high velocity in between. He repeated the same exercise, which he had tried numerous times to each passing person since the morning. With his tired little legs he hopped towards him and made an effort to sniff his snickers.

What happened next was something unbelievable. Rishi (he came to know his name later) stopped and looked down at him in confusion. He disconnected his mobile phone and looked around. He was probably looking for a mother nearby.

Rishi could neither find his mother nor his siblings. He wondered wherefrom this tiny ball of black fur has rolled onto the tarred road. Kalu (this was the name tag given by Rishi later) too was surprised when he saw that Rishi kneeled down on the road to look at his eyes. They saw each other and there an immediate understanding between them. There was no verbal communication, yet they talked to each other through their eyes. Rishi picked up Kalu gently on his lap. Kalu was still confused and scared, but a little relieved.

Holding Kalu in his arms, and a big bag of groceries in another, Rishi looked around and with his roving eyes as he scanned both sides of the road. Being assured that Kalu has strayed far away from his den and there was no way to locate that place, Rishi finally started walking to his house, holding Kalu firmly yet gently in his arms.

Once they reached home, the door of the house was opened by the mother (Rishi’s, not Kalu’s), and there were elements of surprise on both sides. She was shocked seeing Kalu in the arms of Rishi and Kalu was a little scared as he was welcomed by fierce barking of Mini, Lady, Tzar and Goldie from the other side of the door.

Entering home or heart?

A little later, the milk drinking session of Kalu was followed by a question and answer session between Rishi and his mom Sonali. 

A dash of love

While they talked about the strange way Kalu ended up home, Kalu found a small makeshift bed at the corner of a room and immediately went into it to take rest. Now, with his stomach full of warm milk and a roof over his head, Kalu slept peacefully. 

Rest time on a makeshift bed

Had he been left on the road for some more time, Kalu would have definitely come under the wheels of an automobile or could have frozen in the biting cold of December of northern India. But when God had something else in store for Kalu, and once fates are written, who are we mortals to challenge and change them?

Printed page 1 of the story

Printed page 2 of the story

After a few months

Time to exercise

Bye from Kalu.