Looking Back Detail Page

01 Apr

- Meherwan Boyce – When in Std VI

There are few more useful peons in India than the postman and none more popular. Everyone likes to see the post¬man approaching his door because hope is always in the human heart and we always hope that he may be bringing us either good news or good money. Expe¬rience may have taught us that he is just as likely to bring us bad news or bills but nevertheless we are always glad to see him.
The Postman's life is not an easy one; in all weather he has to tramp long dis¬tance3 only to discharge his duties. He is an important part of a great system which keeps people in touch with one another and which would be disorganized but for him. Apart from this, a postman must be learned to a certain degree, as he must be able to read addresses in different languages. He must be healthy, humble and strong, as his is an active job, moving about from street to street from morning to evening. A postman's greatest qualities must be honesty and politeness. Whatever happens he must not let any letters go astray - he should never hand over someone's letter to somebody else, be he friend or foe. During the Christmas week and also during Divali and Pateti the poor post¬man is over-worked and no wonder he to comes and asks for 'baksheesh' which the man rightly deserves for bringing us such happiness through letters and greeting cards from dear ones far and near.
There are two kinds of postmen - the town postman and the village postman. The town postman's life is not so dreary and monotonous as he meets people wherever he goes, and is able to chat with different people. But the village postman's lot is indeed a tiresome one as he has to walk miles and miles through jungles, not seeing another soul for many a weary mile. It is no uncommon thing for these dak runners to be killed by tigers, panthers or snakes. It is the postman that connects us with friends and dear ones far apart.