National Postal Workers Day, observed annually on July 1, 2025, serves as a crucial occasion to honour the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of postal employees across the nation. This day is a salute to the men and women who form the backbone of India’s communication network, ensuring that letters, packages, and vital services reach every corner, often traversing challenging terrains and overcoming logistical hurdles. Beyond recognising their daily grind, this year’s observation also highlights a significant and positive shift within the Indian postal department: the remarkable increase in women’s participation. This growing presence of women in various roles, from postwomen to administrative positions, signifies a progressive transformation, reflecting greater inclusivity and empowerment within a historically male-dominated field. Their increasing contribution is not just filling essential roles but also bringing new perspectives and efficiencies, reinforcing the department’s commitment to modernisation and societal advancement.
This report highlights the dedication, commitment, and services of 10 prominent women postal workers from 2016 to 2025. These women continue to embody and keep alive India’s traditional postal duties, serving as vital links in the nation’s communication network.
Chering Ankit: Delivering mail daily to snow-bound villages of Lahaul Spiti
In a remarkable display of dedication, Chering Ankit, a postal worker from Lahaul Spiti, continues to brave extreme weather to ensure mail reaches remote, snow-covered villages. Joining the postal department in August 2020, Angkit has taken on the challenging responsibility of serving 12 villages situated in inaccessible, snow-bound areas.
For six months of the year, when most roads are impassable, Chering Ankit treks an arduous 6 to 8 kilometres daily on foot. Her unwavering commitment ensures door-to-door mail delivery, connecting residents of these remote communities to the rest of the world, regardless of the harsh conditions.
Shruti Negi: Delivering relief and connection to Kinnaur’s elderly
For the residents of several villages across Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, the daily arrival of postal worker Shruti Negi brings not just mail, but immense relief. Having joined the postal department on September 11, 2024, Shruti meticulously covers 7-8 kilometres on foot each day, navigating challenging terrain to deliver essential services.
Her presence is particularly cherished by the elderly, for whom she often hand-delivers crucial support like pensions, making her a vital link to their financial well-being. Reflecting on her eight months of service, Shruti eloquently describes her role, stating, “This isn’t just a job; it’s home delivery of hope for people.” Her dedication highlights the profound human connection still fostered by the postal service, especially in remote communities.
Postal worker Shagun Negi: Trekking through Lahaul’s snow-covered terrain
In the challenging landscapes of Lahaul Spiti, where winter temperatures plummet to sub-zero and deep snow blankets the paths, postal worker Shagun Negi exemplifies extraordinary dedication. Despite thick layers of snow hindering movement and icy winds making the journey even tougher, Shagun meticulously treks 5 kilometres daily on foot to ensure mail reaches every doorstep.
Shagun describes her arduous duty as more than just a job: “Delivering mail isn’t just about providing a service; it’s about delivering trust. Here, it feels like an everyday snow-trekking adventure.” She adds, “I no longer feel afraid walking alone. Instead, it instills a profound sense of responsibility.” Her unwavering commitment highlights the critical role postal workers play in connecting remote communities, even in the most extreme conditions.
Akanksha Gaikwad: Delivering 1 lakh letters and spreading joy in Pune
Akanksha Gaikwad, a dedicated postal worker in Pune, has achieved a remarkable feat: delivering over 1 lakh letters in just three years. After completing her degree in management, Akanksha chose to don the postal uniform, taking up the mailbag on her shoulder with a commitment to service.
As the sole female postal worker among 26 delivery agents at her post office, Akanksha stands out. She believes that every letter carries more than just news; it delivers emotions. “The joy I see on someone’s face when they receive a letter is an invaluable experience for me,” she shares, highlighting the profound personal connection she finds in her work.
Deepti Karthikeyan: Transforming postal service into community service in Balaghat
Deepti Karthikeyan, a dedicated Gramin Dak Sevika at the Hinotiya Shakha Post Office in Balaghat, is redefining the role of postal workers. On International Women’s Day, she was entrusted with the unique responsibility of managing a Union Minister’s Instagram account, a platform she used to highlight her proud journey.
Deepti shared on the minister’s Instagram how honoured she felt to offer a glimpse into her professional life on such a significant day. Beyond her regular duties, Deepti actively engages in community upliftment, personally distributing funds to beneficiaries of schemes like the Ladli Bahna Yojana and various social security pensions. Her efforts showcase how the postal service is evolving into a vital conduit for social support and empowerment in rural India.
Ulfat Bano: A 30-year pillar of connection in Kashmir’s Shopian
For three decades, 55-year-old Ulfat Bano has been a steadfast presence at the Hirpora Post Office, serving as a dedicated postal worker. Every day, she navigates the ever-changing terrain of Kashmir, steadfastly delivering not just letters and parcels, but also a vital sense of warmth and human connection to every home. For the people of Hirpora, Ulfat Bano is more than just a postwoman; she is a crucial bridge, linking them to the outside world and fostering a bond of trust that has endured for generations.
Indrawati: Delhi’s first woman postwoman and a trailblazer
Indrawati, renowned as Delhi’s first woman postwoman, began her remarkable journey with the postal department on September 13, 1982. Over her distinguished career, she worked across various departments within the post office. She recalls starting her day at 9 AM, sorting mail, and then embarking on her daily delivery route, often walking over eight kilometres to hand-deliver more than 70 letters to homes. Indrawati’s pioneering spirit opened doors for countless women, demonstrating dedication and efficiency in a role traditionally held by men.
N. Sasikala: A B.Ed. holder’s passion for mail delivery in Coimbatore
N Sasikala, a B.Ed. degree holder from Coimbatore, found her true calling not in teaching, but in delivering mail. Despite her academic qualification, she chose to become a postwoman, driven by a unique sense of satisfaction. “This experience is unmatched by anything else,” she states, expressing the profound fulfilment her work brings.
Her journey is far from easy. Sasikala often faces challenges like dogs chasing her and her bicycle breaking down. Yet, through all the hurdles, she maintains a cheerful disposition, always performing her duties with a smile. Her commitment highlights a dedication to service that goes beyond mere employment.
M. Mallika: Defying expectations as a postwoman in Coimbatore
M. Mallika serves as a postwoman at the R.S. Puram Shakha Post Office in Coimbatore, where her presence often surprises people. “Even today, people are shocked to see us and often ask if we are actually postwomen,” she shares, reflecting on the lingering stereotypes.
Despite the occasional difficulties, Mallika expresses immense satisfaction with her job. “We derive great satisfaction from being postwomen. There are certainly some challenges, but we work together as a team,” she explains. She notes that many households still eagerly await the arrival of their postman, underscoring the enduring relevance of their work in connecting communities.
Shrijana Thapa: Walking 15 kilometres daily to connect remote villages in West Bengal
Shrijana Thapa, appointed as a postwoman at the Buxa Post Office located in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal in 2012, undertakes a remarkable daily journey. Every morning at 9 AM, she begins a roughly 15-kilometre walk, meticulously delivering mail door-to-door across remote villages in the tea gardens.
In an era where the world outside her region is debating between 3G and 4G connectivity, the residents of Buxa Duar remain largely disconnected from modern telecommunications. In such circumstances, the local post office stands as their sole link to loved ones, making Postmaster Shrijana Thapa their only hope for communication and connection. Her dedication underscores the critical role traditional postal services continue to play in bridging the digital divide in rural areas.
The period from 2016 to 2025 highlights a compelling narrative of unwavering dedication and significant societal transformation within India’s postal service, particularly through the contributions of its women employees. These individuals, working in diverse and often challenging terrains, symbolise the enduring spirit of connectivity and community service.
From braving snow-covered villages and arduous daily treks to delivering crucial financial aid and spreading joy through millions of letters, these women are more than just postal workers; they are vital bridges connecting people and fostering trust across the nation. Their stories underscore that the postal service extends beyond mere logistics, becoming a fundamental pillar of human connection, especially in remote and underserved areas. Their growing presence also marks a progressive shift towards greater inclusivity and empowerment within a traditionally male-dominated field, reshaping perceptions and demonstrating profound commitment to their demanding roles.
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