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| India's Antarctic Postal Operations and Strategic Significance |
India established its first post office in Antarctica at Dakshin Gangotri in 1984. Within a year, over 10,000 letters and mail were processed, but the station submerged in ice in 1988-89 and was decommissioned. A new post office was set up at Maitri research station on January 26, 1990.
Postal Operations and Philately:
- Letters for Antarctica are sent to the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa.
- A researcher carries the letters during expeditions, and at the base, they are 'cancelled' with the stamp "Maitri North Goa," prized by philatelists.
- 'Cancellation' marks a stamp to prevent reuse, indicating the location and date of the post office.
New Pin Code: MH-1718:
- A second branch is opening after 40 years, with the experimental pin code MH-1718.
Strategic Importance:
- Asserts India's presence in Antarctica under the Antarctic Treaty, which neutralizes territorial claims, bans military operations, and promotes scientific discovery.
Additional Facts:
- India has two permanent research bases in Antarctica: Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012).
- The Antarctic Treaty (1959) preserves Antarctica for science and prohibits military activity.
- India has conducted research in Antarctica since 1981 and has been a consultative member of the Antarctic Treaty since 1983.
- Managed by NCPOR, India's Antarctic Program is under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.