Wednesday, January 26 2005 19:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: It was indeed a memorable occasion for 150 postmen who were invited by President A P J Abdul Kalam to mark the 150th anniversary of Indian Posts.

The President, who met them just before the traditional "At Home" reception in the Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan, recalled his association with them since his childhood days when his father knew the postmen in his hometown of Rameswaram for generations.

"You play a very crucial role as it is you who connect cities with rural areas and connect families. Don't think you are small people. You are doing a very important job and when you think yourself an important person, it will be reflected in your work," he said.

Recalling his father's connection with postmen, he said having lived upto the age of 103, his father had known an entire generation of postmen.

"Whenever people see a postman, they always expect a letter, be it good or bad news," he said.

He outlined his vision of a post office in 2020 when India would become a developed nation saying that "in my vision document 2020, post office should change its nature and become knowledge centre specially for rural areas."

Said Mohinder Kumar, a postman, "it was indeed a great honour and his talk is a source of inspiration for us all."

Kalam also launched a voice website which would enable visually challenged persons to communicate with him.

A dozen visually challenged children from a blind school in the capital were present on the occasion.