In order to encourage 'One District, One Product', the Postal Department issued special cover and special cancellation on ODOP product of all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. It was released by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath along with the Chief Postmaster General of Uttar Pradesh Circle, Mr. Kaushalendra Kumar Sinha during the program organized under 'Mission Shakti' campaign in Lucknow on 29 September, 2021. Appreciating the Department of Posts for this initiative, the Chief Minister said that this is the first time that such a number of special covers with special cancellations are being issued at all district headquarters in any state simultaneously. Many of these products also have GI tags. These special covers and special cancellations were issued by organizing programs at all district headquarters.
In a function organized in the Commissioner ate Auditorium in the Parliamentary constituency of the Prime Minister, Varanasi, Mr. Krishna Kumar Yadav, the Postmaster General of Varanasi Region, released a special Postal cover and special cancellation on Varanasi's ODOP product 'Banarasi Silk Saree'. The special cover has been made even more beautiful by affixing the Varanasi Weaves stamp of the Indian fashion series with Banarasi silk saree. On this occasion, Joint Commissioner Industries Mr. Umesh Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner Industries Mr. Virendra Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Posts Offices, Varanasi East Division Mr. Rajan Rao and Assistant Superintendent of Posts Mr. Pankaj Shrivastava were present.
Postmaster General Mr. Krishna Kumar Yadav said that the special cover released on Banarasi silk saree will give it a global recognition. Through this the culture, art, heritage of Varanasi will spread across the world. The silk of Varanasi are synonymous with splendor and regality across the world. The district offers a wide range of these products in different attractive looks, designs and patterns. Banarasi silk sarees are synonymous to regalia. This craft has been in practice for more than 500 years and today approximately 29,802 weavers are associated with it. These products are GI tagged.
Postmaster General Mr. Yadav told that in Varanasi Region, Department of Posts has issued special cover and special cancellation on ODOP products including Banarasi Silk Sarees in Varanasi, Carpet in Bhadohi, Zari Zardozi in Chandauli, Jute Wall Hangings in Ghazipur, Woolen Carpets in Jaunpur and Bindi (Tikuli) in Ballia. Out of this, there are many such products which were losing their identity and which are being revived by the life of modernity and expansion and the postal department has an important role in this.
Joint Commissioner Industries Mr. Umesh Kumar Singh said that the aim of the ambitious 'One District - One Product' program of the Government of Uttar Pradesh is to encourage these special crafts and products. The Department of Posts has given it a more unique identity by placing the Banarasi silk saree on a special cover.