Sgt Ballal Joshi (retd), 72, is no saint or spiritual guru. But he can lead you to the right path.
Joshi has launched a book titled, Mumbai Pincode Guide, which will help people in the city locate addresses much faster and with less hassles. The book, which contains maps explaining the pincode concept, was released at the GPO on Wednesday.
Charles Lobo, postmaster general, says: “On August 15, 1972, the postal department of the country introduced the concept of PIN (Postal Index Number) codes, dividing the country into eight different zones. This book will be helpful to organisations with large databases and those looking for a quick address.”
For the Pune-based Joshi, the book is a culmination of a journey that began about two years ago, but whose seeds were sown more than 20 years back. After retiring from the Indian Air Force, Joshi worked with the Maharashtra State Electricity Board where his work included checking faulty meter lines and solving consumer complaints.
“I realised it was difficult to find a particular address, especially of those who indulged in power theft, as they would never give proper addresses,” he says, adding that his search for the perfect address system began there. In 1980, he started his own production house, Swayam Prakashan, with the publication of his first book, Pune Guide.
In his latest book, Joshi has used maps to outline all 94 Pincode jurisdiction areas of the city, including Thane. The postmaster’s office stepped into the picture a year ago when Joshi met the postal public relation inspectors of the city. Joshi says it took three sittings and whole year to finalise the maps and earmark and pinpoint the exact areas. “Anyone looking to find Pincodes or an address will benefit from the book,” says Joshi.
But he wants to take the address marking system one step ahead by introducing an alphabetical list of buildings and attaching them to the area pincode. “I want to help create the perfect address writing system,” he says.
