Want to surprise your near and dear ones by sending a letter with their photograph on the postal stampIJ Now this idea can change your life, thanks to the Indian Postal Department because if a picture is worth a thousand words, then a stamp is worth a million.
Department of Post-Ranchi Circle will introduce the facility of converting personal photographs as legally valid stamps in the capital city in a couple of weeks. Now, Ranchiites can leave the receivers of their envelopes wondering that how they joined the league of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore who traditionally received the pride of place on stamp faces.
While the idea of one’s own photograph as stamp has excited many, some feel it is out of box thinking which will help them to cherish their special moments. “It would be fun having my stamp on the cover of my birthday invite,” said 16-year-old Vineeta, who has never posted ‘snail mail’.
The internet has taken away the habit of writing letters from people. In a hope to create wonders ‘My stamp’ is a move to entice youngsters as well as every age group back to posts. In a bid to promote philately in modern day the customised stamp scheme will help add a personalised touch to traditional letters.
Chief Post Master General, AS Prasad said, “The personalised stamp will have two parts - the currency part and the photograph - detachable from each other. There are 21 kinds of background and in Jharkhand flower series-Dalhia, Pany, lily and Cineria are available. People may submit their photograph or get photographed at the post office for no extra cost. A set of 12 stamps will cost `500. These stamps would be valid across the country. This scheme, allows photographs to be printed on a five-rupee stamp.”
In a land of political cut-outs and graffiti, ‘My stamp’ may find takers in political parties to send party communiqué with the leader’s stamp on the cover. Those planning to gain commercial mileage, however, may be put off as India Post has clarified that only individuals, not businesses can make use of the ‘My stamp’ scheme.
Getting these personalised stamps would be easy. One just needs to register himself with the philately bureau at General Post Office, Ranchi, and get his photograph clicked there or hand over the desired photograph for printing on the stamp. The personalised stamps will be issued on the same day.
Post Master General K.K Sinha who is privileged to be the first person in the capital city to acquire his personalized stamp said, “There is no online facility for ‘My Stamp’. If one cannot come to the post office then the person should fill the form of ‘My Stamp’ and get it scanned along with Identification proof and mail it to the post office. Within four or five days the stamps shall reach to them.” The payment will also be done online, he said.”
This will also support the conventional method of love letters across the city. Those looking for an exceptional romantic gift can just head to the nearest post office. “I would like to send a love letter with my stamp on the cover to impress my girlfriend,” said Rahul Sood a college student. Registration for ‘My Stamp’ will start shortly at the GPO.