Say cheese: Your face is now on a stamp

 Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru are among the greats whose portraits are used as stamps by India Post. Now, your picture could also be a stamp on the letter you send to your dear one. India Post will introduce "the facility of converting personal photographs as legally valid stamps" in Chennai in a couple of weeks.

The personalised stamp will have two parts - the currency part and the photograph - detachable from each other. You can choose these backgrounds: zodiac signs, flowers, Taj Mahal, Panchatantra tales, trains, wildlife and aeroplanes. You may submit your photograph or get photographed at the post office for no extra cost. You get a set of 12 stamps of 5 denomination for 300, but only after police verification that may take one week.

This is the latest in a series of measures India Post has taken to survive in a world of instant messaging, where a letter by post is a thing of the past. This scheme, called 'My stamp', allows photographs to be printed on a five-rupee stamp.

The concept, which has been popular in the US, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, was launched in the country during the World Philatelic Exhibition in 2011 in Delhi. 'My stamp' was introduced in Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, but not many know about it. In Chennai, select post offices will offer the facility in a fortnight.

While the idea of one's own photograph as stamp has excited many, some feel it would take away the sanctity of a postal stamp.

"A stamp is something like legal tender. I think this move may take away that identity," said S Ulaganathan, a shopkeeper who sends money orders to his home in Tirunelveli every month.

But the younger lot is happy. "It would be fun having my stamp on the cover of my birthday invite," said 16-year-old R Vinay, who has never posted "snail mail".

It is people like Vinay that India Post is targeting.

"The internet has taken away from people the habit of writing letters. We hope 'My stamp' will bring youngsters back to us," said an India Post official.

"I would like to send a love letter with my stamp on the cover," said a college student. His friend cautioned him: "But what if her dad receives the letter?"

In a land of political cut-outs and graffiti, 'My stamp' may find takers in political parties to send party communique 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.

Source:-The Times of India