Gone are the days when letters carried stamps depicting landscape or national leaders.
From Friday, people in the city have a chance to send letters to their dear ones with a personalised touch.
Yes, you could now have your image printed on a stamp and use it as postage.
All a person has to do to get ‘My Stamp’ is to fill a form and be photographed at the Philatelic Bureau, Anna Road head post office. For one sheet consisting 12 postage stamps, you have to pay Rs. 300. The amount increases according to the number of sheets.
You could get your thumbnail-sized picture printed along with chosen commemorative stamps, which are detachable from each other. You could also provide soft or hard copy of your favourite photograph to be featured on the stamp that will come under the denomination of Rs. 5.
To avoid misuse, the Postal department will require the person to be featured in the stamp to be present while ordering it. Customers also have to carry an identity proof to avail the facility. If you prefer to have heritage buildings, tourist places and wildlife and other animals, that too would be depicted as ‘My Stamp’. The service is open to corporates too.
However, no political or religious content will be entertained. People could get ‘My Stamps’ in person or delivered by post in 15 days, said Postmaster general (Chennai City Region) Mervin Alexander. The idea seemed to have become popular even before the launch as the department received 400 orders from across the State. While orders will be taken from other four philatelic bureaus in Tiruchi, Coimbatore, Puducherry and Madurai, delivery will be from Chennai.
Reserve Bank of India’s regional director (Chennai), J. Sadakkadulla launched the service.
