Adieu telegram

It is sad to hear that the humble telegram which brought smiles and tears for 150 years will be laid to rest on July 15. The telegram has lost in the battle against the more suave mobile phone. Telegrams like “father serious” and “wife serious” were used by Army jawans to strengthen their casual leave requests.

Col. C.V. Venugopalan (retd.),

Palakkad

Some years ago, when the results of the intermediate examination of a professional institute were released, my son had the shock of his life as he was declared failed in part I and II. He applied for revaluation. One fine morning, he received a congratulatory telegram from the institute announcing his success in both the parts. The telegram transformed his life.

R. Somasundaram,

Chennai

The news of swan song for the once ubiquitous “telegram” brings tears to my eyes. As a retired banker, I know its value. We, bankers, used to transfer crores of funds safely through telegrams. The telegram has made a place of its own in the hearts of old-timers like me. Long live its memory.

Sivamani Vasudevan,

Chennai