Customised stamps scheme to be launched
A sheet costs Rs 300 and will have 60 stamps of Rs 5 each
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-09-12 04:08 GMT
Coimbatore: To popularise philately among children, the postal department has introduced 'My Stamp', a scheme whereby one can have one's photo affixed on the postal stamp. The offer will be launched on September 15 at Farmer's Residence, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University.
Manju P. Pillai, Post Master General of western region, said that the concept had been very popular in the metros, being particularly sought after by marriage parties who ask for pictures of the bride and groom on stamps to be stuck on to wedding invites. Corporate firms also come seeking for these stamps. "Philately is not a dying hobby, it is more widespread among adults. This venture is aimed at encouraging more and more children to collect stamps," she said.
The postal department will need a photograph of the person against a white background along with an ID proof. It will process the stamp and deliver it in two or three days for Rs 300 a sheet.
A single sheet will have 60 stamps of Rs 5 each. 'My Stamp' comes with a clause that it can neither be resold nor donated. It can be used as regular postal stamps; when the scheme was launched in Chennai in 2011, several used it to send season's greetings.
Orders from other districts in the western region will have the district head office concerned collect them and send them to the Coimbatore Head Post Office for processing. Ms Pillai said that postal department had witnessed a growth of 24 per cent over the previous year and Coimbatore had grown by 24 per cent in business development and 17 per cent by way of savings bank accounts, as compared to last year.
In 2013, 1.23 lakh savings accounts were opened in 606 post offices in eight districts in the western region.