INTACH

The Heritage Club Newsletter

VOL. 11 No. 1

JANUARY - MARCH 2014

Hi Friends,
Happy New Year!
Write a letter,
send a card
Post comes in many
forms, and has a special
charm.
Letters, postcards,
money orders, and the
late telegram.

Have you ever wondered

how amazing it would be to
receive letters on a regular
basis from a dear friend?
Yes, today in the age
of mobile phones and
chatting wouldnt it be
truly wonderful to receive a hand-written
letter from someone dear to you? Well,
letters and telegrams used to be the most
important means of communication once
upon a time in India. People used to write
letters to convey their feelings. Official
communication was also made by letters
and the postal system was like a pillar
of governance. After all, how could one
administer without communicating!

An alternative to this came with the

India is a land of many miles. Despite
establishment of the Indian Postal
its diverse culture and geographical
system under the British. Now people
heterogeneity, it has never been
could send letters, postcards, telegrams,
difficult to reach out to your near
etc. to communicate with whom they
and dear ones in India. People
wanted to. The Indian Postal system
have always devised ingenious
marked a remarkable shift
ways of communicating and
from the earlier practices
interacting with their family,
of
sending
messages
friends, colleagues, and
manually. In fact, the British
acquaintances. In earlier
relied heavily on the postal
times, people used to
system for sending highly
have messengers who
confidential letters and notes to
carried
messages
the officers stationed in India
personally,
walked
during the British Raj. With the
long distances and
advent of technology and the use
then narrated them in
of computers and mobile phones,
secret. This, however,
the significance of the postal
was a rather difficult
system has diminished to
process and was also
a large extent, but it still
time
consuming.
remains one of the main
Moreover, it also
required
human
means of communication
in the country with its vast
labour.
Illustration by: Oshi Agarwal, VIII,
Suditi Global Academy, Etawah, UP
network of post offices.

Come, lets explore the big, wide world

of India Postone of the largest postal
systems in the world, and also one of the
most interesting!
CONTENTS
POST - India's Pride
Post and Past
Post and Present
The Stamp Story
India Post

1
2
3
4
5

Fun with Philately

Kinds of Post
Activities 4 U
Heritage News, Subscription Form

6, 7
8
9, 10
11

Prize Winners, Whats Next?

I n d i a n

The Last Telegram

The Legendary
Mail Runner

The Indian telegram service was

brought to an end with the last
telegram sent on 14th July, 2013 (till
10 PM). This marked the
end of the 163-year old
system which was once
the lifeline of India.
At its peak in the
mid-1980s, more than
45,000
telegraph
offices dotted the
country.

The mail runner was a legendary

figure in earlier times. The superefficient and dutiful dakiya, also
known as Harkara, has been
described by poets and writers.
The customary jingle of bells
associated with the coming
of the dakiya is awell known
legend in every Indian town.

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N a tion a l

T r u st

f o r

A r t

a n d

C u l t u r a l

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H e r it a g e

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The Indian Postal system went through various stages of development before it emerged
as one of the most powerful system of communication.

Book cover: Pigeons to Post, Steve Borgia (2011)

I am a carrier pigeon. I am also called

a messenger or a homing pigeon. I have
carried messages down the ages. In 1948,
I sent an urgent message to a remote area
to be visited by the then Prime Minister
Jawaharlal Nehru. In 1999, I saved lives by
carrying messages in cyclone hit Odisha.
I also helped the Police in Odisha for
50 years!

Mythical Postal Carriers

The Rig Veda cites the use of a dog called
Sarama for carrying messages. The
Atharva Veda uses the term Palagala for
a system of couriers. The Ramayana cites
instances of Hanuman who was sent by
Lord Rama to carry messages.
In the legendary story of Nal-Damayanti,
a swan is supposed to have carried
messages between the two lovers.

Please do not stop the pigeon post!!

activity - The Lost letter

Imagine yourself to be a mail runner. The king has
given you an important letter. However, you lose the
letter on the way and find yourself in trouble. How will
you find the letter?

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VOL. 11 No. 1
Illustration by:
D. Sreeja, X, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's
P.S., Jubliee Hills, Hyderabad

India has the largest postal network in the world with over 1, 55,015 post offices spread across the country, out of which
1,39, 144 post offices are in rural areas. On an average one post office serves an area of 21.21 sq. km and a population of
around 7,175 people.

POSTAL ORGANIZATION IN INDIA

HERITAGE POST OFFICES

The Postal Service is under the Department of Posts,

which is part of the Ministry of Communications
and Information and Technology, Government
of India. India is divided into 22
postal circles; each circle is headed
by a Chief Post-Master General.
Each circle is further divided into
regions, headed by a Post-Master
General. These regions are further
Illustration by: Jahanvi
divided into sub-divisions.

Delhi GPO

It is one of the very few buildings of India Post which has been
given the status of Heritage Building
by ASI situated at Kashmere Gate. It
is in close proximity to the historic
Red Fort. The land for this GPO was
purchased in 1870. It is considered to
Illustration by:
be a representative structure of the Abhya Anand, VII, Delhi Public
School, Sec 45, Gurgaon
British period.

Joshi, Blue Bells Public

School, Sec 10, Gurgaon

Mumbai GPO

This General Post Office is modelled on the

Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur. It was designed by
British architect John Begg. Black basalt
and yellow Kurla stone have been used.

Activity

Imagine yourself to be a Post-Master General

in todays day and age. What interesting
innovations would you introduce to popularise
letter writing?

Calcutta GPO

This post office was designed in 1864

by Walter B. Grenville. It is famous for its
high-domed roof. It looks grand because
of its Corinthian pillars.

POSTAL ALTITUDE
The highest post office in the
world is situated in Hikkim in
Himachal Pradesh at a height of
15,000 ft.

Chennai GPO

This three-storeyed building is an

example of Gothic architecture with twin
towers of Travancore style. In 2000, the
building caught fire and 30 per cent was
destroyed. It took 5 years to restore it.

Shimla GPO

TUNNEL IN
MUMBAI GPO

It is one of the oldest post office buildings

in the country. It is a timbered structure
and has a tin roof. A unique feature of its
architecture is the six large hollow pillars
made of stone and brick which support the roof. It is a perfect
example of British hill architecture.

A 200-year old tunnel

has been unearthed under
the Mumbai General Post
Office. The tunnel comprises
a huge hall with
36 pillars.

Illustration by:
Nidhi Maini, X, VVDAV Public
School, Delhi

Lucknow GPO
It is an example of contemporary engineering and architecture.
Made with red bricks and limestone, the building has a beautiful
30 m tall tower with clocks on all four sides.

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Stamps have played an important role in India's history. Stamps were often issued to commemorate events or personalities.
Stamps come in different shapes and sizes and have been an integral part of India's Post.

The First Stamps

The first stamps valid for postage
throughout India were put up for sale
in October 1854. The stamps ranged
from anna to 4 annas. An image of
Queen Victoria, then in her teens, was
the highlight of all the four stamps.
The stamps were designed and printed
in Calcutta. The stamp available for 4
annas was, in fact, one of the worlds first bi-coloured stamps.
Four new stamp designs appeared between 1874 and 1876.
A completely new set of stamps were issued in 1882 for the
Empire of India.
Three stamps featuring a portrait of Queen Victoria were
introduced in 1895. These stamps ranged from Rupees 2-5.

1948 - Stamp to commemorate

Mahatama Gandhi
1949 - Stamps depicting Indias
cultural heritage- Hindu, Muslim, Sikh,
Jain, Buddhist temples, sculptures,
monuments and forts
1950 - Stamp commemorating the
inauguration of the Republic of India

The First Indian Stamp

The first adhesive stamp in India was introduced

in 1852 by Sir Bartle Frere who was an
administrator of the British East India Company
in Sind. The stamp was called Scinde Dawk - an
anglicised term used for Sind Dak.

Pictorial Stamps

The first pictorial stamps appeared in 1931.

These stamps were issued to mark the shift
of capital from Calcutta to New Delhi. After
Independence the first stamp that was
issued depicted the new flag of India with
the slogan Jai Hind.

1955 - Stamps depicting technology

and development themes
1957 - A series of stamps showing
the map of India
1965 - Stamp commemorating of
Indian Expedition of the Mount
Everest.
1968 - Stamp showcasing the Wheat

Illustration by:
Apurva, X, VVDAV Public
School, Delhi

Revolution
1983 - Stamp commemorating the
First Indian Antarctic Expedition
2011 - Stamp depicting the Archaeological Survey of India
2013 - Heritage Buildings- Mumbai
GPO and Agra GPO

Personalities on Indian Stamps

Some famous personalities of India depicted on Indian stamps are given below. Can you add some more names ?
Freedom Fighters/
Political Leaders
Mahatama Gandhi
Bhagat Singh

Literary Figures and

Artists
Rabindranath Tagore
Subramania Bharati

Scientists and Industrialists

Homi Bhabha
Jagdish Chandra Bose

Film Personalities and

Musicians
S.D. Burman
Guru Dutt

Sportspersons
Vinoo Mankad
Vijay Merchant

Activity - Guess the Stamp ?

1. I was issued to commemorate 100 years of the Indian Mutiny. In which year was I issued? ______________________________
2. I was issued in 1961 to commemorate the birth centenary of which famous Indian poet? ___________________________
3. I was issued in 1969 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of an important event in Indian history. Can you guess the
event? _____________________
4. I am the stamp of a historical figure who hailed from Mysore and was famous for his sword. I was issued in 1974. Who am
I?______________________
5. I am a college in Delhi, and I appeared on a stamp in 1981. Guess my name. _____________________________________

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VOL. 11 No. 1

The Indian Postal Service is the largest postal network in the world which reaches out to millions daily. This system was
established by Lord Clive in 1766 in India. The primary function of the post office is the collection, processing, transmission,
and delivery of mails.
Gaurav Pareikh, VII, The Heritage School, Kolkata and Yutika Arora, VIII, Delhi Public School, Sec. 45, Gurgaon

POST down the ages

PASSIONATE POSTMAN

The earliest reference to an official postal system

in India was made in the 14th Century by the Arab
traveller and historian Ibn Batuta. The system
became more systematic during the reign of
Akbar in the 16th Century.

Your letter is here, the postman

would shout and everyone would
gather around him. But today,
letter boxes and postmen are
vanishing slowly.

Illustration by:
Sagarika Agrawal,
VI, Delhi Public
School, Sec 45,
Gurgaon

Arpita Aggarwal, VI, Blue Bells Public School, Gurgaon

Pigeon post is the use of training pigeons

to carry messages. Pigeons have been good
messengers from time immemorial. They have been used
very effectively in military stations.

Dhruvika Gupta, VII, Bharatiya Vidya

Bhavan Vidyashram, Pratapnagar, Jaipur

Illustration by:
Yutika Arora, VIII, Delhi Public
School, Sec 45, Gurgaon

The Postman is considered to be

an important public servant. He is
familiar to one and all. He wears a khaki uniform and goes
from door-to-door delivering letters.

Abhirath, VIII, Mukund Lal Public School, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana

Ritika, VII, D.A.V. Sr. Sec. School, Naraingarh, Ambala

Sher Shah Suri replaced the runners with horses for

conveyance of messages along the northern high road,
today known as the Grand Trunk Road, which he constructed
between Bengal and Sind.

Until a few years ago, hardly any day would go by without

the postman bringing a postcard from a family member or
an acquaintance. One used to wait anxiously for the arrival
of the postman.

Karan Trehan, VIII E, The S.D. Public School Sr. Sec, Ambala Cantt.

In 1672 Raja Chuck Deo of Mysore began an efficient postal

service which was further improved upon by Haidar Ali.
A. Shruthika, IX, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's, P.S., Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad

Chayan, V, V.V.D.A.V. Public School, New Delhi

The post peon collects all the letters from the post box and
packs it. Then this packet is sent to the Head Office of the
region and the letters are then separated location wise.
M. Jawahar, X, Sri Vidya Mandir Hr. Sec. School, Salem

PRETTY POST OFFICES

The Chennai General Post Office is located on Rajaji Salai at
Parrys Corner in Chennai. The Chennai GPO covers an area of
approximately 23.33 sq. km.

Although the head post office, Visakhapatnam, located in the

old part of the city is no doubt the largest but my favorite
post office building is the Old Post Office. It is made entirely
of stone and it is Victorian in style.

The General Post Office, Kanpur, is the central post office of

the city of Kanpur. This post office handles most of the citys
inbound and outbound mails. It also has a philately section
for enthusiasts.

A. Akshara, VIII, Visakha Valley

School, Visakhapatnam

S. Parameshwari, XI, Sir Ramaswami Mudaliar Hr. Sec. School, Chennai

Marrisha Gupta, VIII, Sir Padampat Singhania Education Centre, Kanpur

The Army Postal Service functions as a government operated

military mail system in India. In some cases, Indian military
personnel in a combat zone may post letters or packages to
their home for free.
Ujjwal Chaudhary, VII, Scholars Home, Dehradun

Krish Raj, Ecole Mondiale World

School, Mumbai

The Head Post Office of Amritsar also houses the Telegraph

and Telephone offices. Posts and telegraph played an
important role during the British times.

India's first floating post

office and floating philately
museum is on a houseboat
on the Dal Lake in Srinagar.

In Etawah the post office is near the Kachari road. It is the

head post office of the region and built by the British.
Jyoti Yadav, VIII, Suditi Global Academy, Etawah

Background Illustration by: Vinayak Sharma, VIII, VVDAV Public School, Delhi

Illustration by: Ishan Singh Dhindsa,

VIII, Delhi Public School, Sec 45,
Gurgaon

DID YOU KNOW

Deepanshi, IX, Bhavans SL Public School, Amritsar

Agra P.O.

Mumbai has quite a number of

post offices. The General Post
Office, Mumbai is the central
post office of the city Mumbai.
It is situated in the vicinity of
Victoria Terminus.

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The most interesting thing about a

postage stamp is the persistence with
which it sticks to its job. In its long and
varied postal history, India has produced
a large number of postage stamps.

There are many unique stamps- definitive stamps,

commemorative stamps, special stamps, military
stamps, and official stamps.
Anmol Yadav, VI , Ryan International School, Gurgaon

In olden times when there were no phones and no other

means of communication, the post played a very
significant role. A stamp was affixed to all the letters
that were sent.

Shrijita Shukla, VI, Delhi Public School, Bhopal

A postage stamp conveys not only the care, love

and affection of the writer who takes pains to
pen down his or her thoughts, but also makes
you feel very special and desired.

Shweta Sharma, Pine Hall School, Dehradun

Tishya Srivastava, IX, R.N. Podar School, Mumbai

The first design for the Indian postage stamps

was attempted by Col. Forbes of Calcutta Mint
showing the Lion and the Palm tree. The first
Indian Postage Stamp issued in 1854 bore the
inscription Indian Postage.

India and Israel have issued a joint postage stamp. This

stamp depicts the two festivals of lights- Diwali and
the Hanukkah.
Kaushal, IX C, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's P.S., Jubilee Hills,
Hyderabad

Himanshi Sharma, VIII, P.K.R. Jain Sr. Sec. Public School, Ambala City

The Government of India issued a stamp in

November 1980 to commemorate 1400 years of
the Hijri calendar (completed on November 20,
1979).

On 15 August 1947 India won its independence. On

21st November 1947, three stamps were issued
by the Indian government.
th

Paridhi Maheshwari, VI, Bethany School, Vishakhapatnam

Mirza Faariz Baig, VIII, Delhi School of Excellence, Banjara Hills,

Hyderabad

In 1869, the first stamp of Hyderabad was issued

and featured in Arabic script design with three
different values 1/2, 1 and 2 annas. It featured the
seal of the Nizam in the center.

Many unique stamps have been issued by the Indian

government over a period of time. Some unique
themes that have been used for printing on stamps
are flowers, Special Protection Group, and 100 years
of Indian Cinema.

Kashish Khatter,V, Delhi School of Excellence, Banjara Hills,

Hyderabad

Chitrangada Singh Bhati, Mayo College Girls School, Ajmer

A stamp commemorating the greatness of

Mother Teresa was issued on 27th August 1980.
Divyani Jha,VIII, Suditi Global Academy, Etawah

Stamps are
special, even
though small.
They mean so much
to one and all !

A stamp depicting Meerabai was issued by

the government on 1st October 1952 with a
denomination of 2 annas. This was the first time
a woman was being depicted on an Indian stamp.
Meerabai was a Hindu mystic poet and a devotee
of Lord Krishna.
Shumaila Shuaib, X , Greenwood Sr. Sec. School, Rampur
Background Illustration by: Ayushi Aggarwal, IX, Bal Bharati Public School, Sec 14, Rohini

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VOL. 11 No. 1

INDIAS PRIDE

FATHER OF OUR NATION ON

STAMPS
The Rs. 10 Postage stamp depicting Mahatma
Gandhi issued in 1948 is one of Indias most
famous stamps. A set of 100 of these stamps
were printed and provided only to the
Governor General of India.
K. Vishnu Mohandas, IX, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's P.S., Jubilee Hills, Hyd.

The Pride of India Collection is an

official programme of the Hallmark
Group Ltd issued under the Authority
of India Post. It is the Stamp Ingot
Collection and is the first ever to be
produced for India, and its release
is strictly limited to 7,500 editions
worldwide.

Illustration by:
Anushka Agrawal, IX,
DAv Public School,
Sec 14, Gurgaon

Vasudha A, X , Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's P.S.,

Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad

On the first anniversary of Indias freedom, the

postal department of India issued a set of four
stamps featuring Mahatma Gandhi. The set
was printed in Switzerland because the high
technology stamp printing machine was not
available in India back then.

The Pride of India Collection

is a collection of 25 stamps
minted in gold plated pure
Swiss silver. These stamps depict
Indias uniqueness and diversity.
It depicts the celebration of
distinguished figures and historic
events in Indian history.

Abhishek Das, X, D.A.V. Public School, Bhubaneshwar

FASCINATING PHILATELY

Illustration by: Misha

Suri, Delhi Public School,
Sec 45, Gurgaon

N. Kiran, C.M.S. Seven Wells, Chennai

The Indian Philatelic history began with the

introduction of paper postage in India. Prior
to that copper tokens were used for payment
of postage in 1774. The first independence
stamps were issued in 1947. Since then India has
issued more than 300 stamps.

MY STAMP COLLECTION
An important stamp in my grandfathers diary
which has caught my fascination is the first stamp
of independent India depicting the Indian Flag. This
stamp was issued on 21st November 1947 and was
meant for foreign correspondence.

Uttam Gandhi, IX, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's P.S., Jubilee

Hills, Hyderabad

Shri Raja A.K. Atala former Foreign Secretary

and ambassador of India to many countries
is the son of Raja Amar Nath Atal, the Finance
Minister of Jaipur State. Raja Atal has been
collecting stamps from his childhood. He takes
great interest in the philatelic activities of Jaipur.

Bani Brar, X A, Mayo College Girls School, Ajmer

In my stamp collection, the stamp I like the most is the

one which tells about a very famous Panchatantra tale
written during the Gupta period i.e. The tortoise and
the geese. These stamps were released in 2001.
Soumita Bhattacharyya, Bethany School, Visakhapatnam

Gaurvika Godara, VI, Ryan International School, Gurgaon

Philatelic bureaus were established in head post offices

located at circle headquarters and at district capital led post
offices. The government also approved an IT modernization
project in the department of posts.
Ishani, X, V.V.D.A.V. Public School, Delhi

The National Philatelic Museum of India was inaugurated on

6th July 1968 in New Delhi. It had its beginnings at a meeting
of the Philatelic Advisory Committee on 18th September held
in 1962.

THE SCENT OF A STAMP

India has recently issued jasmine-scented stamps
to remind postal patrons of the flowering plant's
wonderful smell. Jasmine plants vary in size and form.
They produce flowers that are small and delicate in
appearance. The essence of jasmine is also used as a
basis for perfumes and ointments.
Aditya Vikram Bajpai, IX, Delhi Public School, Sec 45, Gurgaon

Niharika Saini, IX, Mukund Lal Public School, Haryana

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All of us love to
send a postcard
to share our
happyholidays!

The tradition on which India boasts,

Is its faithful and conventional service of post.
Surabhi Gupta, IX, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Vidyashram, Pratapnagar,
Jaipur

INLAND LETTER

MONEY ORDER

An inland letter is a folded card with a

message written on the inside and the
card sealed around the edges. Nothing
compares to the joy one experiences
on tearing off the edges of the letter to
peak into the soul of a friend or relative
who has laid down his/her heart on
that paper.

A money order is a payment

order for a pre-specified
amount of money. It is a
more trusted method of
payment than a cheque.

Gaurangi Gupta, M.G.D. Girls School, Jaipur

A money order is a service used for transfer of money

specially in the remote parts. The amount is delivered by cash
by a postal employee at the address specified by the payer.

Bhavya Vishishta, X, Bharatiya

Vidya Bhavan's P.S., Jubilee Hills,
Hyderabad

Inland letters were used for inland use only. They could not
be forwarded to Pakistan or any foreign country. If they
were sent to foreign lands then they would be taxed.

Prateek C, X F, V.V.D.A.V. Public School, New Delhi

Anjali Aggarwal, VIII, P.K.R. Jain Sr. Sec. Public School, Ambala City

The inland letter cards have the same facilities which are
enjoyed by letters and postcards. It means that these inland
letter cards can be transmitted anywhere in India by air
wherever possible without any air fees. It can be registered
and can be sent by Express Delivery.
Yashraj Singh, VI, Ryan International School, Gurgaon

SPEEDY SPEED POST

Speed Post is a service provided by the Postal Department.
It is a substitute for the courier service. It is fast, reliable,
and the acknowledgement is obtained by the Postal
Department from the receiver on behalf of the sender.
Lakshita Seth, IX, Hansraj Model School, New Delhi

Happy hobby

The third most popular article collected after stamps

and coins is postcards. Collection of postcards is called
deltiology.

MY INDIA POSTCARD
Design a colourful postcard
using the elements given
below. You can create a beautiful
collage either by using pictures or
by painting it on your own.
The National Emblem
The National Bird

Gawakshi, VIII, Mukand

Lal Public School, Yamuna
Nagar, Haryana

TELEGRAPH
The telegraph system was introduced in India by the then
Governor General Lord Dalhousie in 1853. As the use of
telegraph grew wider, it became necessary to process
input and output more quickly. The Tele Typewriter,
a typewriter with three rows of keys was invented to
perform the tasks of coding and decoding automatically.
The first experimental electric telegraph line was started
between Kolkata and Diamond Harbour in 1850.
K. Lohitha, X, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's P.S., Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad,
Pooja A, VIII, Sri Sankara Vidhyashramam Mat. Hr. Sec. School,
Chennai and Ch. Sunil Chandra, VII, Bethany School, Visakhapatnam

DID YOU KNOW?

The National Flower

The National Tree

India Post allows for free transfer of letters,

books etc. upto 7 kgs. for the blind composed
in Braille

The National Animal

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VOL. 11 No. 1

MATCH THE PIN CODE

POSTAL APTITUDE TEST

1. When and where was the first
post office opened in India?
2. What is the full form of PIN?
3. When was the speed post started in India?
4. In which part of India is the Postal Staff
College situated?
5. When is the Indian Postal Day observed?
6. Where in India is the highest post office of
the world located?

Match the first two digits of the pin code with the
Indian state which it belongs to.

LURING LETTER BOX

ODE TO THE TELEGRAM

Different coloured letter boxes are used

for different mails. Identify the type of
mail with the colour of the letter box.

A dot and a dash and a dot and a dash,

Messages were sent instantly with a little cash.
What unique way it must have been,
I wish this wonderful method I had also seen.
Invented in 1853, in 2013 it came to an end,
In July many people their last telegram did send.

Red Letter Box______________

Green Letter Box_____________
Blue Letter Box______________
Yellow Letter Box____________

Illustration by:
Muskan R. Pharod,
IX, Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan's P.S., Jubilee
Hills, Hyderabad

1. 11

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

2. 67-69

Arunachal Pradesh

3. 40

Delhi

4. 79

Goa

5. 744

Kerala

Bhavya Bhatia, Bal Bharati Public School, Delhi

Odes are lyrical reflective poems written in praise of a

subject. Writea similar ode to the telegram.

Postal Game

Visit a Postal Museum

Have you ever been to a philately
museum? Let's explore the world of stamps!
1. National Philatelic Museum, New Delhi
2. The Philatelic Museum, Ludhiana, Punjab
3.
Postal Museum and Philatelic Library,
Kolkata, West Bengal
Illustration by: Rishabh Mohindra, VIII, Hansraj Model School, New Delhi

4. Philatelic Museum of Indian Stamps,

Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Make a similar postal game

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What is a stamp made of?

Stamps may look very thin, but they are
made up of four layers!
The top layer is the ink for printing the
picture.
The second layer is a special coating
The third layer is paper.
Weve all tasted the bottom layer- its the
glue!
Illustration by: Shaili Goyal, IX, Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan's P.S., Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad

When designing a stamp, one must

consider several keys factors:

Now, design a commemorative

stamp of your own

Use one central/main image in the centre of

the stamp

You may choose to honour...

A PERSON, A PLACE, AN EVENT
OR AN IMPORTANT ISSUE

Intricate details should not be shown

Use simple, but sharp colours
Limit the use of typography

What does a stamp do?

A little postage stamp plays an important role.
A stamp is a receipt- it shows that a person has
paid for a letter to be delivered.
Sometimes stamps have special coating that help
machines process the mail.
Stamps record history by honouring special event,
places, or people.

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VOL. 11 No. 1

Competition

Supriya of class X from

Springfield Public School,
Ambala, expressed her views
of being a Young INTACH
member in the form of the
following lines:

BEST HERITAGE CLUB 2013

Dear Heritage Club Members and Teachers,
Send us a detailed report for the best
heritage club 2013 with photographs of
the activities you have organised in your
Heritage Club during the year 2013 and
what you have learnt from them.

I feel proud, because

I own this country.
I feel proud, for my nation,
I understand my responsibility.
I feel proud, because for the heritage of my country,
I have taken a pledge, I AM THE YOUNG INTACH.

Send us the report by 28th February 2014.

The students of Summerfields

School, Kailash Colony, Delhi
have planted tree saplings
in the past 4 months and are
now nurturing the Mango
and Champa saplings.

Fabulous prizes to be won!

The India Heritage Quiz

was
conducted
across
campuses on 22nd October
2013
through
video
conferencing with Global
Indian International School
of Noida, Surat, Indore,
Bangalore and Chinchwad.
The topics ranged from national days, to monuments, to
festivals etc.

You could also send us your inputs on why you

like the Young INTACH newsletter and give us
suggestion and ideas for our forthcoming
issues.

1st prize Rs 5000, 2nd prize Rs 3000,

3rd prize Rs 2000.
And also special prizes to be won.

Subscribe to :

WELCOME TO THE HECS FAMILY SCHOOLS OF

JAIPUR, BIJAPUR, VARANASI, SRINAGAR, SAFAPORA,
BARIPADA, JHUNJHUNU AND PILANI

intach

Name __________________________________________________________________
School Address / Individual Address ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
City _____________________________ State _________________________________
Subscription Amount - Rs 100 (4 issues)

English

Hindi

Demand Draft No. ______________ Dated ______________ Drawn On (Bank) __________

_________________________________For Rs ________________________________
All payments to be made by Demand Draft in favour of INTACH and drawn on the following
banks, payable at par: SBI/ICICI/Canara/Standard Chartered Bank
Signature _________________ Date __________________ Place _________________

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What's Next?

Prize Winners
Oshi Agarwal, VIII, Jyoti Yadav, VIII, Divyani Jha,VIII, Suditi Global Academy, Etawah, UP
Jahanvi Joshi, X, Arpita Aggarwal, VI, Blue Bells Public School, Gurgaon
Apurva, X, Nidhi Maini, X, Prateek C, Chayan, Ishani, X, Vinayak Sharma, VIII, VVDAV
Public School, Delhi
Gaurav Pareikh, VII, The Heritage School, Kolkata
Abhirath, VIII, Mukund Lal Public School, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana
Karan Trehan, VIII, The S.D. Public School Sr. Sec, Ambala Cantt.
A. Shruthika, IX, Kaushal, IX, K. Vishnu Mohandas, IX, Uttam Gandhi, IX, Vasudha A, X,
Bhavya Vishishta, X, K. Lohitha, X , Shaili Goyal, IX, Muskan R. Pharod, IX, D. Sreeja, X,
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's P.S., Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
Dhruvika Gupta, VII, Surabhi Gupta, IX, Ch. Sunil Chandra, VII , Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Vidyashram, Pratapnagar, Jaipur
Yutika Arora, VIII, Abhya Anand, VII, Ishan Singh Dhindsa, VIII, Aditya Vikram Bajpai, IX,
Misha Suri, Sagarika Agrawal, VI, Delhi Public School, Sec 45, Gurgaon
Ritika, VII, D.A.V. Sr. Sec. School, Naraingarh, Ambala
S. Parameshwari, XI, Sir Ramaswami Mudaliar Hr. Sec. School, Chennai
Marrisha Gupta, VIII, Sir Padampat Singhania Education Centre, Kanpur
Ujjwal Chaudhary, VII, Scholars Home, Dehradun
Deepanshi, IX, Bhavans SL Public School, Amritsar
A. Akshara, VIII, Visakha Valley School, Visakhapatnam
Krish Raj, Ecole Mondiale World School, Mumbai
Shrijita Shukla, VI, Delhi Public School, Bhopal
Tishya Srivastava, IX, R.N. Podar School, Mumbai
Anmol Yadav, VI, Gaurvika Godara, VI, Yashraj Singh, VI, Ryan International School,
Gurgaon
Shweta Sharma, Pine Hall School, Dehradun
Himanshi Sharma, VIII, P.K.R. Jain Sr. Sec. Public School, Ambala City
Paridhi Maheshwari, VI, Soumita Bhattacharyya, Bethany School, Vishakhapatnam
Kashish Khatter, V, Mirza Faariz Baig, VIII, Delhi School of Excellence, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad
Shumaila Shuaib, X, Greenwood Sr. Sec. School, Rampur
Chitrangada Singh Bhati, Mayo College Girls School, Ajmer
Abhishek Das, X, D.A.V. Public School, Bhubaneshwar
Niharika Saini, IX, Mukund Lal Public School, Haryana
Anushka Agrawal, IX, DAV Public School, Sec 14, Gurgaon
N. Kiran, C.M.S. Seven Wells, Chennai
Bani Brar, X, Mayo College Girls School, Ajmer
Gaurangi Gupta, M.G.D. Girls School, Jaipur
Lakshita Seth, IX, Rishabh Mohindra, VIII, Hansraj Model School, New Delhi
Pooja A, VIII, Sri Sankara Vidhyashramam Mat. Hr. Sec. School, Chennai
Gawakshi, VIII, Mukand Lal Public School, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana
Ayushi Aggarwal, IX, Bhavya Bhatia, Bal Bharati Public School, Sec 14, Rohini
M. Jawahar, X, Sri Vidya Mandir Hr. Sec. School, Salem
Anjali Aggarwal, VIII, P.K.R. Jain Sr. Sec. Public School, Ambala City

Feedback
Do you have any ideas, comments or suggestions to make Young INTACH
more interesting? We welcome any thoughts on what themes you would
like us to select for the upcoming issues of Young INTACH.

April-June 2014
Majestic Mountains
Mountains are known for their beauty and
resilience. They have played an important
role in Indian history. Write to us in about 100
words on any one of the following:
A myth or story associated with a local
mountain or hill or even a rock formation
in your region.
An exciting experience of rock-climbing or visiting a mountain peak.
The role of a hill or a mountain range in the history of your region.
A unique story of an Indian mountaineer or a rock climber.
With your entry you may also send us an interesting sketch, illustration
or a personally clicked photograph.
Last date of entries: February 15, 2014

July-September 2014
Folk Painting is Fun!
Folk and tribal paintings in India are rich in colour
and style. These art forms have a picturesque
charm which is loved by one and all. Each region
has a tradition of folk and tribal paintings.
Write to us in about 100 words on any one of
the following:
Any one folk or tribal painting style of your
state, its themes, technique, colours, materials used etc
My favourite folk artist
A story or myth associated with your favourite folk art
You may accompany your write-up with your sketch, painting in steps,
illustration or personally clicked photograph of your favourite folk or
tribal art.
Last date for entries: May 15, 2014

Please write to:

Purnima Datt
Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS)
Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)
71, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110003
Tel: (011) 24641304, 24645482, Fax: (011) 24611290
Email: hecsintach@gmail.com, Website: www.youngintach.org

Research, Content
Development and
Compilation
Chandni Sengupta
Editing
Bashobi Banerjee
Design and Printing
Colorcom Advertising
Circulation and Subscription
Moby Sara Zachariah
Acknowledgement
Prabhat Khirwar

References
1. http://www.stampsofindia.com
2. www.indiapost.gov.in
3. www.indianphilately.net
3. Mohini Lal Majumdar, Early History
and Growth of Postal System in India
4. www.postalheritage.org.uk/page/india
5. Diljeet Singh Virk, Indian Postal History, 1873-1923

Postal Aptitude Test Answers - 1. 1774, Kolkata, 2. Postal Index

Number, 3. 1986, 4.Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 5. 10th October, 6.
Hikkim, Himachal Pradesh
Match the Pincode Answers- 1. Delhi, 2. Himachal Pradesh, 3. Goa,
4. Arunachal Pradesh, 5. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Luring Letter Box Answers: 1. Collection of mails which are not local;
2. Collection of local mails; 3. Collection of mails addressed to metro
cities; 4. Collection of mails addressed to all capital cities
Guess tha stamp Answers - 1. Indian Mutiny, 2. Rabindranath Tagore,
3. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, 4. Tipu Sultan, 5. St. Stephens College

Credits
Purnima Datt

INTACH was established in 1984 and has dedicated all its efforts to
the conservation and preservation of Indias vast natural and cultural
heritage.
The primary objectives of INTACH, as stated in its Memorandum of
Association is to create and stimulate awareness among the public for
the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage of India and respect
and knowledge of past experience and skills.
To know more about INTACH, visit: www.intach.org
Recognizing the importance of heritage education, INTACH set up the
Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS) in 1998. Since
then HECS has initiated several different types of training programmes
for different target groups: the public, professional groups, city and
local authorities, our INTACH chapters, school and college teachers and
students. The aim of these programmes is to make citizens aware of their
role in the conservation and preservation of our natural, cultural and
living heritage.
To know more about HECS projects and publications, visit: www.
youngintach.org
We are grateful to the Ministry of Culture for sponsoring Young
INTACH, a quarterly heritage newsletter for and by children that has
about 90,000 readers and the number keeps on going higher with
each issue.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India

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