In the world of mobile with several messaging apps and internet with emails which is just a click away, the 160 year old Indian messaging service, Telegrams got diminished to an extend that hardly anyone using it. Putting the last full stop to the service Govt owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) decided to fully shutdown the Telegraph Services in India.
According to a circular issued by Shameem Akhtar, Sr. General Manager Telegraph Services BSNL Corporate office, New Delhi, the telegraph service is to be discontinued with effect from July 15, 2013, ending the 160 year old service. Two months ago BSNL retired the telegram services for overseas communication and earlier revised the telegram charges after a gap of 60 years.
According to the circular all telegraph offices under the management of BSNL will have to stop booking telegrams from July 15, 2013. They also have to maintain the log books, service messages, delivery slips only for six months from the date of bookings. However, complaints, press reports and other messages from different consumer forum are to be kept for one year.
“We have taken a decision to close the service after consultation with the Department of Posts. They also said that there are better options available,” says BSNL source as reported by The press trust of India.
Telegram was once the service used by Indian common man to send quick and long distance messages. But with the advancement of technology in telecommunication, internet and even postal services, telegram service was used by a very few old minded people.