Last-minute rush as India ends telegram service

Thousands of Indians crammed into telegram offices to send souvenir messages to friends and family in a last-minute rush before the service shuts down after 162 years.

Yesterday was the last day for messages to be accepted by the service, the world's last major commercial telegram operation, and the Central Telegraph Office in New Delhi said it was geared up to tackle the expected rush before accepting its final telegram at 10pm.

The service, known popularly as the "Taar" or wire, will close today because of mounting financial losses.

Leave for all staff was cancelled in an effort to handle the volume of messages, which cost a minimum of 29 rupees (HK$3.75) and are hand-delivered by workers on bicycles. Early yesterday morning joggers, housewives and students were among those sending messages to loved ones. Many were seen making calls on their phones to get the postal addresses of their friends so they could send the last dispatch.

"I have never seen such a rush before. There are some people who are sending 20 telegrams in one go," said Ranjana Das who is in charge of transmitting the telegrams.