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17.07.2013, Thiruvananthapuram: The first technology supported communication system in the world – the telegraph, terminated its operations in India after a glorious service of 162 years. In the advent of the latest communication technology where the entire globe is just a mouse click away, the death of telegraph was imminent and was just a formality pending. Alarm bells have already been ringing over the past several years and yesterday saw the formal closure of telegraphic services in the country. It is estimated that BSNL requires about ₹100 crores annually to maintain this service despite its faded popularity and effectiveness during the current times of IT and communication excellence.

BSNL offices of Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi saw long serpentine queues right from the morning. People from various walks had come to send telegraphic messages to their beloved and friends and had become a part of the history of communication in India. Many a times the staff who were handling the counters were finding difficult to manage the crowd though their faces were gloomy as one of their proudest of the services was being laid to rest. Anil Kumar, who is a temporary staffer with BSNL telegraphic service said that he may either be transferred to some other office or terminated since his service is no more required. Similar apprehensions were expressed by other staffers as well.

Rajesh Pillai, an IT professional had come to telegram his wife Anitha and wrote in his slip – “My love to you through this 162 years old medium”. Reshma, a fifth grader had come with her father to telegram her teacher and was found busily filling up the form. Sivadasan, a local leader of CPI(M) was waiting for his chance in the queue and in his slip was written – “Chief Minister Oommen Chandy must resign”. An aura of nostalgia was felt among the crowd and none showed any impatience though the queues were moving at a very slow pace. Many youngsters were also found who were trying to send a telegram for the first time in their lives. Few elderly who were present shared their experiences with telegram. Mr.Kurien Abraham remembered how his family received the telegram conveying the death of his father while participating in the World War II. In those times the telegram messenger was considered as a bad omen since he delivers mostly the messages pertaining to death and accidents. Mere presence of the messenger was enough to create a panic among the locals, he remembered.

As the evening sun’s last rays fall on the grey building of Trivandrum telegraph office and hundreds of similar offices across the country, one of the pioneer services of P&T (now BSNL) shall eventually fade into oblivion. Future generations may be surprised to know that such a service existed here which was once the communication backbone of the country.