Now selfies can be converted into postal stamps

The process is on to procure equipment at all the head post offices in the country. The facility is likely to start by year-end. A sheet of 'My Stamp' contains 12 personalised postage stamps. A senior postal official here said on Wednesday that to avail the service, one would have to fill a form and submit it with his or her photograph along with Rs 300.

“The photograph would be scanned and converted into a postage stamp of Rs 5. The stamp could be used as a official postage stamp. In case one do not have a photograph, it could be clicked on the spot. This facility would also be made available,” he said. The official said, "the process is simple. A good photograph will be scanned to get it converted into postage stamp. 

In case one do not have photos, then it will be clicked by the equipment on the spot. He said any living persons may get their stamps printed." The postage stamp would be of Rs 5 denomination and it could be used for sending letters to relatives as well. The customers could also gift the stamp gifted to near and dear ones by getting ‘My Stamp’ made.

'My Stamp' scheme was recently introduced in the country. It is in practice in a number of countries across the world. This scheme was formally launched in India for the first time during World Philatelic Exhibition-2011 in New Delhi.

In Allahabad also, it was launched in a philatelic exhibition during Kumbh. However, in the absence of machine and manpower, the scheme was not officially started in the city.