Postcrossers send cards to China to make new friends

Coimbatore: A group of students, doctors and general public were seen busy writing postcards to China on Saturday. Though they were not acquainted with the people they were writing to, they were sure they would receive postcards from there in return.
The occasion was nothing other than the international postcrossing meetup held in the city on Saturday by the postal department
Sudhir Gopal Jakhere, senior superintendent of Coimbatore postal division, said while similar events were conducted in the past, this was the first event in the country to be held officially by the department of posts. “More than 50 members from here have sent postcards to China,” he said. Enthusiasts from other cities such as Trichy and Bengaluru had also come to participate in the event.
At the same time people were writing cards here, 12 postcrossers in Beijing were writing and posting cards to people here, Jakhere said. “We also had a Skype meetup. We interacted with our postcrossing friends in China.”
The postal department had released three postcards on the occasion — one with the words ‘Postcrossing’, another with the pictures of ancient Chinese travellers to India and the third with an artwork depicting the similarities between Yoga and Tai Chi, the Indian and Chinese systems of physical exercises.
The Coimbatore postal division had also written to Megalhaes and obtained permission to use the trademark of ‘Postcrossing’ with alternate red and blue letters, resembling the borders of an airmail cover. “This initiative will promote philately, letter writing and communication. It also helps share our ideas, views and aspirations with the people of other countries. This is soft diplomacy, a way to create global citizens,” Jakhere said.
Participants too expressed a similar view. Dr Sriram Kalingarayar, who works at a city hospital, sends postcards to friends in countries such as Poland. “Through this, I get to showcase what is happening here. I sent a postcard on sarees. My Polish friends were surprised that we have a dress, which is so long and has to be draped around,” he said.
J Samson Paul, a student from the city, said it was exciting to write to unknown people in other countries and receive postcards from them. “We can get to know various cultures through this.”
The event was held as part of Shantipex 2019, the postal department’s annual philately meet. The theme of the event was the 150th anniversary of Gandhi’s birth.