India’s telegram service is dead … not so the telegram

14.07.2013 is the last day of Indian Telegram.  In fact, the telegram is alive and well in many places across the globe, as an abridged version of this Wikipedia rundown shows:

§                  In Australia, Australia Post closed its telegram service on 7 March 2011. In the Victorian town of Beechworth, visitors can send telegrams to family members or friends from the Beechworth Telegraph Station.

§                  In Bahrain, Batelco still offers telegram services. They are thought to be more formal than an email or a fax, but less so than a letter. So should a death or anything of importance occur, telegrams would be sent.

§                  In Belgium, Belgacom still offers telegram services within the country and internationally.

§                  In Canada, Telegrams Canada still offers telegram services.

§                  In Hungary, Magyar Posta still offers telegram services.

§                  In Israel, the Israel Postal Company still offers telegram services. Telegrams may be sent via the internet or by a telephone operator. Illustrated telegrams are available for speacial occasions.

§                  In Japan, NTT provides a telegram (denpou) service used mainly for special occasions such as weddings, funerals, graduations, etc.

§                  In Mexico, telegrams are still used as a low-cost service for people who cannot afford or do not have access to e-mail.

§                  In Russia, Central Telegraph still offers telegram service. "Regular" or "Urgent" telegrams can be sent to any address in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union. So called "Stylish" telegrams printed on an artistic postcard are also available.

§                  In Sweden, TeliaSonera still delivers telegrams as nostalgic novelty items, rather than a primary means of communication.

§                  In Switzerland, Unitel Telegram Services took over telegram services from the national PTTs. Telegrams can still be sent to and from most countries.

§                  In the United Kingdom, the international telegram service formerly provided by British Telecom was sold in 2003 to an independent company, Telegrams Online, which promotes the use of telegrams as a retro greeting card or invitation.

§                  In the United States, Western Union closed its telegram service on 27 January 2006. Western Union's telegram service was acquired by iTelegram, an independent company. Telegrams are also offered by other companies such as OpenText and American Telegram.