With modern technology taking over, letter writing, which was once considered an important means of communication, has somehow lost its charm along the way. In an attempt to revive the art of letter writing, the Indian Postal Service Department had organised a letter writing competition based on the theme ‘Mere Desh ke Naam Khat’ (A Letter to my Motherland) in both Hindi and English for the year 2018-19. Two participants from Jharkhand- Deepshikha Gupta and Pradip Singh Deo have been declared as winners across the country.
Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Amar Desher Matti’ the department had organised the second Dhai Akhar Letter Writing Campaign for the year 2018- 19 all over the country. The competition was divided in two categories- envelope and inland. Each of these categories was further divided in two sub- categories- junior (below 18 years) and senior participants.
At the national level Deepshikha Gupta a class XI student from Chaibasa was awarded the third prize in the inland letter card category for below 18 years. “This is my first attempt at letter writing. In my letter I spoke about how our motherland has given us so much but we in turn have just misused everything.
We have destroyed its beauty and never valued the natural resources. I also vowed to preserve its beauty- nature, forests and water so that our country continues to be known for its abundant natural beauty,” she said.
Pradip Singh Deo from Deoghar was declared the winner for the senior envelope category. “Letter writing has been my hobby since childhood. This initiative by the postal department reminded me of my childhood days. Based on the theme, my letter was addressed to my mother and the atrocities she had to suffer before independence. I also expressed my desire to be born as her son again in my next life and serve her to the best of my ability,” he said. He is the founder of Vivekananda Educational, Cultural and Sports Organisation (VESCO) - an NGO in Deoghar.
“It’s a matter of honour for the entire State that there two national level winners in the letter writing competition. This was mainly organised to encourage letter writing among the people.
Letters have a personal touch and are a great way to express one’s feelings where as the new modes of communication lack the same. A hand written letter has a different emotional meaning,” said Shashi Shalini Kujur, Chief Post Master General, Jharkhand Circle, Ranchi.
In Jharkhand, the department received about 7715 letters. At the State level, from each category, the first, second and third letters were awarded a cash prize of Rs 25,000, Rs 15000 and Rs 50,00.
The 12 winning letters from the State were then further sent to Delhi for the national level competition. Along with a certificate the winners will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.
The first such competition was organised in 2017-18 on the subject ‘Bapu aap mujhe achche lagte hain’ (Bapu you inspired me).
