Before the invention of WhatsApp, emails, and mobile phones, the entire population of India communicated using a very famous, light-blue piece of paper sold at every post office.
This iconic piece of stationery is officially called the Inland Letter Card (जिसे हिंदी में अंतर्देशीय पत्र कहा जाता है).
Hindi Name: अंतर्देशीय पत्र (Antardeshiya Patra).
Color: Usually a distinctive light-blue or greenish-blue color.
Privacy: Highly private. The message is completely hidden inside the sealed folds.
Cost: It is heavily subsidized by the Indian government and historically costs just ₹2.50.
Restriction: It is strictly illegal to place any photos, cheques, or extra paper inside the folds. If you need to send extras, you must use a standard envelope.
An Inland Letter is a highly specialized, pre-printed sheet of light-blue paper issued strictly by India Post. It is designed with a brilliant folding mechanism. You write your long, private message on the inner side of the paper. Then, following the dotted lines, you fold the paper three times and seal the edges using the pre-applied gum. The outside only displays the sender's and receiver's address.
Many people confuse the Inland Letter with a Postcard, but there is a massive difference in privacy:
The word 'Inland' literally means 'within the borders of the country'. This highly subsidized letter is strictly meant for communication only within the physical borders of India. You absolutely cannot write an Inland Letter and post it to a relative living in America or Dubai. For international mail, you must buy an expensive 'Aerogramme'.
It is a specialized light-blue sheet of paper issued by India Post that you write on, fold, seal, and post for highly private communication strictly within the borders of India.
A postcard is completely open and anyone can read the message on the back. An inland letter is folded and glued shut, ensuring your message remains 100% private.
No. As the name suggests, it is strictly meant for domestic 'inland' use. It cannot be used to send messages to foreign countries.
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