The Andhra Pradesh postal circle is launching a unique initiative in which customers can create stamps using their own photographs. It gives one the option of converting personal photographs into legally valid postal stamps.

To be introduced in the first week of  April at the General Post Office (GPO), Hyderabad, the personalised stamps will have two detachable parts–the stamp value part and photograph part.

People can choose backgrounds like flowers, illustrations from Panchatantra tales, zodiac signs, wildlife, trains and airplanes or submit their own photographs and get 12 stamps of denomination `5 at a cost for `300. However, the photographs can be printed only on five-rupee stamps.

“This a unique philatelic product in which an individual can have his/her photograph on a postage stamp. AP circle is the third in the country to implement the scheme. The department hopes that it will receive good response from customers,” chief postmaster general of AP circle Karuna Pillai said.

The postal department wants to make it a success and improve its revenue. This scheme is expected to interest children and political leaders. The idea of “My Stamp” is altogether a new concept and it is sure to attract the yonger lot, Pillai said.

Officials said more than 20 designs of My Stamp have been approved by the postal directorate. They include zodiac signs, Taj Mahal, wildlife, train engine, Panchatantra and aircraft.

My Stamp is is a wonderful way to celebrate special occasions such as weddings and birth of a baby or to send greetings to loved ones and friends. The scheme is currently applicable to only individuals. Companies and business houses can’t use this facility now, they said.

Customers can either bring their photographs or a photographer will be arranged by the postal department. The customer can collect his My Stamp sheet within a day.

Customers have to produce ID-proof like voter card, ration card, Aadhaar cards or any other valid document. The scheme is being introduced initially at the GPO, Hyderabad.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by S Bachan Jeet Singh / ENS – Hyderabad / April 01st, 2013

Thousands of people bid adieu to this ‘Real’ Star and they included the rich and famous in the film industry and leaders of different political parties too.

What was striking though was the way women, children and men from the outskirts of the State capital and nearby districts thronged his residence to have a last glimpse of their hero.

It was near chaos at the residence of Srihari on Road No. 45, Jubilee Hills and the entire stretch was choked as people tried to gain entry.

A large posse of police was on duty and traffic was made one-way with people joining long queues to pay respects to the star who came up the hard way in a highly-competitive industry.

The goodwill that ‘Sher Khan’ of Magadheera fame had earned with just about 100 films was evident from the way people turned up all through the day. The mortal remains were laid to rest at the family farmhouse in Bachupally on the outskirts of Hyderabad, next to the place where Srihari and Shanthi’s only daughter, four month-old Akshara, lay.

What most people regretted was how an actor, who was a fitness freak, a martial arts enthusiast and gymnast, succumbed to a disease. A very few people actually knew that he was undergoing treatment for liver cancer for a while now. For about five years till 1984, this Hyderabadi from Balanagar worked out for six to eight hours a day and reached the final camp for the Asiad.

On Wednesday, he complained of giddiness while shooting in Mumbai for a Hindi film Rambo Rajkumar. The end came at Leelavati Hospital. He is survived by two sons and wife Shanthi, his co-star, between whom there was a six-year-long courtship before tying the knot.

As for his career, it began with Thirugubaata in 1986 and it was in 1999, after essaying several roles of villain, that he became a hero with Police and went on to showcase his diverse talent as hero, character artiste and in special roles. Interestingly, he was ‘Sher Khan’ even in Ramcharan Tej’s latest movieToofan in Hindi.

Srihari had the privilege of working in hits like Mutha Mestri and Bavagaaru Baagunnara with Chiranjeevi and delivering hits like Magadheera with the megastar’s son. Other films that showcased his diversity as an actor include Nuvvostaanante Nenoddantaana, Kubusam, Dhee and Sri Jagadguru Adisankaracharya.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – October 11th, 2013