Telegrams STOP - FT.com Nelson E Ross, author of the 1928 handbook, How to Write a Telegram, was not wrong when he wrote: "The telegram doubtless, always will command a peculiarly important place among methods of communication." The public outpouring of grief at the demise of India's last official telegram service this week was proof of the accuracy of his observation, though perhaps not in the manner he imagined. The internet has rendered the telegram as technologically redundant as the typewriter or the old film camera. Yet, like these modern dodos, it made life a little more interesting for all that. The film camera could never deliver the instant gratification of its digital successors. But the technology demanded that the photos at least be printed to be seen and shared, an event preceded by a period of delicious anticipation. The delivery of a telegram, too, created a frisson of anxious excitement that cannot be recreated by a mail dropping into the inbox. Emails can be ignored and, more often than not, should be. But a telegram could mean life or death - literally. What is most surprising about the telegraph office is not that it is mourned - but that it survived for so long despite its apparent obsolescence. Western Union, which in the 1920s transmitted 200m telegrams a day, only stopped its service in 2006 - well after the world plugged into the web. And though most telecoms utilities have found the costs of telegrams too onerous, there are some determined holdouts. But their versions are more likely to be marketed as novelty purchases for personal celebrations than for urgent messages. There can be no debate about the benefits of modern communications. They have made the world an infinitely better place, bringing education and opportunity to millions. Yet there might still be room for a little nostalgia at the passing of the telegram and its evocative economy of language. Regret to inform you reports of its death not greatly exaggerated STOP