Hundreds of residents turned up at the Central Telegraph Office in Patna on Sunday to send a piece of history to near and dear ones.

The 163-year-old service was shut down at 10pm. Before that, people queued up in front of the almost forgotten counters of the telegraph office to send a last telegram and keep a memory of what was once the fastest mode of communication.

While some sent greetings, others asked family members to return home from their field of duty. A few took the opportunity to remind national leaders of their promises. For most, however, it was an effort to seep in a moment of history.

History has, of course, been a bedfellow of the telegram (see graphic). In India, it has now been consigned to the pages of history.

“Telegraph era in India ends today. Happy ending! Long live Telegram (1850- 2013),” Abhay Kumar wrote to his son, who lives in Varanasi.

Around 150 and odd telegrams were booked on Sunday. Though the office would be operational for a week more, no new telegrams would be booked. Not everyone knew about the passing of the era.

Buxar resident B.B. Chaudhary was surprised to see a queue at the booking counter on Sunday evening.

“I did not know that the telegram services are being shut down from tonight. My son is in the army and telegram is the only way to communicate with him, as cellphone are not allowed. I don’t know how I shall communicate with him from tomorrow.”

Chaudhary had come to send a message to son from his daughter. It read: “My dear brother, I want you to come on this Raksha Bandhan. It is urgent, you need to be here.”

Those who were aware that this would be their last opportunity to send a telegram, made full use of it.

Jakkanpur resident Swati Kahsya sent a message to remind the Prime Minister of a promise. “Gat varsh apne Lal Quila se muft dawa muhaiya karane ka vyada kiya tha, aujhe ab bhi intezar hain (Last year, at the Red Fort, you promised free medicines; I am still waiting.”

It is anyone’s guess what medium the Prime Minister would use to reply.

The passing of an era also provided some people the chance to explore something they had never done before.

“This is the first time I am sending a telegram,” said Patliputra resident Darakshan Jabeen. “It is also my last time.” The 15-year-old sent Ramazan greetings to friends in New Delhi.

Even the employees of the telegram office utilised this final window. Amarjeet Singh, a senior telecom operating assistant, who was booking the telegrams at the counter sent one to his son, who is a captain in the Indian Army.

Not all messages were nostalgic or regretful. Some took a metaphysical view of it.

Rajendra Nagar resident Amarnath Tiwari wrote to his friend: “History is now, be a part of it.”