Where is Mailbox? Why the Red Postbox is Still Right Here — and Always Will Be...

By Simi Ballani

Not long ago, our social media feeds were flooded with posts declaring the “end of an era.” Many feared that India’s iconic red postboxes — once proudly standing on every street corner — were finally disappearing.

For a moment, it felt as though a piece of our collective memory had been lost.

Then came the reassuring words from India Post: “I’m not going anywhere.” And just like that, the red mailbox reminded us of its quiet strength — a symbol of connection that refuses to fade.

For me, this was more than news. It was deeply personal.....

My Love for Letters

I grew up with letter writing as a cherished ritual. I would collect stationery — colorful papers, envelopes, and stamps — and make pen friends. There was something magical about dropping a small note into a mailbox and waiting for a reply.

At school, I slipped handwritten notes to classmates. As a young professional, I sent thank-you letters to colleagues. Whenever I traveled overseas, I never forgot to post cards back home. Each letter carried not just words, but a part of me — my thoughts, my feelings, my time.

Unlike a text message that vanishes into a sea of notifications, a letter stays. You can hold it, reread it, and treasure it.

That love for letters inspired one of my favorite storybooks — Where is Mailbox? — which today forms part of the Creative Writing Kit at CCE Finland. What began as a story is now opening new possibilities in classrooms.

Through Where is Mailbox?, children don’t just read about letters; they create their own. The kit encourages them to:

• Write personal notes and short stories.

• Use flashcards, story mats, and cubes to spark imaginative narratives.

• Engage in Project-Based Learning (PBL) through the central question: Where is the mailbox?

• Build screen-free connections that nurture patience, empathy, and creativity.

From a Storybook to a School Movement

With PBL, the simple question “Where is the mailbox?” becomes more than an activity — it becomes a movement.

Children don’t just learn about communication; they practice it. Schools are beginning to place central mailboxes in classrooms, where students can:

• Post thank-you notes to teachers.

• Share words of kindness with peers.

• Write reflections about their learning.

• Express emotions in ways that feel safe and authentic.

In one CCE Finland school, Grade 7 students even designed a Creative Writing Corner for Grade 1 and 2 learners — giving younger children the joy of writing and posting their own letters. What started as a project now grows into a culture of openness: not only speaking, but also writing, listening, and connecting.

This is where Where is Mailbox? transforms from a storybook into a living practice — nurturing agency, empathy, and community within the school environment.

Why the Mailbox Still Matters

India Post described the red mailbox as a “symbol of memories and connection.” For me, it is also a living classroom resource.

It teaches children:

• Patience in waiting for a reply.

• Creativity in expressing themselves on paper.

• Empathy in writing words that carry meaning.

• Community in sharing and receiving messages.

Just as India Post says, “I’m still right here and always will be,” the mailbox grounds children in authentic, human experiences of communication.

An Invitation to the Next Generation

As a researcher, educator, and lifelong lover of letters, I believe we owe it to the next generation to keep this tradition alive. It is not about rejecting technology — but about creating balance.

A letter slows us down. It makes us reflect. And it gives children the chance to experience connection in its purest, most tangible form.

So, the next time you walk past a red postbox, pause. Tell its story. Maybe even write a note with your

child and drop it inside. Because the mailbox isn’t just a relic of the past.

It is an invitation to rediscover the joy of being human.

Author’s Note

Simi Ballani is the Chief Operating Officer of CCE Finland, a doctoral researcher in Social and Emotional Learning, and — at heart — a lifelong lover of letters. From collecting stationery as a child, to making pen friends, to sending postcards home from her travels, Simran has always believed in the power of handwritten words to carry emotions across distances.

This belief inspired storybook Where is Mailbox?, now part of the SISU Box - Researched based Creative Writing Kit, which helps children rediscover the joy of writing, storytelling, and screen-free connection.

She invites educators, parents, and anyone who has ever felt the magic of receiving a letter to join this movement of reimagining the mailbox — not only as a relic of the past, but as a bridge to the future.

💌 If you’d like to connect, share your own mailbox memories, or explore how the Creative Writing Kit can transform your classroom, reach out to CCE Finland. Because the mailbox is still here — it’s waiting for your story. simi.ballani@ccefinland.org / https://www.linkedin.com/in/simi-b-08982512/