13 min that shrunk world: When India became 'Ground Zero' of global airmail on Feb 18, 1911

CHENNAI: (Feb 18) Exactly 115 years ago, on a crisp February morning, 23-year-old Frenchman Henri Pequet climbed into the open cockpit of a fragile Humber biplane. As he cleared the banks of the Yamuna River, the roar of his engine announced the birth of a global revolution. It was the day when India became the "Ground Zero" of global airmail.

Today, February 18 is celebrated as World Airmail Day, marking that historic 13-minute hop from Allahabad to Naini. While we live in an era of instantaneous digital pings, the world of aerophilately is turning its eyes back to India to honour the moment communication truly took flight.

For Bengaluru-based Piyush Khaitan, an avid collector and Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society London, these 13 minutes represent a lifetime of forensic pursuit.