Burma (Myanmar)
Short Paid Aerogramme to India

Aerogramme (Wiegand no. 3) used from EINMEN (a small town in the Irrawaddy district, cds 13 MY 53 to Karaikudi, South India (arrival cds 22 May 53 on back panel). Transit via Madras (cds 21 May 53 on back panel).

Since July 1, 1952 the Kyat (1 Kyat = 100 pya) was the new currency in Burma replacing at par the Rupee which was used when Burma was a British colony (1886 to January 3, 1948) and also in the first years as an independent state. Aerogrammes in the new currency were only issued in 1955. In the meantime, the old postal stationeries and stamps have to be used up.

In May 1953 the postage rate for aerogrammes to India was 8 annas (with 1 anna = 1/16 rupee) or 50 pya, so the aerogramme was pre-paid 2 annas (12.5 pya) short.

The Burmese postal authorities applied a "T" tax stamp and endorsed "16" in red, which is the equivalent of double the deficiency (4 annas = 25 pya) in UPU gold centimes at an exchange rate of 1 anna = 6.25 pya = 4 centimes). 

The rupee used in Burma before and the Indian rupee were at par, so the postage due was converted into 4 annas Indian currency which was endorsed  in blue within the Indian postage due stamp (in the lower right corner) of the front panel, that was applied at Madras airport.


References
Wiegand stands for Wiegand, Katalog der Aerogramme von Asien, 2000