India

Why and when Gandhi appeared in the Indian currency

Why and when Gandhi appeared in the Indian currency? – A common question that has crossed various young minds while studying about the Father of the Nation. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s contribution to the independence of India from the British rule is unparalleled and though he was assassinated in 1948, his legacy took its own time to appear on the currency notes.

Why and when Gandhi appeared in the Indian currency?

In 1969, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) commemorated Mahatma Gandhi on his 100th birth anniversary by releasing 100 rupees note with his image. Other denomination notes continued to feature different images in every few years including the Lion Capital, Ashoka Pillar, Gateway of India, and other recognized monuments across India.

The reason for selecting Gandhi’s portrait was simply expressed by Arun Jaitley in 2014. While addressing the Lok Sabha, he said, “An RBI panel has decided against the inclusion of any other national leader’s image on banknotes saying that no other personality can better represent the ethos of the country than Mahatma Gandhi.”

There are a few other reasons as well. In 1978, after the first demonetization incident in India, new notes focused on object images that signified the importance of science, technology, progress, and Indian art forms. However, it became easy to forge symbols over a period of time. A face, on the other hand, was difficult to replicate, and although there were a lot of candidates, the Father of the Nation was the least controversial.

Other elements of a note such as a watermark, image, paper, etc, demanded immediate change due to increased standards of security for the Indian currency. Factoring in all these reasons, the RBI introduced ‘Mahatma Gandhi Series’ of currency in 1996.

This included a mirror portrait image of Gandhi’s face printed on the right side of Rs 5, Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50, Rs 100, Rs 500(old and new), Rs 1000(discontinued), and Rs 2000 notes. The currency included new security features such as glowing optical fiber, new security thread, fluorescent ink printing, etc.

Andrew s

Andrew has been in the online publishing industry. After receiving his degree in professional journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, he contributed to multiple websites as a freelance writer and feature editor. Mostly, Andrew tackles controversies and theories that lead to a specific conclusion that either debunk or justify a particular claim. Further, Andrew participates in social developments that aim to simplify every individual's way of life and fight for peace. He is the new Editor-in-Chief of Pressroom Today.

Share
Published by
Andrew s

Recent Posts

Geetika Mahandru on Brocode: Creating legendary ‘Bro Moments’ one bottle at a time

BroCode is more than just a name - it is a trailblazer in the Indian…

4 weeks ago

Jagmohan Garg’s Views on Why Gated Communities Are Becoming the Preferred Choice for Indian Homebuyers

"Gated communities are where security meets serenity, creating the perfect blend for modern living." - …

1 month ago

How to Grow Your Influence and Succeed in the Digital World

In today’s digital world, building influence is no longer just about having a presence; it’s…

2 months ago

Pavitra Pradip Walvekar: “AI Is No Longer the Future, but the Present” Amid Disruption in the Banking Industry

No industry has been left untouched by the revolutionising power of artificial intelligence. And the…

2 months ago

BlueNeba Technologies: Leading India’s Solar Power Revolution

With the rising demand for clean energy solutions, solar power has emerged as a game-changer…

3 months ago

The Story Behind Zardosi: A Tale of Timeless Craft

By Suparna Som "There is magic in every thread, a whisper of time, and the…

3 months ago