Do the notes feature an image of the Father of the Nation? Will the eminent countenance be uprooted from the notes?
Gandhi has been depicted on all Indian rupee notes: ₹5, ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, and ₹500. Lately, it was circulating in the rumor mill and wildly spread-through social media-that the image of Gandhiji had been ousted. RBI completely denies this with a clear statement on its stand about this news as absolutely wrong and misleading.
Official clarification from the Reserve Bank of India
As stated by the Reserve Bank, the government has not made any proposal regarding the removal of Gandhiji’s portrait.
Some posts had claimed that the new notes would bear the image of Rabindranath Tagore or Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, but that too died a natural death.
Presently, there is absolutely no talk about the removal of Gandhiji’s image.
Propagation of the fake news:
On the 14th of August, some sample designs were sent to Professor Dilip Saha of IIT Delhi and his team for research purposes. These sample designs for research purposes had Gandhiji, Rabindranath Tagore, and Dr. Kalam as watermarks.
These were for research purposes only. No inference should be drawn regarding the final design adopted for the actual notes.
Periodic review of Note design, note printing technology, and security features does not mean that removal of Gandhiji’s image is being contemplated.
Will any image be there on digital currency (e-Rupees)?
No.
Digital currency e-Rupee issued by RBI is not a paper note but an electronic currency, and on no account is any image or design to be printed upon it.
Digital currency is purely a matter of coding and digital value.
When began the story of Gandhiji’s image on the notes?
In the early post-independence period, Indian notes had images of the Ashoka Pillar or other national symbols. The Federal Reserve started issuing notes bearing the image of Mahatma Gandhi in 1969.
Gandhi’s image was also incorporated into the ₹500 note in 1987.
Since then, despite changes in design and the issuance of newer series, Mahatma Gandhi’s image has continued to prevail in both Mahatma Gandhi series and new Mahatma Gandhi (MGN) series.
Conclusion: Don’t fall prey to rumors; believe in confirmed knowledge
Falsehood circulates on social media with much speed, but the RBI has come forth and cleared that there is no proposal to remove Mahatma Gandhi’s image from the notes. The so-called reports of new notes being made in the name of other great personalities are also entirely fake and false.
So, in no way need one panic out or get bogged with confusion. Till the day an official announcement propounds from the Government or RBI, Gandhiji’s image will remain on Indian currency as it is and will forever be an essential part of our history and heritage.
