They pumped Rs 50cr fake coins into India

TOI: Jul 07 2017 : The Times of India (Delhi)
New Delhi:
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kingpin Operating From Nepal Held In Haryana
The mastermind of a fake coin syndicate has been arrested with around 8,500 counterfeit coins in denominations of Rs 5 and Rs 10. Upkar Luthra, arrested by the Special Cell from Kundli in Haryana on Tuesday , was operating out of Nepal.

The gang, working across north India, was behind minting and circulating fake coins with the face value of around Rs 50 crore in the past few years. Luthra was also allegdly involved in the murder of his business partner and had a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head. In October 2016, the police busted the gang and arrested two men named Gulshan Gambhir and Sachin. Its factories were raided and fake coins with the face value of more than Rs 6 lakh in denomination of Rs 5 and Rs 10 were seized.

The probe revealed the names of Luthra brothers who were running the synidcate. In December, the cell arrested Sweekar, one of the brothers who ran the gang from India, and found coun terfeit coins with the face value of Rs 17,390 on him. Since then, Special Cell teams had been camping in several areas, including the Nepal border, to track the kingpin.

“On July 4, ACP Akhilesh Yadav's team received a tipoff that Upkar had shifted to Kundli in Haryana and had started his business in Delhi and other states. The team raided his hotel and arrested him,“ said DCP (special cell) Sanjeev Yadav. Upkar told the police that he had got the idea from one Gulshan Gambhir of Dehradun whom he met in 1997. After learning the nitty-gritty of the trade, he started working from Nangli Sakrawati in Delhi.

In 1999, he was arrested at Connaught Place, released and re-arrested. By 2009, the Luthra brothers became a known name in the fake currency circle. “They roped in a partner, Ramesh Verma, and set up a factory in Uttam Nagar. But Verma soon became a threat to the Luthra brothers. Upkar then hired contrct killers and got Verma bumped off,“ Yadav said.

According to Upkar, the gang bought several machinery such as a hydraulic machine, grindingkharad machine, lathe machine and a surface grinder, and converted a house in JJ clusters into makeshift factory. It got raw material like metallic sheets from Mayapuri and Tilka Nagar. Upkar had already learnt to make dyes of counterfeit coins and taught a few others in the gang as well.The coins were coated with anti-rust spray to give them a real look.

The manufactured coins were then circulated through toll tax centers, weekly markets and small shopkeepers in various parts of Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Just seeing the Obverse side may not tell whether a coin is fake or not. However the illustration by TOI is slightly misleading. The Govt has issued the design shown as "Fake" from 2008 to 2010 till the Rupee Symbol was adopted. It then changed the design in 2011.

The Original Coins are  

The fake coins are of the design below

Fake Rs 2000 Notes in Market

Source:
By Zahid Qureshi, Ahmedabad Mirror | Nov 22, 2016, 02.00 AM IST

Even as Rs 2,000 notes printed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are yet to reach banks everywhere, the first fake note of this denomination has surfaced in Gujarat. A paan shop owner in Bodakdev here found a forged Rs 2,000 currency note in his till. While fake notes found in other parts of the country were photocopied versions, this note had features including the Gandhi watermark next to the national emblem and a fake security thread.

The Centre’s move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes meant brisk business for Vansh Barot who owns a paan and soda shop next to the branch of a bank on busy Judges Bungalow Road. Tired of standing in line, people would walk into the 25-year-old’s shop to buy snacks and drinks. So, when a customer handed over a magenta 2,000-rupee note to the employee manning the cash counter on Thursday, it raised no alarm.

That was until Vansh emptied the cash over a magenta 2,000-rupee note to the employee manning the cash counter on Thursday, it raised no alarm. That was until Vansh emptied the cash box to count the day’s earnings. A soiled-looking note sent warning bells ringing. “The Rs 2,000 note was introduced recently so it had to be crisp and new in appearance.

This note, however, looked begrimed and faded in colour. I suspected it could be a fake,” said Barot, a resident of Sattadhar Society in Sola. He had completed his MBA in Human Resources from London and had set up a franchisee of Anand Paan Shop six months ago. “Since the day was over, I locked the note in my almirah. The next day, I took out the note and compared it to other notes of the same denomination.

I was shocked to see that the note was smaller in length and breadth. To confirm my suspicion, I took the note to the Central Bank of India’s Lal Darwaza branch and the manager confirmed that the note was fake,” said Vansh, adding, “I then went to the Reserve Bank of India. However, they were closed. I will submit the note along with an application and hand it over to the RBI on Tuesday.”

NO CLUE FOUND

Vansh added, “I have CCTV camera in my shop. I went through all the footages captured by this camera on November 17. But I was unable to find the person who gave me this note.” Central Bank of India’s Chief Manager (Lal Darwaza) B R Ramkrishna Naik confirmed that the fake note had not been aphotocopy. “It was not a simple copy. The fake note brought by Vansh had a security strip and a Gandhi watermark next to the Ashok Pillar emblem. However, it did not have the additional electrotype ‘2,000’ watermark. The seven raised angular bleed lines on the right and left side of the fake 2000-rupee note had gaps. The emblem too was not printed properly. The colour of the fake note was darker than the real note.”

He added, “Notes of Rs 2,000 denomination are new in the market so people do not expect fakes so soon. They must learn the security features of the new notes and be extremely cautious while using it for transactions.” Repeated attempts to speak to SOG ACP B C Solanki were in vain. The Central government and the RBI decided to scrap the older high-denomination notes on November 8 and bring in new Rs 2,000 notes for a variety of reasons, among which was the crackdown on fake currency notes. “If anyone comes across a fake note, s/he can take it to a private or government bank,” said the manager.

Once the bank identifies (after examination of various safety features) that the note is indeed counterfeit, they put a stamp on the note stating ‘Counterfeit Banknote Impounded’. The official enters the details of the note in a separate register. After impounding and stamping the note, the banker gives an acknowledgement receipt. And, you are expected to countersign the receipt. Even if you are unwilling to countersign the receipt the bank will still issue you an acknowledge receipt.

If there are up to four fake notes detected, in a single transaction, then the bank sends a report to the local police authorities along with the notes. If five or more fake notes are detected in a single transaction, the fake notes are forwarded to the local police station. That's not all. A first information report is also filed for further investigation. Under no circumstance will the bank return the note to you, or give you compensation for the note you just lost. So you simply lose the money

Rs 2k notes offered for Rs 1.5L on eBay

This is level of reporting today that leading newspaper / media house report that Rs 2000 note is offered for 1.5 lacs on eBay. What the media does not realize is that half the items on eBay don't get sold. It does not take any money to list any article on eBay for whatever price. On 22-Nov-2016, there was a list on eBay with the price as Rs 2 Crore.

Source: Times of India
John Sarkar| TNN | Updated: Nov 17, 2016, 01.29 PM IST



New Delhi: Forget long ATM queues. If you want to lay your hands on a crisp Rs 2,000 note, go online.

On Wednesday, new Rs 2,000 notes were being sold on eBay India at a hefty premium, starting from Rs 3,500 (paid by credit card or online transfer). But if you are superstitious, you need to cough up much more for notes whose serial numbers have religious connotations. For instance, a series of five Rs 2,000 notes starting with the number 786, were being offered by a seller on the marketplace for Rs 1.51 lakh.

"In India, people are ready to pay a premium for goods that sport numbers with religious significance such as vehicle number plates, mobile numbers or even residential addresses," said a New Delhi-based astrologer, who did not want to be named.

This was also used as a lucky number in blockbuster Bollywood movie Deewar, where superstar Amitabh Bachchan's badge number as a dock worker was 786.

When TOI reached out to eBay India to enquire about the listing of the currency, a spokesperson for the US-based e-commerce company said as an independent online marketplace and an intermediary, it does not exercise control on items listed by independent sellers on the site.
"There have been no successful transaction for Rs 2,000 currency notes," the spokesperson said. However, after the TOI inquiry, he said the company was disabling access to the notified listings to avoid any sort of legal hassle.

In July last year, many online marketplaces including eBay India were issued notices by MP high court for alleged online trading of Indian currency carrying 'unique' numbers. In November, private individuals were selling the latest series of Re 1 notes on e-commerce sites at nearly 100 times their value.In fact, after PM Narendra Modi announced the demonetization scheme last Tuesday, people with smaller currencies such as Rs 20 and Rs 50 notes also scrambled online to sell them at a profit. While Rs 20 notes were being sold on eBay for around Rs 900 for three notes, Rs 50 notes bearing the number '786' were being offered at Rs 5,000 apiece.

News on ₹2,000 notes

Coming soon to your wallet: ₹2,000 notes

Source: The Hindu Business Line

HYDERABAD/MUMBAI, OCTOBER 21:
Banknotes of the denomination of ₹2,000 will be in circulation soon.

The Reserve Bank of India has very nearly completed preparations for introducing this new high-value currency, sources said.

The notes have already been printed, and their despatch from the currency printing press in Mysuru has commenced.

The move assumes significance in the wake of a demand from some quarters that notes of ₹1,000 and ₹500 denominations be withdrawn to prevent hoarding of black money.

The highest denomination note printed by the RBI was the ₹10,000 note in 1938 and in 1954. They were demonetised in 1946 and 1978, respectively.

There has been no official word on the introduction of new notes either from the RBI or the government. The government, on the advice of the RBI , decides on various denominations of banknotes to be issued.

Big share
As of March 2016, the value of banknotes in circulation was ₹16,41,500 lakh crore, an increase of 14.9 per cent over the previous year.

In value terms, ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes together accounted for 86.4 per cent of the total value of notes in circulation. .

“During 2015-16, the demand for banknotes and coins remained high notwithstanding the growing shift towards non-cash modes of transactions,” the RBI said in its annual report for 2015-16.

According to reports, it costs a little over ₹3 to produce a ₹1,000 note, the lowest in terms printing costs as a proportion of value. Printing notes of smaller denominations is relatively more costly.

(This article was published on October 21, 2016)
_______________________________________________________

Reserve Bank Of India(RBI) Rs 2000 Note Photo Going Viral in Social Media

RBI Rs 2000 Note Photo: As per Reports, Reserve Bank of India Bank will circulate notes of the denomination of ₹2,000 soon. The notes have already been printed, and their despatch from the currency printing press in Mysuru has commenced. the daily added that neither the Indian government nor the central bank confirmed the development.
Now The pictures of Rs 2000 currency notes are going Viral on Social media site like Twitter and Facebook. We can’t Say its original or not, but everyone sharing it with tagline ‘Reserve Bank of India Rs 2000 Note First Look’. Check out the Rs 2000 Note which is shared on Social Media below.


The Reserve Bank of India has very nearly completed preparations for introducing this new high-value currency, sources said.There has been no official word on the introduction of new notes either from the RBI or the government. The government, on the advice of the RBI , decides on various denominations of banknotes to be issued.


The incidence of cash transactions and the huge volume of high-value currencies is unique to India, notwithstanding recent efforts to move towards cashless transactions. The two topmost currencies — Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 — accounted for about 86 percent of the new currency notes added in 2014-15, according to RBI statistics.

Currency notes and coins are printed/minted at about eight units owned by the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL), a finance ministry company. SMPCIL’s two currency printing units — at Dewas in Madhya Pradesh and Nashik in Maharashtra — print about 40 percent of India’s currency notes. Coins are minted at Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Noida units of SMPCIL.

Currency notes and coins are printed/minted by the government of India on the advice of the RBI, which also estimates the denomination-wise currency needs, and co-ordinates with the government on design and security aspects.

The highest denomination note ever printed by the Reserve Bank of India was the Rs 10,000 note in 1938 and again in 1954. These notes were demonetised in 1946, and again in 1978.

10 रुपये का सिक्का असली है या नकली, 10 सेकेंड में पहचानें...

This is an article from Aajtak. This is incorrect and genuine coins are being called fake.


Source: Aajtakaajtak.in [Edited by: स्वाति गुप्ता]
नई दिल्ली, 17 अक्टूबर 2016 | अपडेटेड: 13:54 IST




न दिनों 10 रुपये के सिक्के को लेकर बहुत कंफ्यूजन है. पहले ऐसी अफवाहें आ रही थी कि रिजर्व बैंक ऑफ इंडिया ने 10 रुपये के सिक्के को अवैध घोषित कर दिया है जिसके बाद से ग्राहक और दुकानदार के बीच जंग छिड़ गई. हर कोई इसे लेने से कतरा रहा है.

इनके नकली होने की अफवाहों से भी ग्राहक और दुकानदार इसे लेने से मना रहे हैं. दिल्ली एनसीआर समेत हरियाणा और राजस्थान के कई इलाकों में बड़े पैमाने पर नकली सिक्कों की सप्लाई की जा रही है. लेकिन हाल ही में दिल्ली पुलिस की क्राइम ब्रांच ने नकली सिक्के बनाने के फैक्ट्री का भंडाफोड़ किया है. बता दें कि एक महीने के अंदर नकली सिक्के बनाने की तीसरी फैक्ट्री पकड़ी गई है

ये नकली सिक्के, दिखने में बिल्कुल असली लगते हैं लेकिन अगर आप थोड़ा ध्यान दें तो आप आसानी से इसे पहचान सकते हैं. त्योहार के इस सीजन में खरीदारी करते वक्त कोई आपको भी नकली सिक्का न थमा दे, इसके लिए हम आपको बताते हैं इसे पहचानने के कुछ टिप्स...

1. असली सिक्के में रुपये का साइन बना होता है, जबकि नकली में केवल 10 लिखा हुआ दिखता है.





2. असली सिक्के में 10 पट्टियां यानी स्ट्रि‍प्स बनी हैं, जबकि नकली में 15 पट्टी बनी हुई हैं. ये स्ट्रि‍प्स आपको रुपये के सिंबल के ऊपर बनी दिखेंगी. तस्वीर में चेक कर सकते हैं.

3. नकली सिक्के में 10 केवल बीच के सिल्वर वाले हिस्से पर लिखा होता है जबकि असली सिक्के में यह थोड़ा नीचे या कह लें गोल्ड और सिल्वर दोनों पर मिलाकर लिखा गया होता है.

4. असली सिक्के के दूसरी ओर भारत और INDIA अलग अलग लिखा है, जबकि नकली में एक साथ लिखा हुआ दिखता है.




5. अगर आपका सिक्का नकली है तो आपको सिक्के पर नजर आने वाले अशोक स्तम्भ के नीचे और ऊपर एक हॉरिजेंटल लाइन दिखाई देगी, जबकि असली सिक्के में ऐसी कोई भी लाइन नहीं बनी हैं.

तो इन बातों को अच्छी तरह याद कर लें ताकि खरीदारी के समय आपके हाथ में कोई भी नकली सिक्का न आए...


For Readers Information;
The Below Coins are Genuine.  There were 3 different designs issued, apart from various commemorative coins in Rs 10 denomination.

These are Fakes of Rs 10 denomination.
Quite a few are difficult to identify for common man as they are very well done forgeries. The best way to identify them is by paying close attention to the Ashoka Lion Emblem. The fakes often have a very crude design of the Emblem which is very difficult to copy.

Fake 5-rupee coins in circulation

Source here

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 7, 2013

Beware while accepting the coin of Rs 5 denomination. It could be a fake one. Earlier, there have been reports regarding the circulation of fake notes of Rs 500 and even Rs 1,000 in the country. Coins of Rs 5 denomination seem to be a latest addition to this list of fake currency.

Such fake coins have the national emblem on both the sides. But these have complete resemblance with real Rs 5 coin. These seems to have been minted by coupling two 50 paise coins. If accepted in bulk, no one can differentiate the real one from the fake one. Usually, people never properly look at such coins and pocket these after a casual glance. But next time when you accept such a coin, have a careful look on its both sides.

An assault on the soul of the nation

Source: News Today

An assault on the soul of the nation
V SUNDARAM

       I had gone to the Landmark book shop on Nungambakkam High Road Monday evening. When, I got a new 2 Rupee Coin minted in 2006 as loose change towards the balance that was payable to me, I was shell-shocked to note that on one side of this coin was the usual and familiar Ashokan Lion Capitol in miniature size (! ?) with the constitutionally approved and administratively established inscription of Sathyameva Jayathe (Truth Alone Triumphs) deliberately smudged/omitted with pseudo-secular sinister intentions. On the reverse of the same coin, I could clearly see the inscription of a Christian Cross which had replaced the map of India. I asked myself a highly saffronised and communal question: Are we living in a Catholic country like Italy or Spain or Portugal where Roman Catholicism is the religion of the State and the people?

To quote the bracing and blazing words of B R Haran in this context: 'I too was literally shocked to see the Cross on the 2 Rupee coin. Some may feel that it is only a 'X' mark, but it is not true. Why should and for what reason the government of India have the 'X' sign on the coin? Whereas, the motive behind '+' mark makes sense. I am sure it is a 'Cross' and the calculated motive of the Italian-led government is only to spread Christianity in India. It is a fraud committed, not only on the so-called secularism of the country, but also on the Constitution and the conscience of our people. It is indeed outrageous and atrocious that the beautiful map of India in the previous version of the 2 Rupee coin minted in 2000 has been removed and replaced with this lousy Cross in 2006. I wonder what the opposition is doing! How it that it escaped their attention? How are we going to put an end to all this pseudo-secular drama?'

Ever since the UPA government under the dynastic stranglehold of Sonia Gandhi came to power in New Delhi in May 2004, it has been following a calculated and damnable policy which I have often described times without number as 'Christianity-Coveting, Islam-embracing and Hindu-Hating in stance, posture, ideology, philosophy, programme and action.'

In these columns I had exposed the anti-national designs of the government of India on 3 January, 2007. I had observed as follows about the dastardly slant of the government of India even in the very routine matter of presentation of government of India websites: I was going through the government of India websites 10 days ago. I had the misfortune of running into a government of India website relating to e- greetings under four heads: a) Celebrations; b) Heritage; c) Festivals and d) Glimpses of India. I did not find any e-greeting card for any Hindu festival. However, there were 16 cards for Christmas and nine for Eid. I could clearly see the egalitarian impact of Sachar Committee and Dr Manmohan Singh's Minority Appeasement Declaration (MAD) in concerted action even on a government of India website.'

In this context I would like to quote these immortal words of Shri Aurobindo in his last political speech at Uttarpara on 30 May, 1909: 'I say it again today, but I put it in another way. I say no longer that nationalism is a creed, a religion, a faith; I say that it is the Sanatan Dharma which for us is nationalism. This Hindu nation was born with the Sanatan Dharma, with it it moves and with it it grows. When the Sanatan Dharma declines, then the nation declines, and if the Sanatan Dharma were capable of perishing, with the Sanatan Dharma it would also perish. The Sanatan Dharma, is indeed nationalism. This is the message that I have to speak to you'. If India is held together, it is because of SANATANA DHARMA.'

It is shocking that a Two-rupee coin has been issued with a 'sectarian' or 'religious' motif. This is a pseudo-secular assault on the state which vows 'pantha nirapekshataa' - neutrality as to 'religion.' This is a departure from the practice of issuing commemorative coins to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, B R Ambedkar, Rajiv Gandhi, Dnyaneshwar, 1982-Asian Games, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, Sri Aurobindo, Chittaranjan Das, and Chhatrapati Shivaji.

This indeed is unfortunate. Who is behind all this calculated national mischief? Is it the Congress Party and its pseudo-secular anti-Hindu allies? Is it Sonia Gandhi and her caucus with its own convoluted conduit pipes? Is it an over enthusiastic Christian bureaucrat dreaming of a Padma award or some sinecure post after his retirement? These are the questions that can be asked by every responsible and enlightened citizen in India today.

In my view, the 2 Rupee Coin issued in 2006 bearing the 'Christian Cross' resembles the Gold Coin issued by Louis the Pious (778 AD-840 AD), also known as Louis I, Louis the Fair, and Louis the Debonaire.. He was Emperor and King of France from 814 to his death in 840. He issued a coin bearing a Christian Cross which has been copied shamelessly by the Mint Master who has included the same Cross on one side of the new 2 Rupee coin issued in 2006. I am presenting below the picture of that coin issued by Louis the Pious (778-840).

Please see the Cross on the above coin on the left . There are four dots in all in the above coin, two on either side of the vertical line of the Cross. During the days of the Crusades and the Byzantine Empire, they were known a besant or besants. Besant was also called solidus, a gold coin of the Roman empire used in Europe until the 15th century. Four dots (besants) on the cross of Louis the Pious (9th century) later evolved into the 'Jerusalem Cross' which was used as a coat of arms for the Latin kingdom in Jerusalem. It was also called 'Crusader's Cross' during the Crusades. The four small dots (later small crosses) are symbolic of the four Gospels proclaimed to the four corners of the earth, beginning in Jerusalem; the large cross symbolizes the person of Christ. (http://christianity.about.com/cs/artgallery/p/jerusalemcross.htm) Four canonical gospels are attributed to the Four Evangelists: (Gospel of Matthew, Gospel of Mark, Gospel of Luke and Gospel of John). 'Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned' (Mk 16:15-16). The Gospel of Mark is cited as the doctrine for Dominus Jesus initiated by Ratzinger, the present Pope in the Vatican. (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20000806_dominus-iesus_en.html)

There is a good possibility that this initiative was the inspiration for the Bharatiya Mint Master to produce the plagiarised masterpiece of Crusader's Cross on the 2 Rupee Coin issued by Government of India in 2006 and also for deleting the words 'Satyameva Jayate' from the Indian State Emblem on the obverse of the coin.

I am presenting below two sides of the 2 Rupee Coins issued in 2000 and 2006.

Please note the Indian Two Rupee Coin above bearing the 'Christian Cross' in the coin issued in 2006.

FIRST ROW ABOVE: Obverse and reverse sides of the Indian coin (Rs 2) minted in 2000. Please see the map of India on the right. Please see the inscription of Satyamevajayate below the Lion Capitol on the left coin.

SECOND ROW ABOVE : Obverse and reverse sides of the 2 Rupee Indian coins minted in 2006.

IN THE OBVERSE SIDE OF THE 2006 VERSION ABOVE : Note carefully the 'Christian Cross' which has replaced the national symbol of the three lions. The National Symbol of India (The 3 lions from the hoary Ashoka Chakra) has at long last been crucified!

Ashok T Jaisinghani (ashokjai@sancharnet.in) has asked the following relevant questions which will be fully endorsed by the patriotic Hindus of India numbering over more than 800 millions and in absolute majority:

How many Hindus have noticed the new two-rupee coins bearing the 'Christian Cross'?

* Is the secular government of India openly using the sign like the Cross on Indian coins to encourage the spread of Christianity in India?
* Is the UPA-led government of Manmohan Singh favouring the Christian community just to keep the Italian Christian Sonia Gandhi in good humour?
* Is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh acting as a mere puppet of Sonia Gandhi who is behaving like a de facto Empress of India?

I have cited the example of Christian Cross to be seen in the coins issued by Louis The Pious (778-840) which has been used by government of India on the 2 Rupee Coins issued in 2006. The pseudo-secular anti-Hindu leaders of India of New Delhi can say that the example of Louis The Pious is no longer relevant today in 2007!! To such Hindu-baiting people, I would like to give the following examples / samples of Christian Crosses from a modern website of AmeriYank's Christian Crosses:

In the second row above , the Cross on the extreme right looks almost similar (if we exclude the ornamental ends on the four arms) to the Cross on the 2 Rupee Indian Coin issued in 2006.

Today in India, tragically a Hindu has only one parichaya, only one name by which he is known. He is known as a communalist. Islamic ideology, Christian ideology, Communist ideology very humane and very civilized according to the Minority UPA government have all made such inroads that a Hindu is being called a communalist in his own land. This is the 10th wonder of the world.

(The writer is a retired IAS officer)

Pre-2005 currency notes on sale at 10 per cent commission, right outside RBI office

irendrasingh Ghunawat | Headlines Today | Mumbai, February 7, 2014 | UPDATED 17:03 IST

A sting operation by the India Today Online exposes how a gang of black marketeers is openly selling the currency notes right outside RBI building. The gang also offers to purchase pre-2005 currency at some exchange rate.
A gang of 10-15 members, especially led by women are operating right in the lane which goes towards Syndicate Bank - opposite RBI's old head office. The gang members makes a entry at 10.30 am (the time when RBI also opens its cash exchange counter) and exit by 4 pm - booking a good turnover of Rs.10-20 lakhs per day.

Shockingly, the CCTV cameras placed outside the RBI building do not capture a single movement of this lane. Even the security guards of RBI - who do not waste a single moment to forcefully stop the photographer and media cameraman to do any video shoot within the range of 100 metres of RBI building (no idea, for what reason), hardly bother what is happening in that lane - which is just 50 metres away.

The current rate list in this open illegal currency exchange market (on street) goes like this:

• Commission of 5 - 10 per cent to exchange pre-2005 banknotes with new ones (printed after 2005)
• Commission of 3-5 per cent to exchange old banknotes with new fresh bundles (RIM) of Rs.10, Rs.20 or Rs.50
• Commission of 15 per cent to exchange old banknotes with the sealed pack of coins (Rs.5 or Rs.10)
• Commission of minimum 7-8 per cent to exchange pre-2005 banknotes with fresh bundles of Rs.10, Rs.20 and Rs.50.

So, if you want to exchange pre-2005 banknotes worth Rs.1 lakh in this lane, skipping your own bank for any reason, than get ready to pay a commission of Rs. 5,000-10,000 on it.

Fact remains, getting coins are quite costly than currency notes - whopping, a commission of 15 per cent. No wonder, coins are required at every nooks and corners of this maximum city, starting from BEST Bus, paanwala shop, autowalas, ticket counters, retail shops, restaurants, and so on.

These black marketeers are dealing with all size of black money - stashed at client's office or residence (those holding pre-2005 notes). Special service is being provided to such customers within an hour.

First, they would meet the client, get the list of old money stashed (like, how much bundles of Rs.10, Rs.50, Rs.100, Rs.500 or Rs.1000), check the quality of banknotes, and within an hour they would deliver the new banknotes (printed post-2005) by giving a good discount on the commission rates.

These black marketeers are likely to increase the commission rate to 10 per cent on the exchange of pre-2005 notes by April 2014 - which is also the deadline of RBI. In its advisory, RBI had said, "From April 1, 2014, the public will be required to approach banks for exchanging these notes."

Few important issues here: one, there is no doubt that these black marketeers are getting complete support from RBI employees working within the head office, in running this illegal business on the street.

Pappu, one of the senior members of this gang, who got exclusively captured on spy camera, admits that, they get all these new currency notes from the bank and not from any merchants (who also do similar commission based business). "We have a complete setting inside...nothing could stop us. In fact, I am a license holder. I could carry currency notes to any place in the city and state," said Pappu (may be not his real name).

Local individuals like, security guards, paanwallas, car parking walla, drivers and bank employees (at lower level) who comes out for regular tea n snacks before, in middle or after the duty hours in that lane - are the supporting pillars of this gang. Beside RBI, atleast a dozen different public and private banks have its offices/branches/ATMs around.

Interestingly, these gang members hide their bundles of new banknotes (also said RIM) in two-wheelers parked in that lane. We captured a couple - who were hiding at least 10-15 bundles of banknotes in their bike seat.

Second, important issue here - which RBI needs to investigate is, that the new currency notes (RIM) are coming straight from RBI counters. While conducting this sting operation, our team got in hand a fresh new bundle of Rs.10, which was printed in BRBNMPL, Mysore. BRBNMPL was established by RBI as its wholly owned subsidiary with a view to augmenting the production of bank notes in India to enable the RBI to bridge the gap between the supply and demand for bank notes in the country.

RBI needs to check - whether those individuals who enters RBI (at 10.30 am) to collect Rs.10, Rs.20 or coins of Rs.5 (which has a limit of Rs.3,500 per person till next 15 days) from RBI ticket counters - are the part of this network. In fact, a senior citizen (in 80s) was captured on camera handing over the fresh RIMs to the gang members, in that lane.

Local traders in south Mumbai are the most affected. Ashok Patel, president, The Fort Merchant Welfare Association said, "number of times, we had complained to RBI about the black marketing of currency happening on the street. It's a business in crores. Traders are suffering - on bank counters we do not get much coins and bank notes (like Rs.10 or Rs.20), but to serve our retail customers, we have to get these currencies from these blackmarketeers paying huge commission - which is unwanted." Patel has complained about it to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate it.

A detailed set of queries had been sent to RBI - seeking RBI's perspective. The spokesperson of RBI replied, "Thanks, we need some time to respond."


But off the record, RBI officials speaking to India Today Online have made it clear that there is no act or rule in Indian banking sector to regulate or control selling of currency notes in outside world. "Our security guards and CCTV cameras at the RBI building is to secure our own property and not to keep a vigil on public lane or any shady activities taking place on any street."

"In fact, we would appeal the Mumbaikars and people in other cities not to approach such blackmarketeers or merchants to exchange their old banknotes on commission basis. RBI has created a system in banking sector to exchange old notes and get the new ones (including coins) from RBI or any other chest banks," said the RBI official.

So, whether this open money market right outside RBI building is legal or illegal - is itself a question mark, in short - could not be stopped legally, as of now. But yes, it has opened another door for all those Indians who want to exchange their stashed pre-2005 banknotes (may be black money) at their residences and offices.

Source: India Today

(Click on the link to see the pictures)

Smugglers coin new story across border

Debasis Sarkar & Atmadip Ray Jun 6, 2007, 12.50am IST

KOLKATA: There are two sides to the story: the crime and the end-use. The crime is confirmed: Indian coins of small denominations like 25 paise, 50 paise, Re 1 and Rs 2 are being smuggled out to Bangladesh, where they are melted and put to varied uses.

The end-use is a subject of intense speculation. Some say the coins are melted and the metal used to make shaving blades—one Re 1 coin equals three shaving blades worth Rs 2 each. Some say the metal is used for making idols of gods and goddesses. Some others say the shine on the metal is useful for making ornaments.

Whatever it is, something's on, and from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to Kolkata Police to the Border Security Force, everybody seems to be on high alert. In the midst of all this, the coins are disappearing fast—so fast that RBI had to pump in 900 million pieces of fresh coins only in May to restore the demand-supply imbalance.

Right now, the central bank says there isn't any shortage although the demand is surging. Cut to the security guys. BSF ADIG (G), North Bengal Frontier, SS Sandhu said, "We have heard of it from our jawans and from the rural areas that we patrol. But we have never had any major seizure so far along the frontier, at least on the Indian side".

The Indo-Bangla border in north Bengal is 1,066 km long and BSF is on the prowl for one of those "stone-chip filled bags" that are supposed to smuggle coins out of the country. Well, that is the modus operandi.

Smuggler contacts on the Indian side at Changrabandha, Hili, Gojadanga, Phulbari and Phansidewa confirm that "consignments" are usually of small plastic bags containing 10 kg of Indian coins, which are shoved inside larger sacks of "small-sized stone chips used for construction work". Ingenious, isn't it?

Why stone-chips? Because, there's a whole lot of construction work going on in that side of the border and stone chips are exported legally and also smuggled out from India.

Customs points and BSF outposts through which these bags pass are equipped with small metal detectors, not very sophisticated ones, which are not able to detect the small bags of coins inside the stone-chip sacks.

Along a border through which 30 rivers flow down from India to Bangladesh, searching for one such small plastic bag is more difficult than locating a pin in the proverbial haystack. And mind you, north Bengal may not be the only point on the 4,095 km Indo-Bangla border through which these bags of stone chips may be crossing over.

West Bengal alone shares 2,216 km of the border followed by Tripura 856 km, Meghalaya 443 km, Mizoram 318 km and Assam 262 km. Unconfirmed sources also say several mini plants dot the Bangla landscape—from Chittagong in the east, across Rangpur, Dinajpore, Nawabganj to Khulna in the west—which break the coins down to molten metal.

The 4.85 gram Re 1 coin is made of ferratic stainless steel (FSS) and is costlier than the cupro-nickel variety used earlier. The illegal trade that runs the smuggling show pays a premium of 10-30% to the ground-level collectors of these coins. There are various facets about this that aren't clear to anybody. For example, the melting part.

Metallurgists say FSS requires a temperature of about 2,000 degree Celsius to melt and it is unlikely that mini plants in Bangladesh will have furnaces sophisticated enough to produce that kind of heat. Besides, they point out that after melting, FSS loses its character as iron gets separated from molybdenum and chromium. They, therefore, feel that melting isn't a very commercially viable thing to do.

Numismatist Jaidev Biswas says, "The metal is possibly used to produce cheap quality blades or artefacts or as an illegal substitute for platinum in small quantities. But there is no strong evidence of these. The standard policy is that the cost of metal in any coin is kept lower or near equal to the coin denomination, but never substantially higher than the value of the currency. Without any major value addition, therefore, usage of Re 1 coins as raw material for production of other low-cost items cannot be too profitable. However, coin smuggling is a common thing across the world." RBI agrees.

It says the total value of metal in a Re 1 coin will amount to just 70 paise when melted. RBI's Kolkata office has already alerted the city and state police about the coins being smuggled out. "We got a tip off from RBI and my senior officers have already started investigating," said Gyanwant Singh, deputy commissioner, detective department, Kolkata Police. RBI, in both Kolkata and Mumbai, confirmed that the demand for coins has gone up very sharply.

"We have supplied 900 million coins in May alone and the four mints have a collective capacity of minting 6 million coins a day," said the RBI spokesperson. The central bank, which manages currency and coin distribution, is using its mobile vans to carry bagfuls of coins around in large markets in metros like Mumbai and Kolkata to meet the growing demand.

The coin distribution rules have also been made stricter. RBI offices now insist on trade licences and other documents before distributing coins in bulk. In Kolkata, RBI says, typical demand is for 100-125 bags of coins a day. Each bag contains 2,500 pieces.

This has now gone up to about 400 bags a day. Calcutta State Transport Corporation, Calcutta Tramways and Metro Railways are some of the bulk customers for small coins. They collect about Rs 2-5 lakh worth of coins from RBI every week

PIL seeking halt to circulation of Rs 5, Rs 10 coins with image of Mata Vaishno Devi

PTI Sep 18, 2013, 10.03PM IST

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today asked a petitioner to approach the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with his plea seeking a restraint order against the bank from circulating Rs 5 and Rs 10 denomination coins with the image of deity Mata Vaishno Devi embossed on the reverse.

A bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justice Pradeep Nandrajog asked Udayan Alung, the petitioner, to approach the banking regulator with his plea and made it clear that in case the Bank failed to respond, he can approach this court.

In his plea, the petitioner said that last month, he came to know that the Bank is to commemorate the silver jubilee of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and RBI in its two separate notifications earlier had announced that it would circulate the coins.

"The decision was taken without realizing the fact that this could hurt the sentiments of different religions...," the plea said and sought an order restraining the Bank from doing so.

"Making this move, the government is indulging in vote- bank politics just before the elections to appease a particular group," the plea said adding the coins with the image of Holy Mother Mata Vaishno Devi should not be issued as they will be used everywhere including in liquor shop, bar, meat and chicken shops and other places..."

Where have Rs 10 coins gone?

Press Trust of India | Updated: July 11, 2010 11:19 IST

New Delhi:
More than a year after its launch and amid Reserve Bank's claim that it had circulated 8 crore pieces of the ten-rupee coin, one wonders where the currency is?

Launched with much fanfare as an alternative to paper currency, the 8-gm coin with golden rim is hard to find in the market place.

Experts have different opinions on the matter. While some say that since the dual-metal coin resembles the euro, people often keep it as a souvenir; others are of the view that Rs. 10-coins becoming popular is just a matter of time.

Canara Bank's senior official Raj Kumar said, "The (Rs. 10) coins have not become popular as people prefer to carry the note which is available in abundance."

He added that the demand of Re 1 and Rs. 2 coins is more as the currency notes of the same value are either not available or if available are in a poor condition. "Similar is the case with Rs.5 coins," Kumar said.

When contacted, an RBI official said that there is enough supply of Rs. 10 coins in the market. Like other coins, with time it will become popular too.

Source

Dus ka dum - Rs 10 coins a new rage

Shonali Ghosal, TNN Jul 5, 2009, 03.36am IST

NEW DELHI: For coin seller Naresh Kumar, who sits on a footpath near the Paranthewali Gali in Chandni Chowk, these are paisa vasool days. Literally. For him, as well as other coin sellers who line the footpath, business is brisk. And the reason is the high demand for the new shining bi-metallic copper-nickel coins.
Still a rarity in the market, collectors are making a beeline for footpath sellers like Naresh on the stretch from Lal Qila to Sadar Bazar in Old Delhi, assured of getting the first edition of the all-new Rs 10 and Rs 5 coins. Of course at a premium.
Earlier, Naresh was just a moneychanger, exchanging old notes for new at a small commission. But ever since the RBI released India's first Rs 10 coin and new 5-rupee ones, he's making a neat pile on the `new beauties'. Charges vary from anything between Rs 12 and Rs 16 for a Rs 10 coin depending on your ability to bargain. Similarly for a 5-rupee coin, you shell out Rs 6-8.
Naresh buys his coins from an agent at Rs 5.50 per Rs 5 coin and Rs 11 for Rs 10 ones. "Ek agent hai jis se hum sikke kharidte hai,'' he says. Some of them, he adds, also go to RBI and exchange old tenners for the new coins.
The coins are impressive although they're slimmer and are light. The Rs 10 weighs a little less than eight grams; the Rs 5 one is lighter than its current avtar at six grams. Naresh holds a 10-rupee up to the light then flips it onto his palm. The bi-metallic coin glints in the sun.
Designed by Ahmedabad's National Institute of Design, the team headed by principal designer Anil Sinha also consisted of product designer Sahil Karkhanis, three student research associates and ergonomist Subir Das. Ergonomists ensure that equipment, facilities and systems are designed and organized to the highest standards of health, comfort, efficiency, and safety for the people using them.
They submitted five designs of which two were selected. The Rs 10 coins are in two designs, the Rs 5 in one and retains the Asoka pillar.
"It's a real steal to be able to own them at such minimal rates as compared to those quoted by the auction websites,'' says 21-year old Ravi Sinha, an engineering student. While auction websites have the new coins on sale, the prices are as high as Rs 70 for a set of three, not including delivery charges. It's the streets of Chandni Chowk, therefore, that collectors are flocking to.
In the meantime, another coin-seller Suraj is packing up for the day. He's sold his entire stock of Rs 10 coins and has to turn back autowallah Vikas. "I bought a new Rs 10 coin but my uncle found it unique and took it away. Now I have to buy myself another,'' says Vikas. Getting your hands on the first edition is important, and collectors will return to buy the coveted coins. For paisa or for pyaar.

Source here

50-paise coins: Not in circulation, but constituted 14.9% of total coin production in 2014-15

Source: merinews
1-Dec-2015

An RTI response from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) following a CIC-verdict in appeal-number CIC/MP/A/2015/000371 reveals that 50-paise coins though not seen and accepted in circulation, constituted 14.90 per cent of total coin-production in the fiscal-year 2014-15.

Data also reveals a small 2.80 percentage of coins in ten-rupee denomination apart from a significant 27.30 percentage coins minted in two-rupee denominations. Enquiry should be made about such large percentage of minting 50-paise coins when there is negligible need or demand for this denomination.
But most wanted denominations of coins are rupees one and five, which have 42.10 and 12.90 percentage of total coin-production are still always in shortage. Government of India, RBI and Security Printing & Minting Company Limited should concentrate only on minting coins of rupees one and five abolishing altogether coins of forced denominations of rupees two and 50-paise.

However a small regular increase in minting of ten-rupee coins may be there to gradually abolish currency-notes in this denomination.

Ideally percentage of minted coins can be 60-per cent in one-rupee denomination, 35-per cent in five-rupee denomination and 5-per cent in ten-rupee denomination.

Commemorative coins of silver-alloy should have a face-value more than its metal-value so that these coins may be made available to general public on face-value like was in earlier time when Gandhi-centenary silver-alloy coins of ten-rupee denomination were available for members of public at face value right from date of issue of coins.


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Recall coins with goddess image, petitioner tells court

Express News Service : New Delhi, Thu Sep 19 2013, 01:21 hrs

Arguing that the depiction of the image of Mata Vaishno Devi on the new series of Rs 5 and Rs 10 coins would "hurt religious sentiments" as the state would be seen to be "espousing the cause of a single religion", a petition has been filed before the Delhi High Court to recall the new coins and prohibit circulation of the series.

According to the PIL filed through advocate Sachin Mishra, the coins which were released by the Reserve Bank of India in August this year to commemorate the silver jubilee of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. The plea contended that these coins would be "used everywhere including places such as liquor shops, meat shops, toilets, etc.", which would amount to a disrespect of the deity.

Further, the plea argued that the coins would "create communal disharmony" since the "minority community" would "take umbrage at the religious overtones".

The coins have a picture of the goddess on the reverse side, with the words "Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board" around the rim of the coin.

During arguments before the bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justice Pradeep Nandrajog, advocate Mishra said the issue was a very serious one.

He said it could "incite communal riots" as Vaishno Devi was a "revered goddess" and since coins were used universally as small change, there was a chance that they would not be used in an inappropriate manner in places such as liquor shops and toilets.

The lawyer also informed the court that a representation had been sent to the RBI to recall the coins, but there had been no response.

The High Court declined to issue any orders on the plea and asked the petitioner to approach the RBI with a modified representation seeking discontinuation of the series instead of a recall of the coins.

24 quintal coins meant for Delhi seized, one arrested

20/08/2011

Varanasi, Aug 20 (PTI) A person was arrested with over 24 quintal coins, meant for making shaving blades by melting them, in Maidagin area of the city, police said today.

Ramesh Sharma, a native of Bareli, was arrested yesterday with the parcel van in which he was transporting the coins to Delhi, Additional Superintendent of Police Man Singh Chauhan said.

After getting a tip-off Inspector G S Serna with his team nabbed the culprit and seized the coins kept in 67 bags, Chauhan said.

Ramesh told during the interrogation that the supply was meant for Chandni Chowk area of Delhi, and a person Nitin Jain was supposed to take the delivery, he said.

A case has been registered against owner of the parcel company, Jain and the captured driver Sharma, police said.

Source: MSN

125th Birth Anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Press Information Bureau
11-Nov-2013
Ministry of Finance

Finance Minister Shri P.Chidambaram Releases a Commemorative Coin of Rs. 20 and a Circulation Coin of Rs.5 to Mark the Culmination of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad; Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was an Indian and A Muslim; a Nationalist, Patriot and Totally Secular :FM

The Union Finance Minister Shri P.Chidambaram released a Commemorative Coin of Rs. 20 and a circulation coin of Rs.5 to mark the culmination of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad at a function held here today. Shri K. Rehman, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Shri Wazahatt Habibullah, Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, Dr Arvind Mayaram, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Members of Parliament and other senior officers of the Ministry of Finance were present on the occasion among others.. This year marks culmination of 125th Birth Anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Maulana Azad was one of India’s most prominent freedom fighters, who espoused the cause of an undivided India. He opposed the ‘two nation theory’ of Muslim League and was a leading proponent of Hindu-Muslim unity. He was India’s first Minister of Education. He was posthumously awarded country’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna in 1992. Following is the Text of the Speech of the Union Finance Minister Shri P. Chidambaram made on this occasion: “Today we mark the 125th birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. The Government of India and, in particular, the Ministry of Finance are honoured to be able to bring out two commemorative coins on this occasion. The history of the freedom struggle is also the story of many great men and women. Among the tallest of those men and women was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. It is widely acknowledged that he, as the first Minister of Education, laid the foundation of the modern education system. The institutions that he founded bear testimony to his vision and his farsightedness. Among them were the first Indian Institute of Technology, University Grants Commission, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Sahitya Academy, Lalit Kala Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. Maulana Azad made a significant contribution to the recording of history through his book “India Wins Freedom”. History cannot be bent. Historical facts are sacred. I thought the best tribute to Maulana Azad would be to read excerpts from his autobiography that will throw light on a sad chapter of India’s history, namely, the partition of India. These portions would also be a lesson in history to all those who participate in public discourse. Maulana Azad writes: “A truly pathetic situation had developed as a result of the Congress mistake in giving Finance to the Muslim League. This had led to the deadlock which gave Lord Mountbatten the opportunity of slowly preparing the ground for the partition of India. As he began to give a new turn to the political problem he tried to impress on Congress the inevitability of partition, and sowed the seeds of the idea in the minds of the Congress Members of the Executive Council. Lord Mountbatten was extremely intelligent and could read the minds of all his Indian colleagues. The moment he found (Sardar Vallabhai) Patel amenable to his idea, he put out all the charm and power of his personality to win over the Sardar. As soon as the Sardar Patel had been convinced, Lord Mountbatten turned his attention to Jawaharlal. Jawaharlal was not at first at all willing and reacted violently against the very idea of partition, but Lord Mountbatten persisted till step by step Jawaharlal’s opposition was worn down. Within a month of Lord Mountbatten’s arrival in India Jawaharlal, the firm opponent of partition had become, if not a supporter, at least acquiescent towards the idea. When I became aware that Lord Mountbatten was thinking in terms of dividing India and had persuaded Jawaharlal and Patel, I was deeply distressed. I realised that the country was moving towards a great danger. Now that Sardar Patel and even Jawaharlal Nehru had become supporters of partition, Gandhiji remained my only hope. Later that day (31 March) Gandhiji met Lord Mountbatten. He saw him again the next day and still again on 2 April. Sardar Patel came to him soon after he returned from his first meeting with Lord Mountbatten and was closeted with him for over two hours. What happened during this meeting I do not know. But when I met Gandhiji again, I received the greatest shock of my life, for I found that he too had changed. He was still not openly in favour of partition but he no longer spoke so vehemently against it. What surprised and shocked me even more was that he began to repeat the arguments which Sardar Patel had already used. For over two hours I pleaded with him but could make no impression on him. The details of Lord Mountbatten plan were not yet published, but I guess that it would entail the partition of India. He returned to Delhi on 30 May and on June 2 held discussions with the representatives of the Congress and the Muslim League. On the 3rd of June a White Paper was issued which gave all the details of the plan. The Statement of the British Government will be found in the Appendix and I need only say that my worst fears were realised. The price for freedom was the partitioning of India into two States. The publication of this Statement meant the end of all hopes for preserving the unity of India. This was the first time that the Cabinet Mission Plan was discarded and partition accepted officially. In trying to explain why the Labour Government changed its attitude, I came to the painful conclusion that its action was governed more by consideration of British than Indian interests. The AICC met on 14 June 1947. I have attended many meetings of the AICC but this was one of the strangest that it was my misfortune to attend. Congress, which had always fought for the unity and independence of India, was now considering an official resolution for the division of the country. When the resolution was put to the vote, 29 voted for it and 15 against. Even Gandhiji’s appeal could not persuade more members to vote for the partition of the country! The resolution was no doubt passed, but what was the condition of the people’s minds? All hearts were heavy at the idea of partition. Hardly anyone could accept the resolution without mental reservations. Even those who accepted the partition had all their feelings against it.” A fair reading of the above account will show that partition was forced upon the country due to the intransigence of Mohammed Ali Jinnah and Lord Mountbatten’s plan to safeguard British interests. These excerpts from the book are a measure of the man that was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. He was an Indian and a Muslim. He was a nationalist, patriot and totally secular. More than anyone else he was able to foresee the consequences of the two-nation theory. He was a passionate advocate, until the very last, of the unity of India. He was able to reflect the true feelings of millions of people both within and outside the Congress party. He had always fought for the unity and independence of India and for love and brotherhood among all communities, particularly between Hindus and Muslims. As we remember him today, let us also remember his work, his words, his actions and his legacy. I have the honour to release these commemorative coins”. ***** DSM/MJPS/KA (Release ID :100519)

Special Coin to Remember Rajendra Chola

By Express News Service - CHENNAI
Published: 04th February 2014 07:26 AM

Curtains came down on the second edition of Sangam 4, a meet of Tamil scholars, held at CSI Synod Centre here from January 24-February 2.

The 10-day event, organised by Naam, witnessed debates and presentations of more than 60 scholars, experts and activists on different aspects of Tamil history, language and culture.

The commemoration of the millennium of Rajendra Chola’s coronation, who succeeded his father Raja Raja Chola in 1014, was the highlight of the valedictory function on Sunday. “Rajendra Chola was the only known Indian and Tamil ruler to have conquered lands beyond the Indian subcontinent,” Fr Jegath Gasper, founder of Naam, pointed out. “He conquered as many as 52 countries, including Kadaram, Malaysia, an Singapore.”

Fr Gasper said that a sound and light show portraying the life and expeditions of the great ruler was being planned. “We will also insist that the State organise a bigger event later this year.”

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Sudharsana Nachiappan launched a special commemorative coin to mark the organisation’s millennium commemoration of the great Tamil emperor in the presence of well-known novelist Balakumaran, whose works include Udayar, a magnum opus on the construction of the ‘Big Temple’ at Thanjavur by Raja Raja Chola, R Gandhi, senior advocate and chairman of the organising committee, and Chozha Nachiar Rajasekar, president of the Tamil Chamber of Commerce.

Recounting the military exploits of ‘Rajendra Chola - the great Tamil builder,’ C G Deivanayagam, former professor of architecture, Thanjai Tamil University, said that no other Indian king could boast of a reign as long and continuous as that of Raja Raja’s son. “Over six-foot tall, he was the only king to have crossed the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean with his navy and established his sway over 52 kingdoms including Java, Sumatra, Thailand and Kadaram.”

Listing out epigraphic evidence, he said the practice of ‘Floating Rice’ cultivation, which was known as the ‘Pride of Thailand,’ could be traced to the Tamil kingdoms.

Speaking on ‘Kandalur Salai-The story of an ancient centre of excellence in martial arts’, M Senthil Kumar, director, Ganga Foundation, recalled in detail the conspiracy hatched by Chera King Bhaskara Ravi Varman and the Pandyas at Kandalur to murder the reigning Sundara Chola’s son Aditha Karikalan after the latter beheaded defeated Pandya king Veerapandya. “Kandalur was a martial arts centre that was located near the present-day Vizhinjam in Kerala.”

While the people of Kerala believed that it was one of the four martial centres established by Sage Parasurama, Tamils claimed that it was established by one of the Kadai Ezhu Vallalagal.

“Raja Raja Chola attacked and destroyed Kandalur in revenge against the murder of his elder brother Aditha Karikalan. Till today, the event remains a bone of contention between the two states,” he said.

Source

Nabakalebar Rath Yatra, 2015 to be Promoted as International Tourism Event

Source: PIB

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
13-March-2015 17:12 IST

Nabakalebar Rath Yatra, 2015 to be Promoted as International Tourism Event

Tourism Ministry in coordination with the Petroleum Ministry shall take several measures for international branding and promotion of the Nabakalebar Rath Yatra The Petroleum Minister Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan held a review meeting with Tourism Minister Dr. Mahesh Sharma in which Secretaries of Ministry of Culture and Tourism were also present. It was decided that the Ministry of Culture will bring out Coffee Table Book and also make special documentary on the Rath Yatra. Coins and stamps will also be issued to commemorate the yatra. The 2015 Rath Yatra has been named Nabakalebar Rath Yatra as this comes after 19 years. 

Speaking on the occasion, Petroleum Minister Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan informed that detailed discussions were held today for making smooth arrangements for the event. He informed that Tourism Ministry has already sanctioned Rs. 50 crore and Central Government will also supplement budgetary support as per the requirements of the event. Lakhs of people would be visiting the Nabakalebar Rath Yatra and Government is committed to making glitch free arrangements for the event. 

Mr. Pradhan said that all the stakeholders including Odisha State Tourism, Tourist guides, hospitality industry people, travel industry and the Culture & Tourism Ministry of the Government of India will make consolidated efforts to promote this even an international tourism event. 

Tourism Minister Dr. Mahesh Sharma informed that his Ministry was making efforts to utilise the 450-km long coastal belt for promoting tourism in Odisha. He informed that discussions revolved around making suitable arrangements to make this a memorable event. 

Both Petroleum Minister Mr. Pradhan and Tourism Minister Dr. Sharma shall undertake a two-day visit to Odisha on 20th and 21st March to review the preparations for the Nabakalebar Rath Yatra. 

RC/nb (Release ID :117022)

Commemorative Coin on Biju

By Express News Service

Published: 02nd July 2015 05:20 AM

Source


BHUBANESWAR: The Centre has agreed to release a commemorative coin on former chief minister Biju Patnaik to mark his centenary celebrations.

The centenary celebrations of Biju Patnaik, who was born on March 5, 1916, will begin after Nabakalebara festival in July.

Secretary of Culture Department Arvind Padhee said, "The Centre has in principle agreed to release a coin to celebrate Biju Patnaik's centenary and accordingly, a State-level panel has been formed to finalise the design of the coin." The coin design will soon be submitted to the Culture Ministry.

Factory of fake coins busted

Source here

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 20
With the arrest of two persons, the New Delhi district police claims to have busted a .factory, which was churning out counterfeit coins of Rs 5 denomination. The police also claimed to have recovered a hydraulic pressure machine, die, tools, an electronic motor, 975 counterfeit coins of Rs 5 denomination, 27 kg of raw material used to manufacture the coins and one kg of defective and semi-finished coins from the hideout.

The accused, Bhagwan Das Soni (43) and his courier, Trilochan Singh, were apprehended by the police on September 20. The police, on a tip-off that some persons were involved in selling fake coins of Rs 5 denomination to bus conductors at Shivaji Stadium, apprehended two persons, Balkishan (40), a resident of main Sagar Pur, and Kumar Singh (25), a resident of Uttam Nagar, and seized 7,000 counterfeit coins from them.

The accused told the police that they used to procure the coins from a Sikh gentleman and were not aware about his whereabouts. The police again received information about the supply of fake coins and, on September 19, apprehended Trilochan near Regal Building, where he had come to make a delivery. Two thousand counterfeit coins, contained in plastic bags, were recovered from him.

Trilochan told the police that when he suffered huge losses in his garment business, he had approached Bhagwan Das for assistance. Bhagwan engaged him for selling the coins.