Bangaloreans clearly don't consider the new symbol for the Indian rupee as a mere sign. Priyanjali Ghose records the strong views of those for and against the design

India will finally have a symbol for the national currency.
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The symbol, which combines the Devnagiri 'Ra' and the Roman capital 'R', has two parallel lines running at the top that stand for the peace and harmony inherent in Indian culture.

Dr Udaya Kumar, a postgraduate from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) presented this design as a part of a contest announced by the Indian government in the concluding months of 2009.

The symbol, which combines the Devnagiri 'Ra' and the Roman capital 'R', has two parallel lines running at the top that stand for the peace and harmony inherent in Indian culture.

Kumar won Rs 2.5 lakh for his design which was chosen from five short-listed ones.

In six months, the symbol will be used within the country while it will be used on the global platform in the next 24 months.

Thumbs up

It looks great. It is a seamless marriage between the Devnagri and the Roman script. I am happy that Indian currency has a symbol at last.
Harish Bijoor (55), Brand consultant

It looks interesting to me. I am happy our currency now has symbol for the global platform.
Rajesh Nair (32), Designer