Indian rupee to have a distinct symbol

New Delhi, July 15 (PTI) The Indian rupee will have its
own symbol, a mix of the Devanagri 'Ra' and Roman 'R', to
become the fifth currency in the world to have a distinct
identity.
The new symbol, designed by IIT post-graduate D Uday
Kumar was approved by the Union Cabinet Thursday.
The rupee will join the elite club of US dollar, British
pound-sterling, Euro and Japanese yen to have its own symbol.
The symbol will be printed or embossed on currency notes
or coins, India's Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika
Soni told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.
Kumar's entry was chosen from among 3,000 designs
competing for the currency symbol. He will get an award of Rs
2.5 lakhs.
She said the government will try that the symbol is
adopted within six months in the country and globally
within 18 to 24 months.
The symbol will feature on computer key boards and
softwares so that it can be printed and displayed in
electronic and print, she said.
Soni said it would also help in distinguishing the
Indian currency from rupee or rupiah of countries like
Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. PTI