Rupee has a new face(symbol) for the first time

Union Cabinet approved the symbol on Thursday . Our indian currency is the fifth currency in the world to have a distinct identity.,

Other than the elite club of US dollar, British pound-sterling, Euro and Japanese yen, our rupee will have its own symbol.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, a proud D Udaya Kumar said: "My design is based on the Tricolour, with two lines at the top and white space

in between. I wanted the symbol for the Rupee to represent the Indian flag. It is a perfect blend of Indian and Roman letters: a capital 'R', and Devanagari 'ra', which represent rupiya, to appeal to international and Indian audiences."

"I worked on it for few months and made numerous designs. Finally, I shortlisted 8 to 10 designs and then refined them further till I got this one," he said.

"I will be joining the design department at IIT-Guwahati on Friday, and am overwhelmed by the response so far. My phone has not stopped ringing since morning," he added. "from rediff.com"

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said after the Cabinet meeting in Delhi on Thursday that the symbol will be printed or embossed on currency notes and coins.

Soni said that the government will try that the symbol is adopted within six months in the country and globally within 18 to 24 months.

This symbol will feature on computer key boards and software 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.