UK minister Rishi Sunak releases new Gandhi commemorative coin to mark Diwali
London(PTI): UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a new 5-pound commemorative coin celebrating the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi to mark Diwali on Thursday.
Available in a range of standards, including gold and silver, the special collectors' coin is designed by Heena Glover and features an image of a lotus, India's national flower, alongside one of Gandhi's most famous quotes My life is my message .
This coin is a fitting tribute to an influential leader who inspired millions of people around the world, said Sunak, in his role as the Master of the Mint in the UK.
As a practicing Hindu, I am proud to unveil this coin during Diwali. Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the movement for Indian independence and it is fantastic to have a UK coin commemorating his remarkable life for the first time, said the Indian-origin finance minister.
The commemorative Gandhi coin is said to build on the enduring relationship and cultural connections between the UK and India, as India celebrates its 75th year of Independence this year.
The 5-pound coin, which goes on sale on the UK Royal Mint's website from this week, is part of Royal Mint's wider Diwali collection, which includes 1-gram and 5-gram gold bars in henna-style packaging, and the UK's first gold bar depicting Lakshmi the Hindu goddess of wealth.
The 20-gram gold Lakshmi bar was designed in partnership with the Hindu community in South Wales, where the Royal Mint is based.
The Mint officials will also join Diwali celebrations at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Cardiff, where worshippers will offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and lord Ganesha for the coming year.
As we approach Diwali celebrations, we are delighted to unveil the first official UK coin commemorating the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. The beautiful design builds on the enduring relationship and cultural connections between the UK and India, said Nicola Howell, Chief Customer Officer for the Royal Mint.
Last year, Sunak commissioned the new Diversity Built Britain 50p coin following discussion with the We Too Built Britain' campaign, which works for fair representation of minority communities' contributions across all walks of life.
Around 10 million of the coins, which recognise and celebrate Britain's diverse history, went into circulation in October 2020.
The new Gandhi coin is a non-circulating commemorative item, available to buy online from the Royal Mint.
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Shocked by PM’s remarks on Shakti scheme causing loss to metro: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday said that he is "shocked" by the reported statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the "Shakthi scheme had resulted in loss of revenue for the Bengaluru metro".
Under the 'Shakti' scheme implemented by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, women can avail free travel in state-run buses.
Hitting out at Modi, the state deputy chief minister said that the prime minister lacks information on the Shakthi scheme and hence he has said that it has impacted revenues of the Bengaluru metro.
"Namma metro has earned a revenue of Rs 130 crore in the last one year. Footfalls too have gone up by 30 per cent for the same period. Bengaluru metro is limited to Bengaluru, while the Shakthi scheme is rolled out, keeping in mind people from across the state," he told reporters here.
The Shakthi scheme is rolled out by the Congress to ease the burden of price rise and inflation on women, Shivakumar said.
"Metro is a joint initiative between the State and the Centre and it has done well over the last one year. Someone seems to have provided incorrect information to the prime minister," he added.
"I would like to convey to the PM that the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bengaluru metro are being run efficiently while offering the Shakthi scheme to women. Women are taking 60 lakh trips per day in Karnataka. They are very happy with the Shakthi scheme. Many other states are expressing interest in Shakthi scheme," he said.
PM Modi has reportedly spoken in an interview on bus and the Metro rail services and whether or not he made a specific reference to Karnataka is not known.
When asked if there was a shortage of buses in North Karnataka, Shivakumar said, "We have already taken a decision to buy 1,000 new buses. Of these, 100 buses have been allocated to Ramanagara district. Buses will be allocated to North Karnataka as well.
"We are not looking at making profits from KSRTC. We are only ensuring it doesn’t make losses. The government is reimbursing the cost of tickets under the Shakthi scheme," he said.
