For IIT-B post-graduate student D. Udayakumar, July 15 will go down as the greatest day of his life. The Indian Cabinet and the finance ministry on Thursday gave the nod to the Indian rupee symbol that he had designed and
submitted last year. According to Mr Udayakumar, the year-long wait was worth every second, as he was sure that his designs, that are a blend of both Indian culture and global advancement, would impress the judges and the concerned officials.
The Asian Age had first reported about Mr Udayakumar’s decision to submit his entries in the all-India competition that had been organised by the finance ministry last year. “I had made more than 25 designs, but sent only four of the best, as each contestant was allowed to submit two entries only. Each entry could have two designs,” Mr Udayakumar said. After the first elimination round, the fact that Mr Udayakumar’s designs made it to the final 10 gave his confidence a huge boost, and he was even more sure that his designs would be selected. “At the presentation in New Delhi, each contestant had to explain the thought behind their designs. I explained that my designs were a blend of both Devnagari and Roman scripts. The equal sign was indicative of the Indian currency and economy being at par with other economies of the world,” he said. Mr Udayakumar said that he had always wanted to do something for the nation.