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Comments from sender : ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Full Story can be found at http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1077121 New two-rupee coin is confusing for the blind By - Mayura Janwalkar The new two rupee coin introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in December 2006, is causing a lot of hardship for the visually challenged. The new stainless steel coin can be easily mistaken for a one rupee coin, as it is round in shape and does not have sharper edges like the old two rupee coin. The new coin has the number '2' boldly embossed on one side and a symbol for 'Unity in Diversity' on the other. Earlier, one could easily make out the difference between the one and two rupee coin on the basis of their edges - one rupee coin had round edges while the two rupee coin had uneven edges. In many cases, when even people with normal eyesight have transacted the two rupee coin thinking it to be one rupee coin; the blind population is suitably upset with the use of this new coin becoming more common. "Although the new coin is slightly bigger in size, there is negligible difference in the new two rupee coin and the one rupee coin. Even the general public gets confused, so we are bound to be," said Himanshu Kejriwal, a visually challenged bank employee. "Anything that limits the independence of an individual is a sure no no," says Kanchan Pamnani, a visually challenged law practitioner. She added that the visually challenged have to pay Rs 1 in buses and trains as fair, all over India. Hence, it is likely that the visually challenged may give away a two rupee coin instead of a one rupee coin. When handed the new two rupee coin, Shanti Gawde, a blind woman who sells pass covers at Andheri Station said in disbelief, "No it can't be, I think you have given me a one rupee coin". An RBI Spokesperson said, "While designing the coin this is kept in mind. The figure two is more sharply embossed on the new coin than it was in the old one. This ought to be an enabling factor". She added that the visually challenged persons are more alert and sensitive than the general public, so even if normal people get confused, the blind will not. "We have started expressing our discontent through protest mails to the RBI and the feeling seems to be widespread all around the country," said Kejriwal. The RBI, however, thinks that these are initial reactions. "We will wait for some more feedback and if the protest intensifies, we will consider taking some action in due course", the spokesperson added. "At this stage it is not really an agitation, we are requesting the RBI to stop the circulation of these coins. But if no action is taken, at a later stage we may think of moving the court", Pamnani said. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = For news updates throughout the day, visit www.dnaindia.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Copyright© 2005 - 2007 dnaindia.com All rights reserved. www.dnaindia.com To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
