Officially rename the Indian Rupee to Sasta Dolad™
The Issue
A national currency is not merely a medium of exchange; it is a reflection of the nation, its people, its language, and its place in the world.
Growing up in India, I have always felt deeply connected to the language, culture, and traditions that shape our daily lives. One of the most pervasive elements of our national identity is our currency. It’s more than just a form of money; it’s an integral aspect of our identity and heritage, something that people of all ages and backgrounds use and recognize every day. However, the current name of India’s currency, "Rupee," does not capture the essence of our modern economic state and cultural identity.
I am initiating this petition to propose changing the official name of India’s currency from "Rupee" to "Sasta Dolad™." This term, inspired by common Indian vernacular, combines the familiarity of our language with an acknowledgment of our currency’s relative international value. "Sasta" is a word understood across the nation, reflecting affordability and accessibility, while "Dolad™," a phonetic adaptation of "Dollar" reflecting the Indian pronunciation of the retroflex flap "ड़" (ṛa), gives a sense of its global economic standing. The use of "ड़" represents a distinct phonetic feature present in several Indian languages and allows the proposed name to incorporate an identifiable element of Indian linguistic character. Together, "Sasta Dolad™" encapsulates the pragmatic and cultural spirit of contemporary India.
The proposed Sasta Dolad™ would retain the visual character of a traditional banknote while incorporating distinctly Indian cultural, linguistic, and symbolic elements. The proposed currency code would be SAD, with Reserve Bank of India serving as the issuing institution and “GUARANTEED BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT” as the principal sovereign wording. The denomination (for example) would read “EK SASTA DOLAD™.”
The central portrait would feature Kanneganti Brahmanandam, accompanied by the nameplate KANNEGANTI BRAHMANANDAM. PATNA, BIHAR would serve as the location marking, while the Lion Capital of Ashoka would replace the principal American-style treasury symbolism.
A dedicated multilingual element would represent “Sasta Dolad™” in 15 Indian regional scripts, reflecting India's linguistic diversity. The note would also incorporate tactile identification marks for accessibility and a Swachh Bharat-inspired element accompanied by “एक कदम स्वच्छता की ओर” (“One step towards cleanliness”).
The central monetary inscription would read “मैं धारक को एक सस्ता दोलद™ अदा करने का वचन देता हूँ” (“I promise to pay the bearer one Sasta Dolad™”), presented in the formal style associated with banknote inscriptions.
Overall, the design would combine traditional engraved banknote aesthetics, Indian national symbolism, linguistic diversity, and contemporary cultural references, creating a fictional currency that feels visually coherent while deliberately challenging conventional ideas of what a national currency should represent.
Changing the currency name to "Sasta Dolad™" would have several benefits. It would foster a sense of identity and unity, seeing our language reflected in such an essential national symbol. Moreover, it challenges the stigma associated with our currency's strength by embracing and rebranding it in a culturally relevant context. A redesigned name would also pique the interest of both Indian citizens and the international community, promoting discussions and introspections about what really defines an economy and its people.
India is a country of diverse languages and rich traditions, and our currency should reflect that diversity. The name change would serve as a small but significant step towards validating our unique culture and aligning our financial identity with our linguistic heritage. It’s about more than financial transactions; it’s about respect, dignity, and pride for what it means to be Indian.
I call upon the Reserve Bank of India and the central government to seriously consider this proposal and evaluate its potential to strengthen our national identity. With your support, we can make "Sasta Dolad™" a proud and accepted symbol of our financial system.
Sign this petition to stand with me in advocating for a cultural and meaningful representation of our economy. Let's embrace our unique identity while carving a path forward with "Sasta Dolad™.
Give India’s currency a name that speaks our language, reflects our reality, and represents who we are.
Sasta Dolad™ (सस्ता दोलद™)
12
The Issue
A national currency is not merely a medium of exchange; it is a reflection of the nation, its people, its language, and its place in the world.
Growing up in India, I have always felt deeply connected to the language, culture, and traditions that shape our daily lives. One of the most pervasive elements of our national identity is our currency. It’s more than just a form of money; it’s an integral aspect of our identity and heritage, something that people of all ages and backgrounds use and recognize every day. However, the current name of India’s currency, "Rupee," does not capture the essence of our modern economic state and cultural identity.
I am initiating this petition to propose changing the official name of India’s currency from "Rupee" to "Sasta Dolad™." This term, inspired by common Indian vernacular, combines the familiarity of our language with an acknowledgment of our currency’s relative international value. "Sasta" is a word understood across the nation, reflecting affordability and accessibility, while "Dolad™," a phonetic adaptation of "Dollar" reflecting the Indian pronunciation of the retroflex flap "ड़" (ṛa), gives a sense of its global economic standing. The use of "ड़" represents a distinct phonetic feature present in several Indian languages and allows the proposed name to incorporate an identifiable element of Indian linguistic character. Together, "Sasta Dolad™" encapsulates the pragmatic and cultural spirit of contemporary India.
The proposed Sasta Dolad™ would retain the visual character of a traditional banknote while incorporating distinctly Indian cultural, linguistic, and symbolic elements. The proposed currency code would be SAD, with Reserve Bank of India serving as the issuing institution and “GUARANTEED BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT” as the principal sovereign wording. The denomination (for example) would read “EK SASTA DOLAD™.”
The central portrait would feature Kanneganti Brahmanandam, accompanied by the nameplate KANNEGANTI BRAHMANANDAM. PATNA, BIHAR would serve as the location marking, while the Lion Capital of Ashoka would replace the principal American-style treasury symbolism.
A dedicated multilingual element would represent “Sasta Dolad™” in 15 Indian regional scripts, reflecting India's linguistic diversity. The note would also incorporate tactile identification marks for accessibility and a Swachh Bharat-inspired element accompanied by “एक कदम स्वच्छता की ओर” (“One step towards cleanliness”).
The central monetary inscription would read “मैं धारक को एक सस्ता दोलद™ अदा करने का वचन देता हूँ” (“I promise to pay the bearer one Sasta Dolad™”), presented in the formal style associated with banknote inscriptions.
Overall, the design would combine traditional engraved banknote aesthetics, Indian national symbolism, linguistic diversity, and contemporary cultural references, creating a fictional currency that feels visually coherent while deliberately challenging conventional ideas of what a national currency should represent.
Changing the currency name to "Sasta Dolad™" would have several benefits. It would foster a sense of identity and unity, seeing our language reflected in such an essential national symbol. Moreover, it challenges the stigma associated with our currency's strength by embracing and rebranding it in a culturally relevant context. A redesigned name would also pique the interest of both Indian citizens and the international community, promoting discussions and introspections about what really defines an economy and its people.
India is a country of diverse languages and rich traditions, and our currency should reflect that diversity. The name change would serve as a small but significant step towards validating our unique culture and aligning our financial identity with our linguistic heritage. It’s about more than financial transactions; it’s about respect, dignity, and pride for what it means to be Indian.
I call upon the Reserve Bank of India and the central government to seriously consider this proposal and evaluate its potential to strengthen our national identity. With your support, we can make "Sasta Dolad™" a proud and accepted symbol of our financial system.
Sign this petition to stand with me in advocating for a cultural and meaningful representation of our economy. Let's embrace our unique identity while carving a path forward with "Sasta Dolad™.
Give India’s currency a name that speaks our language, reflects our reality, and represents who we are.
Sasta Dolad™ (सस्ता दोलद™)
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Petition created on 24 August 2026