A statue depicting Mahatma Gandhi stands at the Ariana Park in Geneva, Switzerland. EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI
A statue depicting Mahatma Gandhi stands at the Ariana Park in Geneva, Switzerland. EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI
A statue depicting Mahatma Gandhi stands at the Ariana Park in Geneva, Switzerland. EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI
A statue depicting Mahatma Gandhi stands at the Ariana Park in Geneva, Switzerland. EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI

UK considering minting a coin to commemorate India's Mahatma Gandhi


Nicky Harley
  • English
  • Arabic

Britain is considering minting a coin to commemorate India's independence hero Mahatma Gandhi.

The UK Treasury announced the move on Saturday, amid growing interest in recognising the contributions of minorities.

He would be the first non-white person to feature on British currency.

British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak asked the Royal Mint Advisory Committee (RMAC) to pursue recognition of Black, Asian and other minority individuals, the Treasury said.

"RMAC is currently considering a coin to commemorate Gandhi", the UK Treasury said in an emailed statement.

In June a statue of Gandhi in London was defaced during Black Lives Matter protests.

Can NRIs vote in the election?

Indians residing overseas cannot cast their ballot abroad

Non-resident Indians or NRIs can vote only by going to a polling booth in their home constituency

There are about 3.1 million NRIs living overseas

Indians have urged political parties to extend the right to vote to citizens residing overseas

A committee of the Election Commission of India approved of proxy voting for non-resident Indians

Proxy voting means that a person can authorise someone residing in the same polling booth area to cast a vote on his behalf.

This option is currently available for the armed forces, police and government officials posted outside India

A bill was passed in the lower house of India’s parliament or the Lok Sabha to extend proxy voting to non-resident Indians

However, this did not come before the upper house or Rajya Sabha and has lapsed

The issue of NRI voting draws a huge amount of interest in India and overseas

Over the past few months, Indians have received messages on mobile phones and on social media claiming that NRIs can cast their votes online

The Election Commission of India then clarified that NRIs could not vote online

The Election Commission lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police asking it to clamp down on the people spreading misinformation

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Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

The Old Slave and the Mastiff

Patrick Chamoiseau

Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale