Vice President Releases ₹100 Coin on Sri Ramanasramam Centenary

The Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, released the commemorative coin marking the Sri Ramanasramam Centenary during the ongoing 146th Jayanti celebrations of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi at a function held on January 22, 2026, in New Delhi.

The event was attended by Dr. Venkat S. Ramanan, President of Sri Ramana Ashram, Tiruvannamalai (Tamil Nadu); Justice K. Ramamoorthy (Retd.), President of Ramana Kendra Delhi; along with several other distinguished dignitaries.

It is pertinent to note that the ₹100 commemorative coin to mark the Sri Ramanasramam Centenary was released earlier by Dr. Venkat S. Ramanan on September 14, 2025, at the Downtown Event Center in Fremont, California. That event was graced by eminent personalities including Shri Rakesh Adlakha, Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of India (San Francisco); Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri), Padma Bhushan awardee and renowned scholar; Shri Raj Salwan, Mayor of Fremont; and Smt. Sunita Parasuraman of Sri Ramana Maharshi Heritage (USA), along with devotees, scholars, and admirers from across the region.

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice President described Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi as one of the most revered spiritual sages of modern India, occupying a distinguished place in the nation’s spiritual and civilisational heritage. He observed that while many saints lived lives of detachment, what made Sri Ramana Maharshi truly unique was that he remained unattached even to the exemplary life of renunciation that he himself embodied.

The Vice President said that Ramana Maharshi’s life and teachings represent the essence of India’s timeless quest for truth, self-knowledge, and inner freedom. Highlighting his central teaching of Atma Vichara (Self-enquiry), he noted that Maharshi’s emphasis on inner realisation has inspired spiritual seekers across the world, establishing him as one of India’s most universally respected spiritual masters.

Emphasising the contemporary relevance of Ramana Maharshi’s message, the Vice President said that his teachings on self-awareness and inner discipline hold special significance in today’s complex and fast-changing world, including in the spheres of leadership, governance, and responsible citizenship. He added that Maharshi affirmed the unity of all spiritual paths—devotion, knowledge, meditation, or selfless service—ultimately leading to the same Truth, and underscored that while God is one, the modes of worship may differ.

The Vice President further noted that Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi’s compassion extended equally to human beings, animals, and all living creatures, reflecting values deeply rooted in India’s civilisational ethos and its tradition of universal harmony.

He lauded the enduring role of Sri Ramana Ashram, Tiruvannamalai, and Ramana Kendras in India and abroad in preserving and disseminating Ramana Maharshi’s timeless wisdom. Appreciating the Ashram’s community service initiatives, he highlighted its free medical dispensaries, provision of meals to sadhus and the underprivileged, and efforts towards environmental conservation. Recalling history, he observed that Mahatma Gandhi, during the freedom movement, often encouraged freedom fighters to visit the Ashram to gain strength, clarity, and solace.

Describing the release of the commemorative coin by the Ministry of Finance as a fitting tribute, the Vice President said it honours both the enduring spiritual influence of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi and the historic role of Sri Ramana Ashram. He remarked that the coin would serve not merely as a numismatic honour, but as a lasting reminder of India’s rich spiritual heritage and its message of inner awakening to the world.

Extending warm greetings and best wishes to devotees and followers across India and abroad, the Vice President said that the true homage to a sage like Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi lies not merely in celebration, but in sincerely striving to embody the values he stood for—simplicity, self-awareness, and compassion. He expressed hope that Bhagavan’s teachings would continue to guide the nation towards greater harmony, wisdom, and inner strength.

This commemorative coin should be considered a 2025 release, as the distribution of the ₹100 coin has already been undertaken by Sri Ramana Maharshi Heritage (SRMH), United States, as well as Sri Ramana Ashram, Tiruvannamalai (Tamil Nadu). The coin is minted by the India Government Mint, Mumbai, and bookings for the Proof and UNC sets are expected to open shortly on the India Government Mint’s official website and will be updated under the current and upcoming bookings section.