President Murmu Unveils ₹100 Coin on Ol Chiki Script

The Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, unveiled a ₹100 commemorative coin and a postal stamp to mark the Centenary Year of the Ol Chiki Script created by Pandit Raghunath Murmu today, on February 16, 2026 at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

The event was attended by the Union Minister of Culture & Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram, Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, and members of the Fagun Foundation. It also brought together members of the Santhali community, scholars, activists, writers, and well-wishers who participated in the historic celebration, making the occasion grand and memorable.

Addressing the gathering at the Centenary Celebration of the Ol Chiki script, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, expressed her deep joy at being part of this historic occasion. She noted that India is home to numerous tribal communities, and among them, the Santhal community holds a distinct cultural identity with its own rich language, literature, and traditions. However, before the creation of the Ol Chiki script, Santali was written in various other scripts, which could not accurately represent its original sounds and expressions.

She paid heartfelt tribute to Pandit Raghunath Murmu, who invented the Ol Chiki script in 1925 in Odisha, giving the Santali language its own written identity. She described Ol Chiki as not merely a script, but a powerful symbol of unity and pride for the Santhal community across India and abroad.

The President highlighted that celebrating the centenary of a script is of great historical importance and a matter of pride for the entire nation. She appreciated the efforts of various organisations and the Government in organising centenary events, and noted with satisfaction that Ol Chiki is gaining recognition on digital platforms and in official use. She also mentioned that the website of Rashtrapati Bhavan is now available in all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, including Santali in the Ol Chiki script.

Emphasising the importance of mother tongues, she encouraged children to learn Santali in Ol Chiki alongside other languages. She acknowledged the contributions of writers, scholars, and institutions in promoting Santali literature and recalled the inclusion of Santali in the Eighth Schedule in 2003 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Quoting the words of Guru Gomke Pandit Raghunath Murmu, she underlined that neglecting one’s script is like neglecting one’s own identity, and that script and education bind society together and lead it towards knowledge and enlightenment. She further stressed that literature plays a crucial role in awakening society and strengthening unity.

Concluding her address, the President expressed gratitude for the affection and respect she receives from tribal communities and all citizens of the country. She called upon everyone to strengthen the bond between heritage and development, and to move forward together in unity.

This release marks the 4th commemorative coin of the year 2026, minted by the India Government Mint, Kolkata. The bookings for the Proof and UNC sets are expected to open soon on the official India Government Mint website and will be updated under the current and upcoming bookings section.