President Murmu Unveils Commemorative Coin and Stamp for Ol Chiki Script Centenary

President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a ₹100 commemorative coin and postal stamp on February 16, 2026, celebrating the centenary of the Ol Chiki script at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. The script was created in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu in Odisha to give the Santali language its own written identity.

The President emphasized that Ol Chiki is more than a script - it represents unity and pride for the Santhal community. Before its creation, Santali was written in various scripts that could not accurately capture its original sounds and expressions. She highlighted the script's growing recognition on digital platforms, noting that the Rashtrapati Bhavan website now includes Santali in Ol Chiki script.

The event, attended by Union Ministers and members of the Santhali community, marks a historic milestone. President Murmu stressed the importance of mother tongues and recalled Santali's inclusion in the Eighth Schedule in 2003. She quoted Pandit Raghunath Murmu's words that *neglecting one's script is like neglecting one's own identity*.

The commemorative coin is the fourth minted in 2026, with bookings expected to open soon on the India Government Mint website.