Jahnava Nitai Das Posted February 3, 2003 Report Share Posted February 3, 2003 Group Founded by Beatles Guru in Money Probe AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Dutch Central Bank will investigate whether an organization founded by Beatles guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has violated the law by issuing currency in the Netherlands, a bank spokesman said. The Global Country of World Peace organization of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, an Indian mystic living in the small southern Dutch town of Vlodrop, issued brightly colored notes of one, five and 10 "raam" last October. The Maharishi brought "transcendental meditation" to the West more than 40 years ago. Among his six million followers worldwide have been the Beatles, who famously traveled to India in 1968 to meditate with him. "We will investigate what is going on. There might be a violation of certain laws," Dutch Central Bank spokesman Benno van der Zaag said, confirming a report in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. He would not comment on possible penalties. The organization said it issued the currency to finance aid programs in developing countries. "We issued the raam to provide funds for development projects, such as in agriculture, in countries that have no other means," the organization's "finance minister," Benjamin Feldman, told Reuters. He said the organization had told the Central Bank about its plan before issuing raam and "it has all been done according to regulation." Feldman said several tens of millions of raam were printed, but he could not say how much had been circulated. Most of the notes are distributed in the Netherlands, where more than 100 shops accept raam as legal tender, and a bank in Roermond, near Vlodrop, will exchange it for 10 euros, he said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2003 Report Share Posted February 6, 2003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jahnava Nitai Das Posted February 6, 2003 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2003 "vishva shanti rashtra" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gauracandra Posted February 6, 2003 Report Share Posted February 6, 2003 The idea is interesting, but I don't see much point to it. This finance minister says he wants to use the money to finance aid programs. I don't see how making substitute money gets them any closer to that goal. If you earn Euros, spend Euros on aid programs. If you just trade earned Euros in for printed Raams, and then spend that, it is just 6 of one, half a dozen of another. In actuality, I think this is just a sort of publicity stunt. Create Mickey Mouse money, spread it around, and it helps get their message around. I guess its not bad, but a little silly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 15, 2003 Report Share Posted March 15, 2003 Sir, I have read about the new currency, formed and circulated by the maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and also seen the picture (as attested by you) of the new note. Well, what's your idea regarding the new currency , where the european countries are trying to form their own single currency (EURO) Where do you place yourself, Also, if I want the notes (as souverniers) to collect, where and how can I get them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kulapavana Posted September 19, 2003 Report Share Posted September 19, 2003 I hope they will let them continue with raam use (I love the name! :-) ...and it is more useful than you think. If you issue your own money you can control it's value and profit from it's fluctuations. Here in US the Federal Reserve Bank (a private organization, mind you) makes at least 10 cents on every dollar they put in circulation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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