The then Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi had convened a metting of top officials of the ministry and the mint to launch the 20 rupee note. Maharashtra's former chief secretary P D Kasbekar was witness to a key decision taken by then prime minister Indira Gandhi in respect of the orange colour combination that was finally chosen for the 20 rupee note.
Many top officials were carrying bulk files and different sets of designs for Indira Gandhi to see and finalise one of them.
Kasbekar, a joint secretary in the banking department then who also attended the meeting, was wearing a nylon shirt.
Indira Gandhi looked at Kasbekar's pocket and her gaze stayed transfixed there. Kasbekar became uneasy along with others, suspecting that something had displeased the prime minister.
Surprisingly, she ordered Kasbekar to take out a colourful envelope that he had in his shirt pocket. Kasbekar gave the envelope to her without knowing why. Indira Gandhi's face lit up and she said, "This is the colour scheme and design I like."
The meeting ended and the selection had been made. Kasbekar had actually kept a wedding invitation in his shirt pocket which was orange in colour with a dash of red and saffron. This colour combination that is used in wedding cards in Maharashtra, and other southern Indian states is considered auspicious. Most wedding cards are printed using several combinations of these colours.
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