This 2 Rupees commemorative coin was issued in 1994 for circulation. The Obverse face of the coin bears the Lion Capitol of Ashoka Pillar with the legend “सत्यमेव जयते " inscribed below, flanked on the left periphery with the word “भारत " and “रूपया” in Devnagri and on the right periphery flanked with the word “INDIA” and “Rupees” in English. It also bears the denominational value "2" in International Numerals below the Lion Capitol.
The reverse of this coin shows, a stream and a big water drop falling on it, at the center. The F.A.O. crest appears above the water drop and ‘1994’ -- the year of issue is shown below the stream. The legend ‘जल जीवन का आधार - विश्व खाद्य दिवस ’ in Devnagiri appear in two lines on the top left quadrant and ‘ WATER FOR LIFE - WORLD FOOD DAY’ in English appear in two lines on the top right quadrant of the periphery.
“WATER FOR LIFE (WORLD FOOD DAY)” commemorative coins of 2 rupees are issued by Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai, mints. This coin is made of Copper-Nickel. The diameter of this coin is 26 mm and weighs 6 grams.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (F A O) is a specialized Agency of United Nations Organization (U N O). The objectives of F A O are to improve agricultural productivity and to better the condition of rural poor, thus raising the level of nutrition and standard of living the world over. India is also one of the founding members of the F A O.
World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on 16 October in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945. The day is celebrated widely by many other organisations concerned with food security, including the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Water is essential for life. No living being on planet Earth can survive without it. It is a prerequisite for human health and well-being as well as for the preservation of the environment. However, four of every ten people in the world do not have access to even a simple pit latrine; and nearly two in ten have no source of safe drinking water. Every year millions of people, most of them children, die from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene. According to the World Health Organization, each and every day some 3,900 children die because of dirty water or poor hygiene; diseases transmitted through water or human excrement are the second-leading cause of death among children worldwide, after respiratory diseases. Water scarcity, poor water quality, and inadequate sanitation negatively impact food security, livelihood choices, and educational opportunities for poor families across the world. Water-related natural disasters such as floods, tropical storms and tsunamis exert a heavy toll in human life and suffering. And all too regularly, drought afflicts some of the world's poorest countries, exacerbating hunger and malnutrition.
Beyond meeting basic human needs, water supply and sanitation services, as well as water as a resource, are critical to sustainable development. It is a major source of energy in some parts of the world, while in others its potential as an energy source remains largely untapped. Water is also necessary for agriculture and for many industrial processes. And in more than a few countries, it makes up an integral part of transport systems. With improved scientific understanding, the international community has also come to appreciate more fully the valuable services provided by water-related ecosystems, from flood control to storm protection and water purification.
To highlight the necessity to give much higher priority for ensuring safe drinking water and sustainable water supply, this 2 rupees commemorative coin was issued for general circulation on 16th October, 1994 - the World Food Day.
