A video (here, here, here, here, and here) of a man displaying a currency note featuring an image of the Hindu deity Lord Ram is going viral on social media platforms, claiming that “Raam” Currency is used in Maharshi Vedic City, Iowa, USA. The claim further states that all business transactions in the Vedic City are conducted exclusively in this currency and that 1 Ram equals $10 USD. We have also received several queries on our WhatsApp tipline (+91 92470 52470) asking us to verify whether “Raam” Currency is legal tender in the USA. Through this article, let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: “Raam” Currency used in Maharshi Vedic City, Iowa, USA, is recognised as legal tender.
Fact: The ‘Raam’ currency is used in Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa, USA. Maharishi Vedic City is the headquarters of the Global Country of World Peace (GCWP), an organisation founded in 2000 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the proponent of Transcendental Meditation. The GCWP introduced the ‘Raam’ currency in October 2001 in denominations of 1, 5, and 10 Raam notes. This currency is primarily used in Maharishi Vedic City and other GCWP centres. However, it has also seen limited circulation in some European countries, particularly in the Netherlands. The ‘Raam’ currency is not considered legal tender by the US government or any other country, but it is accepted within the community by businesses and institutions affiliated with the GCWP. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
To learn more about the “Raam” Currency and Maharishi Vedic City, situated in Iowa, USA, we conducted a relevant keyword search. This search led us to multiple news reports (here, here). According to these reports, Maharishi Vedic City, a small community in Iowa, has been using a local currency known as the “Raam” for transactions within its boundaries. The ‘Raam’ currency was introduced in 2001 by the Global Country of World Peace (GCWP), an organisation founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the proponent of Transcendental Meditation. The Raam currency was created as an alternative monetary system to support local businesses and economic activities within the city. It is available in denominations of 1, 5, and 10 Raam notes, with each Ram pegged at 10 US dollars. While primarily used in Maharishi Vedic City, it has also seen limited circulation in some European countries, particularly in the Netherlands. These reports further stated that the Raam Currency is not considered legal tender by the US government but is accepted within the community by businesses and institutions affiliated with the GCWP.
The Global Country of World Peace (GCWP) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 2000 with the goal of promoting world peace. GCWP aims to raise consciousness among people through Transcendental Meditation, education, and Vedic knowledge. According to its official website, GCWP is described as a consortium of educational institutions. The organisation is currently led by Dr Tony Nader.
‘Maharishi Vedic City’ is a centre of the Global Country of World Peace and was incorporated in the state of Iowa, USA, in 2002. According to a ‘Times of India’ report, Maharishi Vedic City (MVC) is located in Jefferson County, Iowa, US. Its population was 277 at the time of the 2020 census. The city was initially known as “Vedic City” but was soon officially renamed “Maharishi Vedic City.” The city is based on Maharishi Sthapatya Veda and features ancient architecture and design. Most houses are constructed in accordance with Vastu principles, and its goals are to “protect, nourish, and satisfy everyone. According to information provided on the GCWP website, there are special rules in Maharishi Vedic City. Various departments related to governance have also been established, with officers (ministers) assigned to them.
A report published by the BBC, dated 05 February 2003, stated that the Global Country of World Peace, headquartered in Maharishi Vedic City and founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, had issued “brightly coloured notes of one, five, and ten ‘Raam’ in October 2001.” It further added, “Since then, more than 100 Dutch shops, some of them part of large department store chains, in 30 villages and cities have accepted the notes.” The report also stated that the Dutch government has not recognised the currency as legal tender. It can only be used within a closed circuit (for example, the GCWP Centre and its subsidiaries). From this information, it is clear that the ‘Raam’ currency is only used internally within the centres of the Global Country of World Peace, but it is not officially recognised by any government.
To sum it up, the ‘Ram Currency’ used in ‘Maharshi Vedic City’, a centre of the Global Country of World Peace, is not recognised as legal tender by either the US government or any other country.
