A Fountain Pen Story Bibek Debroy A Fountain Pen Story Bibek Debroy © 2020 Observer Research Foundation All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from ORF. Attribution: Bibek Debroy, “A Fountain Pen Story,” June 2020, Observer Research Foundation. Observer Research Foundation 20 Rouse Avenue, Institutional Area New Delhi, India 110002
[email protected] www.orfonline.org ORF provides non-partisan, independent analyses on matters of security, strategy, economy, development, energy and global governance to diverse decision-makers including governments, business communities, academia and civil society. ORF’s mandate is to conduct in-depth research, provide inclusive platforms, and invest in tomorrow’s thought leaders today. Design and Layout: simijaisondesigns Cover image: Getty Images / Tim Robberts ISBN: 978-93-90159-50-5 Gandhi and Ambedkar 1 imited-edition fountain pens are luxury items, much like jewellery. Some of the most expensive fountain pens in the world include LMont Blanc, Caran d’Ache, and Aurora. Many would recall that not too long ago, a controversy erupted over Mont Blanc’s limited-edition “Gandhi pens” and a case was filed before the Kerala High Court. There were two limited editions in fact, one in silver and the other in gold, a ‘Limited Edition 3000’ (i.e., 3,000 of it were manufactured) and a Limited Edition 241 (‘241’ for the 241 miles of the Salt March; 241 pieces of it were made). Both kinds had an image of Mahatma Gandhi on the nib. Mont Blanc’s decision to manufacture these pens provoked massive controversy: to begin with, it violated the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act of 1950, which restricts use of the name or pictorial representation of Mahatma Gandhi.