Yesterday (8/11/2016) was like
any other normal day for me till evening. But suddenly things changed and what followed
was huge confusion and commotion among masses of India. Yeah, India was going
to witness a historic moment in couple of hours. Indian Government decided to nonrecognition
India currency in the denomination of 500 and 1000 instead will launch new 500
and 2000 currency notes. This recognition
was going to happen by midnight of 8/11/2016. Banks and ATM will not function
the following day.
When I received the first
Whatsapp message from a friend of mine, took it in a casual way thinking it’s a
prank. 10 mins later our building security knocked at my door, I thought he had
something important to tell. I asked, what happened? His reply was tomorrow onwards
500 and 1000rs note is banned in India, my reaction was what? Who told you, how
did you come to know about it, where my next series of question to him? He was
already in panic and my questions added fuel to fire. He said tune in to any
news channel.
Once security guard told me about
it, then I thought of checking it myself. Who else can I rely upon at such crisis
hours, Google, savior of millions. I bet most of the people would have done the
same thing. I read about it and the first thing that came to my thought do I
have currency notes other than 500 and 1000rs? And what will be the fate of
those 500 and 1000rs note in my custody, even though it’s a small amount but
still, every penny matters.
In next couple of minutes I was
thronged with Whatsapp messages about the news and the confusion it lead to the
mind of people. I decided to call my friends and get better picture but then
thought of waiting till morning and get detailed information from newspaper.
I have never waited for newspaper
so eagerly as I did on 9/11/2016 but paper didn’t come L. I knew few of my family
members will call me today to get firsthand information and will have to help
them with their queries. My last resort was
google again, I started reading more about it so that am well equipped to answer
my friends and family. No sooner did I
finish my research I received a call, it was from my mom, the first thing I
asked was “you called me know about the currency nonrecognition?” her response
was yes. I said nothing to worry just take the existing 500 and 1000 rs
currency to your bank and they will credit it to your account. She has read it in paper but the panic among
people added to her anxiety. It was then I came to know that still people are
unclear about the entire thing. What has worsened the situation is the unexpected
bank holiday and non-functional ATMs.
Next call was from my cousin
again same topic he too had confusions but his biggest challenge was all his patients
were either giving him 500 or 1000rs currency today. With no option in hand he
was taking it as he is duty bound to look after ill people. But a strange
incident happened with him
“ An elderly lady came to him and
bought few medicines from him and gave him 1000rs currency, he took it and gave
the balance amount. Lady then told him I have two more 1000rs currency you take
that also and when you covert then give it back to me. No worries I can wait for
few days, my cousin said no to her proposal and explained her that she herself can
get the currency converted.” The lady was not convinced, is what my cousin could
interpret from her expression.
I am thinking if we educated
people have to do so much research and help each other, what will be the plight
of uneducated people? Especially in villages, can just hope that no one fools, innocent
people of their hard earned money. This is the best time for some people to
come forward as savior of people and dupe them of their money.
It is testing time for banks and
post offices as they have a huge responsibility of exchanging the currency and
handling people who will throng into the bank tomorrow when it opens up for transaction.
Success of this strategic thought depends on its successful implementation. We
need to render our support to make it thought a huge success.
