Currency-furrrr!!!!

Furrrr!!!! -1 Currency


नोटटूटातोफुर्र!! (Note Tuta to Furrrrr) -It is a Hindi phrase which means once a high denomination note is exchanged for smaller ones or for some small purchase, it just flies like birds. It is difficult to say how and when it evolved but surely after notes came into circulation. It may mean nothing to rich but for poor it is a curse.

As it is, he seldom gets a high denomination note but when he get and is forced to use it, is beyond the understanding of one whose pocket is heavy with notes. Once in blue moon if he or she gets it, tries to keep in hiding from the eyes of other members lest they come up with some demands or may be for some rainy day, forgetting everyday is a rainy day for him.

Let us examine it in the light of demonetisation. November 10, 2016 when he got up in the morning the whole neighborhood was in disarray. Exactly at 12 in the night, currency notes of 1000 and 500 were banned and declared illegal. Who declares own children illegitimately? You or your likes in the past, brought these notes in circulation and now you declare them illegitimate! Or you thought since they were not yours, hence can be declared illegitimate !

Every earning member in the family, shamelessly, started looking into their hiding places, pocketed them stealthily and without a word, without any food in the belly, stood in line at the nearest bank to get them exchanged with legal tenders, like a beggar. Some waited for hours, some for days depending upon their luck and availability. Some even died. That was the day he took a vow never to accept higher denomination notes, forget about keeping them. Who knows which one will be declared illegal tomorrow?

In the same shameless way, at 8 p.m., March 25, 2020, nationwide lockdown to face the pandemic named Corona or Covid-19, was announced effective 12 midnight same night, just 4 hours notice! The decision makers had no heart to feel what will happen to those who dig a well everyday to quench their thirst. Heavens would not have fallen if they were given a day or two to grasp the situation and take necessary steps. They could have stored some essentials, Government could have helped them to do so financially. Those who wanted to go to their native places, could have managed to do so.

But no! We do what we feel right. The result is thousand of laborers with families and small kids are on the road on foot, some on railway tracks on their way to their nests hundreds of miles away. Many have died on the way of hunger or crushed under the wheels of trucks and goods trains.

Again, the same apathy towards poor and helpless! The trains and buses could have been made available much earlier when it was getting clear that they wanted to go to their homes as they neither have jobs, no money, no place to stay, no hopes of survival.

Death is inevitable but dying of hunger!

In both the cases the expected happened. Under demonetisation, Those who were in the know or were resourceful got their notes deposited or exchanged. All hopes of extracting the black money went haywire. Not a single case of black money was reported.

Under lockdown rich and resourceful got their children and families from where ever they were in India or abroad. Buses and planes were provided immediately.

For the poor? Same old age excuses and humiliation. Wait! We are doing! Don't lose patience!

The Kings change, not the kinghood.

May 23, 2020