Here is a
common story!
Once upon a
time, there was a salaried person (or an honest businessman) and as such
possessing all accounted for, so-called white money! However, since he needed
to buy a property, he was required to pay a substantial amount in cash. So,
what did he do? He withdrew money from his bank account in instalments and
converted the white into black! He paid it off and continued living his clean
life with no black money. Some time later, when he wanted to sell off his property,
the same cycle was repeated because the buyer would give him cheque plus cash –
the money unaccounted for in the books. And lo, in the process, he too joins
the elite group possessing black money. The cycle goes on like this. You read
in the advertisements that a property is available for X amount and on the
other hand, all those deals are being registered at X/2. It has always been an
open secret. Still no action by any government. It required a political will – way,
way above the vote bank politics.
Property is
just one example… there would be many… We all know!
Strange
shades of life!
On 8 November
2016, India had a glimpse of that missing political will. It came as such a
shock that whoever heard about it, refused to believe and termed it as a prank
/ rumour.
Since I didn’t
have enough cash in small denomination notes, decided to go to the bank very
next morning. I have been quite used to almost instant service in recent times.
However, it happened to be a long queue at the bank and took almost one and a
half hours. No complaints. The bank staff was doing everything to make the
experience lesser painful… distributing required forms and even getting
photocopies of your PAN cards. When a lady sat on the stairs to fill a form, a
staff member asked her if he could get her a chair. Very well managed. It was
Vasant Kunj, New Delhi branch of HDFC Bank. My all appreciation for them… YET,
you could hear some shouts from the people in the queue. Yes, the staff members
kept their cool recognizing that sometimes that’s what you get in return to all
good work done by you!
Strange shades
of life!
Then, look
at the political opposition! They were so shocked by the announcement that
there was almost no immediate reaction. As soon as they regained senses, the
gang went overdrive to spread misinformation regarding mistakes in the new currency
and producing the picture of a lady with a bundle of the new currency to “reveal”
that the lady was the daughter of a BJP leader and they all knew about the
plan. The picture went viral with no one knowing that the alleged BJP didn’t even
have a daughter. The mistake in the new notes was believed without bothering to
check the older notes in circulation to confirm that it was sheer misinformation.
Who was doing all this? While forwarding a message does not take any time, “manufacturing”
it does! And spokespersons of different political parties display the same as
proof in the TV debates. Just imagine the kind of forces at work to destroy the
country to further their political interests.
Strange
shades of life!
A senior
political leader goes and joins the queue in the bank to display solidarity
with the harassed public, without realizing that his presence over there is
only multiplying their inconvenience. The focus is clear. Instead of seeing
what can be done to reduce their discomfort, an opportunity is seen in
instigating people to turn them against the government of the day. On the other
hand, a school principal in Baghpat (U.P.) along with his students goes all out
to help the old and illiterate to fill up their forms and smoothen the process.
Look at the contrast!
Strange
shades of life!
Then where
are the NGOs, who are always too keen to jump at the next available opportunity
to agitate and demonstrate for a “cause”.
Are they also busy in counting old currency and assessing their loss? In
contrast to these NGOs and social organizations, who are supposed to be working
above any self interest, you see residents / traders associations and
individual volunteers coming out to help bankers manage crowds and serving the
common public in the queue with water and tea with no self interest.
Strange
shades of life!
Our able
leaders suggest that the scheme should be put on hold for some time and
relaunched later after better preparation. I wonder how any sensible person can
talk like this. Is it possible? Perhaps they mean that they should be given time to prepare themselves (!) And they
claim to be honest and intelligent. Yes, they are intelligent, because they
know that this initiative just cannot be withdrawn or put on hold. It can never
happen; YET speaking like this serves their political interest. They know if
they try to help the common people to reduce their pain, the credit will go to
the government. Therefore, O common man! Your pain is my gain. I will make sure
that whatever pain you have, you feel it more!
Strange
shades of life!
