Strange Shades of Life!

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!