Can you recall a day which you can admit that it’s specially meant for you? Well, you can list out several instances when the universe conspired to make you feel special, be it your birthday, anniversary, result day, the day when you met your crush, acceptance of your proposal (whether love, research or book), first salary etc. These are the instances when the universe conspired positively. What if it conspires the other way round for a day?
I am one of those guys who prefers travelling via train over any other mode of transport. That day, I had to book a ‘reserved ticket’ to New Delhi. Since the distance is only 200 km from here, even a waitlisted ticket does the job. Alternatively, if you book a few days prior to your journey, there are meagre chances of getting a confirmed ticket. All thanks to the four months of advance reservation period. Sometimes, I think we’ve been pushed to the edge due to these developments. There is a race even in these trivial aspects of life, where we’re being robbed slowly in terms of time, money and peace. It’s so slow and gradual that we often fail to realize or notice the changes in the short run. If there has been any escape, I would have asked you to avoid you. But since there isn’t any, I would advise you to learn the art of living with it.
Before jumping into the department that morning, I decided to crawl to the reservation counter to get this done at the first opportunity otherwise, there would be less chance of confirmation of the ticket which already was in waiting. Fortunately, I had a ticket counter inside the campus. Hence, I was waived off, from the burden to travel to the railway station. I was confident that they wouldn’t be taking online payments, hence, I carefully placed the only 500/- note I had, in addition to a couple of 10 rupee notes I already had in my wallet. Having ensured everything, I went to the ticket counter, filled out the details in the form and gave it to the booking clerk. There is a column asking the mode of payment. I proudly wrote ‘cash’ there. Doesn’t shopping with cash in your hand give you a one-of-a-kind feeling? He inspected it for a while and handed it back to me for some minor corrections. The process went as flat as a pancake until he asked for the payment. Against 165/-, which was the gross cost of my ticket including all the taxes, I handed him the 500 note. He dug all four packets of his trousers, one of his shirts and then the cash box and exclaimed with a sullen face, “No change”.
At first, I thought he’d arrange it or something would come up. But he didn’t do anything and simply asked me to arrange it by myself. Only then, he would be handing over the ticket to me. I asked him to take it online but he said that you should’ve mentioned it before booking. Nothing can be done now. For a moment, I stood still, cheated as well as startled on the pretext that a railway counter failed to provide the change of 500/-. 2000 ka note hota to koi baat bhi hota. Isn’t it good that we don’t have to vex ourselves with it anymore?
With utmost hope, I went to a medical store nearby and asked for the change. He showed me his safe case and said it was only morning. They’ve just started. I also requested that whether he could provide some 150/- in cash on the condition that I’ll transfer the amount online? “Bhaiyaa…abhi utne bhi nhi hai“, he said and showed a few crumbled notes in his drawer. Dismayed by his response, I proceeded to the other stakeholders in the institutes such as canteens and stationery shops. They too gave similar reasons and added that they’re getting the payment of even one rupee through online mode. They had to withdraw from the ATM to meet their daily needs. Cash has become a rarity. That’s true actually. Even I preferred making most of the payments online. Also, I knew some of them might have Rs. 150/- in cash, but they were reluctant to throw it in as they knew its value. It’s human nature, you know. Until or unless they don’t register your worth, they’re not gonna treat you with love and care.
After facing disappointment from major stakeholders, I then moved to my friends and seniors. If you ask about josh, it wasn’t very high but I had some hope that they might rescue me. After all, that’s what friends are for! I asked about 10-15 people in the department whom I knew and to my surprise, each of them sang in the tone of the major stakeholders. Mara to kam online hi chal janta hai…atm Gaye Jamana ho gaya. One of my friends admitted that his ATM card got blocked because he hadn’t withdrawn a single penny in the last six months. Gajab sthithi hai yaar. Neither anyone had the change of 500/- nor anyone had even 150/- in cash. Even then, I am grateful to Digital India. It’s up to you to think about the reasons.
Going ‘Atmanirbhar’ was the only option left to me. I went to the ATM to withdraw the required amount. But wait! What a bad luck! Money was deducted from the account but it wasn’t delivered through the machine. I was in the state of abyss now. Though I was exasperated, still some courage was left in me. My brain was working at an optimum speed than usual.
I came to my room and started scrounging for chiller, 10 and 20 rupee notes in whatever places I could. I added some 100 bucks like this. Only 50/- more was needed to accomplish the magical number. After meditating for sometime, I recalled that my mother once gave me some money as a blessing when I was leaving home after a vacation. I must have kept it safe. I shuffled across the several compartments of trolley bags and finally came across an envelope. I could see two fresh notes of 500/- as if delivered directly from print had been kept safely. I also located a crumbled 50/- rupee note kept alongside it.
Having collected all the money, which then looked as if the years of savings in Gullak/piggy bank were taken at once, I headed toward the reservation counter. Before giving the money arranged meticulously, I took out the 500/- rupee note again and asked, “if he could manage to get the change?” He replied affirmatively. I hid the change I had and slid a 500/- note to his desk with a smiling face. He returned the smile with the balance amount.
To evade this situation, I would like to recommend a few changes:
- The payment below 50/- should be made in cash.
- The ATM shouldn’t deduct the money before dispensing it.
- It should be made mandatory to withdraw at least some amount every month from ATM.
- Every government sector should be UPI enabled.
Isn’t it ironic that the digital India scheme was introduced by the government and they’re the last one to follow. If you’ve any more suggestions, the comment section is all yours.
PS: You’ll be surprised to know that I didn’t travel on the ticket I booked as one of my friends was en route to Delhi on his personal vehicle. He picked me up on his way.
All the trouble for nothing, right?!
-Shashank
(This is my second post related to this topic. You can read the first one from here)
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