Demonetization

There were warnings and cautions from PM Modi during mid of year in his much famous talk show on radio, Mann Ki Baat. There were policies for self Income declaration with marginal penalty. He was very vocal and appealed tax evaders to come clean otherwise there will be strict action against them. It was definitely a kind of warning/caution.

When I use to hear this, I cannot stop to wonder myself as, how can or what can, a prime minister do, if my owner doesn't promptly pay his tax. PM is somewhere in New Delhi while my owner is sitting in some corner of a city. There are several others residing in tiny cities/villages who casually evade plenty of tax. PM cannot track each and everyone of them. He can't do anything about it. But still, how can he confidently warn people over radio? How will people take him seriously. This thought was constantly bothering in my head.

It was November 8th, around 8:15PM, there were spur of whatsapp messages on my phone, as though it was my birthday. I was really surprised as such, how come all of a sudden so many contacts became active. When I read the messages, they said 500 and 1000 denominations are banned from mid night today and asked to watch Modi's announcement. Initially, I was skeptical. After-all, these are so called whatsapp messages (if you know what I mean). But few contacts, which are like Manmohan Singh also started to speak up. It made me curious and opened youtube to watch PM talk Live about the demonetization announcement. Wow, such a bold move. I applauded heartily for the guts and WILL of this man to take this decision.

All the time while hearing to Modi's speech, I started to believe, PM can do "anything" to crub tax evaders whom he had warned earlier. I saluted his action. Now, not just my owner but all hiding tax evaders were scrutinized and shocked. No matter where he is hiding in any corner of India, this move has hit him hard. I could literally observe it in my owner's worries.

However, I had never expected that this move could cause such a burden/abrupt to normal lives. As days preceded post announcement, the bank/ATMs started to get crowded. Some people started to highlight about troubles of common man for their political gain (you exactly know whom i am referring to here) and oppose this demonetization move. But I hardly heard any common man opposing it although he faced troubles. He was in full support and ready to bear the pain for betterment of nation unlike these few politicians.

I totally agree that demonetization is not the final step or the Ultimate move to crub all the black money and make India free from all corruption. But it is certainly first step forward in that direction. There will be pain for few days for daily wage workers & low-middle class people but it has to be bear-ed. One cannot expect something good to happen without equal hard work and pain. People crib about corruption, black money and how it has to be eradicated but no one takes any action in eradicating it. If you take any action in achieving it, the steps will be harsh and painful for certain amount of time. After-all, this corruption practise and tax evasion persists in India from a really long long time.

The government also took quite a steps to ensure hospital, bus services, petrol bunks etc which are essential for day-to-day activity to accept old notes for few days but it was not much effective.

Finally, PM Modi's action certainly made people to take his words seriously. Although its an essential move & first step towards betterment of India but along with this, certain other essential strong policies and law enforcement must also come in place. As the so called black money is not just cash but it will be under various other forms, like real estate, gold, abroad holdings, stocks etc. I hope there will be further action taken to cover these aspects also in near future. But my humble request is to not crib again for inconvenience caused, trouble for common man etc. To achieve bright future of India there will be pain. It cannot happen overnight with all joyous and happy path. It has to happen gradually with certain pain and disturbances. As the famous saying goes, No gain without any pain. Please bear the pain for the ultimate gain.