Over the years, the value of the Indian Rupee (INR) has changed tremendously, so much so that today a rupee is valued to two toffees (Melody / Éclairs).
You shop worth Rs 99/- at a store, you give a 100 rupees note to the cashier and instead of the one rupee change he will give you an Éclairs. And the most intriguing thing is that this trend does not work vice versa. Once while shopping at a stationery shop, I noticed a small girl about 10 years arguing with the cashier. Curious to know, I approached them and was surprised to hear what had happened. The girl had bought a pencil and some drawing sheets. Her billed amount was Rs 21/- and she was carrying only Rs 20/- in her pocket. She searched into her pocket and brought out a toffee and gave it to the cashier saying, “Uncle, I don’t have one rupee change, so keep this toffee instead.” Her innocent gesture said it all. Although the cashier did not accept the toffee, he realised the value of a rupee.
It is not just in one shop or city, but this trend has been observed in most of the big stores and almost every place where cash transactions take place, across India. Recently at a toll tax point, the man at the counter returned to me three toffees instead of the change amount.
The question is – is the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) short of coins to supply or is this just another trick of the trade people to increase their sales? Whatever be the reason, the matter is serious. We generally overlook such things, but believe me, this is leading us all to another world of corruption. The only way out is to – say no. The next time anyone offers you toffees or chocolates, ask them for the change amount.
Most of us are annoyed by this trickery of the stores but for that matter, are we doing anything to stop this nuisance. As a matter of fact, we are supporting it by our negligence. Many a times we accept the toffees when we don’t actually eat these. Isn’t that a waste of that one rupee?
A rupee is worth much more than just a toffee. If you don’t realise it, then just notice a hungry beggar on the street who has to beg for a single rupee all day, sometimes even for days together so he can buy food for himself. He can tell you the exact value of a rupee. Ask a lady when her heart beat rises with the rising prices of grocery and domestic LPG. Ask a common man when his budget is disturbed by the rising fuel prices and taxes. Ask a serviceman who has to work 12-16 hours a day just to make ends meet. Ask a small child who fills up his piggy bank every day with a rupee. They will tell you what a rupee is worth to them.
We all want to change the present scenario of our nation, but don’t know how to do it. Here we have a chance by saving a rupee. Instead of wasting that coin on a toffee, why not save it for a good cause. If each one of us save or donate one rupee, imagine what it will amount to. India being the second most populated country in the world, we can save billions of rupees each day. Remember, “Drop by drop would make a lake”.
If you can’t stop it, at least don’t encourage it… or just be prepared for the day when World Bank will announce toffee as the new currency of India. Imagine buying a house worth 25 lakh toffees, luxury car for eight lakh toffees, television for 20,000 toffees and so on.
Sounds funny but not impossible. Think about it!
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