Demonetisation: A bold move for nation’s welfare

On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dropped a bombshell that took the whole of India and the world as well by a mix of shock and awe when he announced that high value currency notes would be demonetised from the very next day. It was a momentous step taken by the government towards eradicating corruption, which has assumed massive proportions in our country. Prior to Mr Modi, many leaders came, spoke about eradicating corruption and went away, but none of them took a major step like this. While the common man is happy with the government’s decision, the corrupt, including many considered high and mighty, have opposed the initiative out of fear that they too would be caught. It’s true that the process of exchanging old currency notes in banks and post offices was accompanied by a lot of chaos and confusion, what with crores of people participating in it. It’s also true that the elders were among the worst affected as they had to join queues for hours and some lives were also lost. Despite all the inconvenience that they had to undergo, a majority of the people co-operated with the government in the hope and confidence that it would improve their lives and help establish a better India for the coming generations. New 500 and 2,000 rupee currency notes were also launched as part of the drive which was planned so meticulously that only two more people other than the prime minister knew about it. Aptly summing up the philosophy behind the move, the prime minister said: “People who change after change, will survive. People who change with the change, will succeed. People who cause the change will lead!”

AISHANI VAIDYA Class 8-B, Army Public School, Noida