In Pictures: A Week of Long Lines and ‘Demon’-etisation Distress

The PM’s decision to ban 500 and 1,000 rupee notes has impacted the daily lives of people.

A sign outside an ATM says ‘Cash Over.’ (Photo: Reuters)

In the aftermath of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetisation policy, long queues and sleepless nights have knocked on the doors of millions.

The past week has been long drawn and exhausting, with the currency ban affecting the day-to-day lives of people.

While some stories that have come out of this week are testament to the resilience of the Indian populace, several others are of hardships, suffering and lives that could have been saved.

Take a look at India this week, in the wake of the currency ban.

An elderly man on a wheel chair waits his turn outside a bank. (Photo: AP)

An 85-year-old lady holds the new Rs 2,000 note she received at a bank. (Photo: AP)

Women in Chennai wait outside a bank to exchange money. (Photo: AP)

An elderly man standing in line collapses from exertion. (Photo: AP)

People get the elderly man a glass of water as he recuperates. (Photo: AP)

A man hands out water to people waiting in line. (Photo: AP)

A tired woman sits by the side walk as her child sleeps on her lap. (Photo: AP)

People line up their slippers outside a bank to mark their spot in the line. (Photo: Twitter/Birdie)

A woman in Gorakhpur dies of shock after hearing the news of demonetisation. She had saved two 1,000 rupee notes and thought they were no longer valid. (Photo: Twitter/Azad Parindey)

Waiting in queues for hours and returning empty handed, people resorted to spending the night on the pavement, waiting for the bank to open. (Photo: Reuters)