Cashless and Stranded on Road: How I Survived Modi’s Currency Ban

What do you do when you only have Rs 500 and 1,000 notes and PM Narendra Modi announces his demonetisation policy?

Surviving a cashless week just wasn’t easy. (Photo: Rhythum Seth/ The Quint)

It was a peaceful Tuesday night when my phone started buzzing with notifications of PM Narendra Modi's address to the nation. As he announced the demonetisation of Rs 500 and 1000 notes, I thought it was some sort of a joke (I thought the same when Arvind Kejriwal announced the odd-even scheme last year). But as I switched on the TV, it suddenly hit me that the 3K in my wallet have now become a piece of paper.

Also Read: When Paisa Became a Piece of Paper, Here’s How the Public Reacted

Money, Money Everywhere, Not a Penny to Use

A few days ago, late in the afternoon, I booked a cab to go back home from my office. Having no 'usable' cash in my wallet, I had to pay for my ride with 'Ola money'. However, I was refused the ride because the driver had no money for the fuel as everyone had been paying him using 'Ola money'.

It was a desolate day and auto-wallahs were not ready to go anywhere and there were no cabs in sight. ATMs were deserted and not a single penny was available. So, I walked the whole way.

After Modi’s surprise announcement, I was left with 200 bucks of usable currency. With no knowledge of when I will get more, I had to be careful.

I did not have the courage to stand outside a bank to get my money exchanged and neither did I have the patience to stand in a long queue in front of the ATM, only to find out later that the ATM has run out of cash. So I decided to survive with what I have and reduce my expenses (which wasn’t easy at all).

I had to think twice before doing things that I had taken for granted. For instance, I walked miles to reach my destination because I had no money to spare for auto-rickshaw rides. I went thirsty for hours as I had no change to buy a bottle of water.

I had no courage to be an ATM ninja! (Photo: The Quint)

Also Read: Why Are ATMs Running Out of Cash? No, It Isn’t Only High Demand

Plastic vs Paper

Yes, of course, I had a debit card, a Paytm wallet and knew thousand other ways I could spend my money, but are they enough when you roam around the streets without any cash?

Pro Tip: Going cashless isn't a very good option, in a place where half of the things/services you need depend solely on cash.

Also Read: Credit Cards May Not Help You Either As Demonetisation Takes Toll

Beg, Borrow, Steal

Not very proud of it, but yes, I begged and borrowed (but never stole) money from everyone I met! But help was not forthcoming when everyone had similar woes.

Finally, last night, my dad arranged hundreds of Rs 100 notes from a distant relative who works in a bank (musibat me family hi kaam aati hai?), and the cash crunch went away.

Lessons Learnt

Surviving without cash is never easy. It caused so much trouble to someone who is privileged with a debit card and a Paytm wallet, and people without access to such facilities have it much worse.

Also Read: Long Queues at ATMs and Banks Continue to Haunt People at Varanasi

Although I passed Modiji's test of the common man with flying colours, here are some valuable gems that I will never forget.

1. Never ever go out on the roads without cash.
2. Always, always keep some spare cash hidden inside the wallet that you shouldn’t use unless an emergency strikes.
3. Last, but not the least, make some friends in the banking sector.