It was 10 pm on 8th November 2016.My sister called on the landline.We were shocked:Rs 500 & Rs 1000 notes had been withdrawn.The next day banks were closed.On 10th morning I was in the queue at our local bank.I was able to deposit some of the notes we had but was allowed to withdraw Rs 5000/- only by cheque.I was at the bank the next morning and was able to withdraw Rs 5000 again.We had many Rs 20 notes now.What followed in the next few days was unrestrained chaos.Nobody was accepting old notes not even CESC which is the electricity provider in Kolkata.I run an advertising agency.SBI,our banker was not accepting our client's cheques and when it did it took over a week to encash the cheque.The queues at various banks were seen to be believed.Why the government was and is still giving Rs 2000/- notes remains a mystery.Everyone wanted Rs 100 notes and whenever an ATM was found to issue Rs 100 notes there were huge queues to withdraw them.In the meanwhile my other sister arrived from Canada.For her various shopping needs she required Rs 60000.I had to fight hard to withdraw this cash early in December but somehow managed by taking money from multiple accounts.The process of demonetization and what followed thereafter is ongoing.We still do not know where we are heading.There are still queues in banks & ATMs and a general paucity of cash.But we hope things will improve.For one we need more Rs 500 notes & these are still not available.I guess times are tough but let's hope we will see better days.
