To all my smart, intelligent, analytical friends who have left no stone unturned to prove just how pointless the demonetization step is in the war against black money. Thanks. I now understand that black money will not end, there might be a brief pause and then it will continue because India is a cash economy. I also get the hardship this will cause millions of people with small savings who don't trust the banking system, who are illiterate, marginalized, saving money from rapacious family members and so on and so forth. I sympathize with the travellers who are stuck with large currency notes that they cannot use, or not enough money on the road to small towns in India where you can't use cards. It could just as easily have been me in your situation. But the reason why middle class, salaried, play-by-rules people like me are enjoying this is so basic, so irrational, and yet so deeply ingrained in human psyche, that no amount of logic is going to help. It's the feeling of the underdog winning something for once.
Let me try and explain this with an allegory. Amit is a Gurgaon resident who drives his CNG Suzuki Swift to work everyday. He gets a pollution check done every 6 months, regularly maintains his car, does not drive on high beam, and sticks to his lane - real or imaginary. All around him is the madness of Gurgaon traffic. Honking, overspeeding, rash driving. When he stops at a deserted red light he divides his attention between the traffic light and the rear view mirror, keenly aware of the fact that he can be rear ended by a Gurgaonwasi who just can't imagine someone stopped at a red light for no reason. Most drivers zip past him without a care., some slow down to check if there is a policeman watching, since that is the only conceivable reason in their minds to stop at the light.
One day, after being cut off and honked by two impatient drivers who were stuck behind him at a red light - one even on a cellphone, Amit feels he has reached his limit. His frustration is boiling over. He wants to catch up to one of these guys - lets call him Skippy - and give them a piece of his mind. Just at that moment - he sees both of them jump a red light and get caught by a traffic policeman - an honest one. He sees them fined for jumping the light and cellphone driving. As he drives past them, his frustration melts away, and he feels a mixture of vindication and vindictiveness. It takes the rage out of his system, and he is back to his conscientious self.
It's one of those days - when the system instead of beating down on us play-by-rules types, is actually giving Skippy a hard time. I'm rubbing my hands with glee and cackling with spiteful laughter. I'm enjoying watching these people roast. I'm loving accounts of people losing sleep over cash property deals, over sales done without bill, over consulting fees taken in cash and sitting in bank lockers. It would be really good for the economy if this is followed up with steps that discourage black money like tax reform, financial inclusion and wider acceptance of plastic. But for now, I'm in the grip of a visceral desire to gloat, and that's not going away anytime soon.
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