Six days into the ongoing cash crisis, after Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 villages across the country have moved to a cashless economy by going back to the oldest exchange method known to humanity. All praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "bold move to curb the parallel black money economy," villagers have resorted to bartering essential goods until the situation normalises.
In Jharkhand, a show of goodwill and cooperation is keeping the rural economy moving. "Shopkeepers are allowing credit to people they know because they are aware of the cash crunch and understand that their money is safe," said Pradeep Oraon, former village head of Banari in Gumla, adding that some people had pooled in commodities to exchange among themselves instead of going to the market.
"Instead of going to the market to sell our vegetables, we have decided to give it to our shopkeeper and in return got some mustard oil and spices," said Dinu Mahto of Boreya village. Odisha witnessed similar scenes as people came together to help each other. "I exchanged three kilograms of cauliflower with a fisherman for a kg of fish," said Arakhita Mandal, a vegetable grower in Jamboo village, Kendrapada district.
Another villager added that the 'buy-now-pay-later' policy of shopkeepers had eased the situation for them. "There are inconveniences. But the grocery shops are ready to sell items on udhar (credit). It's not a big problem here," said Suratha Behera, a native of Kantabanji township in Balangir district. Shivaram Bhat, a farmer from Karnataka's Kolthige village, keeps Rs 5,000 in cash with him at all times. He had to travel 5km to get his old notes exchanged.
"I don't mind a little inconvenience as something good will come out of the demonetisation drive," he said.
A shop in Gadag district provided a bride her trousseau on credit. Shop owner Sheetal Bagmar told, "Our business is based on the farmers of the surrounding villages. We always respond to their problems one or another way. This time they are facing the dearth of currency notes. We understand their plight so we are giving clothes on credit for weddings." Humanitarian acts were reported from across the country as cash ran out at several bank branches.
In Jharkhand, a show of goodwill and cooperation is keeping the rural economy moving. "Shopkeepers are allowing credit to people they know because they are aware of the cash crunch and understand that their money is safe," said Pradeep Oraon, former village head of Banari in Gumla, adding that some people had pooled in commodities to exchange among themselves instead of going to the market.
"Instead of going to the market to sell our vegetables, we have decided to give it to our shopkeeper and in return got some mustard oil and spices," said Dinu Mahto of Boreya village. Odisha witnessed similar scenes as people came together to help each other. "I exchanged three kilograms of cauliflower with a fisherman for a kg of fish," said Arakhita Mandal, a vegetable grower in Jamboo village, Kendrapada district.
Another villager added that the 'buy-now-pay-later' policy of shopkeepers had eased the situation for them. "There are inconveniences. But the grocery shops are ready to sell items on udhar (credit). It's not a big problem here," said Suratha Behera, a native of Kantabanji township in Balangir district. Shivaram Bhat, a farmer from Karnataka's Kolthige village, keeps Rs 5,000 in cash with him at all times. He had to travel 5km to get his old notes exchanged.
"I don't mind a little inconvenience as something good will come out of the demonetisation drive," he said.
A shop in Gadag district provided a bride her trousseau on credit. Shop owner Sheetal Bagmar told, "Our business is based on the farmers of the surrounding villages. We always respond to their problems one or another way. This time they are facing the dearth of currency notes. We understand their plight so we are giving clothes on credit for weddings." Humanitarian acts were reported from across the country as cash ran out at several bank branches.