Capt Purushottam Sharma (Retd)
We often come across bridegrooms and some ‘important personalities’ also loaded with garlands made of currency notes. Obviously, this is the misuse of currency which is primarily meant for conducting our routine transactions. It is nothing but a ‘false pride’ and a ‘cheap pomp’ which emerge either in offering or in accepting such currency note-garlands of varieties of hues with different denominations.
The currency notes used in making garlands are always new which are not normally found in plenty in day-to-day circulation. Vendors, however, somehow manage to get new currency-notes and prepare garlands which they sell at exorbitant rates. New currency notes are pricked, pierced and twisted in the process of making garlands thus causing reduction in their ‘life span’. The damage done to the curency notes by thread-piercing, staple-pricks and unpleasant folds amounts to mutilation. After a currency note is removed from the garland, it carries on it the ‘pellets’ of staples which have to be removed before putting it in circulation. These pricks leave behind ‘scars’ and ‘holes’ and the poor currency note is permanently disfigured and damaged.
A garland made of currency notes cannot fetch the amount of elation and joy which one derives from that made of natural flowers, imagine and roses. Such a garland is elating to the eyes and throws flood of fragrance around and arouses all the admiration for the Mother Nature and the owner ot the Universe.
We invariably offer natural flowers and their garlands to the Gods and Goddesses in our daily worship. If Gods and Goddesses are made to propitiate with natural flowers and their garlands then why not human beings also ?
A true and trustworthy friend or a relative will neither offer nor accept such fake garlands of currency notes for such offers smack of material motive and not genuine love, affection and regards that the mutual ties demand. Surely their warm-heartedness will be more profound if they make use of natural flowers full of rich fragrance.
We also find some of the users keeping and taking out currency notes looking like wicks with many awkwards folds which is also one of the reasons for reducing the life-span of currency notes.
Some currency notes are found smudged by the betel sellers and betel chewers which give an irksome look. Some people use blank spaces of currency notes for writing cell numbers, names and even addresses.
We ought to handle the currency with all humility and due reverence for we call it Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth who is also the Lord Vishnu’s consort. So we cannot afford to incur Their displeasure by maltreating or mishandling the currency.
In this age of enlightenment and fast move towards Golden Age which the Global Family aspires for, it is not worthwhile to let grow such unhealthy practices of offering or accepting garlands made of currency notes in the society wherein there are countless millions of people in appalling condition whose basic needs are not being met.
If a bridegroom is extended the offer of currency-notes-garlands to make him look majestic and captivating why a bride is denied this offer? Is it not unfair to her and detrimental to the cause of women empowerment ?
Such a practice of using garlands made of currency notes may be a temptation of a ‘select group’ but it does not find favour with the wise people. It is embrassing to those who can ill-afford such a practice. It is a teasing to the poor.
Currency should be handled meticulously, kept and stored in wallets of appropriate size, its piercing, pricking and twisting avoided so that its life span is preserved to the maximum extent. The country will be economically benefitted if the currency is handled with care to last longer. There will be huge saving in costs of paper, printing, minting and transportation to required destinations.
People must stop use of currency notes in making garlands in the interest of saving our national resources. Government of India and Reserve Bank of India should also take necessary steps to implement the relevant provisions of law. If required, law prohibiting misuse of currency should be legislated.
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