Chennai: New notes, talk of the town

Chennai: Residents of Chennai had mixed reactions to the process of exchanging currency notes as banks on Thursday began giving new notes for old notes worth Rs 4,000. While many office-goers exchanged money before heading to their offices, small traders and shop owners preferred not to visit the banks. “I am not planning to visit the bank today. If I go to the bank, who will take care of my stall?” asked a sugarcane juice seller.

Many professionals in the service sectors rushed to banks by 8 am in order to get their money exchanged. “I got a Rs 2,000 note and the rest in notes of Rs 10 and Rs 50,” said an IT professional at a branch of ICICI on the Old Mahabalipuram Road. “Some branches were soon out of cash because of the huge number of people,” he continued. While the ones who were excited by the exchange took to social media to post selfies with their proud possession of crisp Rs 2,000 notes, some were wondering what the brouhaha was all about. “It is just a new note! I don’t see why people would want to post about it on Facebook. Yes, on the sad side, if a pickpocket lays a hand on my wallet, he would, in one go, earn Rs 2,000 – which would indeed be sad for me,” said one person.

Many bank visitors were dispirited by the huge crowds and finally decided to leave to come another day. “The ATMs are not going to function until tomorrow morning. I have been waiting for long but it does not look like I can wait much longer. I am already late for work,” said P. Senthil, a resident of Ekkatuthangal. “I am happy that I got money exchanged within half an hour. Now it is becoming crowded,” said J.Vasanth, at the Indian Bank in Guindy.