In many different ways, the past year has made me aware about the notion of glory in sacrifice.
January saw a PhD scholar in my university commit suicide for the Dalit cause. Maybe he imagined that his death would fuel a movement that would demand justice for one of India's most downtrodden and marginalised sections. Or maybe he just couldn't take the many injustices done to him anymore. As he lived in a state that was created, in part, due to several students self-immolating themselves, perhaps this made sense to him...
Then in November, the Prime Minister decided that he would ban all Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes in a bid to wipe out 'black money' from the economy. In the days that followed, only ordinary people felt the consequences of this decision. People in influential positions and those who had accrued millions in black money were able to use their power and connections to bypass inconveniences such as standing in queues for hours and real problems such as facing a cash crunch.
Those worst hit by the decision seem to be those from lower-middle class and lower class. I had expected an out pour of rage against demonetisation. Instead, it seems that most people seem to look at it as a temporary sacrifice that they need to make. This temporary sacrifice would bear fruits in the long run.
There is no evidence to back this sentiment up. About 86% of the cash was in Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations. In the 40 odd days that have passed since the demonetisation decision, about 80% of the cash has been either deposited or exchanged. This either means that there is not as much black money in cash as was previously believed or that people have found a way to channel their illicit cash into banks. Even if we were to assume that some people are caught, as they have been, it is debatable whether the costs of the exercise can be justified by the gains. Several man hours have been wasted, the economy has slowed down, people have died waiting in queues.
Yet, there is glory in this sacrifice for many. I would not judge whether this glory is true or misplaced. It is merely an observation.
January saw a PhD scholar in my university commit suicide for the Dalit cause. Maybe he imagined that his death would fuel a movement that would demand justice for one of India's most downtrodden and marginalised sections. Or maybe he just couldn't take the many injustices done to him anymore. As he lived in a state that was created, in part, due to several students self-immolating themselves, perhaps this made sense to him...
Then in November, the Prime Minister decided that he would ban all Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes in a bid to wipe out 'black money' from the economy. In the days that followed, only ordinary people felt the consequences of this decision. People in influential positions and those who had accrued millions in black money were able to use their power and connections to bypass inconveniences such as standing in queues for hours and real problems such as facing a cash crunch.
Those worst hit by the decision seem to be those from lower-middle class and lower class. I had expected an out pour of rage against demonetisation. Instead, it seems that most people seem to look at it as a temporary sacrifice that they need to make. This temporary sacrifice would bear fruits in the long run.
There is no evidence to back this sentiment up. About 86% of the cash was in Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations. In the 40 odd days that have passed since the demonetisation decision, about 80% of the cash has been either deposited or exchanged. This either means that there is not as much black money in cash as was previously believed or that people have found a way to channel their illicit cash into banks. Even if we were to assume that some people are caught, as they have been, it is debatable whether the costs of the exercise can be justified by the gains. Several man hours have been wasted, the economy has slowed down, people have died waiting in queues.
Yet, there is glory in this sacrifice for many. I would not judge whether this glory is true or misplaced. It is merely an observation.
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