How do we not flash the cash? It’s Delhi

Can we live without flashing our money in people's faces? Not really, even if the Reserve Bank of India politely asks us not to.

Can we live without flashing our money in people's faces? Not really, even if the Reserve Bank of India politely asks us not to. Politeness doesn't stand a chance in front of all that's loud and flashy, and whether the RBI likes it or not, flaunting garlands of crisp notes is here to stay at shaadis, political rallies and the like.


The RBI recently asked people to discontinue using currency garlands as it shortens the life of the notes. "Banknotes should be respected as they are a symbol of the Sovereign, and the public should not misuse them, and help in increasing their life," the RBI urged. But those in the business of producing these money-malas say that in a place like Delhi, where people love to show off, the trend is unlikely to chicken out.

People will never stop using currency garlands: Mala makers

"This work has been going on in our family for generations. Aaj kal log phoolon ki mala pehenne mein nakhra karte hain, kyunki unhe lagta hai unki sherwani ka colour na kharab ho jaaye. Par noton ki mala pehenne se toh dikhaawa karne ka mauka milta hai," says Sagar, a currency garland shop owner in the Chitli Kabar area of Chandni Chowk.

AK Kapoor, the manager of a jewellery shop in Tilak Nagar that also supplies such garlands, says, "People have been buying currency garlands for generations. It is most prevalent among Punjabis, who like to show off, and I doubt people will ever discontinue them."

Shajauddin from Chandni Chowk, who has been in the business of making currency garlands since 1987, agrees. "The RBI had issued a similar directive some time back too, but it didn't have any impact. Buying currency garlands is most prevalent in UP, Delhi and Punjab, where people like to show off their money and power. The notes can easily be taken out of the garland and used again. In fact, we tell people how to take out the notes after photos of the groom wearing the mala have been clicked."


The season for demand

The biggest demand for currency garlands is during Ramzaan and the wedding season. "People adorn their kids who are keeping their first Roza with such garlands. People also buy them for politicians. Par malaaon ka kaam seasonal hai. Abhi toh demand kam hi hai," says Pankaj Roshanlal Jain, who owns a shop in the Kinari Bazar in Chandni Chowk.

How are these malas made?

While some vendors make garlands by buying notes, some ask customers to get their own notes. "Humnein maximum ek lakh tak ki mala banaayi hai. Sabse zyaada common woh mala hai jo dus-dus ke noton ki banti hai. Hamaare customers toh aise hain jo bees saal se hamaare paas hi aate hain. Isse banane mein ek ghante se zyaada time nahi lagta hai. Kuch toh hamaare paas stock mein hi rehti hain," reveals Shajauddin.

Another shop owner, Zahid Ansari, tells us, "What the RBI is saying, that using notes in garlands shortens their life, isn't true. This is a custom that has been going on for generations. Yeh note aaraam se nikal jaate hain. Log itna kharcha karte hain, aur jaise hi sab khatam hota hai, woh note nikaal lete hain."

Where do the notes come from?

Harkishan Singh, the owner of an artificial jewellery shop in Tilak Nagar, tells us, "We procure notes from the Kachcha Bagh area in Chandni Chowk. It is difficult to find notes of lower denominations these days. Pehle toh paanch ke noton ki mala ban jaati thi, par aaj kal paanch ke naye note milna tough hai."

Shajauddin elaborates, "The most expensive is the bundle of five-rupee notes, because they're no longer being issued. Paanch ke noton ki mala, jismein 100 note lage hon, `900 se kam ki nahi milegi. The garlands which have `10 notes are the most common. The present rate of a bundle containing 100 notes of `10 is `1,040. And one can easily get new notes of `500 and `1,000."

It's a matter of pride

Mohammad Jigriya, who was buying a mala, told us, "This is for a wedding. The tradition is that the brother-in-law of the groom gives him a currency garland to wear at the wedding. How can we just end this practice?" Rishabh *, whose brother is getting married in October, said, "This is a family tradition. The groom has to wear a currency garland for the photos. It's a thing of pride, since relatives want to know ki kitne ki mala peheni hai."

Mohit*, a soon-to-be groom, says, "One doesn't get married every day. Since Indian weddings are all about grandeur and splurging, I'm definitely going to wear a mala."


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