Money matters

                                              Money Matters

It is almost a decade and a half since  Madhav Menon and  Madhavi Amma settled in “Madhavi Nilayam “, the ancestral house endowed in her name in God's own country.  Nair had many years of service in a very senior position at different locations in the country and agreed to the wishes of his wife to transport himself to the rural background of Kerala.

  After a heavy morning breakfast, he had nothing else to do, except wait for the next course of the middle-class lunch getting ready in the kitchen with the combined efforts of  Kalyani, the at-home maid under the supervision of  Madhavi Amma. 

There were materials to read on the table, local and English News journals, magazines in the vernacular of special interest to the lady of the house in particular, spicy and juicy. She was deprived of this luxury when he was in service in Cities and god-forsaken remote locations. Out of the bunch he took  ‘India Today’  and saw an article by Dr. Paranjpai on Money matters. It must be good, thought Menon.  He writes beautifully without cliches. Even if not, why bother?  

If you think about it in Vedantic terms, money is nothing. It is for the haves, an instrument to exchange, bargain, and flourish. For the have-nots a piece of paper with beautifully carved pictures on either side.

Sundry thoughts looming large over them, he looked far to the compound and saw Kunjan seriously around the plantain at his odd jobs. Forgot that some cash was required by evening to pay for his labor, thought Menon and rushed him to the Bank for currency.  

 ‘Yes Sir, today being Saturday, they work up to 2 pm only for money transactions’, Kunjan said. While handing over the Signed  Cheque for Rs 2000/-, Menon is appreciative of his general knowledge. He sped away in no time to the Bank. The Bank Branch mainly deals in gold loans and is smarter than the World Bank, having an H.O. in Tamil Nadu. 

Already Lunch announcement call came a few times from inside the Dining room. Without waiting Menon finished the two-course lunch in the company of Madhavi Amma and had chewed his Pan combo, a habit cultivated long ago.

 By this time came the rich man Kunjan with Cash in hand. And handed over new notes of Rs.500 three each, Rs 200 two no.s, and two lottery tickets of Rs100 each, scratching his head for acceptance.

‘Who asked you to take Lottery tickets, or is it a counterfeit’ questioned Menon. 

‘Tickets? Where from? It’s all new Notes. It has come in the Newspaper too". Kunjan said.  'Don’t talk about newspapers. You could have taken one more 500. There is no box or border or Gandhi in these notes, but only colors. Ask them to give these notes to Gold loan customers.

Kunjan couldn’t but laugh at Menon and pitied who was so knowledgeable and had foreign degrees in Economics and all that, but didn’t utter a word.

Okay, OK go now. You should give original notes in case unable to buy something later. Come back soon in the afternoon without wasting time for having spent a lot in the Bank. 

Kalyani came in between smiling and handed over a carrier and plate containing lunch to Kunjan. They have cultivated a special relationship known to Amma and Menon.

Why haven’t you joined the Comrades, Kunjan asked Menon half-wittingly. 

‘ Not necessary sir,  I will collect my quota, kept near the side room, along with wage in the evening before leaving and it is economically more viable.’ was Kunjan’s repartee.

😏