Moodabidri: Demonetisation though lauded in general, has had its demonic impacts on the common man. The small vendors and daily wage workers are left without work. Thousands are standing in long queues in front of the banks and ATMs for hours and the houses of poor have run short of grocery leaving them hungry. Here is a good samaritan who came forward to help such people especially the elderly and the illiterates struggling at the banks. Vincent D’Costa, Principal of Rotary School, Moodabidri has trained his students to help people at the banks also doing the noble act himself.
Speaking to Newskarnataka, D’Costa said, “After witnessing chaotic scenes and long queues outside banks and ATMs, I decided to help them. Elderly persons who are rushing to banks to register themselves under the pension scheme are struggling as the deadline ends by November. They are also finding it difficult since long queues are seen for exchanging currency and withdrawing money following demonetisation. “

He further said, “The bank employees are finding it very difficult and I decided to depute teachers from my institution in the banks to assist them. But that did not work. It was obvious that teachers who also have work at school may not be able to go to banks. Hence we trained the students. “

“People are bringing different denominations of notes. The children immediately count their notes and facilitate speedy deposit. If they want to withdraw or exchange they have to fill some applications. The illiterates are finding it difficult and our children go to their rescue.”

“One group of children is filling up the slips/challans, and helping them to withdraw or deposits also leading them to the right counters. Few children are helping the people maintain the queue. The help is being provided at the banks during the peak time of 10am to 1.30pm. We also provided drinking water to those standing in queue especially the elderly persons, “he added.

He added that there was nothing to panic about. “The situation is returning to normal as the withdrawal limit has been increased and also the supply of 100 denomination notes. So people can relax, “he pacified.

D’Costa is indeed an inspiration to all of us and the society needs many people like him to serve the nation without any help in return.