The demonetization move has not just taken the fizz out of the wedding, but hampered it to the extent that there is little money for travel and food
With a wedding soon to take place in the Momin family, it should have been a time for celebration. However, members of the family are now pensive and worried about how to arrange for finances for the wedding.
The demonetization move has not just taken the fizz out of the wedding, but hampered it to the extent that there is little money for travel and food.
Fariq Ahmed Momin was to have his nikah (marriage) on November 13, with the marriage reception scheduled for November 16 in Mumbai. However, the family struggled to have the lights lit outside their Vikhroli home.
The family said they have tried make payments through cheques, but not everyone is willing to accept them. “There are people who do not want to accept payment by cards or cheques, these include suppliers of bands and horses. What do we do in such cases?” said Siraj Ahmed, a family member.
While the family could make peace with the fact that they might not have a band, travel and food expenses are a bigger worry. “The marriage is in Malegaon. About 250 people will be leaving by train and bus on Saturday night. But, we only have Rs 2,500 with us comprising of legal tender notes. Around Rs 2.5 lakh is of no use because Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes cannot be used. We cannot ask for help because everyone is facing the same problem,” said Siraj Ahmed, Fariq’s uncle.
“The move by the PM is good, but very ill planned. There are people who say that news report on the move came out six months ago. Could they not have planned this better by having enough cash?,” he added.
The biggest trouble the family foresees is feeding their guests while travelling. “There is no cash to give. After standing for hours, four family members could just manage to exchange Rs 4,000 from banks. If we have no money, what will we feed our guests on the way?,” said Ahmed.
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