Essay on 'An Hour At ATM Line' | My experience after standing in an ATM line for hours

Nobody likes waiting. Nowadays it is our choice not to wait for something for an extensive time. Standing in line for a long period is also monotonous because we all have busy schedules. But Government's unexpected determination changes our mind forcefully.

No one likes long lines. But anyone wanting to exchange the banned notes or withdraw money has faced a lengthy wait after demonetization. But all that waiting has produced humorous and heartwarming moments. Frustration mounts as ATMs run dry within hours of opening. Even on a Sunday, lines outside ATMs stay Serpentine. Long queues were seen in front of ATMs as thousands of anxious people waited to take out cash. People showed kindness somewhere, but difficult situations also faced. Their point of view is that if it is helpful for the countrymen, then they are willing to forget about this inappropriate situations. Though the step is acceptable the way of implementation is imperfect.

Indian Prime Minister's demonetization move has set off headlines across the world, though it was not in that way he necessarily hoped. It was initially pegged as an important step in the fight against fake notes. The primary target is to destroy black money from the country. India's middle-class, lower-middle- class and lower-income households have spent the huddled in serpentine queues trying to get small amounts of cash.

Such a day, I joined one of the lines of ATM at 5:10 p.m.(local time). There were roughly 40 people in front of me. The people waiting in line were primarily from middle-class, lower- middle-class and lower-income households: executives from private sector companies, handymen, pensioners, students, and homemakers. I met another person, who also lined up for half an hour to withdraw money, shared his bitter experience of the previous day. Though the situation was complicated; people cooperated with the government for their betterment. However, we know we can handle tough situations with patience, but we express our annoyance very shortly.

Another waited fretfully only to find out when he reached the ATM that his card had been locked. Despite the affliction, the overall mood was still reasonably calm. There were no tussles, and most of the criticism of the policy was measured, aimed at the enactment rather than the intention of the move itself. The small sample size was not confronting; people still seemed to be at the back of the prime minister. A consumer at the ATM said it is a good move initiated by the Government to constraint black money.

As for me, I managed to take some money out at 6.15 p.m.(local time) finally just over an hour after I first stood in line, compared to the experiences of many people, an actual success. Even as the Opposition parties continue to question government clampdown on black money, citizens of the country have accepted the move. My overall experience was not so bad because I came to know about various types of situations faced by different people.