Ragpicker Kids Discover Bundles of ₹500 Notes in Trash, Find Joy Despite Their Worthlessness | Watch
Ragpicker Kids Discover Bundles of ₹500 Notes in Trash, Find Joy Despite Their Worthlessness | Watch
A discarded bag of demonetised currency brings fleeting happiness to two young boys, sparking a broader conversation about societal inequalities.
In a poignant yet bittersweet moment, two ragpicker children stumbled upon bundles of ₹500 notes stuffed inside a discarded bag while collecting rags in their area. Unaware at first that the notes had been demonetised and held no monetary value, the children celebrated the unexpected discovery, kissing the cash and reveling in the imagined wealth it represented.
The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, shows one of the boys sitting on a trolley rickshaw, proudly holding the bundles of old currency. When asked by a bystander for a note, he happily handed one over, displaying his innocence and generosity. The second boy, also holding several bundles, stood nearby, equally thrilled by their find. They posed for pictures with the notes, clearly enjoying a rare moment of joy.
The 2016 demonetisation drive by the Indian government rendered ₹500 and ₹1000 currency notes invalid as legal tender, in an effort to curb black money and counterfeit currency. Since then, stories of old notes being found in garbage dumps or abandoned locations have periodically surfaced. This latest discovery underscores the lingering presence of demonetised cash and its impact on society.
Social media users were quick to react to the video, with some expressing sadness over the boys’ plight and others humorously suggesting that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) should allow them to exchange the notes for new currency. One comment read, “Trash picker children found many bags full of old demonetised ₹500 rupees currency notes. RBI should give them a chance to deposit and take new currency notes.”
This incident not only highlights the enduring effects of demonetisation but also sheds light on the harsh realities faced by children in impoverished circumstances. For these boys, the worthless bundles symbolised a fleeting escape from their daily struggles, reminding viewers of the disparity between those who discard wealth, even in a symbolic sense, and those who find joy in its remnants.
