Fake Currency Notes - Some Tips to identify them

We all have been hearing about the recent fake notes racket - a tool being employed by the anti-social elements to destabilize the Indian economy. Huge amounts of fake money are being used to fund terror operations, and as per various sources a sizeable chunk of the total currency in India is fake. Out of the total fake currency in circulation, only a miniscule percentage of it has been confiscated by the authorities.

A few days back I withdrew some money from the ATM. I make it a point to count and check the notes after withdrawing them. So, while I was doing it, I came across a currency note that looked like it was a fake. And needless to say, I became very anxious. It was well past midnight and the bank was obviously closed. A fake note from the ATM..!! But, when I showed it to the bank people the next day, they told me that it was not a fake.

Nonetheless, I feel coming across a fake note is not a very rare possibility. And thus, I thought of listing down a few pointers that we as laymen can follow to ensure we can spot a fake note from the genuine ones if we ever come across them. I had noted down these points some days back after watching a special show on the topic on a news channel. Though it is very difficult to tell the difference, there are a few prominent differences.

(All the features pointed can be seen with the side of the note having the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi facing the observer.)

	A Genuine Note	A Fake Note
1)	Certain things on the note appear in intaglio print (raised print). They are – - The seal of RBI - The Guarantee & Promise Clause - The signature of the RBI Governor - The Ashoka Pillar Emblem - The portrait of Mahatma Gandhi - Below the floral design, a mark can be seen. The shape of this mark varies according to the denomination of the note. Different shapes for various denominations (Rs 20 - vertical rectangle, Rs 50 - square, Rs 100 - triangle, Rs 500 - circle and Rs 1,000 - diamond) are used. This mark is useful for the visually impaired to identify denomination of the note.	Intaglio print is absent in a fake note. The printing will be smooth. The 2nd and 3rd point will have a lot of differences when compared to a genuine note.
2)	The marks inside the floral design on the left hand centre of the note form the complete & perfect numbers of the denomination of the note when held in light.	There is a gap in between numbers formed in a fake note.
3)	The colour of the denomination in the centre will change from green (when the note is held flat) to blue (when the note is held at an angle)	This change of colour cannot be seen in a fake note.
4)	The security thread in the note appears to be broken when the note is held flat, and it has 6 distinct segments. When the note is held in light, the thread is constant, and has the words RBI and Bharat (in Hindi) inscribed in it.	Continuity of the thread is not maintained in a fake note. It would also not have 6 distinct segments.
5)	On a genuine currency note Mahatma Gandhi’s sketch in the watermark is detailed. The denomination of the note is also visible on the left side of the watermark.	Watermark at the left hand side bears a thicker sketch of Mahatma Gandhi in a counterfeit note. Also the sketch is not detailed and appears cartoonish. The watermark is also not very clear.
6)	A genuine note is made of cotton pulp paper and thus is very smooth and thin.	A fake note is made of wood pulp and is usually slightly thicker and not very smooth.

There are some points of difference that can be seen if one has access to a machine that can project the note in ultra violet light.

1) Sprinkled dual coloured strands of optical fibres can be seen in UV Light. In case of a fake note, such strands are far lesser in number.

2) When a currency note is exposed to UV light and slowly tilted, then in a genuine currency note the silver bromide strip changes from silver to a greenish tinge. This thread will not glow in a fake note. In some very high quality fake notes, the strip might glow, but the change in colour would not happen in the same.

(All the features mentioned above can be found in the recent notes that have been issued by the RBI. Some of them were not used by the RBI earlier, and might not be present in the notes. In case of any confusion, please contact your bank.)

Given the quality of fake notes that are in circulation these days, chances of getting a fake note from an ATM are real, but banks are in a state of complete denial. To avoid any losses, always check the notes that you get from an ATM and preserve the ATM slip. If you suspect that suspect that you have get a fake note, take it back to the branch of the concerned bank. Provide the details like time of the transaction, the amounts involved and the denominations. The bank may be able to trace the transaction.

Disclaimer –

Although the above points can help in telling a fake note from a genuine one, they are not fool proof. These days, the quality of fake notes is very good, and it can become very difficult for even experts to tell the difference, leave alone a layman. So, be careful, and whenever in doubt, contact your bank.

Life is Fragile.... Love is Not...

I had written this post a few days back, but couldn’t post it since it was raw. Finally putting it up over here.

8^th June, 09

Today i saw a movie... ‘A Perfect Day’... And to say the least, I was touched by the movie. I mean i know that all the movies have some or the other message, but movies like these preach you something very important about what we call 'LIFE'.

This movie talks about a guy who is reasonably well off, and then he loses his job, and is disheartened & low on self confidence. But, then his loving wife tells him that she believes in him, and how he should try to pursue his hobby of writing. She helps him in writing it, and the story he writes is inspired by his wife. He does, and he touches hearts of all the people who read his book. He becomes hugely successful, but then he starts ignoring his family, and the success starts getting to his head. He starts hurting his wife, his daughter, his father and all the other people behind his success. But, then thanks to his agent, and her little trick with the help of her friend, he comes around. It takes the fear of death; the fear of losing his wife and daughter that takes him to realize his mistake.

Part I -

Most of the times in our lives, we take most of the things that we have for granted, not bothering to stand back and think…think about how blessed we are. And, it is only when we lose them that we realize our mistake. But then, it is too late to do anything about it. This stands true for almost all aspects in our life, and the most for our loved ones. This is unintentional at most of the times. Sometimes, it is because of the extremely busy life that we all have these days, and sometimes it is because of what we call – pride, the pride goes to our head, and we start forgetting about where we came from, our roots. This is what is the beginning of a disaster is. When we start forgetting our roots, our struggle, the effort it takes to reach the place that we manage to reach, and take things for granted. The irony is that, a person gets so busy in trying to make life better for the loved ones that he doesn’t get time for those very people. We don’t realize how loving and caring our parents and friends are, until we are served with some rude awakening by God. Poof!! It vanishes!! The tumble, the loss of a loved one, or loss of a plush job, something like this brings you back to earth with a thud.

So, I feel we should try and take time out for the ones who matter, because you never know when life might take them away from you. Life is very fragile, and short. Make time for the ones who matter - your family and friends. Remember to return calls, drop into a friend’s house without any particular reason, have a small chat, make a small cup of coffee / tea for your parents, or paint with your kid, spend time the ones you love doing anything, no matter how petty.

Part II -

The guy in this movie goes to his Dad, while he is trying to make amends of his selfish and hurtful ways. And there he tells him that he dislikes being called by the nick name ‘Einstein’ given to him by his father, because he feels Einstein was one of the greatest and he is nothing like him, and his Dad uses it to mock him. And when he tells his Dad about what he thinks about the name, his Dad tells him that he called him by that name because he feels his son had great potential and that he was capable of doing great things.

This happens to us too so many times. We assume, we draw our own conclusions about things, we think in ways which might be completely opposite of what the reality is. This holds true especially in the scenarios where our loved ones and close friends are involved- the people who know us well. Most of the times we feel that they are saying something we don’t like because they are angry, or because they feel we are worthless, or there must be some vested interest for them saying what they say. But, trust me on this; I feel there is NO SELFISH MOTIVE behind what the people real close to us – like our parents, wife, grandparents, kids etc., have to say. I mean, yes, at times, it can be clouded by anger or some other things, but eventually (it might be a minute, or longer), they do come around, and wish for our VERY BEST. If you don’t believe me, try seeing something like the passing out parade of the IMA Dehradun, or the felicitation ceremony of soldiers in the Independence Day ceremony, or a convocation ceremony of some college. There, you would observe students and soldiers joyous and filled with pride, but if you would observe closer, you would see that the people even more proud are the parents – chests swelling with pride, and eyes filled with tears. No matter what a parent says, he always feels his child is capable of touching the stars, and that is a reality, because the powers of blessings and self belief are amazing. Anything and I mean ANYTHING can be achieved, if you believe in yourself, and works towards getting it. But, don’t forget your parents or doubt their advice.

I feel that basically though initially I had set out to write about not letting success go to your head and always loving your family and friends, I guess I have also written a fair bit on how important it is to believe in yourself. Always believe in yourself. J … Work towards your goals, and do not forget your roots, and do not forget to be grateful to your parents and God.

So, love your family and friends, take time out for them, and never let success go to your head. Freak out with your friends and family, have fun with your siblings, kids, friends, make the most of now. And sometimes, when you realize that you have done some mistake, admit it, and go back to them. They would take you back when they would see that you have realized your mistakes. Don’t think about what they would feel, or whether they would be angry, because, life is fragile…love isn’t. J I’m not saying that nothing can make us stop loving. There are many things that can lead to that. All I’m saying is that, it takes a LOT to sever the bonds of love. Much more than what we think, and way beyond things like anger, self obsession, greed, doubts etc. or events like bitter fights, ignoring your loved ones, or maybe forgetting to be thankful and humble. It is surprising to see how many problems love can endure and still be there or maybe resurface. Don’t assume, or let go something as precious as love, without giving it a proper thought and fight.

What I said is a lot easier said than done, and I don’t feel I too do it all the time, but then I hope this post would remind this to me all the time. J

And this post only reconfirms my belief... you can blog only when it comes from within.. when you are touched by something deep within... That is when the words just flow... :) ... I'm sorry for being irregular in writing over here.. but guess you guys would understand... :) ...

Twelve Things that I want to achieve in my 'TWEENHOOD'

Tagged by - Deepika .. Thank You.. :) ...

There are many many things that i want to achieve in my 'Tweenhood', or as we say, my Twenties. I know everything wouldn't be possible, I would be able to do/get certain things, and I might not be able to do/ get the others. But, I'm a dreamer and I would never stop dreaming and working to achieve them.

I had read this somewhere - 'The Battle is still not over, as i haven't won it yet.' So, we need to keep trying, and if we are motivated enough, and work hard for it, nothing can stop us from getting it. (I know, i know, i have heard this many times... I'm an optimist. And, nothing can stop me from being so. It just comes from within. :) ....) We can't get something, until and unless we dream about it, and then work for it. Protect your dreams from the practilities of life and keep working towards them. It doesn't matter how silly a dream might be, if you want it, go get it, no matter what others have to say about it. :)

But, since i have to list down only 12 things here, I would list down those ones that are high on my priority list. This seems like a list that Vinay Pathak made in the movie Dasvidaniya..!! Lol..!! But, I'm not going to die people. I'm going to be here for a long time to keep troubling you. :D .. So, here goes...

1. The most important thing for me at the moment is to complete my CA (and get those two letters as a prefix for my name), start working in a reputed company, and improve upon the foundation of my professional skills, that was laid during the days of my internship. I want to have a life for me, my family & close friends where no price tags exist.

2. I will take up my hobbies - photography & singing in a more serious manner. I will buy a professional camera, attend photography workshops, and join a photography club to help me improve my photography. I will also learn singing from a professional.

3. I have always been fascinated by the umpteen number of languages that people use to communicate. I know 4 at the moment, and i want to increase that. I will learn French / Spanish, and Mandarin. I will also learn how to read and write in my mother tongue Sindhi. (I can only speak it as of now, but would like to change that, for the better.)

4. I will my MBA degree after a few years of work from a globally acclaimed college.

5. I was a complete non-dancer when i was younger. But, some years back, i took part in a dance performance in a family wedding, and have become addicted to it ever since. I learnt salsa for a brief period, but couldn't continue it due to my internship and studies. I will get back to dancing, salsa and jive in particular, learning it, and taking part in performances. Bring on the dancing shoes.. :D

6. I had learnt the basics of the martial arts Taekwondo & Karate when i was younger. I will learn more of Taekwondo, and improve my skills in it. I feel it is very important to be able to defend ourselves and our family in times of distress.

7. I will take part in all sorts of adventure sports. I have always been fascinated by them, and would love to do stuff like Bungee Jumping, Sky diving, Para Gliding (all associated with the human desire to FLY.. :D ), Scuba Diving and so on.. :D

8. I will learn to blow a whistle (seeti .. :D :P ).. that shrill type which is blown using one / two fingers, it has various techniques. The one they use to call cabs in movies. It can be very handy at times. :D .. (Waise, i do know how to blow one type of whistle - the one without using any fingers, by simply shaping up the lips in a particular way.. couldn't think of any other way to describe it.. :D )

9. I will Travel the world - Disney Land at various places, Egypt, Africa, New Zealand, China, Europe, Bahamas, The Carribbean, and most definitely all the intriguing places in India like Lakshwadeep, the back waters of Kerela, The North -East, Kedarnath, Badrinath and so on, I want to see it all. There's only one life to live, and i want to make the most of it. :) .. These travels would begin soon and continue well after my tweens.

10. I will marry a girl. (No surprises here, I'm perfectly straight. :) ... )

11. I will contribute to social causes in terms of time and money, to the best of my capabilities. I feel that if i have been given something, i'm blessed, and i should try and give some of it to others, to make their lives a bit better. I pray to God to help me bring smiles on the faces of others.

12. And, most importantly, I will ENJOY LIFE. Work Hard, and Party Harder. :) ... Accepting each and every challenge that life throws my way, and trying my best to ace it. This is something that I will continue doing well beyond my 'Tweenhood'...all my life.. :)

(I also want to learn to fly an airplane. This might happen after my tweens. Too many thinsg to be done before it.)

All the above things are high on my priority list, but I have listed them in a random order. One might happen before the other, but i would try my best to make sure that they happen. I have faith in myself and in God. :)

I have shared some of my dreams through this post, in a brief manner, since they are something very personal to me, and i don't want to blow my own trumpet on a public platform. I have also left out a few things that are very high on my priority, but still, i wouldn't like to mention them here. I would rather have my actions speak for me. For further details, please contact me. :) ..

Okay... now I Tag...

Isha,

Netika,

Punk Princess,

Nidhi,

Annie,

GS,

Anurag,

Gargi...

Amruta

Go on people.. share your dreams.. :) ... And NO EXCUSES.. Everyone has to do it.. :) ...

and any other people who are reading it and want to do it..go right ahead.. :) .. but don't forget to leave a comment or a link so that i can have a look.. :) ..

PS - I want to thank Yashwi for helping me sort out my confusion and zeroing on such a rocking template. :) .. Thank Youu Yashwi... :) ... I hope you guys like the new refreshed look. :)

Pitter Patter... My Heartz a Flutter... :) ... :) ...

Okay.. its been a long sabbatical, and I'm back. :) As i have always maintained, i blog only when i feel the words flowing, when something that moves me deeply (in a good way or otherwise) happens. And this time it was nothing less than rains.... :) .. :) .. Rainssssssss... :) :) ...

Guess i will cut the chase and come to what i want to write... :) ..

Rains... aaahh.. we all have so so so many emotions attached with this lovely phenomenon of Mother Nature. I LOVE RAINS, and it would not be an overstatement if i said that i go mad when it rains. :P Rains hit that soft spot for me.. no matter how bad my mood is.. or how bad my day was, they never fail to cheer me up... :) ..

Last year, due to my office, i was not able to go out and have fun in the rains. But, this year i'm on study leave, and i was waiting for it to rain heavily since the past few days. I was determined to make up for the lost opportunities last year.. seeing that it was pouring from the office windows and then forcing myself back to work !! As i woke up today, Heavens greeted me with the lovely sight of a heavy downpour, and no sign of letting up. The whole sky was covered with gray rain filled clouds and the sun seemed to have taken a day off. I studied for a while sitting by the window, but after a while, i couldn't keep myself from going out in the rains any more. I changed into clothes more apt for the weather, literally jumping and running to do it quickly, and then rush out. :D .. :D.. But, then i thought of calling a few friends and to find if any one was willing to accompany me for a bike ride in the rains. I was greeted with no answers and lazy greetings of sleepy people. No one agreed. I even tried to go online and find a person who was willing. Still no one..!! Dude..a bike ride in the rains...!! Had someone offered me the same..i would have grabbed it with both hands..!!

So then, i set out on my own. I had decided to go all the way to Nariman Point from my home on my bike. Its around 25 kilometres one way. 25 kilometres of bliss in the rains. A friend asked me..what will you do alone ??!! And i said.. who is alone ?? Its going to be Me... and.. Rains..!! :D (I told you.. I go mad when it comes to rains... :P) I started at around 10.30 and it had been raining heavily since early morning. The thing that mumbai roads are prone to water logging was going through my mind. And at a low lying area called 'Hindmata Flyover'.. that gets flooded after heavy rains for as less as an hour, i was greeted with a long line of vehicles. JAM...!! 'There goes my fun filled day..", I thought. But then i decided to follow the cars, and since i was on a bike, chances of it getting stalled were much lesser. The water level kept rising and at an intersection, i saw certain cars take a 'U' turn and turn back. A completely water filled road awaited me. I almost turned back, but then i saw a car that had almost turned back just like me, decide to go for it. I followed suit. And, i was greeted with 3 feet of water, the water trying to kill my dear bike's engine..!! I trudged along, not knowing what would i do if it stalled. I had no experience in driving vehicles in such a situation, and hence just drove ahead resolutely. Cops were guiding vehicles away from the open manhole covers...making it even more creepy. Eventually, I managed to reach the end of the water filled stretch, feeling victorious, and also lucky after seeing the number of stalled bikes, buses and cars standing at the end of that treacherous stretch. I saw media vans and photographers trying to find food to satiate the voracious apetite of their 24*7 news channel bosses. More Happiness !! I stopped for a minute to marvel at the experience that felt like an experience, and then moved on.

The rest of the journey was uneventful and it was also stopping to rain. So, i was praying for a heavy downpour. And soon after i reached the picturesque marine drive, my prayers were answered. The skies opened and it started to pour !! I was ecstatic !! :) :) ... I walked till the end of the marine drive enjoying the angry sea waves trying to run over the rocks and reach the promenade filled with rain loving people like me and couples coochi-cooing under the umbrellas. :P. Inspired by a friend.. I call them 'Marine Drive ke chattri couples' :P :P .. I spent a lot of time there..walking back, sitting on the walkway, and walking again to the tip... getting soaked in the downpour all the while.. :D. I was blissfully away from everything else... no cell fone, no watch. Only me..the rains..and the sea!!

After around 2 hours, I grabbed a quick bite (i came to know what time it was after seeing a watch at the place I had my food), and decided to return home from some other route to avoid going by that road again, since i was sure it wouldn't be possible to get through this time, given that the rains hadn't stopped since i had passed there, and the water logging would have increased. The ride back home was even more fun as the rains were coming down even harder.. :D ...

I'm having difficulty in writing this, since the skin of my fingers is all pickled due to the hours & hours in rains. But, what the hell... I had a ball today.. :D :D. It was a wonderful day away from all gadgets and worries, with the rains washing away all my worries and doubts, and invigorating me for the struggle that lies ahead. :) And it still continues to pour....Looks like a sunday at home for mumbai tomorrow. Aaaahh.. I love rains... :) :) ... they make my heart flutter and dance and sing and what not..!! :) ...

Pickled Fingers - :P

(I didn't take my cell phone along.. so don't have any pics. I took this one after getting back home, as a memoir of the ecstatic day.. :D..)

PS - An Important Tip - If you decide to go for a ride on a 2-wheeler in the rains.. please make sure that you have protective eye gear. The rain drops can be quite painful for the eyes, even at 30 Km/Hr speeds.

PPS - I have drawn a lot of flak for not blogging frequently from my friends. I apologize for my long absences from writing posts, replying to comments and posting comments on your blogs. I would try to be more regular in future.

Cheers.. :) ...