The Throwaways

In a country afflicted by poverty and rising inflation imagining a million dollars to give away is bizarre. I guess if anybody even gets to look at a briefcase full of that kind of money may just get a heart attack. I am saying briefcase because that’s what you see in James Bond kind of movies. The villain in a black suit carrying a black briefcase walking into a hotel with a black pistol very cleverly hidden under the belt! 😉😉. Everything black.

Well in my case it was the most ordinary looking man carrying a shabby case standing in queue in front of the cash counter. When his turn came he opened that overused case which had bundles of green notes neatly stacked inside. Obviously, it was not dark money. He wouldn’t be depositing then in the bank. In those days I was working as a trainee on a meagre salary. Incredulous it may sound but I felt quite sick looking at those big fat wads of currency I was not used to seeing let alone possessing.

Even after working throughout my life I have not been able to accumulate that kind of money. Only the super rich can. In order to give away a million dollar you got to have double or triple of that amount safely tucked in your account.

Having said that, if I let my imagination run riot for a while, I guess I would like to spend that sort of money on philanthropic projects. For example,

Those who have nobody to care for them.

The old who are deserted by their families.

Needy and deserving children who wish to be trained and educated.

Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia and not getting proper treatment.

Specially abled children requiring special training to be self reliant.

Again not born with a golden spoon, I guess, I think and feel differently. But those who are used to luxurious lives have a different thought process. They want the best always of everything – good , bad and everything inbetween and beyond. Those who are used to making surplus money are habituated to simply mint money. It is unusual, therefore, for them to contribute to society or donate for a cause or do charity without pecuniary benefits. Money begets money. And philanthropy is another source of income!!!! If not then atleast a source of tax saving!!!!

At this point I will seal my lips. 🤫🤫

You know mum’s the word.