The beginning...
Rahul, Neeta, Vikram, Anjali and George called themselves the “Famous Five”. The school knew that they could be relied upon in times of need, as they always came up with a perfect plan. From pets, picnics, pests, parties to plays they were indeed the best.
But today, even they were stumped. The problem was sprung on them overnight. The government had announced that Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes would be ineffective from the next morning. It was not their parents or immediate families they were worried about. They wondered what the school gardeners, helps, security guards and office assistants would do. Will the Famous Five rise up to the occasion and find a short term solution to tide these people over the next few weeks or months? They did not want anyone to panic, yet they needed to act fast...
It matters
The next day, the Famous Five met and made a plan. On a sheet of paper, they made rows and columns. Vikram and Neeta collected the Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 notes from the gardeners. Rahul collected notes from the helpers and recorded it in the sheet. George collected and recorded the demonetised notes from the security guards. Anjali talked to the office assistants and told them how to get their money exchanged from bank.
The next morning, the Famous Fve were cheerful. Vikram and Neeta took the money from their piggy bank and returned it to them. Rahul gave the helpers their money with the new notes that he brought from bank. For Rahul, it wasn’t a difficult as his father was a bank employee. George helped the security guards open bank accounts after which he deposited the money in their accounts. The office assistants also didn’t face any problem. The Famous Five’s presence of mind helped the school. In this way, The Famous Five solved an intricate crisis in a trouble-free way.
Aditi Vishwanath , VII, DPS, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Quick fix
Everyone in the room was furiously racking their brains for a solution to the problem, but alas, none could think of one. When everyone was about to leave, Vikram had a brainwave — why couldn’t the school gardeners, security guards and office assistants open zero balance accounts immediately? Also, they could go for a loyalty card or download an e-Wallet application so that everyone could go cashless. But, now another problem arose — how could one download the e-Wallet application on a simple phone? George ,Rahul, Neeta , Anjali were good at computer science and programming. With the help of a professional techie and the local bank, they built a safe network through which one could easily send and receive money by sending the amount through a mobile number. When they explained to the gardners, office assistants and the security about the feature, they were impressed.
Ankit Singh , VI, Sishu Griha Montessori And High School, Bengaluru
Heads together
The Famous Five held a meeting in the afternoon in the school shed. Raju, their school’s security guard and Seethamma, the cleaner were upset that their money was of no value.
Rahul said, “The problem is that they don’t have a bank account, so, how will we be able to help them?” Anjali said, “We can help them open bank accounts and can then exchange their money.”
George said, “It’s not that simple Anjali, they need to be introduced.” Vikram said, “Why don’t we take them to our bank and we can introduce them.”
Neeta said, “Rahul and I will go with Raju and help him. Vikram, Anjali and George can go to Seethamma.”
And so, the Famous Five were off to work out their plan. The children explained to the bank that Seethamma had been saving all her money for her daughter’s wedding and Raju was to take his whole year’s savings back with him when he went home in December. They helped them fill the forms and finally, the money was deposited in their new accounts.
Raju and Seethamma thanked the Famous Five and they in turn, were happy that they were able to help.
Ashna Saldanha , V A, Manipal School, Attavar, Mangaluru
We have an answer
The Famous Five called the school gardeners, help, security guards and office assistants. They told them that the Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 notes were no longer valid and were not considered as money and they had to go to the bank and either deposit or exchange the money. But, the workers said that they didn’t have a bank account. This put the five in a fix. Vikram said, “They don’t have a bank account. It’s not our fault!”
“But, we are the Famous Five. If we don’t do something, people will laugh at us,” said Neeta.
Anjali said “I have an idea. We can ask the school to help. We can tell the workers to give the money to the school, the school can exchange the money.”
They told the workers and they gave the money to the school. The school returned the money, the next morning. The Famous Five asked the principal “Ma’am, can you open a bank account for these workers?”
The principal said, “Sure. Thanks for helping them.”
The workers thanked the school principal and the children for helping them.
Deepika S. , IV A, Appollo National Public School (ANPS), Bengaluru
Mind over money
The Famous Five were racking their heads when Anjali said excitedly, “I have an idea. We can man the office so that the staff can go to the bank. Std. X students can manage the gates in rotation till the security guards return.”
“Hey Anjali,” Vikram said, “Your father is a doctor. He can treat the staff, gardeners and office boys.”
Neeta added, “Then, he would also know pharmacies nearby. They can buy medicines from the pharmacy on credit. Vikram’s dad has a textile shop and would allow Mary to shop on credit for her daughter’s wedding.”
George said he would help them and their family members fill the bank forms.
Next morning, the Five met the Principal. He said, “This is an excellent idea and you have thought it out well. My cousin runs a supermarket and he will give credit,” he said. He called a staff meeting and told them the plan. When they thanked him he said,
“Credit goes to the Famous Five, not me.”
G. Chinmayee , VII A, Vidya Mandir School, Ariyalur , Tamil Nadu
