Take note: Monastery rings in change. -- By Nisser Dias

From the time the Government of India banned the higher denomination currency notes, people across the country are facing acute hardships to either exchange Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 notes they already have in their possession for smaller denominations.

From November 8, people are making a beeline to the banks and standing for hours in queues at various banks to exchange and withdraw their money.

With no end in sight and to provide some respite to the needy Carmelite Monastery in Margao extended its helping hand to the needy and those in dire straits.

Fr. Archie Gonsalves

On Sunday, Superior of the Carmelite Monastery Rev. Fr. Archie Gonsalves announced that they are ready to accept Rs. 2000 notes and give change worth that amount in Rs. 100 from their collection of Sunday masses.

At the same time he made an appeal that the cause should be genuine like people have trouble to buy medicines and cannot do so because of change or discharge from hospitals and similar causes.

Fr. Archie said it was well received and lots of people availed this token of humility. “The response was positive, infact we had to curtail upto Rs. 2000 in exchange so that we could reach out to many more people in distress, at the same time poor people did come with Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 but as per the government order we could not accept it and we are deeply sorry as we could not help them”. He however said that Carmelite Monastery is ready to help out in whichever way they can without crossing the lines drawn by the government.