Bangladesh is certainly one of the countries which have the dirtiest, torn or contaminated banknotes in circulation, showing the authorities' utmost apathy to the health hazards and the damage to the nation's symbols of culture those end up causing. Notes with stains, graffiti, phone numbers, love messages inscribed along with holes, parts missing from many of those are in use here every day. Then notes held together by Scotch tape and edges trimmed or burnt are also in circulation. The condition of bills of small denominations is worse still.
Banknotes change hands innumerable times and it is obvious that they will get damaged and torn by overuse, but the way most people here use them is supposed to damage them earlier than their normal life span. Many of us do not keep them in wallets or handbags; we fold them, keep them in pockets or in lungi folds, and other places not at all meant for holding banknotes. Banknotes tucked into the most unlikely corners like such drugs as heroin, cocaine, etc; to avoid detection. Let alone Bangladeshi currency notes, we do not spare even the US bills. There are numerous Bangladesh currency traders who stamp them with small seals to verify their authenticity.
Currency notes of same denomination have no different values--- a 100-taka note, no matter if it is new or old, will always be valued at taka 100 precisely. But we forget that they have other value too. Throughout history, banknotes have been used to convey messages of national pride and patriotism. They are one of the most visible symbols of a nation's identity and culture and a physical representation of its history, values and aspirations. So, they are used to promote national identity and culture.
Currency notes are damaged not only at the user end but also at banks. In fact, the process of their being damaged begins at banks which staple them to hold them together in bundles. Banknotes are classified in several grades like 'poor', 'fair', 'about good', 'good', 'very good' and 'fine' based on their collectable value. Most Bangladeshi currency notes will certainly fall in the 'poor' grade.
Banknotes are naturally prone to contamination by pathogens and when they are used carelessly the users get more vulnerable to those. The pathogens often detected on notes are responsible for skin diseases, stomach diseases, urinary tract infection, abdominal infection, pneumonia, etc.
The authorities have lately decided to print new currency notes of small denominations to replace those in bad condition in circulation. Printing of new notes will give a respite from dirty, torn and contaminated ones, but the situation will not improve much unless people learn to use them properly. We should not fold or wet them, keep them in pockets or staple them under any circumstances. We also should not write on them or stamp them with seals to verify their authenticity.
We need to raise awareness about the proper use of banknotes, and the government and the central bank have a critical role to play here. We should keep in mind that banknotes are not merely money, those are more than that. Those are one of the most visible symbols of our nation's identity and culture and a physical representation of our history, values and aspirations.
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