Dubai-based NRI shows off newly-acquired Rs 2,000 notes worth Rs 1,60,000

While millions of Indians are tired of waiting in queues at Banks, a Dubai-based Indian entrepreneur boastfully waves around Rs 1,60,000 worth of newly released Rs 2,000 notes

The sudden demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes has compelled people to take extreme measures to ensure their wallets don't dry up. While millions of Indians are tired of waiting in queues for endless hours and watching shutters fall right before their eyes, a Dubai-based Indian entrepreneur boastfully waves around Rs 1,60,000 worth of newly released Rs 2,000 notes.

For M K Latheef, a native of Kozhikode district in Kerala, collecting different currency notes is a hobby. He admitted to Khaleej Times that he got the money through his friends in India.

"Yes, I got it from various places - New Delhi, Mumbai, districts of Kerala among others," he said. "I had gone to Kerala for another work and didn't waste chance to pocket the new Rs 2,000 notes. I have got many friends all over India."

 

So how did this NRI manage to acquire the new notes? To this, Latheef said, "Each of my friends carried Rs 25,000 and hence helped me bring in Rs 1,60,000 here".

Empathising with the current state of affairs, Latheef has been generously giving the brand new currency notes to others in need.

Just like people have hobbies of stamp and coin collection, Latheef is obsessed with currency collection.

He has a collection of notes with serial number that make birth dates of friends, celebrities and politicians.

"Indian currency has got six-digit serial number and it is perfect to mark birth date - DD/MM/YY.

He has notes with serials that mark birthdays of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former CM Oommen Chandy, singer KJ Yesudas, author Chetan Bhagat, actors Mammootty, and other eminent personalities.

A couple of days back, Latheef presented one to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.