I remember I was young my grandfather told me that saving money was important and he insisted that I open up a savings account. Opening a savings account seemed really cool at that point of time. Not sure how I'll save money that I wasn't making anything. Hell ya, i didn't even get pocket money. SBI was his natural choice, nor that I knew any other bank at that point. So I got an account number with his help
I realized the loss when people gifted me with some cash and suddenly it went directly to that godforsaken account of mine. For next few years I was poorer then ever.
I was fifteen now and every one was carrying their music around. They had a new phenomenon called Walkman. Damn, I wanted one for myself. "Bhai kya chahiye - Walkman dila do". I decided it was time to withdraw from my childhood SBI account. So I went to the SBI Bank.
I went in and asked the old man sitting at the door with a big rifle - "Mujhe paise chahiye!"
He said "Account hai?" Perhaps the only guy who spoke properly with me that day. I said "ji haan" he pointed me to a man who was sitting behind a closed door with iron bar window.
I went to the man behind the iron bars and said "Mujhe paise chahiye"
The man said "Kyun?" Huh!, a question I was not ready to answer. I said "Walkman lena hai! "
He said "jao papa ko leke aao."
I said I have an account here. He didn't like that! He said - "Account number batao"
I gave him the account number
He said "ye toi minor account hai aap nahi nikal sakte - jao papa ko le kar aao."
I went back home without my money which was there with the SBI Bank which I couldn't access.
My grandfather was the go to person. He told me patience is the key. "Beta you have to have patience". Ask them for the form that the guardian will sign. And then I may get it signed by him and I can have the money.
Next day I went back to the bank. The darwan remembered me. "Arre tuum fir aagai"
"Uncle Mujhe paise chahiye - mujhe mile nahi mai minor hu na. "
"Aacha aacha jao "
I went in stood in the godforsaken queue to meet the most unhelpful man - he said "form chahiye wahan jaiye"
I went and stood in another queue then I was given a form. I took it back home. My grandfather helped me fill the form and also counter signed it.
Next day, I went back to the bank for the third time. Darwan recognized me and didn't ask any question. I went straight to the counter with iron bars and gave the duly filled form. He studied the form then then asked me to get it signed by the assistant manager. I remembered what my grandfather told me PATIENCE is the key.
I went to the assistant manager of the bank - "uncle ye sign kar di jiye". He looked at me. Then the form and then again at me. "Kyun chahiye paise?" I was young but getting irritated already but I still answered. "Walkman lena hai!" He looked at me, "papa ko le kar kyu nahi aaye?"
I didn't understand why is it important to him? I told him he was busy. So he finally signed the form. I finally managed to take my money out that day. The experience was such that I decided. I don't want SBI in my life.
The week next I decided to go and close the SBI account. I went back to the bank. With the account closure form duly filled by me, countersigned by my grandfather (I promised him I'll open up another account with Corporbank)
Darwan asked me - "aur paise chahiye? "
I ignored his comment, confidently walked inside - assistant manager was no where to be found. I asked the lady at one of the counter. "Account band karwana hai". She looked at me , irritated that I bothered her cause she was busy with her knitting sweater. She refused to talk with me - instead pointed to another person with her knit.
I went to the person "mujhe account band karwana hai"
"Kyou? "
That's none of your concern I didn't Want to engage with them anymore. "Aap kewal sign kar dijiye papa ne bola hai". He saw it was signed by my grandfather. He told me "aap account close nahi kar saktee jab tak aap major nahi ho jao".
The next day my grandfather assisted me to the bank to get the account closed. He straight away met with the manager. I don't remember what he said to the manager, but the account surely got closed and I got Rs 1,500 balance from my closed account. I almost thought it was a good riddance.
Alas, that was just the beginning.!
