35th EPISODE. That night I never went home. I went underground. My family did not know where I was. It was essential that no one knew my whereabouts till the case was rejected or an anticipatory bail was granted. It was a serious offense. Printing of FAKE CURRENCY.
So, how did this happen? And how did I land in such a situation? The story is simple. This fake currency refers to EMVIES winning ENVIRONMENT DAY initiative by DAINIK JAGRAN,
The idea to leave a message ‘Not to litter and keep the streets clean’ originated in one of the client-agency meetings in MUDRA. Dainik Jagran the client found that interesting enough and we had a clear go-ahead on it. Soon MANOJ PAPNEJA – Production head at Mudra was in business- scanning Indian Currency and trying to match it to real currency. He was a perfectionist and soon the proof that he showed us was near perfect. In first glance- even with 17 changes anyone could be fooled.
The IDEA was simple. Folded notes were placed inside on the floors of ATM’s and on roads. It was executed in few towns and Lucknow was one of them. Right at the HAZRATGANJ market these fake notes fooled many. In Kanpur there was fight between people claiming to have seen the note first and hence it belonged to them. Manoj Papneja was proud of his work.
So, when someone picked and unfolded the note, they found a message on the other side. ‘WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY- DO NOT LITTER’. Suggesting ‘if you could pick the litter or not litter the street- the place will be much cleaner place’
In our zeal to do best, we ignored one element. As per law for any non-commercial printing of fake note including as a toy- educational aide or a game ‘THE SIZE OF THE CURRENCY NEEDS TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER OR SMALLER THAN THE ACTUAL CURRENCY’. Our currency was of the exact dimension. And that was a crime.
Some one with Love-to-hate relationship with Dainik Jagran filed a report. I was told that the arrest Warrant was out for Shailesh Gupta ( Marketing Director- Dainik Jagran) and me. I was further told that Shailesh Gupta was on train heading toward Kanpur when he heard about the case and he has terminated his journey midway. It was clearly suggested that I along with Manoj and the printer must become untraceable for the nigh and till further instructions were relayed.
I checked with PAPU – MANOJ PAPNEJA about the printing-plates and if any Fake Currency was still floating around. I was surprised that the plates are still there. The reason was simple; it was I who had created this SOP for all assignments from my team to avoid plate charges if we needed a reprint. As there was no over-riding instruction – the process has been followed. I asked for plates to be destroyed and printed currency to be burnt and senior people directly associated with the job to go underground.
Next day as expected Dainik Jagran team was able to handle the situation. The warrants were called off and we could go home.
We could enter EMVIES only because as a system (another SOP) my secretary had diligently filed a set of currency. The win at EMVIES was great news but trust me it did not justify the tension we went through that night.
Here is the learning. If you ever have to print FAKE CURRENCY for the purpose of advertising- education- games or any not-for-profit, you need to see that
- The size of currency and color is significantly different
- RBI name, LOGO and Governor signature is removed
- The promise of returning to the bearer of the note… the value of currency- is tweaked
- The Indian Emblem – 4 Loins do not feature
- The serial number used does not follow RBI pattern
- The background pattern is different
- You do not print the embossed shapes that are used by the blind to identify currency value
- Only 1 side is printed Ad di take further advice form your legal department.
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Advertising and marketing Episodes
● Strategic rain Break ● Thank You ● Rain Clause – I ● Lethal Combination ● APPETITE ● Puncture ● Adultery- the moment ● ASSET ● I am Sankar ● The Count ● Introduction ● Time Bomb ● Small Tile ● Shoot Report ● Sardar Khush Hoga ● Shoot At Mud Island ● Kaali Peeli Picture ● Upgrade ● Juhi Effect ● Power Of Punjab ● Out ● Two More ● Eleven Minutes ● The Cherry Win ● The Presentation ● Black Gold ● Buffered ● Continue With Client ● Not Fired ● One Less Decision ● High jacking the Goafest delegates ● The Ghost Of 35 Rani Jhansi Road Jhandewalaon ● The Problem ● Imported Art Card ● Banyan Tree Agency
