Mumbai, Sept 29: In an admirable followup to the $ 100 note story, Mumbai tabloid Mid-Day has reported that the famous currency note handed out by Paris Hilton to a 22-year-old beggar Ishika has been torn to shreds by her brother-in-law, after relatives to rob her of the money.
The Mid Day report said, a family feud among greedy relatives led her irate brother-in-law to tear up the note Paris Hilton had given this currency note to Ishika on Sunday.
The visiting heiress spotted her on Sunday evening from her car, and magnanimously handed over a $100 note to her. It was a windfall moment for Ishika.
After receiving the dollar, Ishika handed over the note to her brother-in-law, requesting him to get it exchanged for INR 5,000 the following day.
Back at the shanty near Goregaon railway station, where she lives with her extended family, her relatives began to bicker among each other for the note. Some even assaulted her brother-in-law to wangle the note forcefully from him, the report said.
Frustrated with the squabbles, Ishika's irate brother-in-law tore it to shreds.
Ishika told MidDay, "On Sunday evening, we were begging as usual outside a mall in Andheri. Suddenly I saw a foreigner, and was about to approach her for money. But she called me herself, and handed over the note.
"At first, I didn't know what to do, as the note looked strange. I asked several people on the road if they could give me change in return for it. That's when I came to know that the note was called a dollar.
"I gave the note to my brother-in-law and asked him to get it exchanged for the correct notes on Monday, for our use.
"But as soon as we returned home, all our relatives began demanding that we share the money with them, even though I told them it was a gift. Some of our relatives started beating us up, trying to grab the note.
"Seeing that the note was destroying the peace of the household, my brother-in-law got really angry and tore it up into pieces."
Ishika's brother-in-law said, "I was holding the bill in my hand, and was full of rage when I saw that all the members of our community were assaulting us, so they could have the note.
"My sister-in-law did not want to share it with everyone, as the foreigner had gifted it to her of her own accord. Seeing the confusion and unhappiness caused by the money, I tore it up. I regret my action, now that I know what the value of that note was."
Paris Hilton flew out of Mumbai early Tuesday saying she had an “eye opening” trip to “beautiful” India but was appalled by its poverty.
“India is beautiful but some parts are very poverty stricken... broke my heart to see babies sleeping on the streets. What are the most credible non-profit (charities) in India? After seeing what I've seen, I want to help make a difference,” Paris tweeted before leaving the country.
The 31-year-old promptly received suggestions about a few charities in India from readers.
“Thank you all for your suggestions... It's important to give to those who are less fortunate,” she added.
The blonde beauty went to Dubai. But she hopes to come back to India, which she earlier said was a “magical and spiritual” land.
“What an amazing and eye opening trip to India. I look forward to coming back soon. Love you all!” she tweeted.
Indiatvnews.com requests its readers to give in their comments over the question : Are we a nation of beggars?
