Reporter's Diary: When Tasmac was ‘good for health’

Recently, a social worker had gone to a private hospital to help poor patients, when he spotted a 65-year-old woman who was frantically approaching everyone near the hospital for help. While no one seemed to be helping her, this social worker offered to help the woman, who appeared to be from a middle-class family. 

“The woman had a Rs 2,000 note which the hospital staff were unwilling to accept as fee as they did not have sufficient change. Since one had to pay the consulting fee in advance, the woman could not meet a physician despite having the money,” the social worker said. 

With the currency crisis affecting every business, no one was willing to help her. “Eventually, we decided to try our luck at the nearest Tasmac outlet on Mettupalayam Road in Thudiyalur and to our surprise, the shop staff immediately agreed to change the currency note for a commission of Rs 100,” the social worker said. The woman gladly parted with the commission in order to consult the physician. Looks like Tasmac shops can actually be good for health too.