tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269219202790509435.post5786498656577110814..comments2023-06-28T20:33:55.060+05:30Comments on Chronicles of an Unknown Indian: A DRINK FOR EVERY MOUTHFUL OF FOODMeera Sundararajanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584671517551652378noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269219202790509435.post-81748112536457118462012-10-13T22:03:26.625+05:302012-10-13T22:03:26.625+05:30There are many debates that we can bring to the ta...There are many debates that we can bring to the table with regard to this topic. In Kerala, as you probably know, liquor consumption has reached abominable heights. So much so that now bars and state liquor outlets want to stay open from early morning and a high court order is the only thing that obstructs this.<br /><br /><br />For states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, liquor sales bring forth easy revenue. If only the society we live in could openly acknowledge its social and economic consequences in the open and create a dialogue around why we need to rethink the consumption the way it is going now, there can be no scope for change. We have to bring the change with openness and that is the real stumbling block in our society.We would acknowledge the neighbor has a drinking problem but not that one of our family members does too. Swapna Raghu Sanandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10167474469892964199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269219202790509435.post-24978832139216969302012-02-10T09:41:17.797+05:302012-02-10T09:41:17.797+05:30Yes Rachna, you are spot on about this! The point ...Yes Rachna, you are spot on about this! The point is that this revenue is being used to create another kind of dependency!Meera Sundararajanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15584671517551652378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269219202790509435.post-22402641462518097362012-02-09T20:01:41.493+05:302012-02-09T20:01:41.493+05:30Meera,
LOL. Sorry as it is serious topic. But les...Meera,<br /><br />LOL. Sorry as it is serious topic. But less drinking also means that money thus saved by individual will go for family fare which will lead to less persons for doles, isn't it?Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15896075408610203350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269219202790509435.post-64741585036677786132012-02-09T10:22:14.843+05:302012-02-09T10:22:14.843+05:30Like you pointed out, prohibition is not the answe...Like you pointed out, prohibition is not the answer. The same applies to smoking too. The governments get huge revenues from their sales. The only possible way out is to have awareness campaigns. I understand the plight of the rural women, but no government is going to let go of this easy money.Rachnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02275266551382931603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269219202790509435.post-70385792668745551452012-02-08T17:06:22.987+05:302012-02-08T17:06:22.987+05:30all that is ok BUT instead of banning drinking or ...all that is ok BUT instead of banning drinking or smoking wont it make a better decision to ban the manufacturing of the product .. that way you cant have them at all. <br /><br />I dont understand one thing each day in news we hear 200crores, a thousand crore , a 800crore scam .. where is all this money.. if scams dont happen just imagine how much money there will be to play with .. <br /><br /><br />all this rs 1 kg or other stunts only come during election times .. <br /><br /><a href="http://mannbikram.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">Bikram's</a>Bikramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17320753339263375295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269219202790509435.post-88022496257119299722012-02-07T22:29:29.828+05:302012-02-07T22:29:29.828+05:30I understand your anguish and outrage. But then wh...I understand your anguish and outrage. But then when an election gimmick like Re 1 rice has to be subsidised from easy money and liquor sales bring forth easy revenue.<br />While we lived in Tamilnad, we used to give our ration quota to our maid, who in turn sold us the rice for Rs 20 and we consumed it. I do not know what one should call that transaction. The problem is the cheap stunt brings rice at the paltry price to all and sundry.<br /><br />As for the consumption of alcohol, one must understand and acknowledge ones financial capability and also the consequences of jettisoning moderation. To slightly amend a commercial slogan on alcohol, | those who are sensible appreciate and enjoy alcohol".anilkurup59https://www.blogger.com/profile/07961961217418715354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269219202790509435.post-83619845357798168592012-02-07T22:22:38.759+05:302012-02-07T22:22:38.759+05:30True Jack. But awareness raising would mean less d...True Jack. But awareness raising would mean less drinking and less revenue.. I wonder if it would lead to more starvation.. crazy isn't it?Meera Sundararajanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15584671517551652378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269219202790509435.post-2460827373359674762012-02-07T22:20:01.342+05:302012-02-07T22:20:01.342+05:30Yes Narcissist I have heard about that. It happens...Yes Narcissist I have heard about that. It happens in Bhutan too-they call it the well being indicator!Meera Sundararajanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15584671517551652378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269219202790509435.post-48296346400936534242012-02-07T20:50:11.871+05:302012-02-07T20:50:11.871+05:30Meera,
A very thought provoking post. I would lik...Meera,<br /><br />A very thought provoking post. I would like to bring out a few points. You yourself have cited example of Gujrat. I will just say that this kind of law encourages criminal activity of liquor smuggling or worst brewing of illicit liquor which has no quality checks. In certain states liquor vends are auctioned and contractors bid very high. Almost close to thirty years ago I had asked some known vendors how do they recover, the reply was shocking. All this was off the record as it was just verbal conversation. I was told that they siphon off some contents from bottles and fill with either water or spirit to create extra stock. You can well imagine consequences of later adulteration. Only way out is to raise awareness about what addiction leads to. May be have more centers for treatment of addiction also. <br /><br />Take careJackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15896075408610203350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269219202790509435.post-86309868474593761032012-02-07T20:01:52.113+05:302012-02-07T20:01:52.113+05:30There is a perennial debate on the pros and cons o...There is a perennial debate on the pros and cons of prohibition of alcohol.On ethical and health considerations and even for the wellbeing of the family (with more money and less wife beating)total prohibition is the way to go.But sadly it brings in its wake bootlegging ,corruption,illegal brewing, consumption of spurious stuff like varnish and periodical deaths or loss of vison of many who take illegally prepared liquor.There should be increased law enforcement establishment which again may not be efficient and be venal.<br />The tax on liquor is therefore kept high to make it dear.It is no doubt a source of revenue for government and the saving grace is that the money rightfully belonging to family and spent by the drunkards on liquor is paid back to the families through subsidised rations freebies etc.It is no doubt a vicious circle.<br />No easy answer is possible.Partial prohibition is not feasible and not equitableKParthasarathihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02189924874350906456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7269219202790509435.post-65355715843797935562012-02-07T19:19:25.676+05:302012-02-07T19:19:25.676+05:30You know in Nepal Cigarettes and Alcohol is banned...You know in Nepal Cigarettes and Alcohol is banned because it ruins the happiness of the people. They dont measure their advancement based on GDP. They measure it in basis of the number of happy people.The Narcissisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12086314611290565302noreply@blogger.com