Had the government not put a ban on liquor sales, a good amount of people would have been roaringly drunk for most part of the lockdown.
What has rattled people in India the most during lockdown is the ban on sale of liquor. No other issue has been debated, discussed and cussed about more than the non-availability of daru during these trying times.
The government’s decision to keep wine shops closed during lockdown had a purpose. Liquor is of no help when we want to put on our best behaviour. And one of the prerequisites of the lockdown is decent, sober behaviour. Being cooped up in our homes, for indefinite period of time, can bring out the worst in us. Getting drunk under these circumstances will only add to those depressive thoughts that tend to takeover when we are alone and isolated.
High in skies
Indians are known to be the biggest in-flight boozers. The capacity to consume liquor in that contained zone, during long haul flights could be used as a pointer to show how much can be consumed if we are lockdown with a well stacked bar.
Boozing has assumed staggering proportions in the society today. Habit, social compulsions, or just following the trends are some of the reasons that have pushed it. We, (both genders and all income brackets) love to flaunt on the social media platforms, our favourite brands, our capacity to consume and our skills in mixing cocktails. So, the rants too were that many when the shops closed down.
Having to cope with high-level tensions of the pandemic, without the support of liquor has been upsetting. The desperation showed when the shops reopened and all caution was thrown to finds as people stood cheek by jowl in lines to grab that bottle. It took only a few hours to destroy all that was attempted to be achieved through social distancing and lockdown.
Happy hours
Unlike the west where consuming alcohol is a part of the culture, in India boozing is a form of entertainment. And entertainment happens when we are partying in a group. Happy hours for us begin late in the evenings. Having a drink or two during the day or during working hours is not very acceptable. Drinking has to be after work and for long hours.
And it is this tendency to go overboard with drinks which was reason enough for government to put a ban on sale of liquor even at a great cost to the exchequer. Unlimited and free access to liquor during the lockdown would have turned many moderate drinkers into alcoholics. It would have further pushed the already high number of domestic violence incidences, and would have heightened the chances of illness, further stressing the already overstretched medical sector.
Drink to that
There is no denying that people with depleting liquor stocks at home are drinking stingingly while those who have ample bottles are missing the company of friends and video calling to fill in the void.
A more sobering thought would be to have patience till good times return when we can all raise a toast and shout out together a loud and clear “cheers”!
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