To drink...or not to drink..?

Thursday morning started off as a pretty normal school day. So it was a surprise when we were quickly and inexplicably called down from class. My Eleventh grade classmates and I exchanged confused and bewildered looks as we filed down to the assembly ground. There we found all of Ninth grade waiting, looking just as puzzled as us.

Our Principal beckoned us closer and explained, "We're going to protest."

We were brought out of the dark soon enough. A Beverages Corporation (BevCo) outlet was just opened outside our school. We would be protesting, alongside the residents, against that.

A government-run liquor shop, smack in the middle of a residential area. Just a few meters from an all girls' high school. Right next to a children's daycare. Between two apartment buildings. Opposite a bank. With churches and temples nearby. I mean... this is outrageous!

What were they even thinking?

Now, what's so bad about a liquor shop, you might ask. Nothing, really, if not for the drunk old men standing in long lines day and night, constant traffic jams, irresponsible drinking on the streets and overall disruption caused to the peaceful lives of nearby residents. Most of these men are spending a good part of their life earnings getting wasted, only to stagger home and beat up their wives and children. Alcohol in the hands of such people destroys lives and families.

That's what's wrong with most people here. They don't know how to drink.

Or rather, they don't know how to drink responsibly. There is nothing wrong with the occasional glass of beer or shot of vodka. Things get nasty when it goes overboard. And more often than not, that's exactly what happens. There wouldn't have been much of a problem had they maintained civility in and around liquor shops. Problems arise when they start drinking right then and there, and it often leads to indecent behavior, drunk driving, and obscene exposure in public. Just buy a bottle and leave. It's that simple.

People see the act of drinking an entire bottle in one sitting as a magnificent feat to be proud of. They couldn't be more wrong. It's nothing to be proud of if you throw up after one too many drinks, knock yourself out and then wake up with a hangover. It's disgusting, and pathetic. Seriously. Stop.

But you know what is something to be proud of? Self control. Knowing where to draw the line. Never losing control of yourself. Restricting what may cause harm. Because responsible drinking is classy. And that classiness, ladies and gentlemen, is hella attractive.




Our school's strong protest against the liquor shop in our vicinity was a huge success. Although there were a few attempts to open shop and conduct business, the consistent and powerful voice of the people was heard. The shop has now closed, hopefully, for good.

Girl students' protest force closure of Bevco outlet in Kerala - Times Of India

Here's hoping there will be change in this society. It all starts with education, and instilling a sense of responsibility, for oneself and his/her actions. Here's to drinking, but never going overboard, for our good, and the good of everyone around us. Change starts with each of us.

Cheers.