We have communism, also we have communalism and much more "isms. ”But now all these isms have been outdated by a brand new "ism". Little confused? No more suspense; that is alcoholism.

Celebrations are now over. But the hang over of alcohol is still there in our god's own country. Don’t get shocked to hear that Keralites have spent around 164.50 crore rupees for drinks in this festive season.  

Let us be proud of achieving this far reaching goal and government can be happy of beverages Corporations’ best profit-graph. This is only an official arithmetic of the sale of foreign liquor between December 20 and 31. Last year this season marked a sale of 133.82 crore. Kerala is developing fast, undoubtedly! Seventeen percentage increase IN SALE. This is Beverages Corporation’s account only. Consumer fed arithmetic is yet to come. 

Surprisingly enough, there are other outlets all over Kerala from there no account will come out because these are illicit liquor centers. From small huts to remote open-air bars unauthorized sale has extended. One difference is that this revenue goes to the accounts of some liquor mafias. Sell by date on Dec 31st alone recorded tremendous increase than past years. New Year eve marked a sale of 18.52 crore rupees. 

Keralites are well-educated and most informed people. They know how to celebrate every festival!. Liquor; Brandy, whisky, Rum or beer; whatever be the brand; these are the main ingredients of Keralites celebrations. Festivals may be different but drinks are common. The number of boozers increases. From tender youths to old boys alcohol consumers are increasing day by day. Which is the hottest hub for boozers in 2007? Chalakkudy comes first consecutively for the last two years. Second place goes to Pazhavangady in Thiruvananthapuram and third winner is Fort Kochi. 

Do we need anything more to be proud of? Celebrations, big or small Keralites need intoxicants. This is a common phenomenon from small huts to big palaces. Recently a survey had disclosed that children of fourteen years are going behind stimulants including alcoholics and drugs. Earlier this minimum age qualification was nineteen! Notice the progress of God’s own country! 

It is quite contradictory that we hear all this during the final celebration of golden jubilee of Sivagiri pilgrimage commemorating SreeNarayana Guru who stood against all kinds of intoxicants. He taught Keralites not only secularism but he urged to avoid liquor that he epitomized just as poison, that causes only troublesome and distress to the family and drunkard's health. But who cares about his comments? Still going with alcohol and drugs.

Keralites need no excuse of celebrations to drink. For anything and everything they are going in search of alcoholic drinks; birth or death, success or failure, happiness or grief, alcohol lead the way. But in festive celebrations they forget themselves and take more and more than regular menu. Unemployment or poverty never affects drunkard’s life. By all means they make sure to get their favorite brands.  

If you ask any political or social leaders they would recommend either prohibition or awareness program against drug-consumption including medication. Some others suggest campaign focusing school and colleges. These measures are unlikely to lead to success. This is all related with one's own mindset and attitude.

In social and family circles, serving drinks has been a symbol of status in our state. If someone is moving against this newly originated tradition, he would be scared. This is the condition. Who can change that? - a medicine or a word?
 

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