There may be a number of arguments for not drinking alcohol but banning it is the worse solution to dissuade people from drinking
On 20 May 2023, readers wake up to World Whisky Day! The third Saturday of every May is celebrated as World Whisky Day as aficionados of the drink all over the globe taste at least a “dram” of the water of life. Launched in 2009 by Blair Bowman, a student of the University of Aberdeen, to celebrate the official drink of Britain and Scotland, the WWD has attracted millions over the years.In India, this year’s WWD is observed in the backdrop of the death of around 25 persons in Tamil Nadu early this week due to spurious liquor. It is not an isolated incident in Tamil Nadu where there is a total ban on toddy and arrack, the poor man’s whisky. Arrack is banned in neighbouring Kerala also and this is seen as the major reason behind the youths getting addicted to drugs which offer instant salvation.The ban on toddy and arrack has been proved to be counterproductive. There were no deaths due to spurious liquor when the Governments in the States had permitted retail outlets to sell arrack.
The stuff was distilled using the best of vegetables and fruits while those working in the farms from dawn to dusk could cool their body and soul after a day’s hard work out in the sun. Eminent short story writer VKN (Vadakke Koottala Narayanankutty Nair) portrayed the beauty of arrack through his literary works. There were no anti-liquor brigades demanding a ban on VKN’s short stories and novels and the author was honored with the Kendra Sahitya Academy award for his portrayal of life in rural Kerala. Many literary persons have confessed that they took up consuming liquor after reading the books of VKN!Ban on arrack, alcohol and tapping of palm trees threw lakhs of labourers out to the streets. Bootlegging became the order of the day.
Workers turned to low-quality liquor following the ban on arrack and this is seen as the reason behind their addiction to alcohol. Some of the spurious brands are known by the name Aana Mayakki (one capable of tranquillizing elephants) and Manavatti (Malayalam for Bride-a measure of this brand is powerful enough to make your lower jaw the chest like young brides during their wedding ceremony). In neighboring Sri Lanka where there is no restriction on the sale and consumption of toddy, arrack or liquor, there are no instances of death due to spurious liquor. Time we gave serious thought to our approach to liquor.
There is an anecdote featuring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, his Man Friday V P Menon and V Shankar, a senior ICS officer. Marshal Nesamani, a Congress leader from Nagercoil barged into Menon’s suit at Thiruvananthapuram night and Menon was consuming his usual quota after a hard day’s wrestling with files and politicians. Nesamani had some complaints to make about the reorganization of States and he shouted at Menon. The latter asked him to meet him the next day at his office. Nesamani wrote to Sardar Patel that Menon was in an inebriated state and asked him to get out of his suit. Sardar, a teetotaler seemed disturbed by Nesamani’s letter and summoned Shankar. “Shankar, does Menon take drinks?” asked Patel. Shankar was caught in a difficult situation as he cannot lie to the Sardar nor he could let down his friend Menon. “Sir, Menon takes one or two pegs in the evening after ensuring that his table is cleared,” replied Shankar.
Sardar’s response caught Shankar off-guard. “No issues, Shankar. You tell all Secretaries to take the same drink which Menon takes,” said Sardar, which has been quoted by Shankar in his memoirs.
Well, if you think Whisky and Scotch distilled and bottled in Britain and Scotland are the best in the world, you are off the mark. Some Indian companies like Radico Khaitan, Paul John and Amrut Distilleries are making waves all over the world with their quality products.
Rampur Indian Single Malt Whisky, Cinnamon Whisky (RK), Paul John’s Mithuna and Kanya, John’s Original Choice (one of the top 10 selling whiskies worldwide) have done India proud thanks to master craftsmen like Michael D’Souza. Paul John’s Mithuna has been rated as the third finest whisky in the world by Jim Murray, the ace whisky writer.
This is not to make people drink alcohol but there are unsung heroes like Lalit Khaitan and Abhishek Khaitan, Paul John and Neelakanta Jagdale (Amrit) whom we should respect for their tenacity to take on global giants.
Liquor is not something to be discussed in a hush-hush manner. “I can survive for any number of days or years without consuming liquor. But I cant survive even for an hour without the right to have my drink,” Piloo Modi had said when the then Janata Party Government came out with a proposal to have total prohibition in India. Happy WWD!
(The writer is special correspondent with the Pioneer. Views expressed are personal)
