Even On ‘Dry Days’ Glass Not Empty For Regulars-Keeping Up With the ‘Spirit’?
Mangaluru: As the ban on liquor sales came into force on Thursday 10 May evening at 6 pm due to the Assembly election, those looking to party over the weekend seemed to be unperturbed-since according to sources alcohol was still available at some “unknown” outlets. But prior to the ban, since a couple of days the beer guzzlers, wine lovers and regular tipplers were seen shopping in full gear for their favourite booze at their favourite liquor dealers and have piled up enough stock. Rumours are that a few wine shops and bars have made provisions for their loyal patrons to ensure the cash registers keep ringing through the dry spell ?.
As polling day 12 May approaches, a part of Mangaloreans has been left biting their nails. The ‘Dry Days’ (from 6 pm Thursday- Saturday evening 6 pm) preceding Assembly election which is slated to remain in force till the said liquor ban days, literally has taken the fizz out of the City’s part animals. However, some party people have already decided to have social spree at their homes, inviting friends-having stocked up their refrigerators with their customary weekend beer. But there are some who are worried to have some parties at home, fearing that they may get busted by cops for code violations. But Mangaloreans know how to fool the city cops, anyhow- no matter what?
“Three dry days in a row is harsh. But we stocked up well in advance and we know where to find liquor during these dry days. Getting booze on dry days is just a phone call away,” said Sanjay, a Sales Executive while he was loading his car near Kadri. ” I really don’t know by banning liquor during elections does any good. It’s a good way for liquor dealers to sell liquor illegally with higher prices, and for the cops to pocket their “moolah”-that’s it. Untoward incidents or fights can happen without getting intoxicated too. These bans are meaningless and useless” said Jacob at “high Bendurwell” while done buying a bagful of “spirits”.
On Thursday, soon after the ban was imposed at 6 pm, according to sources liquor was available, though not readily, in several areas across the city and at a higher price. Owing to the sweltering heat, an employee at a wine shop said that beer has been selling like “hot-cakes”, and they couldn’t keep up with the clients demand. A beer bottle which would cost around Rs 100 or Rs 120, fetched up to Rs 120 or Rs140. And I know that, because I bought two Tuborg brand beers at a wine shop in the City at around 5 pm-I was charged Rs 140 per bottle, although the MRP per beer bottle said Rs 120 (inclusive of all taxes)-I couldn’t argue with the wine shop guy that evening, since the place was packed with customers-but I will surely go back and deal with him on Sunday -but I am not sure what would be the outcome of my enquiry, since no sale bill was given?
While I was at Crave-Bakes and Desserts on Balmatta Road, a bunch of guys from Manipal with travel bags walked in and ordered six chilled coffee flavoured milkshakes. I found out by their conversation that they just had their lunch/booze at a pub located just a few blocks from this pastry shop, and were heading towards Goa. Slowly I too joined in their conversation-Rakesh, an engineering student at MIT, Manipal said to me, ” Weekend without “dine and wine” is kind of boring. Since there are only a few summer weeks left before monsoon starts where we can’t enjoy, we want to make the best use of the remaining summer weekends. ‘Three days’ of ‘Dry Days’, C’mon, give me a break! We are heading to Goa for the weekend, and also that we are all from Gujarat we don’t have voting privileges here, so what’s the fun being in Manipal or Mangaluru. Goa, we are coming, baby!”-he literally cheered up with excitement about his weekend fun spree in Goa.
For some out of state people wanting to celebrate an occasion at a bar in a City posh hotel, they’ll be stunned when they learn that it’s a dry day. Like a few foreigners staying at Hotel Taj Gateway were not in a happy mood, when they learned they were in a “Dry City” for next 48 hours or so. Imagine Germans being without BEER even for few hours- I guess they are also heading to Goa. If you are among those who don’t care whether the celebration is today or tomorrow or the day after, then it may not matter to you. But, for those to whom the celebration is all about today or tomorrow, wanting to consume few cocktails legally, it does matter. The enforced dry days are meaningless when it is not illegal to consume alcohol on these days; it is illegal only to sell alcohol?
Catholic weddings are quite affected because these days Catholic Roce/Weddings in Mangalore are incomplete with alcohol-and off course the consumption needs to be legal. Heard that a Catholic wedding reception suppose to be held at a hotel in Mangaluru, which was booked last year, had to be shifted to Canacona-Goa, due to dry days here. What of those who do not care about the legality? Not that the liquor consumption is low otherwise, but the election is ‘party time’ in more ways than one: It is political parties that pour out a ‘heady campaign strategy’ enabling several voters to party on free-flowing liquor. Even though the Election Commission has wielded its model code of conduct, trying to play party pooper, parties fully stocked up to add ‘liquid’ appeal to their campaigns are letting liquor flow unchecked. No doubt. liquor will be stocked by the political parties in readiness for the days to follow.
And prohibition is, arguably, very difficult to achieve. As is tragically proven in every dry area when we have deaths due to consumption of illicit brews. There are no serious studies on the negative impact of prohibition in India; perhaps law-makers need to read Sober by act of parliament. Rather than prohibition and dry days (which only serve to fuel an illicit, where cops can make some extra bucks, where liquor dealers can jack up their product prices, a profitable avenue for law-breakers), it’s legal and responsible consumption that the governments need to focus on. Unless, of course, they even bother to address the other directive principles. Consumption of liquor should be monitored and controlled by the government throughout the year and not just during election time.
For the common citizen, liquor is available on dry days – it’s just more expensive. Liquor is available in plenty – all you need to know is a number to call or know some people who can arrange liquor. While the City’s most happening crowd raise the political heat and dust, the rest will chill out and take a break from their hectic weekend schedule. But for those party animals or those who don’t belong to ” Alcoholics Anonymous” group, getting their favourite brands supplied and getting their job done, during “Dry Days” is just like a piece of cake. In conclusion, ” Are ‘Dry Days’ only during election time or some religious festivals really working or worth having them, need to be addressed soon by the concerned authorities ?”
And finally, me being a Naturalized Citizen of the USA having no voting rights here, I will be joining my friends after they cast their votes on Saturday, and we all will be heading to Calangute Beach-Goa. Viva Goa, baby! And to all those revellers who have already made plans to have some fun on exotic beaches in Goa during the weekend- “Sun, sand and Booze”, here is a suitable YouTube link you need to watch called ‘SORO’-Drinking Brings Out The Goan In You | By Tushar & Jairaj
