Recognising the enormity of alcohol abuse in Kerala, which comes first in per capita liquor consumption in the country, DYFI, AIDWA and SFI are launching a mass campaign on November 30.
The drive will be launched at a convention in Thiruvananthapuram, which will be opened by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan. Leaders of social, cultural, religious and political organisations, apart from anti-liquor campaigners of various hues, will be invited to the convention.
“We are urging all kinds of organisations, including religious bodies, to get involved in this drive against alcohol abuse,” T.V. Rajesh, DYFI State secretary, said.
Mr. Rajesh said the campaign was being launched with the knowledge, approval and support of the party and its top-level leaders. Mr. Rajesh said the modalities of the campaign would be finalised at the November 30 convention. A wide-ranging consultation would be held with social workers, poets, intellectuals, and social and cultural leaders. Religious leaders such as Archbishop Susaipakiam would be urged to get involved.
Mr. Rajesh said a plan was being worked out to form community groups in all panchayat wards for checking alcohol abuse. People would be asked not to hold drinking parties at weddings and festival celebrations. Since drinking in public spaces — such as playgrounds, open fields and on the roadside — had increased enormously, people would be encouraged to put an end to it. He noted that in the past, drinking was done in secret, but now the taboo had vanished. Social drinking had gained acceptance and liquor was essential at gatherings, such as weddings and even funerals.
He pointed out that even 13- and 14-year-olds were taking to the bottle and that a large number of young women had turned routine drinkers. Drinking within the home had increased. The Muslim community was strict against drinking, but now places such as Manjeri and Ponnani had emerged as centres of alcohol abuse.
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