Click to play videoThiruvananthapuram: Kerala might have been pushed down to the second spot when it comes to literacy. But when it comes to drinking, there are perhaps not many to compete with the average Malayalee who thinks every celebration is an excuse to drink.
Ninety five crore is only the money spent to buy liquor at government run outlets. The actual figure, if you add sales at bars and country-side outlets, would be much higher. The Malayalee's taste for the tipple is only growing despite the recession.
“During festive season, we will drink no matter what, to forget our troubles. Nobody can change that,” says Sebastian, a resident of Chalakudy.
The liquor sales during the Christmas-New Year season pales in comparison to the 143 crores spent during last Onam. Liquor is so popular that it even flows freely at conferences of political parties. And an alarming fall out are scenes of molestation and misbehavior, especially during New Year celebrations.
“There are many reasons for this. One is that youngsters are going through internal and external strain,” says Psychologist, K S David.
But the state government doesn’t seem too concerned. After all liquor sale feeds a sizable chunk of the exchequer. Even a church decree asking people to stay away from drinks this Christmas seems falling on deaf ears; this is one habit of the Malayalee that will perhaps stay forever.
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