Tipple swadeshi, say Himachali women

Local women's rights group has banned 'English' liquor in some villages; say when one has a conventional drink with medicinal value, where is the need to go for a chemically-laced one

Tipple swadeshi, say Himachali women

It may hit you like a hard drink, but women brigades in the interiors of Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district are busy propagating its consumption. They would rather like the menfolk had home-made stuff than ‘English’ liquor.

For them home-made liquor is the best drink which helps retain age-old tradition, besides curbing ‘outside influence’.u00a0“Local-brewed liquor is facing tough competition from English (Indian-Made Foreign Liquor) drinks. Popular Indian brands are now a fad among youth, especially during community gatherings. It’s a serious threat to our (local) liquor,” said 60-year-old social activist Rattan Manjari.

100% desi: The parishad had last year passed a resolution imposing a fine of Rs 5,000 on anybody found consuming Indian-Made Foreign Liquor. Representation Pic

“Since ages, the locals have perfected the art of brewing liquor — whether from vegetables, fruit, jaggery or grains. Offering liquor is even an important part of local customs and religious rituals. Once people stop brewing, it will, of course, be an end to traditions that have been followed for generations,” said Manjari, chairperson of the women’s rights group, Mahila Kalyan Parishad.

The parishad, which has the support of over 150 mahila mandals, is motivating people here to go off ‘English’ liquor, as it would drown them in debt. “Serving branded liquor is now more a status symbol. Even those who can’t afford it are serving it and incurring debts. When you have a conventional drink with medicinal value, where is the need to go for a chemically-laced one?” Manjari said.

According to her, if ‘angoori’ is served at a function, youth will hesitate to accept it openly in front of the elders. “But for the liquor available at vends, anybody can go and buy it. It has spoiled our tribal youth,” said Manjari, an apple grower from the picturesque Ribba village.

The parishad has succeeded in banning branded liquor in social functions in some villages like Lippa, Kalpa, Kanam and Sangla, but the drive has still to gain momentum across the district. The gram panchayats of Nichar and Giabong have already imposed a total ban on consuming and serving ‘English’ liquor. u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0 u00a0

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