Alcohol - the word evokes many different reactions from different people. Some souls frown at the very mention of the “foul substance” while some feel that social gatherings are incomplete without it. There are still many others who indulge in it in the privacy of their homes either alone or with a few bosom buddies. These are people whom they can “open out to” once the chemical action kicks in. And there are some who are indifferent to it.
As for most engineers who have studied in a residential institute (I’m talking about India), it attains an almost demi-god status. Be it farewell parties, the end of the sem exams or just any other day (there shud be no class the nxt day) alcohol is there to grace the occasion. And in all avatars- some like whisky, some vodka and some swear by good old “Old Monk” rum.
Most of these budding engineers have been brought up in strong valued household, where even the mention of “daaru” is abhorred. These students, who were a part of the first category, slowly but surely shift to somewhere between the second and the fourth types (refer to the 1st Para). As they make their way through college, “daaru” becomes a part of everyday life. I have known people who will prefer alcohol to food, especially when someone else is footing the bill. It is amazing how around 18 years of upbringing can be reversed by just 4 years of hostel life. It becomes a part of insti tradition with seniors (baapu) treating their juniors to it on job treats and other random “aajke khaawao” parties. The cycle continues…
In fact, alcohol is a big part of college culture. The following incident will illustrate the fact:-
Dr. Vijay Mallya in a session at IIM-C was asked by one of the students whether he was spoiling the youth as the “beer baron”. Mallya asked a simple question in reply “Are you from IIM-A or IIM-C?”
The fact is alcohol has made people filthy rich, like the gentleman I mentioned above, and its “country” version has been responsible for a number of deaths. There is no denying the wrongs of alcohol. There is no denying that we people have the ability to judge for ourselves. There is no denying the immensely powerful yet pleasing high one experiences on intoxication.
And there is no denying the fact, that come what may, we will continue to indulge in Guilty Pleasures!!!!!!
