AGE NO BAR

Alcohol law in India is a subject of state list under seventh schedule of the constitution of India. Thus, no uniformity of law across the nation. Liquor consumption is banned in the states of Gujarat, Manipur, Mizoram, Kerala, Nagaland and the union territory of Lakshadweep.

Drinking age in Delhi and other states like Maharashtra and Punjab has always been a subject of great controversy. People and the government have often argued about the justification of this limit at 25. There have been myriads of arguments by the supporters of this limitation. One of the major reasons is that the youth is not mature enough to drink responsibly. After drinking they indulge in rash driving and other miscreant activities.  The strongest counter argument posed against this is that If a person can be mature enough to vote, get married, have consensual sex, join Indian army and serve the nation at the age of 18 and 21, then why not responsible enough to drink? Many have pointed out that, in a certain way it is restricting our freedom of choice. To drink, not to drink and when to drink is an absolutely personal choice and government interference is not required here.

In states like Goa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Assam, where the age bar is set low, there has been no concrete evidence that people who have been drinking since a younger age grow up to be irresponsible citizens or have harmed the culture of the state, or that there have been any ill effects on their mental and physical growth.

Prithiviraj Chavan, ex-CM of Maharashtra said that, “The age limit is everywhere. We debated the issue because we faced a question whether we should discourage or encourage [drinking] culture in our state.”, when the age bar was increased in the state. On reacting to the same, Bollywood actor Imran khan said, "I am really disturbed by the state's perception that the youth of today are a bunch of idiots. I am working with my legal team and plan to draft a petition."

What also needs to be highlighted is that there has been no strict and proper implementation of these laws. There is no check of identity at bars and other places serving and selling liquor. Anyone and everyone can easily manage to get some. Thus, ultimately there is no relevance of having set the bar so high! This is the real problem. Setting a bar is not going to help. What is required is to create awareness and impose some strict penalties on the wrong – doers.

The accompanying video is an attempt to accentuate the loopholes of the system and emphasizes upon what the youth thinks about this law!

- By SHREYA MEHRA

(Member Team Epsilon)

Indian by Religion

In 1947, when India got freedom from British rule, the nation was established as a secular one. Constitution of India guarantees all its citizens the “Right to Freedom of Religion” as a fundamental right under Article 25. This means, that all citizens have the right to practice and promote their religion peacefully. Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, or a person from any other religion should practice his or her religion as long as he or she is not disturbing or harming the public in any way.

Open today’s newspaper, or yesterday’s, or day before yesterday’s  &  you will find a report on communal violence. Attacks on religious establishments, forceful conversions, massacres, riots, you name it and it has taken place in this country. The only question that comes to our mind is whatever happened to tolerance? Why can’t we accept the existence of religions other than ours? Why do we feel the need to establish superiority of our religion over others?

On his return from India, President Obama said, "Michelle and I returned from India — an incredible, beautiful country, full of magnificent diversity — but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs — acts of intolerance that would have shocked Gandhiji, the person who helped to liberate that nation." Perhaps, if Gandhiji had seen the state of our country today and the kind of violence that occurs almost every day in the name of religion, he would have been scandalized.

No religion propagates the idea of harming others, no religion asks its followers to do things that would spoil the peace and harmony of the society. All religions promote a way of living which helps in maintaining peace and leading a balanced and satisfied life. All other aspects of religion that are being communicated today which lead to violence are not God’s words, these are wrong interpretations being made by people who want to see their religion on the top, like it’s a competition.

As the youth of the nation, as the people who are going to shape the nation in the coming years, it is our responsibility to overcome these false interpretations. Read your scriptures, read about your religion and understand that any violence in the name of religion is not being ordered by God. It is being ordered by people who can’t see a society living in peace and happiness. It is our duty, to shape a better future for ourselves and for those who will come after us. It is our duty to ensure that these acts of intolerance stop and each individual living in this country is free to practice the religion of his choice. It is our duty to promote brotherhood. Because before being Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains or Buddhists, we are Indians and it is our responsibility to look out for each other, not harm each other. 

"The purpose of religion is to control yourself, not to criticise others" - Dalai Lama

Read more about communal violence issues in India in recent times:

1. Protest over Delhi Church Attacks
2. Church Vandalised in South Delhi
3. Over 600 cases of Communal Violence in UP
4. PM Modi on Religious Intolerance 

WATCH OUT, HERE COMES INDIA!!!

                          

World Cup 2015 #wewon’tgiveitback

India Vs Pakistan; apologies to the guy from Karachi (a world cup ad) that your crackers will never burst.

India Vs South Africa; we grabbed your “mauka” and it’s time for us to burst the crackers.

Nothing, but work, can ever be dull when it comes to a match where India is on the field and if it is the World Cup, work places better be shut.

Top it up with some Pakistani masala and the excitement will break all boundaries.  For more spice, add up a team that India struggles to defeat or has never defeated in a World Cup (like South Africa).

For once remote-fights stop and the families irrespective of gender or age unite to see their India play. The cheers are not only limited to the stadium, it is also joined in from cheers from homes and all the corners of the country. Not to forget the minute-to-minute emotional updates on facebook and twitter.

“Wicket gir gaya”, “sixer”, “aaj to hum hi jeetege”, are some of the phrases I grew up with and I feel everyone would relate. It was the excitement that drew me to watch the matches and I admit it is a drug. The patriotism, the aura of our country playing and winning on the field is something thrilling, seems more exciting than anything. India in action on field and winning is a greater celebration than any birthday or anniversary or any celebration ever.

More matches await and so do more victories and more celebrations. And the recent scenario of fun advertisements adds on to the excitement of us Indians, eager to turn every challenge into a victory.

Proud to be an Indian and ready to chuck all work for an India match!  

Long way to go India!!!