Aakhir Galti Kiski
Suffering through paranoia, I scan through every section on newspaper, not only the traditional, the classical, The Times of India but even new age’s papers. Surprisingly these days in all papers tearing headlines that come and yell out of paper are about underage drinking, drinking and driving and pavement dwelling. The newsreader was screaming about Alistair Pereira getting bail. Her mother wants her son s tormentors to be punished. The family of lost people want Alistair jailed, wow it is a good circus out there. Loads of material for debate, for media to glorify and issue for government to get the policies which are not even distantly related to be passed in assembly. Hence, epiphany occurred to me that why I should just sit back, oh sorry sleep down and watch the vehicles pass by. So here I am with my over expressive views to see the flip side or maybe either side of this issue.
Primarily, let me tell you this issue has three sides unlikely two sided coin. Drinking an alcoholic substance is not taboo/nor illegal in any part of world. It is the age and overdrinking that are mischief mongers. It’s always the case, do we eat or consume anything without knowing its effects or side effects. If it has long term or stray effects of over consumption we try and avoid it. But one can avoid over consumption of substances. Being doctor by profession I can advise with ease that alcohol in moderate quantities can produce no harm. Warning, beware one should know his/her limits as the toxic effects vary with person on his/her body mass index. Thereby, proclaiming teenagers or parents or even showbiz as villains is crime one should always be educated of what lies beneath before they dive in water be it pool, ocean or gutter for that matter. Thorough knowledge of drinking and its side effects right from age when drinks are prohibited wouldn’t go unnoticed. But yes over stress on avoidance of drinking without clearing reason may make the adolescent want more to taste the forbidden fruit. Not forgetting to mention the greedy bar owners who will do anything to sell their products to underage guys and gals. The Government has done its job by prohibiting the media from advertising the alcoholic products.
Coming to the other side of coin are recent sufferers who have got unworthy sympathy, thanks to media. Pavement dwellers are equal share holders in guilt of event that occurred. Pavement is neither a home nor bed to doze off. Mumbai being a selfless mother adopts all those who come to her bosom. But then its space being limited the one that arrives should be capable of finding space or understanding and retreating back. The pavement is area made by government to walk upon not to sleep upon. Homelessness has been a major issue since centuries which cannot be overlooked upon now with such a boom in population and economy.
The progress has increased the hunger of our demands and hence more gizmos and gadgets available to play upon. Surviving in democratic nation some responsibility lies of government we elect to have some role in our well being and decent survival. This is the third angle of our issue. The assembly, municipality we elect holds major responsibility towards us and our city. Therefore, expecting clearance of this pavement dwellers and their rehabilitation from the ruling body is not wrong. Also, the people should understand limitations Mumbai has .It is not a rubber jelly, that can be stretched and expanded to meet the area needed for ever ticking population Concluding this essay or editorial or whatever this is I would like to say the remote is on our hands. Aberrations of volume depends whether you want to mute the voice or increase the volume beyond levels of audibility. Right channel with correct tuning is possible with teamwork. So, now is the best time to join hands and let’s not wash each other s dirty linen in public. Its not a wise man’s job to blame and throw ink on someone’s white clothes to make your look whiter. Thus, now is age for right education at right age along with correct reforms and policies in these reforms. The words of wise in end: Hoo!haa!Mumbai! Show the world what is Mu