Aditi Arora
Monday, 04 April 2022 | Aditi Arora | Dehradun
I was born and raised in a small town. Although I have been exposed to European culture and education, I still love to be near the stability and the sensitivity of the mountains near my hometown. Growing up, there was little to do, except cycling down the one main road of our very peaceful town, going for mountain hikes or being part of birthday picnics, which were the few listed activities I was exposed to in my childhood. Our small town had one or two main restaurants and one odd winery. Our town was considered a retirement town, a safe haven for veterans from the Indian army and other reputed government institutions, in fact a potent intellectual hub of the north. Many noted writers dwelled here and churned out great literature. Such was the quality of citizens. There was a sense of safety, trust and quietude. This town provided security, a writers retreat and many more gifts it selflessly offered its people.
Recently it is developing at the speed of quantum. Our little town is bursting with colleges, institutions offering various courses for the youth. Due to all of these new concrete additions there is a huge influx of youth from around the country. The government too is pumping in large amounts of funding to support the education sector and give accreditations where possible. Youth anywhere is a sign of energy, potential and vision. The youth of any country is its steam engine; it’s a raw resource, much like a gold reserve over which we can print currency. As a psychotherapist I would like to ask a volatile question-where is our youth headed? I choose not to flood my piece with the third world having first world issues, the intensity of instant gratification which now is present in everyone just not our youth. But rather bring forward the issue of co- dependency which is on a high rise in this country. A small town like ours now has alcohol shops mushrooming alongside pharmacies, like a cruel joke. The highest consumer of this very alcohol is our youth.
While the bookstores of our country lie empty and are being forced to shut down, our alcohol shops are flourishing. Gone are the days when the youth waited for the good old Saturday. Wednesday is their new Saturday or if investigated lightly over their over indulgence one gets a common reply –“Tis 6 PM somewhere in the world”. The young still in education or with new found jobs are trying to combat pressure, stress, anxiety and all else with substance, leading to a definite addiction. Our Finance minister may have addressed the issue of mental health in their new budget but what really has been done to figure out the rising problem of substance abuse in the young. Now pharmaceutical companies have begun to design pills that combat hangovers that are available at cheap rates as their research too indicates to them a significant rise in over consumption of alcohol. The Indian government may only think in terms of revenue but in turn it is making the population that will generate this revenue, defunct for the long run.
Before my article runs into a statutory warning on over or co dependency on alcohol I wish to suggest measures how the lawmakers can begin to bring in the much desired change. All consumption of alcohol should be made quota based. The lawmakers should digitalise the entire alcohol industry. Quota limits should be imposed on age-wise basis. To ensure the purchase of alcohol is supervised and quota limits are being followed, the government should link the Aadhaar card to every purchase. Every state should provide a watchdog committee that all alcohol shops adhere to the rules of the lawmakers. If the candidate has run out of his or her quota, they should be allowed to purchase but at exorbitant rates. Many people may mistake me for having dictatorial tendencies or promoting sadistic measures but we must not forget the numbers that are under the heavy influence of alcohol in our country that needs all the resources it can use.
We are yet to get a report on the efficacy of many rehabilitation centers in this country. It is time to ask how India would like to progress post the pandemic. Being in my thirties I look back at my teens and remember my twenties too, there were times when I was confused, moments when I got easily influenced by what was shown to me. But I took refuge in literature and sport. Words from Harivansh Rai Bachchan motivated me, Premchand’s stories inspired me to believe that there is a good world to make and contribute to.
Our government must find creative ways to reach the youth that is desperately seeking refuge in escapism. Be it dating apps, alcohol or the habit of glorifying their struggles, the youth must be navigated to achieve their rightful place in our society and make use of the rich heritage of our country. They should be encouraged to return to our classical dances instead of hoarding the gyms, our traditional music gharanas should use their social media accounts to encourage the young people to take up instruments. Over all our ruling government must take steps to salvage our youth with an urgency and effective organisation.
(The author is a Dehradun based psychotherapist trained at the University of Vienna. Views expressed are personal)
