It is encouraging to see Indian brands standing shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest spirits. The increasing popularity of Indian-made alcoholic beverages underscores their expanding reach (‘Message in a bottle’, January 4). India has, finally, begun to recognise and celebrate its indigenous brews and spirits. With its vast scale and strong growth trajectory, the liquor industry is contributing significantly to the country’s consumer economy.
K.P. Pant,
On email.
I was a bit taken aback to see THE WEEK come out with a cover story on liquor. After all, alcohol is unhealthy and, ideally, best avoided. Perhaps, that’s because I have been a teetotaller all my life. Now well into my 50s, I may not be the most qualified person to comment on the subject.
Possibly, liquor transports you to a different plane altogether, gently loosening life’s knots and stress levels. Or, perhaps, it is just the “kick” people keep talking about. Still, I can’t help wondering, aren’t there better ways to unwind? A walk, good music, a long chat, or even a decent night’s sleep?
Social drinking, once in a while, seems harmless enough. But getting sloshed, or making more than two pegs a daily ritual, is best avoided.
Debesh Pal,
On email.
India’s spirits story has, in best possible ways, made the world sit up and take notice. What was once dismissed as cheap, or derivative, Indian spirits now win global awards, command premium shelf space and wear a confident “distilled in India” label.
Yet, the celebration must be tempered with realism. Overregulation, uneven state laws and the slow, demanding task of global brand-building remain formidable challenges. Japan took decades to earn respect for its whisky; India will follow the same path.
K. Chidanand Kumar,
On email.
It came as news to me that India’s weather is actually a big advantage in producing excellent quality whisky at a much faster pace. In earlier times, alcohol doubled up as a natural disinfectant and was even believed to cure ailments.
Many friends of mine also swear by another “benefit”: alcohol, they say, lowers inhibition, making people unusually honest. That, perhaps, is precisely the reason why I don’t drink. I have no desire to spill the unedited truths of my life to complete strangers.
What is beyond debate, though, is that excess consumption of alcohol depresses health, judgment and the next day’s productivity.
Tushar Samrat,
On email.
Did the Central government have a role?
The arms-drop incident in Purulia was shocking, and to this day, its real purpose remains unclear (‘Weapons of mass confusion’, January 4).
It is difficult to believe that such an operation could have taken place without the knowledge of the government of India at the time.
Communist governments, wherever they are, tend to create persistent political friction, and there have been long reasons to suspect that the Congress-led government at the Centre, under P.V. Narasimha Rao, might have wanted a situation in West Bengal that would justify Central intervention and the dismissal of the Jyoti Basu-led government.
The full truth of the Purulia episode, however, is unlikely to ever come out.
Aparajitha Kumari,
On email.
India cannot be pressured
The situation in Bangladesh needs to be watched very closely (‘The weight of history’, January 4). India cannot afford prolonged instability in a neighbouring country of such strategic importance, especially when external players like Pakistan could seek to capitalise on the turmoil.
If some in Bangladesh believe that stoking anti-India sentiment or behaving provocatively will pressure India into handing over Sheikh Hasina, that assumption is misplaced. That is not going to happen. India will decide its course of action based on its national interest. No one can dictate what India should or should not do.
Amardeep Saxena,
On email.
Deeply saddening
I was in school when the Uphaar tragedy happened, and I remember that day vividly (‘Playing with fire’, January 4). I was watching the same film—Border —in another theatre, Sangam [now PVR Sangam] in R.K. Puram on that day. We lost so many precious lives.
What is deeply saddening is that even after all these years, the lessons remain unlearnt. Equally troubling is the absence of a comprehensive national trauma-response framework—an omission that continues to cost lives.
Radha Iyer,
On email.
A part of my life
I am a class 12th student from Greater Noida, and I want to express my appreciation for [the column by K.C. Verma]. I look forward to it every week.
I consider myself a fairly serious person and rarely find myself laughing out loud. Yet, more often than not, Verma’s column makes me guffaw and invariably leaves a smile on my face. That, in itself, is no small achievement.
Although I began reading THE WEEK only this year—primarily as part of my preparation for law entrance examinations—Verma’s column, and the magazine as a whole, have since become an intrinsic part of my life.
Parv Jain,
On email.
Every column of Verma is as witty as they come, enriched by delightful slice-of-life moments. A few of his columns had me laughing aloud at his predicament.
S. Ashok,
On email.
Verma’s humorous takes on everyday life are immensely engaging and a delight for an ordinary reader like me.
He should keep amusing us with his writings—not in moderation, but in abundance.
Rajib Handique,
On email.