People indulging in harmful activities or habits doesn’t shock me anymore. What shocks me is when they raise their eyebrows after knowing that I have always kept away from a harmful habit. The habit I am referring to is drinking alcohol. People give strange reactions when they come to know that I have never tasted alcohol or any type of liquor ever in my life. In fact, some even feel offended! At times, this makes me speechless but since my beliefs and morals are super strong, it never affected me.

Yesterday’s (July 1) episode of Satyameva Jayate threw light on the terrible effects of alcoholism. After listening to the shockingly tragic tales of the victims of alcoholism, I am proud to have never tasted that thing and my belief has become even stronger. Let’s look at the experiences shared in the episode.

A youngster Vijay Simha ventured into journalism and tasted enormous success in no time. Nothing could have brought him down but yet he had to spend nine months on the roads of Delhi. His body deteriorated in such a way that he should consider himself lucky that he didn’t die! A journalist at the peak of success was reduced to a mere beggar! Reason for such a devastating downfall? Alcohol!

In another case, a man from a poor family, Lakshman spent Rs 20 lakh in consuming alcohol and another Rs 20 lakh in getting treated for alcoholism for which he was admitted 80-100 times! If he hadn’t tasted liquor ever, his life would have been completely different.

But the case of the death of Curran Anand at the age of just 15 turned out to be the most heart-wrenching one. Just sitting in a car driven by a reckless drunkard cost him his life and his parents, a non-curable grief! Such is the cruel effect of alcohol that it can be fatal even for those who don’t drink!

People can argue they drink only a small quantity but as Javed Akhtar, the guest on the show, pointed out liquor has a tendency to be addictive which can prove terrible.

Therefore, what is so strange in me totally avoiding something which can be fatal for me and devastating for my whole family? I know there is no harm in trying it just sometimes but my point is, if something has the potential to ruin everything I have, why should I try it even once? By the way, according to psychiatrist Dr Vivek Benegal, 50% of liquor-drinking population of India, drink more than what is considered normal (four pegs)! More reasons to stay away from the bottle!

Few youngsters proudly revealed on the show the reason why they drink. A guy said he drinks as it helps him forget everything and enjoy due to the sensation it creates in the brain. According to a girl, drinking helps her dance properly while another one said it is ‘cool’ to drink.

All I can say is I feel terribly sorry for them. Have they become so weak that they need alcohol to forget problems instead of facing and solving them? If drinking helps you dance properly, all great dancers of India should have finished thousands of bottles in their lives! And what is so ‘cool’ in spending your parents’ hard earned money in something that can mess up your life and ruin your family’s image?

A rather sensible reason given by a guy was that he has to oblige his seniors and colleagues by giving them company to drink. Well, I have been in such situations where people have even been adamant in making me drink. However, if you are totally firm as I have been, nobody can put that bloody thing in your mouth!

Watch the July 1 episode of Satyameva Jayate below and if the discussions in the show don’t shake you against alcoholism, nothing else would!