Sober twin: Party or not, Secunderabad needs no alcohol to raise a toast

SECUNDERABAD: Alcohol consumption in India increased by 38%, between 2010 and 2017, revealed a study published earlier this year by the World Health Organization. The residents of Secunderabad, however, seemed to have not contributed majorly to this spike. A survey conducted by TOI in association with Varenia CIMS revealed that 70% people in Secunderabad were non-drinkers. Only a meagre 5% claimed to be regular drinkers.
“I am an occasional drinker.I drink only when I have friends coming home for a get-together. I can enjoy a party with or without alcohol,” said Hareesh K, a private employee from West Marredpally.

The survey also revealed that Secunderbad viewed alcohol as a domain of the male population. 50% of the people were completely against the idea of women smoking or drinking. Mahima K (name changed), a 23-year-old BSc student and resident of Tarnaka, said that when she’s out with her friends, she doesn’t think twice before buying a couple of beers or lighting up a cigarette. “However, when I am in my locality, I feel uncomfortable smoking or drinking. I feel people will stare at and judge me if I light a cigarette here. It is fine if a man smokes near a paan shop, but not a woman,” said Mahima.

However, experts claim that there is still the question of how many of those surveyed were ready to admit openly that they drink. Some might enjoy the occasional drink but refrained from admitting the same, fearing a backlash from friends or family.
Officials of a deaddiction centre in the city said that they received about 50 enquiry calls daily, both from men and women. “We conducted a small survey on slum areas in Secunderabad and found that nearly 75% of the people were addicted to alcohol and spent almost 40-50% of their income on alcohol. “After 8pm one should take a round of the wine shops in Secunderabad. You’ll see a huge rush,” said Dr Devi Rani from Amrita Foundation Society.
She added that less than 10% of those people who reach out to their centre to get rid of alcohol addiction were women, all between the age groups of 18 and 28. Most of the men who reached out were less than 35 years of age. She, however, added that most cases of alcohol addiction at the centre were from areas outside Secunderabad.
“Alcohol consumption is relatively lesser in Secunderabad than the IT Corridor or areas in Hyderabad. In Secunderabad, it is mostly from slum areas that we find issues cropping up, financial and personal, due to alcohol addiction,” said Dr Devi.