Feb 2, 2009
Mangalore is fast emerging. Recent pub attack raised the question mark on our unique cultural identity.
First of all let me make it clear. No one can force/abuse people to behave in a certain way - even if they get drunk, have drugs, run over early morning walkers in their inebriated state, etc…! Looking back, I can imagine a number of social or institutional interventions which might have helped prevent this attack from happening. But none of them includes the approach to "raise awareness" among young men and women that getting drunk in public puts them at greater risk of exploitation and sexual assault.
Culture is a way of living in a particular community. It is the sum total of all things that refer to religion, roots of people, symbols, language, songs, stories, celebrations and all expressions of our way of life. We as mangaloreans have certain kind of uniqueness; the language we speak, traditions, celebrations whether it is Hindu, Muslim, Christian or others. Especially cultural perspective, the recent pub incident is an eye opener and it is time for us to retrospect the incident and decide what is good for us and how we preserve our values. People are converging into fake stereotypes; unique cities that carry so much history and enriching culture facing the threat of degradation of ethnic culture.
Globalization has affected people's cultural behaviors in different ways. The loud echoing advertisement rhythms of the famous Malibu/Kingfisher/ Marlboro can be heard across boundaries in towns, cities and even in remote rural areas where drinking water is a problem to get.
Pubs and drinking are the latest yuppy rage among Indian youngsters. The multi-national liquor producers are aggressively marketing in all areas from metros to towns. Shareholders and pub owners love it. Cigarette smoking, drinking is declining in the US, but it is growing at 4%-per year-the result of strategic global marketing aimed mostly at adolescents. Once the US assistant health secretary quoted; "It is unconscionable for the mighty trans-national tobacco companies to be peddling their poison abroad, particularly because their main targets are less developed countries”. The growing pub culture, is contributing to alcoholism at an earlier age. Young people are switching to smoke, drugs and alcohol. In one of the recent reports, the average age of alcoholics coming for help has dropped from 35 to 26."
The vast majority of us live local lives. But the impact of globalization (ex: pub culture) is to change the very texture of this locality and therefore the nature of cultural experience in general. One way of understanding this is to think about the places we live in as being increasingly ‘penetrated’ by this harms-way of pub culture. It is not surprising, if people revolts against this evil culture and such kind of revolt are good for the wellbeing of the decent society. Let us take good out of the last week incident.
Mahatma Gandhi identified the consumption of alcohol as a major social evil and urged a ban on drinking. The Indian Government wrote a section into the Constitution declaring its intention to enforce prohibition. But today, state governments across the country are violating this edict with impunity, because the liquor industry is a major source of revenue. Various organizations protested against the alcoholism. But contrary, today visiting pub has become the fashion statement.
In the name of modernization, pub culture pretends to be uplifting peoples whom it is really exploiting. Hope I don’t need to give examples of pubs where it enforces female accomplice for the entry. Is it not the height of exploitation of women?
Long time westerners thought they are bringing civilization and culture to the uncivilized eastern world. It was given the glorious title of 'White Man's Burden'. I feel it is the lack of our self esteem making us to fall prey to each and everything what western world follows. In this modern and educated world, it is wise to follow good things than becoming slave to the bad culture.
India has more percentage of educated folks compared to 1947. But, at the same time we have become more and more corrupt. Time and again we expose ourselves so easily that we can accept anything which is not needed for the country to progress, but many times fail to accept the good qualities like non-corruption, obeying law of the land which is essential for the country’s strong foundation.
Some people might argue it is the personal choice to accept the pub culture. I do agree with that for certain extent provided the ideal environment. But in reality it is not so. Do we ever imagine how much of these cultures having ill effect on young minds, friends, neighbours, kids, relatives? Are they not adding danger to the lives of innocent people? How many examples needed when people out of pub drove over and claimed the lives of innocent people? Or where the most people were tested positive for drug abuse when they caught in pubs/rave parties? It is documented that, more than 50% case of rape/abuse happens under the influence of alcohol. It was nice to see the unity among people against pub attack. But how many of us raised voice against the root cause of the issue -pubs? Many a times, affluent people seem to be hijacking the media and young minds for the fulfilment of their pleasures.
Aren’t these pub cultures destroying the fabric of society on long run? What type of shining India we can expect when the youngsters start using drugs/smoke/alcohol at the very early stage of their life? What type of society or culture we are shaping in the name of modernization? This pub culture can add more corruption, cheaters and criminals to the beautiful neighbourhood and society. Is it the beginning of the duality of lust and luxury as the male and female deities, with money as its priest, fraud, force, and competition its ceremonies, and human soul its sacrifice.
True confident citizens believe and respect their culture, traditions and origin. It is the lack of self confidence making them to become prey for all these evil cultures. Let us count on the people who build the society than destroying the society. It is the time to insist government to evolve a policy to protect people from the ill effects of the pub culture. People should come up with effective way to prevent and counter the onslaught of this harmful culture”. Good cultural society is the foundation for strong nation.
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