India’s Alcohol Consumption Went Up By 38%. Basically We Are A Country Of *Bewdas*

Did you know that liver is one of the most resilient organs in our body? It has the ability to, and thank god for it, completely regenerate itself with new and healthy tissues over time. Yeah, we did not know about it either. Not that that stopped us from really putting it through challenging situations by drinking till we were throwing up and the liver was quivering in a corner. Especially us Indians.

Turns out, India’s annual alcohol intake increased by 38 percent between 2010 and 2017, according to a study published by The Lancet Journal. Clearly whatever it is – work or stress- we like to drink. From work stress, to family stress, to relationship stress, to happy hours, to birthdays with free booze, to weddings with Car-o-bar scenes, our way to deal is to drown ourselves in alcohol.

Us Indians, or most of us at that, believe that alcohol mixes best with any and every occasion or lack thereof. Bascially we’ll drink at the drop of a hat, and if someone insists, we’ll bottoms up to that too. The statistics, a proof. But neither millennials are to be fully blamed for it, nor bad bosses. It’s just that we’ve an affinity to it. To give you an idea, we chug back 5.9 litres per adult per year. Yes, in theory that number doesn’t look like a lot. But compare that to the average adult in North African or Middle Eastern countries who have less than a litre a year and you know we have on our hands an epidemic of sorts.

But hey, if romance is a pervading theme in our movies, so is this love for alcohol. Don’t take our word for it, these songs are odes to our love for getting wasted.

Sheeshe Se Sheesha Takraaye

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azbrgGSZH4M

What was a grand celebration of a doomsday, introduced us to the concept of binge-drinking!

Humka Peeni Hai

The customary batli dance by a bunch of cops. Yes, that’s right. Unka Peeni thi.

Rum Rum Rum, Whiskey

The only contribution of this song to the people was two flat out choices between – rum and whiskey.

Chhote Chhote Peg Maar

The song that became the anthem for ideal club nights and chugging contests!

Daaru Desi

Because, we can’t always afford the expensive ones and must fall back to the desi tharras from time to time.

Chaar Bottle Vodka

After all, how else does one measure stamina if not in empty vodka bottles, right?