Decision to Ban Liquor in Villages Situated on Banks of Narmada River Welcomed
Bhopal. A decision of the state government to ban liquor shops on the banks of Narmada River is welcomed by all especially the women. The people participating in ‘Namami Devi Narmade’ –Seva Yatra termed the decision of the Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan as revolutionary. This decision will prove to be a milestone to bring social changes in the villages of 16 districts situated on the banks of River Narmada.
An enthusiasm was seen among the people towards the ban when Narmada Seva yatra reached Kharkhedi on its 37th day covering Dongarwada, Hasalpur, Rundhal, Talnagri and Khoksar of Hoshangabad district. Sarpanch of village panchayat Rundhal, Champabai said that addiction is the root cause of evil and it should be eradicated from the root. Once a person get addicted than it is difficult to quit it. Closure of liquor shops on the banks of the River Narmada is the beginning of social changes for the entire state.
Sarpanch of Talnagri village panchayat Smt. Maya Bai has told that a liquor shop is located at Chawalkheda 10 kilometer far from this village. Villagers use to obtain liquor easily from there. Now shop will be closed as per the decision of the Chief Minister. This is good for the village.
Women has administered pledge to make village panchayat Dongarwada situated 4 kilometer far from Hoshangabad district free of addiction. A de-addiction campaign was started by the women two years ago. They had formed Durga Nari Nashamukti Jagriti Samiti. Sarpanch Saroj Bai has told that we used to explain when any person was seen in inebriated condition. If he used to avoid our suggestion, women used to beat him up. Even their family members did not oppose to it. Now changes have come but people still consuming liquor covertly. But good thing is that the people have stopped bringing liquor in the village.
The most active member of the committee is 60 years old Krishnabai. She has lost her husband and children because of liquor. She said that members of the committee are always vigilant. Expressing happiness over the decision to ban liquor, she said that noble deed is being carried out by closing the liquor shops. This is a work to save lives. We have to save new generation from addiction.
Nirmala Kewat of the same village praising the decision of the Chief Minister said that ban should be implemented in the entire state. We cannot compensate loss occurred due to addiction. She informed that her husband Manohar Kewat had become habitual drinker but since last one year he has quit the liquor. His son Nitesh Kewat was also under negative influence by this.
Explaining about the activities of the committee, she told that whenever we came to know about inebriated condition of any person than we used to go to him asking where he got this. We also used to bash the liquor sellers. Gradually liquor sellers frightened to come to the village. Pledge of the Chief Minister has boosted our morale and now we will undertake de-addiction campaign more actively.
Alka Rajput of the same village had joined the committee to get her husband quit this habit. There is improvement in his condition now. Her daughter Anchal Rajput and son Ankit are pursuing studies in class 12th and 9th. She is enthused with the decision of the Chief Minister and said that number of drinkers was increasing day by day. She believed that the villages in the vicinity will be free of addiction completely after the liquor ban.
