Over the years, Pune has morphed from the quintessential pensioner’s paradise to a bustling city of youngsters. The consequence of this is unfortunately, the new found dependence on all things addictive.
While this edition of my column may sound preachy, let me assure you that this it isn’t intended to be a lesson in moral science. What follows is purely my personal observations of a new Pune lifestyle that is worrying me for sure…
Just the other day, I was shopping at a vegetable vendor’s on Bhandarkar Road. when a petite young girl, dressed in a t-shirt and palazzos appeared. Gesturing with her fingers, she asked the vendor quite candidly.`bhaiyya, yaha cigarette kaha milega?’ (brother, where will I get a cigarette here?) The vendor instantly replied, `malum nahi’ (don’t know.)
Then, turning to me he laughingly said,`hey Bhagwan, aisa prashna toh kisi ladki ne mujhe ab tak pucha nahin. (Oh God, no girl has ever asked me such a question). This man has obviously been far removed from the city’s new persona.
I remember the time when my husband and I dined at a luxury hotel and stepped into the lift. We were surrounded by inebriated teens dressed in their evening best. While they all had a liberal does of perfume on them, most couldn’t even support their own weight and were falling all over each other. We smiled and let them be…
A couple of years ago, I was sitting on a satin-clad chair in the lush green lawns at a lavish wedding reception, looking at all the beautifully dressed men and women. There were a bunch of youngsters standing beside my chair cracking jokes and generally having a nice time.
Suddenly, one of the younger boys quipped,`chalo, let’s get some energy’’ and pulled out a bottle of cough syrup from his pocket. I must confess that seeing this did rattle me.
A couple of years ago there was a huge furore when senior school students ( of a famed city school) were caught drinking within the premises. It is commonplace now, to find the younger 14-17 year old boys and girls drinking at pubs during the afternoons.
For the record, The State Government ( Excise Department) mandates that a permit is required for the purchase, storage, transport and consumption of alcohol in the state. The excise department also mandates that the establishments ensure that their customers are of the legal drinking age and possess a valid permit if applicable..
It’s all about profits finally and someone is raking it all !
Over a decade back there was this incident when a gentleman who was a social activist came to meet me at the Indian Express. What followed was the story of his younger son who was a state level sportsman.
Apparently he continued to do well and each tournament they won, got them two free bottles of alcohol. Their sponsor was a liquor company and hence this was expected.
As chance would have it, he ended up trying the alcohol more than once and eventually got addicted to it. The boy had to be sent thrice to the de-addiction rehabilitation centre.
By his mid-20s, he became unemployable as a consequence of his alcohol addiction.
Every generation throws up a set of youngsters who take to smoking, drinking and drugs but today’s scenario is a cause of deeper concern and more so in Pune.
As per the demographic survey conducted by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) while preparing the Development Plan in 2017, 33 per cent of the population is below 30 years while 40 per cent is between 30 years to 50 years. As per the World Population Review, In Pune, 62% of the is under 30 years with a larger-than-average share of people in the 25-34 age group. The literacy rate in Pune is 86%, with a higher literacy rate of 90% foren and 81% for women.’’
The city, being a premier educational hub, has a large student population, apparently five lakh. Many of them come from all parts of the country to study, so they taste freedom from parental monitoring.
Says the CEO of an IT company whose staff comprises young professionals,`today it is an accepted social norm for young girls and boys to drink, smoke and take to drugs.
And they take to it freely, without any inhibitions or fear of parents.’’ Once, when I was invited for a talk by a leading IT company, in the question-answer session that followed, I was asked – what is the solution to so many single women professionals of 30+ who hit the pub after working hours, as they feel lonely and depressed. I still have no answer.
Much over a decade back, top cop Vishwas Nangre Patil, in his capacity as Superintendent of Police, Pune Rural had raided a drug party, that was attended bu youngsters in their 20s, on Sinhagad Road.
He then remarked that there was a thin line between illusion and reality. By the time reality hits them, it has taken a huge toll on their progress and development.
Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs (SAD) makes for a really sad story in the life of a bubbling youngster. Parents and educational institutions seem helpless.
I often wonder as to who wlll bell this nasty cat?
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#All views expressed in this column are the authors and Pune365 does not necessarily subscribe to them. The Consumption of Alcohol and Tobacco can be injurious
That's Vinita Deshmukh, Senior journalist and RTI activist who believes in journalism that reflects the views and needs of the common man.
Get Real And Stay Relevant says Vinita,
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This is a very relevant topic. I agree completely that kids as young as 13 or 14 years of age are losing a sense of reality these days.