Topic Of The Day-”Deadly Brew: On Illicit Liquor Deaths”
A Multi-Pronged Plan Is Needed To Prevent The Sale And Consumption Of Toxic Alcohol
The death of more than 100 people to toxic alcohol in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand has exposed thethriving sale of illicit liquor in the region. India remains among the countries with a high number of alcohol-related deaths, with poor governance, corruption and distorted policies contributing to such periodic tragedies. The governments in U.P. and Uttarakhand cannot evade responsibility for the death of so many people, the majority of them in Saharanpur district of U.P. Preliminary investigation has confirmedthe well-entrenched system of illicit liquor vends that are known to exist in the region; several factories producing hooch in U.P. were unearthed within a couple of days of the episode. Moreover, although several liquor-related deaths have been taking place, it took this staggering number of casualties for the authorities to acknowledge the presence of free-flowing illicit liquor. The Yogi Adityanath government prides itself on its law and order measures but its failure to crack down on these dens exposes the hollow claims. It has tried to put the blame for previous incidents on political opponents hatching conspiracies.
Several instances of toxic alcohol poisoning in India, including the Malvani hooch tragedy in Mumbai in 2015 that killed 106 people, have been attributed to the lack of affordable liquor for the poor. High taxes and excise raise prices, and cheap brews are peddled by criminal organisations, often in collusion with law enforcement personnel. In U.P., many communities have protested the sale of cheap liquor in pouches that are freely distributed during social events. What seems to have happened in Saharanpur follows the trend, with toxic alcohol originating in Haridwar in Uttarakhand being supplied at a family ritual. While it is no one’s case that consumption of cheap liquor needs to be encouraged or promoted, severe bottlenecks are proving counterproductive. An enlightened policy is needed to strike a balance, curbing illicit flows with zero tolerance, discouraging consumption through social campaigns and reviewing levies on less harmful beverages. At the moment, it is essential to make an example of those who participated in the sale of thelethal brew, and investigate any nexus with the authorities. If it is true that the suspects had a history of dealing in hooch, the Special Investigation Team constituted by the U.P. government should find out how they continued to operate their trade. In parallel, it is vital that the capacities of the health system be upgraded to handle victims of toxic alcohol. Toxicity often comes from drinking methanol, which results in blindness, tissue damage or death. Timely treatment through haemodialysis, infusion of sodium bicarbonate and ethyl alcohol can save lives.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) thriving
Meaning : prosperous and growing; flourishing(adj).
Synonyms : develop
Antonyms : decrease
Example : “the thriving business George has built up”
2) illicit
Meaning : forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
Synonyms : furtive
Antonyms : chaste
Example : “illicit drugs”
3) distorted
Meaning : giving a misleading or false account or impression; misrepresented(adj).
Synonyms : perverted
Antonyms : straight
Example : “his report gives a distorted view of the meeting”
4) contributing
Meaning : give (something, especially money) in order to help achieve or provide something(v).
Synonyms : devote
Antonyms : keep
Example : “taxpayers had contributed £141.8 million towards the cost of local services”
5) evade
Meaning : escape or avoid (someone or something), especially by guile or trickery(v).
Synonyms : hide
Antonyms : confront
Example : “friends helped him to evade capture for a time”
6) confirmed
Meaning : (of a person) firmly established in a particular habit, belief, or way of life and unlikely to change their ways(adj).
Synonyms : accepted
Antonyms : indefinite
Example : “a confirmed bachelor”
7) staggering
Meaning : deeply shocking; astonishing.
Synonyms : stunning
Example : “the staggering bills for maintenance and repair”
8) hatching
Meaning : (in fine art and technical drawing) shading with closely drawn parallel lines(n).
Synonyms : conceive
Antonyms : destroy
Example : “the miniaturist’s use of hatching and stippling”
9) peddled
Meaning : try to sell (something, especially small goods) by going from place to place(v).
Synonyms : solicit
Antonyms : pull
Example : “he peddled printing materials around the country”
10) brews
Meaning : make (beer) by soaking, boiling, and fermentation(v).
Synonyms : blend
Antonyms : ingredient
Example : “within five years the company will brew as much beer in China as in Australia”
11) consumption
Meaning : the action of using up a resource(n).
Synonyms : expenditure
Antonyms : construction
Example : “industrialized countries should reduce their energy consumption”
12) curbing
Meaning : restrain or keep in check(v).
Synonyms : hamper
Antonyms : allow
Example : “she promised she would curb her temper”
13) lethal
Meaning : sufficient to cause death(adj).
Synonyms : destructive
Antonyms : harmless
Example : “a lethal cocktail of drink and pills”
14) tackle
Meaning : make determined efforts to deal with (a problem or difficult task)(v).
Synonyms : hook
Example : “police have launched an initiative to tackle rising crime”
15) infusion
Meaning : a drink, remedy, or extract prepared by soaking tea leaves or herbs in liquid(n).
Synonyms : mixture
Example : “a strong rosemary infusion”
