Alcohol - No Ordinary Commodity

Speakers: Dr Rakesh Lal, Professor of Psychiatry, AIIMS; Ms Tripti Tandon, Deputy Director, Lawyers' Collective; and Dr Rajiv Khosla, Consultant Gastroenterologist

 

Moderator: Prof S. K. Khandelwal, AIIMS

 

Alcohol has a long history of use and misuse throughout the recorded history. In some ancient cultures alcohol was worshipped, while in others its use was condemned. In contemporary societies, drinking alcoholic beverages is a common feature of social gathering, considered as social lubricant. It is a huge money spinner for the governments, yet the politicians keep on toying with the idea of banning alcohol use as a populist measure. Many believe alcohol to have beneficial health effects, yet even regular social drinking is fraught with severe psychosocial and health damage. The panel will also discuss why India must have a National Alcohol Policy