Not so “dry” after all
A “dry day” is a day when the sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited or restricted, usually for cultural, religious or legal reasons. In India, “dry days” are generally observed on national holidays such as Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti. “Dry days” are also noticed throughout elections in India.
It was, therefore, natural that the district administration of East Khasi Hills and all other districts announced a period of “dry days” before, during and after the day of voting. It is, however, an entirely different tale that such announcements of “dry days” have little or no effect in certain localities in the city.
Ask any tosspot and he would be able to point to certain areas where booze is available, any time of the day, albeit at a slightly higher price.
On the eve of voting day, some areas of the city had turned into a hive of night activities. Tipplers, having had their quota of the day and looking for more, gathered in a large number in few specific spots (which cannot be named here) to buy their stuff (which, again, cannot be named here). The area was chock-a-block with vehicles as their owners and riders collected their brands. There was chaos but everything went on in an orderly fashion. The orders were given, the stuff was handed over, the money quickly exchanged hands and both buyer and seller parted ways only to meet again during another “dry day”.
Ready, get set, go…
The Prime Minister is Meghalaya-bound, yet again; but there is nothing to frown upon except the fact that elaborate traffic arrangements will once again affect commoners albeit for a few hours. Commuters will be stopped at several stretches until the road is clear for PM to move.
The traffic, emphasis on motorists who wait at the starting grid, is made to wait for minutes at a stretch till the PM’s convoy has passed. This tests almost everyone’s patience. Once the convoy passes, the engines rev, and everyone goes berserk almost as if it’s a race. Although this time around, having had a recent experience, motorists will take an approach which is sane and not risk an accident.