Punjab Is Drowning In Alcohol!

[Mehtab Singh 3,910]

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/liquor-intake-spiking-in-punjab-revenue-plunging-cag/929566/0

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-30/india/31260508_1_excise-department-foreign-liquor-cag-report

http://news.oneindia.in/2011/02/23/punjabeyes-30-pc-rise-in-revenue-from-excise-duty-onliquor-aid0126.html

[JSinghnz 1,086]

And drug abuse thanks to the policies of the Badal Govt.

[S1ngh 1,878]

With all due respect to my brothers & sisters, I think we really need to rise above blaming government for all bad things that happen in Punjab. In my opinion, nobody is to blame but the people of punjab itself. Our people is more at fault here rather than any government. Government officials only mission is to make money out of everything/anything.

[Mehtab Singh 3,910]

I agree. The government isn't force-feeding drugs and alcohol to anyone, they aren't forcibly cutting anyone's kesh, they aren't forcibly stopping anyone from going to Gurughars or to Keertan Samagams or to Amrit Sanchars. If they are attacking our psyche, its time to cement it and respond by doing what Gurmat and Gurbani asks us to do, not what sarkaar wants.

[hgsingh 36]

why arn't more people talking abou t solutions

[S1ngh 1,878]

Absolutely agree with mehtab singh. Most of the gurdwaras in punjab are empty despite spike increase in population. You will only see sangat on specific days and with galat missioanary prachar on rise, we will also loose that.

why arn't more people talking abou t solutions

Because it is easier to point out or talk about bad stuff rather than figuring out the solution.

[singh135 241]

Culture and mindset. Difficult to re-educate...especially when baseline literacy education is so low in Punjab amongst rural areas

[garch 235]

I think its a cop out to keep blaming govt for state of Punjab.. Indian sarkar were numpties goin back forever.. the greedy/passive/tribal Sikhs/leadership is more to blame imo..

Rajoana issue could have made a difference if sikhs had the media/leaders to take advantage, y aren't the leaders give us actions ?? One two weeks of demanding rajoana is installed as jathedar n that's it??

Our babeh need to get their asses off the fence n start being proactive in anti corruption movements.. how about we have a whip round and outbid Badal and get dhuma on the payroll!

[garch 235]

Sorry went of subject, people have got too much time in their hands, little opportunity to something productive other then farm labour and images promoted by idi0ts like jazzy b/lehmber don't help - let's start by boycotting them and shaming them!

[N30S1NGH 3,147]

I think not long ago.. Sant Samaj launched campaign against drug addiction in punjab..not sure what's the latest status.?

http://timesofindia....ow/13403466.cms

May 23, 2012, 06.27AM IST

AMRITSAR: The Sant Samaj, a conglomerate of prominent Sikh religious bodies, led by Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal, is all set to launch a crusade against drug addiction in Punjab, through its constituents, who enjoy mass support in the state.

The decision was taken at a meeting of Sant Samaj recently, attended by heads and representatives of various Sikh organizations, including Nanaksar Sampardya, Rara Sahib Sampardya, Uddasin, Nirmalae, Sewa Panthi, Nihang organizations, Kar Sewa Wala Babas, said chief of Sant Samaj, Harnam Singh Khalsa on Tuesday.

Talking to TOI, he expressed hope about bringing awareness against the perils of drug abuse by youth, and said that they have decided to reform drug addicts through religious preaching and guidance.

"The aim is to divert minds towards religion, creative activities and making them realize their responsibilities towards their families and society, besides extending a helping hand to them," he said, adding that he himself had started delivering discourses to drug addicts twice a day in villages for the past one week.

"We are hopeful of getting government assistance also since we had extended support to SAD (B) in both SGPC and assembly elections on condition of support to eradication of drug addiction and unemployment from Punjab, besides helping debt-ridden farmers," said Khalsa.

He said preachers of various factions of Sant Samaj, who were directly linked with rural youth, understood the local issues better, which the government officials didn't know. "A preacher can help drug addicts overcome the problems of body, mind and spirit which a de-addiction centre can't do," he said.

Khalsa said he had convened another meeting of Sant Samaj to give formal shape to their movement against drug addiction.

[VanHelsingh 1,983]

I agree. The government isn't force-feeding drugs and alcohol to anyone, they aren't forcibly cutting anyone's kesh, they aren't forcibly stopping anyone from going to Gurughars or to Keertan Samagams or to Amrit Sanchars. If they are attacking our psyche, its time to cement it and respond by doing what Gurmat and Gurbani asks us to do, not what sarkaar wants.

I agree. Whilst the government has its nefarious policies, they also aren't going around pouring alcohol down the throats of those who consume it. A large proportion of the blame lies with those who cannot stop drinking.

[laafaafaa 0]

The government makes revenue from liquour sales via tax but it is not the source of the problem. In Punjabi culture alcohol is openly promoted and at almost every occasion it is distributed, it has become a core part of Punjabi culture mostly highlighted in Punjabi music. Oblivousy over long exposure people with tend to develope an addiction which will lead to abuse of alcohol. It has become socially acceptable to drink these days, people from Punjabi backgrounds tend to be the heaviest drinkers I know and this won't change overnight. In my eyes and from what I have experienced in my life, it has become more and more clear to me that there is a culture war going on between Punjabi culture vs. Sikh culture, with Punjabi becoming the dominant culture within Indian Punjab and around the world when compared with Sikh Culture.

Although both of these cultures have existed since I'd say the 1800s, the time of Ranjit Singh's Raj, and both used to be interwined and overlapped each other to seemingly be one culture, a major deviation occured around the 1960s and slowing over the last 50 years Punjabi culture and Sikh culture have become two seperate clear entities.

In Punjabi culture, as I have said above, alcohol is promoted, stored in people's houses and given as gifts, and in Sikh culture it is the exact opposite, it is a tradition not to keep alcohol in homes or give it as a gift to anyone.

There are lots of other points I can make to show a difference, like music, bhangra/gidha vs. martial arts, upbringing of children, treatment/equality of women, dresscode, social acceptance of things like soft drugs and tabacco, spoken language (alot of swearing in one not so much in the other), acceptance of corruption, dedication to faith and religion, common morals, having parties, style of weddings, acceptance of abortion (killing girls), Gurdwara with a party hall is something that has been invented by Punjabi culture, eating langar with tables and chairs, Khanda tattoos are becoming a craze in Punjabi culture a symbol stolen from Sikh culture and which is being misused. I need more to list everything that I have notice but these a some examples. Punjabi culture is easily influenced and changes alot, but Sikh culture tends to remain more traditional.

Just my opinion.

[JSinghnz 1,086]

The government makes revenue from liquour sales via tax but it is not the source of the problem. In Punjabi culture alcohol is openly promoted and at almost every occasion it is distributed, it has become a core part of Punjabi culture mostly highlighted in Punjabi music. Oblivousy over long exposure people with tend to develope an addiction which will lead to abuse of alcohol. It has become socially acceptable to drink these days, people from Punjabi backgrounds tend to be the heaviest drinkers I know and this won't change overnight. In my eyes and from what I have experienced in my life, it has become more and more clear to me that there is a culture war going on between Punjabi culture vs. Sikh culture, with Punjabi becoming the dominant culture within Indian Punjab and around the world when compared with Sikh Culture.

Although both of these cultures have existed since I'd say the 1800s, the time of Ranjit Singh's Raj, and both used to be interwined and overlapped each other to seemingly be one culture, a major deviation occured around the 1960s and slowing over the last 50 years Punjabi culture and Sikh culture have become two seperate clear entities.

In Punjabi culture, as I have said above, alcohol is promoted, stored in people's houses and given as gifts, and in Sikh culture it is the exact opposite, it is a tradition not to keep alcohol in homes or give it as a gift to anyone.

There are lots of other points I can make to show a difference, like music, bhangra/gidha vs. martial arts, upbringing of children, treatment/equality of women, dresscode, social acceptance of things like soft drugs and tabacco, spoken language (alot of swearing in one not so much in the other), acceptance of corruption, dedication to faith and religion, common morals, having parties, style of weddings, acceptance of abortion (killing girls), Gurdwara with a party hall is something that has been invented by Punjabi culture, eating langar with tables and chairs, Khanda tattoos are becoming a craze in Punjabi culture a symbol stolen from Sikh culture and which is being misused. I need more to list everything that I have notice but these a some examples. Punjabi culture is easily influenced and changes alot, but Sikh culture tends to remain more traditional.

Just my opinion.

You have given your opinion but it absolutely does not make any sense whatsoever because you are confusing a so called rotten culture with the

GREATEST RELIGION IN THIS WORLD, SIKHISM.

When you understand the basic differences between the two, you will never ever put them together.

[singh135 241]

The government makes revenue from liquour sales via tax but it is not the source of the problem. In Punjabi culture alcohol is openly promoted and at almost every occasion it is distributed, it has become a core part of Punjabi culture mostly highlighted in Punjabi music. Oblivousy over long exposure people with tend to develope an addiction which will lead to abuse of alcohol. It has become socially acceptable to drink these days, people from Punjabi backgrounds tend to be the heaviest drinkers I know and this won't change overnight. In my eyes and from what I have experienced in my life, it has become more and more clear to me that there is a culture war going on between Punjabi culture vs. Sikh culture, with Punjabi becoming the dominant culture within Indian Punjab and around the world when compared with Sikh Culture.

Although both of these cultures have existed since I'd say the 1800s, the time of Ranjit Singh's Raj, and both used to be interwined and overlapped each other to seemingly be one culture, a major deviation occured around the 1960s and slowing over the last 50 years Punjabi culture and Sikh culture have become two seperate clear entities.

In Punjabi culture, as I have said above, alcohol is promoted, stored in people's houses and given as gifts, and in Sikh culture it is the exact opposite, it is a tradition not to keep alcohol in homes or give it as a gift to anyone.

There are lots of other points I can make to show a difference, like music, bhangra/gidha vs. martial arts, upbringing of children, treatment/equality of women, dresscode, social acceptance of things like soft drugs and tabacco, spoken language (alot of swearing in one not so much in the other), acceptance of corruption, dedication to faith and religion, common morals, having parties, style of weddings, acceptance of abortion (killing girls), Gurdwara with a party hall is something that has been invented by Punjabi culture, eating langar with tables and chairs, Khanda tattoos are becoming a craze in Punjabi culture a symbol stolen from Sikh culture and which is being misused. I need more to list everything that I have notice but these a some examples. Punjabi culture is easily influenced and changes alot, but Sikh culture tends to remain more traditional.

Just my opinion.

Some good points

[laafaafaa 0]

You have given your opinion but it absolutely does not make any sense whatsoever because you are confusing a so called rotten culture with the

GREATEST RELIGION IN THIS WORLD, SIKHISM.

When you understand the basic differences between the two, you will never ever put them together.

I am not confused, I am talking about culture, cultural influence, cutural divide in the region of Indian Punjab and a clear existence of two seperate cultures in the Sikh diaspora. Gurdwaras based on caste or tribal names are found in Punjab, a clear mix of religion and culture and discrimination based on the shade of skin color and caste still exists in Punjabi culture. So I am talking about culture, even the word "Sikhism" is a western term for Sikhi, its pronounced wrong as well in a lot of cases, it sounds like "Seekism" or "I am a Seek". The word "Seek" is not found anywhere in Gurbani and the importance of pronunciation is very important in Sikhi, so this is basically insulting. The reason this exist is because of the British Raj, and the reason it continues to exist today is because Sikhs in the west feel uncomfortable with saying Sikh because is sounds like "sick" and therefore the correct pronunciation has been abandon. See how culture plays a role?

Long story short, in my eyes I see one religion, Sikhi, practiced in two cultures Punjabi (mixture of Sikh, Hindu, Atheism) vs. Sikh culture, with Punjabi culture being the outright larger culture and it is easily influenced and changes a lot.

Just my opinion.