According to a recent ASSOCHAM survey, drinking habits, especially among pupils in hostels, has educationists and parents worried
According to a recent ASSOCHAM survey, drinking habits, especially among pupils in hostels, has educationists and parents worried
Alcohol consumption among students between 19 and 26 years of age has increased by a whopping 60 per cent in the last four years. The intake of alcohol is particularly high among students living in hostels, according to a study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
A student from IIT-Powai told MiD DAY that the recruitment season in December is a good enough reason for students to pop open the bottles. "In December, it's common to have drinking parties thrice a week. We're usually celebrating fellow students landing jobs," he said.
Babasaheb Kambale (26), an M Phil student at the Worli government boys' hostel admits that drinking is a problem in all hostels. "Students, especially those in junior colleges, go overboard because they do not have to worry about their parents catching them drinking," said Kambale.
Hostel authorities are trying their best to stop the menace, but feel it's difficult to control students. They've even increased punishments to act as a deterrent. "When the fine was Rs 100 two years back, the students did not care much. At present, the fine for being caught drunk in the hostel is a staggering Rs 5,000.
However, IIT students have deep pockets and today, they've started frequenting bars after we strictly enforced a no-drinking-on-campus rule.
'It's a problem that is beginning to spiral out of control," said Professor P Gopalan, dean, student affairs, IIT-Powai. He added that he fines at least two people every month for drinking and had caught 20 students when the fine was Rs 1,000.
Survey
The survey under ASSOCHAM'S Social Development Foundation (ASDF) indicated that alcohol intake in students in the age group of 19 to 26, including those living in hostels, has registered a 60 per cent increase over the last four years. Major cities and towns where respondents were interviewed by ASDF were Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad, among others. The findings said that rural families spent 27 per cent of their income on alcohol, while the urban population spent 38 per cent.
Top 3 guzzler states
Punjab
Andhra Pradesh
Tamil Nadu
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