Teacher braves liquor mafia to educate people

Come summer and the smell of hundreds of varieties of king of fruits in the famous “mango belt”, not far from the state capital of Lucknow, completely envelops the region attracting buyers from across the country.

Another smell that is equally and sometimes more overpowering, which emanates from the scores of illicit hooch manufacturing units in dozens of villages, also attracts a large number of consumers.

Many of the buyers have headed straight to graveyards and cremation grounds after consuming the liquor popularly known as “kachhi” (country made liquor). The government agencies and police have been cracking down on the illicit hooch manufacturing units in villages but often they have been accused of colluding with the liquor mafia.

In fact, Datali village near the state capital has even earned the tag of “hooch village”. Datali at one time had seven illicit liquor brewing units. Around three-fourth of the population was addicted to liquor. Incidentally, those addicted to the “desi daru”, also included a large number of women.

Many looked the other way, saying that it was not their job to tackle the menace. But 47-year-old Santosh Kumar, a  teacher at a government school at Gholi village, about 30 km from Lucknow, decided to take on the liquor mafia through something he knew quite well. And that was teaching.

Santosh,  a teacher for the past over 20 years, launched a campaign in Gholi and the other nearby villages to create awareness among the people against hooch and those manufacturing it.

“I told the people that they were not only ruining their lives but were also putting the lives of their children in danger by not opposing the liquor mafia,” Santosh told Deccan Herald.

“The response I received was not encouraging…it seemed as if the people had no courage to take on the mafia…many of them said that nothing would happen,” Santosh added.

He did not lose heart and decided to further intensify his efforts. “The lack of initial response, in fact, encouraged me to do more,” he added. The tragedy that struck several villages in the region in January this year, when 50 people died after consuming spurious liquor, only made his resolve stronger.

Being a teacher he knew very well that the task ahead of him was not only difficult but also very dangerous. “The liquor mafia was very strong…the vendors provided liquor on loan…the addicts were given liquor on the promise that they would make payments when the crop was sold,” he said.

He said that illicit liquor production increased substantially during elections as the aspirants bought alcohol and distributed it among the people to seek their support . He decided to launch a decisive fight against the menace and those responsible for it. He met senior government officials and petitioned them and the local police officials to exert pressure on them to do more. Santosh had the support of a few saner elements in society, especially the women. “A few youngsters also extended full support,” he remarked.

“My efforts paid dividends and the local police were forced to conduct raids…a large number of illicit hooch manufacturing units were destroyed…many people were arrested as well,” he said. The impact of the campaign was slowly becoming visible. Still there are many illicit units but now the number of people consuming desi liquor has dropped considerably. “The parents are now aware of the ill effects of hooch…women now pressurise their spouses not to drink and instead pay attention to the studies of children,” Santosh said with a sense of visible pride.

   But Santosh also had to pay a price for taking on the liquor mafia. He was not only threatened by them but was also assaulted. He also received injuries on his head.  But the attack only added to his resolve. “They tried to scare me…but I was not…my family members also lent support to me,” he added.

Being a resident of the region, Santosh had seen this illegal trade thriving in the area. His father, a farmer, had, however, inculcated good habits in his children and they managed to keep them at arm’s length from hooch.

“As a teacher I felt compelled to do something…I had taken a vow to fight the menace....and I got an opportunity when I became a teacher,” he added. After all a teacher only helps children inculcate good habits and become good citizens. “I only implemented what I thought was fit,” he remarked. Santosh, who has four children, received full support from his wife in his mission.

Santosh, however, knows that his job is still not finished. “There is a long way to go….the liquor mafia is still present…a concerted effort is required to tackle the menace….teachers can play a crucial part in doing this’’, he added.

After all a teacher only helps children imbibe good habits and become good citizens. “I only implemented what I thought was badly needed,” he remarked. On whether his mission affected his job in any way, he replied that he only used his spare time for creating awareness.