Women in Himachal Pradesh Village Enforce Alcohol Ban at Social Events

With drug abuse becoming an increasingly severe issue in the hills, the women of Titiana village in Shillai, Sirmaur, have taken a decisive stand against alcohol. Amid widespread concern over the rising addiction among the youth, the women have resolved to boycott any wedding or party where alcohol is served and impose a 5,000-rupee fine for violations. This initiative is seen as a potential model for other communities in the region.

The women’s group in Titiana has called upon other women’s groups in the Giripar region of Sirmaur to adopt similar measures, with the support of local youth groups. Despite significant government expenditure on drug prevention, the problem persists, making the proactive stance of the Titiana women’s group particularly noteworthy. There are calls for this group to be recognized as a model organization and for its members to raise awareness in neighboring villages.

In a commendable effort to enforce a complete ban on drugs, the women of Titiana held a special meeting at the Shathi Pashi Chautara in the Mahasu Devta temple courtyard. The meeting was chaired by Panchayat President Parvati Sharma and attended by around 120 women, as well as members of the temple committee, the Pragya committee, and the youth group.

Mayaram Sharma, vice-president of the Pragya committee, noted that Titiana has had a complete ban on alcohol and drugs for the past 15 years. Serving alcohol at any social event is strictly prohibited, with a 5,000-rupee fine for gambling or drug selling. However, recent increases in drug use had raised alarms, prompting the women to take renewed action.

The women reaffirmed their commitment to boycotting events where alcohol is served and imposing fines on those caught gambling or using drugs. They also launched an awareness campaign against drug use and gambling in the village.

Surendra Sharma, president of the temple committee, praised the women’s initiative and assured full community support. The meeting saw the participation of many prominent women from the village, including women’s group president Manso Devi, Babita Devi, Indira Devi, Satya Devi, former president Jayanti Sharma, Kaushalya Devi, Sukha Devi, Reena Sharma, Asha Devi, Nirmala Devi, Neema Devi, Neelam Devi, and Sumitra Devi.

This collective effort marks a significant step towards curbing the menace of drug and alcohol abuse in the village, setting a precedent for other communities to follow.