High spirited in paradise

Srinagar is wet once again after a nine-year-long dry spell. For tipplers in town, this is certainly the best news in recent times. They ...

Srinagar is wet once again after a nine-year-long dry spell. For tipplers in town, this is certainly the best news in recent times. They have sorely been missing the pre-1989 days when within a short distance of one kilometre, from Lal Chowk to Poloview, there used to be around half a dozen bars, all virtually bursting at the seams with guzzlers and all open till way past midnight. In the intervening years, fun-loving Kashmiris had to make do with spending their evenings in front of their TV sets 8212; that too at the mercy of a mercurial power supply.

Are happy days slowly coming back again? Not really, believe old-timers who are still watching the changing-for-the-better scene from the fence before taking the plunge again. But the threat from ultra-right Islamic outfits, who had forced all the liquor shops and bars in the state capital to pull down their shutters in 1990, cannot be ruled out.

Social activists may have a different take on the issue, but the re-opening of an Indian Made Foreign Liquor shopin Srinagar augurs well for the fairly large number of people whose livelihood hinges on the tourism industry as this sends out a touristy message of normalcy 8212; especially as it accompanies the return of Bollywood stars to the Valley for mega-budget films. Tourists have been trickling in of late but have had to resort to greasing palms to secure their daily peg.

A trip to this first licenced shop was a treat. Safely buffered between an Army unit and a CRPF battalion in a non-descript lane of Aloochibagh mohalla, this haven for parched throats is not easy to locate. Hidden behind dark glass doors and manned by couple of toughs, the shop gets a fair amount of business during the pre-lunch hours, when it is frequented by those seeking a quick shot down their throats. Bonhomie among the boozers is really a thing to watch. They believe in scratching each other8217;s back, therefore no one will sing about your trip to this joint. 8220;I allow them to drink here only till 1 pm because after that our rushbegins,8221; says the manager with discernable sympathy for those who were forced to live without liquor for almost a decade.

Two-three plastic glasses, chained by a string, and couple of water jugs are placed on a wooden plank fitted in the wall. Come, buy your pauva quarter or addha half and drink here itself if you can8217;t carry it home.

For most of the buyers of low-priced stuff, choice in whiskey is limited to a couple of brands. The manager says he registers sales of liqour worth Rs 60,000 every day. This is expected to grow significantly by the second fortnight of May when the tourist season picks up and the Darbar moves back to the summer capital. In fact, he has already started stocking premium brands to meet the demand.

Lucrative business opportunities often embolden people to take a risk of high magnitude at least, this is the case with these people dealing with a commodity prohibited by gun-wielding militants. Safety precautions have been taken by the booze seller: half a dozentoughs man the shop through the business hours. And they really mean business.

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However, the lucky folk with deep pockets and high tastes can simply saunter into the Grand Palace Hotel, the only hotel with a bar licence. But they had better be prepared for a shock when the bill is served 8212; a bottle of beer costs a whopping Rs 240! And if they intend to enjoy a chilled Bloody Mary on a bright, sunny afternoon, their wallet will be lighter by about Rs 400.

Cheers, and welcome to the once-again wet paradise called Srinagar.