Gujarat, unlike most states that have experimented with "on" and "off" periods of liquor prohibition, has maintained a strict ban for decades. So, it came as a surprise to learn that the number of liquor permit holders in Gujarat has increased by 58% in the past three years. These permits are granted to individuals above 40 with diagnosed conditions like insomnia, anxiety, and hypertension, supposedly on "health grounds."
This presents a contradiction. While doctors generally advise moderation or abstinence from alcohol for individuals with these symptoms, it appears that doctors in a dry state are issuing certificates enabling permit applications “ and, presumably, the "cure" they offer involves access to the very substance deemed detrimental to their health. One wonders: is this a form of "medical tourism," or are lucre and liquor simply intertwined?
It's no secret that liquor generates significant revenue for state governments, making it a "golden goose" no state “ dry or wet “ wants to let go of. Additionally, some argue that alcohol offers escapism and cheer, allowing people to momentarily forget their hardships. Perhaps this explains the popularity of destinations like Goa among tourists.
