Bokaro District Lok Samiti Holds #FreedomFromIntoxicants Convention @JBFMumbai

20 February 2021, Jainamore (Bokaro): Bokaro district Lok Samiti organized a convention on “Freedom from Intoxicants” at Prajapati Bhawan with support of NBJK & Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation. Mr. Girija Satish (National President, Lok Samiti) was keynote speaker who said about the loss caused by liquor & other intoxicants as severe damage to our family system with rising crime against women. He mentioned experience of Sampurna Parivartan Yatra by Lok Samiti in Bihar which made people aware and they compelled state government to enforce anti-liquor law there. We want peaceful development and liquor is a main obstacle on the way that needs total boycott, he pointed out. The national president of Lok Samiti stated that we want complete prohibition of all intoxicants in not only Bihar or Jharkhand but in entire nation and most of the women support this idea. Mr. Girija Satish told that about three years back Lok Samiti’s Sharab Mukti Yatra got tremendous response from women in tribal dominated districts as they are real well-wishers of their families, husbands & sons. Liquor affects our young generation severely; people take it in religious functions even and the number of mental patients is increasing by imitating western individualist culture, Mr. Girija Satish warned. He praised the people for support, demanded a strong law on liquor prohibition in Jharkhand and said about state level programs in future.

During the convention, Mr. Bhola Datta charged the government for open vending of intoxicants and objected upon social acceptance of liquor. Mr. Arun Mahto offered his support to anti-liquor campaign by Lok Samiti and Dr. Shyam Kumar Bharti said about possible positive change in social milieu if liquor can be prohibited. Mr. Thakur Deo Mahto placed examples of some families ruined by liquor with untimely diseases and death. Mrs. Kaushalya Devi said about alcohol caused crimes and cautioned about cottage industry of liquor making-selling at various places.

Mr. Vinod Mahto has blamed the government for promotion of liquor and Mr. Sardayal Mahto suggested for teams in villages for people’s awareness. Mr. Mahaveer insisted for ban upon liquor & other intoxicants while Mr. Basudeb Sharma rejected state govt.’s policy to open more liquor shops in villages. Mrs. Gayatri Devi said about the need of strengthening women organizations, their legal protection and support from media. Mr. Vinay Kumar (Yoga Teacher) focused upon bad effects of liquor and said about yogic exercises to get rid of the addiction. Mr. Teeka Prasad had doubt about an influential gang of liquor mafia and asked for action by the state government.

Mr. Shankar Rana (Co-ordinator, JSLS) read out the memorandum to Chief Minister of Jharkhand and ensured support from the participants. Mr. C. A. Kumar presided the program Mr. Umashankar Thakur anchored the proceeding and Mr. Vijay Kumar delivered vote of thanks. Mr. Vijay Thakur, Mr. Sanjay Singh and Mr. Ramesh Kumar have contributed to the program attended by around 130 delegates of Lok Samiti.