Moving to the threshold of adulthood is what many teenagers dream of. Every adolescent dreams of attaining the age of majority and the reasons could vary. A simple reason being: on attaining the age of majority a parent’s or a guardian’s legal control over a teenager is terminated. Teenagers have always been in awe of their new found legal responsibility, because at this age they are allowed to enter into contracts, make their own decisions which are not legally binding on others, purchase and consume alcoholic beverages, procure a driving licence etc. In short, they are allowed to do what was not permitted earlier.
Every country in this world has its own set of laws and regulations. Likewise, the age of majority also differs. While a majority of the countries have struck to 18 years as the age of majority, in Uzbekistan it is as low as 14 years and in countries like Argentina, Bahrain, Cameroon, etc., it is 21 years. In Guinea and Philippines it is 21, but this has a rider that the minors are emancipated upon marriage. In Pakistan for men and women it is 18 and 16 respectively. Generally in the US it is 18 years but some states like Arkansas, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin it is 18; or if he/she is still in high school at 18, upon graduation, whichever happens to be earlier. Under the Age of Majority Act 1875, every person domiciled in India shall attain the age of majority on completion of 18 years and not before.
What is the criterion for selecting age of majority? Does it mean that a fourteen year old in Uzbekistan is far more matured than a 21 year old in Bahrain or an 18 year old in India? If so, how do we substantiate it?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Alcohol
Prince's life was picture perfect. This 32-year-old architect had everything that one would dream of – a thriving career, a plum pay packet, a wife so understanding, and two adoring children. But then, his life was shattered one fine day. It all started at an official party. Prince took to social drinking, which he justified as harmless. But soon, without realizing what he was getting into, he became an alcoholic. Needless to say that his wife left him soon realizing that Prince could not mend his ways despite repeated efforts. Now Prince spends his days at de-addiction centre trying to rebuild his life.
The story makes me wonder - what went wrong in Prince's life? Is it his lack of will power to keep himself away from alcohol? Or the access to alcohol without restraint? The latter, no doubt, overrides the former. The issue here is not about the consumption of alcohol but about the viability of imposing a total prohibition.
Incidentally, alcohol abuse is one of the main killers of many youngsters in the world today. It also shakes the very foundation of social and family dynamics in which our community is based. Government policy to allow liquor sales in the country has always been criticized. This could jeopardize the lives of many youngsters who take to drinking as it is freely available. There have always been laws banning sales of liquor to youngsters below 18 of age, imposing restrictions on sale in certain places, curbs on liquor advertisement etc. But does all this really help the situation? If the legislation makers were so sincere in their efforts then they would have imposed a total prohibition on production and consumption rather than meaningless curbs.
Liquor consumption in India has been increasing at eight per cent annually and wines at 17 per cent. As per a research conducted by the Euromonitor International, if this continues India will emerge as one of the top five fastest-growing markets for the next four years.
If you thought a good increase in the prices could play a vital role in combating this problem then you would be more surprised to know that the government is also against it. What else could explain the government’s stand on deciding to scrap the additional customs duty of up to 150 per cent on imported wines and spirits? The government claims it to be an international commitment. But does it not have a commitment to its own citizens?
No matter what policies the government frames, unless its intentions are pure, no amount of restraints, except a total ban on all types of alcohol will help the situation. There are numerous lives at stake. Many suffer in silence. Think before you act.
The story makes me wonder - what went wrong in Prince's life? Is it his lack of will power to keep himself away from alcohol? Or the access to alcohol without restraint? The latter, no doubt, overrides the former. The issue here is not about the consumption of alcohol but about the viability of imposing a total prohibition.
Incidentally, alcohol abuse is one of the main killers of many youngsters in the world today. It also shakes the very foundation of social and family dynamics in which our community is based. Government policy to allow liquor sales in the country has always been criticized. This could jeopardize the lives of many youngsters who take to drinking as it is freely available. There have always been laws banning sales of liquor to youngsters below 18 of age, imposing restrictions on sale in certain places, curbs on liquor advertisement etc. But does all this really help the situation? If the legislation makers were so sincere in their efforts then they would have imposed a total prohibition on production and consumption rather than meaningless curbs.
Liquor consumption in India has been increasing at eight per cent annually and wines at 17 per cent. As per a research conducted by the Euromonitor International, if this continues India will emerge as one of the top five fastest-growing markets for the next four years.
If you thought a good increase in the prices could play a vital role in combating this problem then you would be more surprised to know that the government is also against it. What else could explain the government’s stand on deciding to scrap the additional customs duty of up to 150 per cent on imported wines and spirits? The government claims it to be an international commitment. But does it not have a commitment to its own citizens?
No matter what policies the government frames, unless its intentions are pure, no amount of restraints, except a total ban on all types of alcohol will help the situation. There are numerous lives at stake. Many suffer in silence. Think before you act.
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