Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu sounds alarm over alcohol addiction in rural India, calls for 'mass movement'

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho, recently took to social media to highlight the devastating impact of alcohol addiction on families in rural India, particularly in the southern regions. Through a video post, Vembu shared the story of a sanitation worker in Tenkasi who is struggling to support her family while grappling with the consequences of her sons' alcohol addiction. Her plight, Vembu noted, is representative of the many women he encounters during his travels across rural areas. These women, often the primary breadwinners, are burdened with the stress of sustaining their families in the face of addiction and neglect.
Vembu emphasized the need for a mass movement to address alcohol abuse, warning that many women are at a breaking point. «We need a mass movement against alcohol — these women are reaching a breaking point,» he said in a post.

How netizens reacted

Many netizens agreed with the Zoho CEO. Alcohol addiction has become a significant social and economic burden in several southern states, including Tamil Nadu and Kerala, many netizens noted. The widespread availability of alcohol, along with the normalization of drinking in movies and entertainment, has exacerbated the issue, others said.

Government-run liquor shops in Tamil Nadu often have long queues, some netizens pointed out. Despite the destructive impact on families, alcohol remains a major source of revenue for state governments, creating a paradox where economic incentives conflict with public welfare, others pointed out.

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