Keep it safe: City bars repeat Durga Puja campaign ahead of Nababarsha
Times of India | 15 April 2025
Kolkata: Restaurants and bars in Kolkata have decided to continue their campaign against drink-driving this Bengali New Year when footfall is expected to soar along with alcohol consumption. Launched just before Durga Puja last year, jointly by the National Restaurants Association of India and the Hotel and Restaurants Association of Eastern India, the campaign was a success both during the Puja and the New Year-Christmas period when thousands of revellers were intercepted for drink-driving.
The NRAI and the HRAEI claimed that their poster campaign and efforts to persuade patrons to drink ‘moderately' and not to drive in case they consumed alcohol, was a success. "We started it last Sept by screening our patrons who seemed to be getting inebriated. The approach was simple but firm. We requested them not to order further drinks and persuaded them to hire an app cab or a driver. We have revived the campaign for the Bengali New Year period," said Anirban Sengupta, Kolkata secretary of NRAI and owner of Whats Up Café.
Many have stepped up the campaign even as the city goes into a festive mood and ushers in Bengali New Year on Tuesday. "Our members have been asked to keep their staff trained on identifying ‘vulnerable' customers, persuade them to remain sober and help them hire an app cab. One of the posters by NRAI says: "Sip Smart, Serve Smarter; The Art of Responsible Drinking". Another says: "Learn the law, own the plate" and shows an empty plate that resembles a driving wheel.
An email sent out to its members by HRAEI says that each restaurant should display stickers saying ‘Drink Responsibly' and "Don't Drink & Drive". It has also advised members to arrange drivers for inebriated customers and ensure they don't take the wheel, said HRAEI President Sudesh Poddar. "We have suggested that local taxi drivers be roped in for the purpose from 11 pm. They can be paid an amount to be on standby," added Poddar, who owns Songhai, MS Bar & Lounge and Manthan.
Chapter 2 on Southern Avenue, too, will continue its campaign. "When you are high, your vision might betray you," says one that shows a car hurtling down a bottle. "We have also started refusing drinks to inebriated patrons and are asking them to opt for an app cab," said Shiladitya Chaudhury, co-founder and owner of Chapter 2.