Archbishop fights drink culture with milkshakes
By Staff Reporter
14 March 2008

A Catholic archbishop in the southern Indian state of Kerala has distributed free milkshakes to promote an anti-alcohol campaign.

Archbishop Maria Soosa Pakiam of Trivandrum appealed to people of all religions to stay away from alcohol.

The Kerala Anti-Liquor Committee, an interreligious forum to which the prelate belongs, provided the free milkshakes to launch a two-month campaign against alcohol. The bishop arranged for a milkshake vending machine in front of the state secretariat in Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala state. About 100 people attended the programme and drank the milkshakes.

"I've met the state chief minister, [other] ministers and officials several times to warn them about alcoholism gripping the state. They promised many things, but never kept their word. Instead, they have promoted liquor by opening more shops," the archbishop said, accusing the state government of promoting alcohol to gain revenue.

The policy already has affected one generation, he said, adding: "We are trying to save the next generation."

Alcoholism threatens "our families, leading to increasing crime rates, suicides and domestic violence," he said.