 I wasn’t surprised to receive the Press Release sent to me by email, saying, ‘however you’re spending the Australia Day long weekend, Wine Australia is encouraging everyone to make sure that if there’s wine on the table, it’s an Aussie wine from one of our 65 diverse wine regions.’ It is interesting that the wine promotional message was sent by Wine Australia which is part of the Australian Grape and Wine Authority (AGWA), the Australian Government body that supports the Australian wine sector. The message reasoned, ‘Australia produces world-class wines so when better to enjoy a glass of local wine than on Australia Day, which has become synonymous with celebrating all that’s great about the Aussie way of life.’
For Indians it was ‘Shop Closed’, ‘Dry Day’, ‘No alcohol served’ day thanks to the Excise department-an Indian Government body responsible to earn revenues for the state governments and of course, control the sale and distribution. The implicit message is ‘however you are spending the Republic Day, don’t expect any alcohol to be served in any hotels, restaurants, clubs and you don’t need Champagne or a glass of Indian bubbly to celebrate the freedom that was structured through the Constitution on this day.’
Australia Day is celebrated to commemorate the establishment of the first European settlement at Port Jackson, now part of Sydney, in 1788. It is an opportunity for Australians to come together to celebrate their country and culture. Indian Republic Day marks the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950 replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document. The Constitution was adopted on this day with a democratic government system, completing the country's transition toward becoming an independent Republic.
The mail takes the opportunity to disseminate the Top Three Aussie Wine Fast facts-Australia has 65 wine regions, more than any other country in the world, produces wines using more than 100 different grape varieties and that around 30 million glasses (5 million bottles) of Australian wine are consumed each day across the globe. There are also several tips to suggest wines for the Australia Day Lunch or Barbeque. Different wines are also suggested for different dishes in the message.
In India there is only one succinct message from the powers that be- DRY DAY! This holds for the State Banquets as well-except that this diktat is not limited to the Republic Day only. No alcohol may be served at such banquets or any State functions.
Perhaps we could take a leaf out of the Aussie book and allow Indian wine to help the Indians celebrate the earned freedom. The same could apply for the State Banquets. I can well picture President Obama having Sikandari Raan at Bukhara and expressing the desire for a glass of wine or his favourite drink-beer, what the protocol would be for serving alcohol? Perhaps the hotel would be designated a residence for the day so it becomes a private event?! I think not.
If Australia can say, Aussie Wine for Australia, should we hope for Indian wines for the State Banquets? And as a food for thought...how about
Indian wine for the India Day (Republic Day)!
Subhash Arora |