My First and Last Taste of Alcohol
When I started my first job in Delhi in 1965, I was very close to my cousin, Juginder, whom everyone fondly called Goga. We often rode our bicycles together, exploring different parts of the city.
One hot summer afternoon, while cycling near Lodhi Gardens, Goga suggested that we stop at Khan Market and buy a bottle of chilled beer. Seeing my hesitation, he reassured me, saying, “It’s only barley water, not really alcohol. Nothing will happen to you.”
Curious, I agreed. We sat in the park, and I took my very first sip. To my surprise, it was not pleasant at all. I had expected something refreshing and tasty, but it was bitter and slightly sour. After a couple of sips, however, the cold drink did leave me feeling relaxed and refreshed in the summer heat. We finished our bottles and rode home.
That weekend, I returned to Panipat, where my parents lived. I honestly told my father about my first experience with beer, repeating what Goga had told me, that it was only “barley water” and not really alcohol.
My father’s response changed my life.
He did not scold me or become angry. Calmly, he said, “Yes, beer may seem harmless. But this is how the habit begins. My fear is not the beer itself; it is the addiction that can follow. Once a person becomes addicted, it can ruin his life.”
His words struck me deeply.
From that day onward, I made a firm decision never to drink beer or any alcoholic beverage again. At countless gatherings and parties over the years, friends and relatives tried to persuade me otherwise. They teased me, questioned my decision, and often insisted that “just one drink” would do no harm. Instead, my friends would eventually order me apple juice while they enjoyed their drinks.
I never changed my mind.
Looking back, I remain deeply grateful to my father. His quiet advice, given without anger or pressure, kept me away not only from alcohol but from every form of addiction. It is one of the most valuable lessons he ever gave me, and I have carried it throughout my life with gratitude.
