The village of Larumba in Nepal is prospering after it banned alcohol and tobacco two decades ago. Nepal's Limbu and Rai tribes are noted for their alcohol consumption as well as their indolence, disharmony, and generally poor character. They are known as "matwali," which means "alcohol drinkers." But the citizens of Larumba determined to rid themselves of their ruinous habits. The village followed the leadership of their most famous son, Mahaguru Falgunanda Lingden, who campaigned against alcohol and cigarettes a century ago. The result is described as follows in a recent newspaper article: "The ban on alcohol and smoking changed the lifestyle of local people marred by acute shortage of food and constant discord amongst each other and helped them curb domestic violence. ... Kehar Singh Yonghang, chairperson of the Kirat Chotlung Maangena Service Committee, said the village would never have prospered without getting rid of the habit. ... The ban is not just limited to the villagers and applies to outsiders visiting the area" (Kathmandu Post, Jan. 24, 2014). Alcohol is one of the blights of society. The acts of violence, marital disharmony, broken homes, ruined friendships, automobile crashes, adulteries, fornications, and other evils that have resulted from alcohol consumption cannot be counted. The Hindu citizens of Larumba are wiser than the emergent preachers who promote "moderate drinking." "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1). (Friday Church News Notes, January 31, 2014, www.wayoflife.org, [email protected], 866-295-4143) Comments are closed.
|
Archives
February 2020
|