Beyond the Buzz

Beyond the Buzz: Youth and Alcohol Use is a panel discussion examining India's relationship with alcohol, the history of the liquor industry, and the influence of marketing and social expectations on drinking habits.

The discussion explores how alcohol is associated with celebration, sophistication, and lifestyle aspirations, while examining the public health challenges linked to hazardous drinking and addiction. It considers how historical policies and modern promotional strategies have shaped alcohol consumption, including indirect marketing practices that operate despite restrictions on direct alcohol advertising in India.

The panel brings together experts from psychiatry, public health, mental health communication, and journalism to discuss the issue from professional and lived-experience perspectives.

Speakers:

• Dr Divya Nallur — Clinical Director and Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Amaha Health

• Dr Upendra Bhojani — Director and India Alliance Fellow, Institute of Public Health

• Dr Ashim Bettadapura — Clinical Director, Mental Health, Gibraltar Health Authority

• Aditi Surendra — Writer and Graphic Designer

• Raksha Kumar — Founder Editor, Mentality

The session aims to encourage a more informed understanding of alcohol use, challenge its normalisation as an essential part of social celebrations, and highlight the importance of public health awareness.