by Lenny Barretto
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
Panaji, May 3: A major headline in the media last week was the controversy that erupted right in the capital city over a beer bar in the Inox multiplex.
Inox Leisure Limited's beer bar in the complex has irked the women organizations who have raised the questions of safety of women in that four-screen multiplex. The issue is hotly debated and what we understand from media reports is that it will be heard by the excise commissioner on Thursday, May 3.
A view of Inox Goa (Pic Daijiworld's special correspondent Ares)
As we know, in the pre-Inox era, watching movies in any of the Goan theatres was an unsafe affair for women who usually used to face taunts and stinking faces. There was a time when women had given up watching movies in theatres. At the most they were escorted by their husbands or brothers. Stinking toilets, torn seats and the part of the audience, passing comments on every gesture or scene in the movie, had become order of the day.
But post-2004 when Inox multiplex was set up for International Film Festival of India, movie-watching became a much friendlier affair. It was unbelievable, though true, that kids used to come with their parents and watch movie alone while parents went back to their work. It is so much safe although the ticket was costly. However, for those who love their safety, money is never on their mind.
Now let's come to the vital issue is raised by women's organizations. Inox became the first theatre to own a bar longue serving beer in its multiplex. Liquor is liquor. Be it whisky or beer, it intoxicates the person. So, the move is seriously viewed by those who reguarly go to watch movie in Inox.
God forbid, if someone sitting next to you after having two to three beers could misbehave with you. The theatre, for that matter, is a very unsafe place. What would the Inox management do, if any such instance happens.
The Inox management may offer an excuse that even if beer bar is stopped, people can come drunk from outside and create problems. But in those cases Inox has a liberty to stop drunkards entering the premises. On the other hand, how can they stop the person who drinks in their own premises? Is it written anywhere that drinks and movies go together?
Without attending the inauguration of beer bar at Inox, this writer has learnt from colleagues that many VIPs and VVIps including police officials, bureacrats and others were present at the launch of the lounge.
Without having to any opinion to express in the entire controversy, it can be said on behalf of women that the Inox management should not do anything which will put any woman to risk.