He threw the liquor bottle to pick up the spice jar and they lived happily ever after

Gaon Connection collaborates with the World Health Organization for a social campaign against alcohol abuse. Video and audio stories along with memes constitute ‘Meri Pyaari Zindagi’, a series that aims to raise awareness on alcoholism. Sarju was a chronic drinker. His life was all about alcohol abuse and unleashing violence on his wife. Could his wife’s act of leaving the household convince Sarju to quit drinking?

Gaon Connection
| Updated: November 29th, 2021

It was one of those nights when Sarju would come home drunk and beat his wife. The domestic violence perpetrated by Sarju had not only become a frequent routine at his house but the neighbouring villagers had also grown accustomed to the shrieks of his wife.

“Seems like he’s come home drunk again,” lamented mausi — an elderly woman who cared for Sarju’s wife Surili. 

Mausi couldn’t keep it to herself and went all the way to Sarju’s house and yelled at the door — “Sarju, if you beat your wife any further, I would gather all villagers here and get you arrested by the police. Two nights at the police station will get you back to your senses,” she told Sarju.

But Surili requested mausi to return.

Also Read: ‘Sharaab cheez hi aisi hai, na chhodi jaaye’: Neelesh Misra pens a powerful poem on alcohol abuse — WATCH

“Mausi, don’t bother. Please go off and sleep. What if he misbehaves with you too?” said Surili. Her swollen lips and imprints of Sarju’s palm on her cheeks were evident to the assault unleashed by her drunk husband.

In a series titled Meri Pyaari Zindagi, the World Health Organization Regional Office for South East Asia’s (WHO SEARO) has collaborated with Gaon Connection for a social campaign to promote awareness against the ruining effects of alcohol. The campaign involves videos, audio stories and memes that narrate the experiences of real-life former alcoholics as well fictitious protagonists who won the battle with alcoholism. 

Also Read: A father chose alcohol over responsibilities until the day his 12-year-old son didn’t return home

The morning after

The violent night gave its way to a turbulent morning. It was raining heavily and Surili was occupied in attending to her homely chores. She realised that her husband hadn’t been home yet. He left the house late at night after beating her.

Surili searched for every nook and corner in the village but he was nowhere to be found. Finally, he was found crossed over in an agricultural field.

Sarju was hardly conscious when she found him. A punch on the chest was all he needed to regain consciousness. He woke up, puked a mouthful and slept again.

Also Read: Alcoholism can be conquered and here’s ‘how’ Bhushan did it

Surili somehow managed to get him home and the judgy stares of the villagers on the way were to be etched in her memory forever. 

But it was too much for her.

She decided to take the reins of her life in her hands and began selling her ground spices in the nearby eateries. This angered Sarju. One afternoon, he came home and blasted her for venturing outside the house without seeking his permission.

Surili told him to back off and announced her decision to leave the household. She went back to her room, packed her clothes and went straight to the bus station.

Her act of leaving the household had an astonishingly sobering effect on Sarju.  He sprang into action and followed her to the bus station. On seeing her husband, Surili asked him about his liquor bottle.

“I threw it off, from now on, I will only carry the spice jars and supply it to the dhabas (eateries),” said Sarju.