A lotta people have suddenly ganging up against Night Life in the cities of India. I think it was in a Times of India article – Nightlife in Delhi that I came across a comment by Riji Kurian who practically single handedly slashed the night life and the youth in Delhi, and in India well at least verbally.

Night life.The very term signifies a nocturnal species.And man is NOT a nocturnal species.A normal human beings wakes up in the wee hours of the day,eats,works,and is back home by evening and to bed by night.Night time,esp,is to be spent with the family,indoors,and within permissible limts,a dinner outside.The concept of young boys and girls,socialising late at night,in an unabashed manner,in the company of drugs,alcohol,fast music,skimpy numbers does not hold water in a country like ours.It is for decadent cultures like America,which doesn't have a culture of its own,to follow and perpetrate such silly and amorous concepts of happiness and enjoyment.There,you do not have a family system,which enables youngsters to live as they please,in a vagrant manner(not that all of them do)but,here,in our country,we all are part of a family,where we need to give time and attention to our family more than our friends.Please,as part of the socially active media,do not perpetrate such fake and ludicrous ways of merry making.Instead guide our yuongsters to more constructive and rejuvenating forms of merriment like family outings,games,card games..r other remnants of our glorious culture.

[source: Nightlife in Delhi – O3]

I had an answer for the comment then.

"Night life.The very term signifies a nocturnal species.And man is NOT a nocturnal species.A normal human beings wakes up in the wee hours of the day,eats,works,and is back home by evening and to bed by night."[Comment by Riji Kurian]
Interesting. But have you read about the fact that the human clock can fit itself into any timing? It's NOT daylife or night-life by nature. It's supposed to adjust to any timing! Yes, there is something known as the biological clock, that attunes itself to a 24 hour cycle, but that's about it! What about the fact that Indians in the USA [almost a 12 hour difference] completely adjust to the situation? Isn't it nightime work for them, if we assume that the human body cannot adjust with time?

"Night time,esp,is to be spent with the family,indoors,and within permissible limts,a dinner outside."[Comment by Riji Kurian]
Family life is definitely important. The current generation of India realises that probably even more than what the parents/guardians would give them credit for. At the same time, the current generation also realises the importance of friends, and peers. Gone are the days of joint families! Nuclear families are in. Consequently, the current generation cannot mingle with the plethora of cousins [who would be a call away earlier]. Peers have become important for them to be alive and talk to. Who else can take place of their peers than their friends? Where can they talk about stuff they want to talk about? In front of their parents? Obviously no. No matter how much they trust their parents, and however open they are, the first person someone shares something with are their peers, not necessarily seers or superiors!

"The concept of young boys and girls,socialising late at night,in an unabashed manner,in the company of drugs,alcohol,fast music,skimpy numbers does not hold water in a country like ours.It is for decadent cultures like America,which doesn't have a culture of its own,to follow and perpetrate such silly and amorous concepts of happiness and enjoyment."[Comment by Riji Kurian]
Since when has alcohol and cigarette become decadent to the Indians? Didn't we have hookah? Didn't we have bhang [opiates], didn't we have toddy, arrack, what not? That is NO reason to suddenly bash the nightlife. In a recent study, it was even found that having beer instead of aerated soft drinks is healthier? Furthermore, there are millions of people who lead a healthy night life out there. Not everyone is doing drugs, or dancing in skimpy clothes.

We are so proud of the Indian culture, having communal riots is definitely more fun than going to a pub. Following a caste system is definitely more enjoyable than listening to loud music. I just don't understand it.

"There,you do not have a family system,which enables youngsters to live as they please,in a vagrant manner(not that all of them do)but,here,in our country,we all are part of a family,where we need to give time and attention to our family more than our friends."[Comment by Riji Kurian]
I agree that the family is a very important part of the society. I am sure many of the youngsters realise that as well [even if it takes some time for them to realise it on their own]. But, what I Don't understand is how pubs/night clubs degrade the concept of family?

"Please,as part of the socially active media,do not perpetrate such fake and ludicrous ways of merry making.Instead guide our yuongsters to more constructive and rejuvenating forms of merriment like family outings,games,card games..r other remnants of our glorious culture."[Comment by Riji Kurian]
Oh yeah, that's _THE_ way to go! It's the panacea for all the problems of going to a night club. [Sorry to be so rude and sarcastic, but that was hilarious – card games, I am still finding it funny].

First of all, as part of the socially active media, they are doing the right thing by letting the youngsters and parents and families know what is out there. And who are we to judge that this is an amorous, and fake way to live life? Second of all, as a youngster myself, who goes to pubs and a person who knows and has friends who go clubbing, that doesn't make them a lower person than a family guy. In fact, I know that they hold more respect for their family than some of the people who have never had a drink, never smoked a cigarette, in their life.

Lashing out against night clubs is not the answer. Ingraining morals, respect for tradition and still maintaining a life of interest is the solution to the questions that you have raised!

[source: Nightlife in Delhi – O3]

As an addendum, what I'd like to add is that the younger generation probably think more on topics like family, morals, ethics than what the elder generation give us credit for. I personally know a lotta people who place an extremely high value on the family, marriage, relationships, morals! They still lead an active night life.Yet another thing that I do not understand is why Bangalore – at one point – the epitome of night life in India, with its vast array of pubs and discs, is now at a dull ebb come 11pm. With the ban still imposed, Bangalore brings the shutter down. Not to mention the rude cops barging into the disc and asking everyone to leave, ranting obscene comments on the pub/disc goers.

First of all, who are they to comment on the life that people lead? Secondly, they _need_ to learn some respect for other people. Not that I haven't met any decent cops, but they are a dying breed. Today, a lot of them are rude, roguish bullies. If not for the Khaadi, they are wearing [not that it really helps], I would assert that they look the stereotypical dadas and bhais.

As a sidetrack, I wanted to mention about the traffic cop I saw whilst I was coming back from Indira Nagar. He reinstilled my belief and respect for the coppers. It was a really dusty road – the flyover construction going on in full flow over there. There was a huge rock bang in the middle of the road. All the vehicles were coming there, stopping to swerve around it and continue. This guy, he just comes there, picks it up with some effort [about 8:30pm] and removes it outta the way. It was a welcome relief from the rude, impudent rogues who I have seen about. I wanna tell him a hearty thanks for still being the guy who he's set out to be in his uniform :-)!

So, coming back to the main topic on night life bashing and the distrust of the elder generation. Personally what I feel is that there has got to be a generation gap here somewhere. If you'd notice, our generation and our parent's generation are living in a COMPLETELY different world. They were living in the age when color televisions were a luxury. Internet was a rare word. What have we been born into? Into a broadband world, where we are practically connected 24/7. We are living in a world where the world is just a click away.

If you look at it, whilst our parents were tied to their house more, we are tied to our friends more. [Please do NOT read it as if we don't love our parents. We do, a LOT]. Whilst they were studying in a world where things were changing in a tremendous pace, picking up tons of stuff along the way [learning], we have been studying in a world, where finesse of technology is improving. Whilst they played Prince [remember the DOS game], we play Half Life 2. Yes, some of them will obviously still be lagging behind after the explosion of technology advancements. But, gotta give 'em credit. They are picking up fast. I remember how my mom used to ask me for the directions for using a mobile. Now, she's practically a master at short messaging!

So, yes, I can probably understand your sentiments about the night life. However, you have to trust us. You have to trust the fact that we are also imbibed with your essential morals. The only difference – we are ready to give everything a shot. It may blow up on our face. But at least you get a chance to say "Told you so…".

P.S. I'd really like to thank Desi Pundit for including my post – The GRE Guide! I hope the link really does help someone!