TALENT

Article 2

UNIQUE STORY
Sarkari Afeem ki Dukaan
By Anamika Jyotsnadottir, Delhi

'Make health your "new high in life" not drugs', yes this is the official slogan of the Central Bureau of Narcotics portal. Yet a mention has to be made here, that in the capital (Delhi), one could come across a legal opium store, which is supplied and run by the authorities! No, we are nowhere in the lanes of Amsterdam, we are in fact very much in Pahargunj, that is in the heart of the capital.

Before you start up that car and snap relations with your existing suppliers, let me state here that you have to be a cardholder; on the lines of a ration card. One must have a card in order to attain even a tola of opium which is sold at prices that would stun you and make you want to be a card holder as well, let's say a gram costs Rs. 4.25!

In the pages of history we were taught about the opium wars and how they tilted the power in favour of the British. Even today, opium is legally cultivated in many parts of Uttar Pradesh. One can have a more detailed study on the matter from the official government portal. With all the fanfare around concerning the banning of drugs and illegal drug cartels, it is pleasant to note that our government was kind enough to provide this form of relief.

This shop was set up in the 1950s under the Delhi opium rules, which meant that opium could be sold to those who have an affliction and require this drug on prescription basis. Since only 250 individuals were issued this card and today most of them are not alive, once the remaining 20 odd individuals pass away this shop and its interesting history will be lost forever in the ever changing face of Delhi.

Now many of you must be wondering, why not issue cards beyond the lucky 250 individuals? Well the answer to this is that the knowledge of modern medicine was not as advanced back in the late 1940s. Powerful painkillers and muscle relaxants had not been developed to the state in which they are today. Therefore opium was the most easily available relief, and the fact that it is so addictive is the reason why the store has not been shut till now. But no additional cards have been issued and believe me you, there has been tremendous demand for the cards.

For those of you who would like to take a dekko, come from Paharganj towards Karol Bagh on the Deshbandhu Gupta Road, as you near Karol Bagh, keep looking left for a very small board that reads, "sarkari afeem ki dukaan" and voila! The gentleman who runs this wondrous store is Mr. V Kumar, and the store is open every Tuesday and Friday.

About the author- An avid traveller, always looking for a new experience and challenges. Did her schooling and graduation from Delhi. Worked as a journalist, media co-ordinator, social worker, travel blogger, photographer, producer, tea research analyst and currently part of the strategy and creative team of a digital media advertising agency. Motto is 'Dont go with the flow, you are the flow'.