The most exciting cities in the world are usually the ones with an adventurous, cutting edge nightlife culture. There’s something going on at all hours of the night. Cities are always alive, moving, booming.

But nightlife is always met with a double edged sword. Nightlife has long been seen by moralists as problematic and for good reason at times.

The capital administration has launched a concerted crackdown on bars and restaurants running beyond time limits in an effort to check late night activity which has been reportedly giving way to anti-social activities and inebriated brawls often resulting in serious outcomes.

The administration’s move has many supporters as for long citizens have viewed pub culture as problematic.

Nightlife is often considered an urban indicator and is important to any city. On the other hand, the night economy - that is, clubs, pubs and discos - also create specific problems.

Although there may be an element of moral policing but it is true that pub culture does encourage smoking, drinking and at times use of party drugs as normal and ‘hip’. In fact, there is an unwritten code that the party actually doesn’t start without having either one or all three of the things listed above.

The biggest concern in terms of the state capital Itanagar is the underage people who are thronging such venues. Pubs or restaurant owners blatantly overlook rules and do not hesitate from serving alcohol minors. For that matter identification is not checked and the age limit applicable for entry to such joints is a non issue here.

As a concerned and responsible citizen, we understand the need to unwind after a hard week of work.  Instead of a ban on late night partying etc, what is probably needed is for the administration to pass order restricting entry of minors into pubs/ DJ nights and late night parties and compliance from management of such establishments. Also the administration must keep tab on all such outlets to ensure that nothing illegal goes on under wraps.

However, it also means more work pressure on the already fledgling police department because nightlife will need more security measures.

Does nightlife come with problems? Absolutely. But so does sports, and you don’t see anybody shutting down entire stadiums when the home team loses. Deciding to live in the city is a choice to have everything at your fingertips. Cities need nightlife ultimately because it makes them interesting places to live.

However going by the trend, it is a fact that as a city we are not yet ready for nightlife.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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