Once a drunkard, making his village alcohol free

Ajjappa Shivalingappa Pyati of Ghodageri village was once a heavy drinker and alcohol addict.

Drinking often and sleeping outside on the road or falling in gutters was common for him.

He used to be in state where he had to beg for money to buy liquor.

Ajjappa who is now 54 years old has gotten rid of his alcohol addiction and is now trying hard to make his village 100 percent alcohol free.

His life changed completely when seven years ago he attended a taluk level awareness program which taught him the dangers of alcohol addiction. He then took an oath to never drink alcohol in the future.

He made it his mission to make his birthplace completely alcohol free. Since then, he setup a team of 60 volunteers who set out to shut down liquor shops in the village.

Four years ago, his team was successful in making Ghodageri free of liquor shops after going through a lot of agitation.

He already held intervention for 90 percent of alcohol drinkers in his village.

They quit drinking alcohol through his help.

The remaining 10 percent people also are drinking considerably less alcohol as they have to go to neighboring villages to get alcohol. Ajjappa is confident that he will make his village 100 percent alcohol free.

Image Reference: Thebetterindia