Most people think nothing of visiting a pub – it is a place to relax, have a drink and catch up with friends. This is exactly what Brajesh Rai, an employee of a Noida firm thought when he was visiting the Lost Lemon gastropub with his office colleagues at a Noida mall, two days ago.
Little did he know that he would never get home alive. Allegedly, the jolly office party got caught in an ugly brawl over the bill which arrived at the end of the party. This is not an analysis to find out who was at fault, but a pointer on how short tempered and stressed out that we have all become so fragile in ego and intolerant towards others’ views.
Had even a few of the men involved in the brawl shown some maturity and restraint, Brajesh Rai’s life would never have been lost. A larger question also arises, why do we feel the need to consume intoxicants in order to get a high. Why can’t we rely on our own blissful inner self that we are inherently born with?
As it is, people cannot come to terms with their pride and ego and on top of it, minds and visions get further clouded with intoxicants, tobacco and over indulgence in foods.
Questions also remain on whether the bar employees should have exercised more caution and restraint knowing that they are dealing with customers who are drinking and are not in a logical frame of mind or in their good senses. It is also the duty of the management to do due diligence of their staff and ensure that they are trained in techniques to deal with irate and drunk customers.
Reports indicate that the drinking buddies had already picked up an argument with the bar staff on their last order just before closing time. The 7,500 Rs bill which was eventually presented to them with additional charges became the penultimate sour point of the evening, which led to the final scuffle resulting in a grave tragedy.
It is even more surprising that all this happened at the well-known Gardens Galleria mall in Noida, which families and children frequent as well for fun, frolic and relaxation. It is also time for the licensing authorities to be more vigilant while granting licenses.
The tragic death of Brajesh Rai has left several unanswered questions which his wife and two small children are going to grapple with for the rest of their lives. This incident is also a wake up call to society to relearn the values of patience and tolerance in dealing with each other.
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