Saturday July 11, 2009, 2:54 am
"Barely 25km from the state capital, Ahmadabad, Mehmadabad is home to at least a couple of illegal breweries who supply most of the cheap liquor sold in the capital.

Set on the banks of Sabarmati river, these open air breweries are dotted with fire-burnt vats which are used to make the liquor, say journalists who have been to the place.

Normally, illegally brewed or "country-made liquor", as it is called in India, is made with jaggery [unrefined palm sugar], alum and aluminium chloride. After brewing, some flavour is added to the liquor.

Brewery owners usually spike the liquor with ethyl alcohol to give it a kick. Things begin going wrong when they add methyl alcohol - a potent industrial alcohol- which can easily lead to death if consumed."

Read more at site..

Saturday July 11, 2009, 12:32 pm
Very sad, but true. Illegal, cheap liquor is spiked with dangerous chemicals. Unforunately, the illiterate poor fall victims easily to temptation.

Sunday July 12, 2009, 2:52 pm
Truly sad, thank you for the report.

Sunday July 12, 2009, 8:36 pm
This is truly sad,and terrible.Thank you for this report.

Monday July 13, 2009, 3:27 am
This is somthing which happens quite regularly in India the people are so poor and have very little hope that their lives will improve.The povery is startling and the amount of illness is horrendous and plagues their lives on a daily basis.That is why the unscrupulous people who make this deadly brew are able to sell it.They often add wood alchohol to the brew which is known to cause blindness if consumed, and has other severe health risks often resulting in death.The poor unsuspecting people who purchase this deadly cocktail do so in an attemt to escape from their misery if even only for a short period.It is all very very sad my heart reaches out to them.

Monday July 13, 2009, 6:58 am
It is an awful situation..and those that put out this toxic garbage should really be ashamed of themselves..They are preying on those in dire situations..
Terrible sad..I wish someone could stop them..

Monday July 13, 2009, 11:07 am
Dear Dee,
It is sad, and most of the industrial workers do know the dangers in consuming cheap spiked drinks. These tragedies are widely publicised, which should make most people aware of the consequences of consuming such drinks. Unfortunately, human beings live with short memories, and the tragedy will be forgotten in a few months, and repeated again, and again.

Monday July 13, 2009, 1:35 pm
thats why it is illegal. sad but people shouldnt drink illegal liquor

Tuesday July 14, 2009, 4:45 pm
I think there are two very sad factors in this..One being an addiction..Two being poor and or unaware..or just willing to risk the dangers in this illegal alcohol..In any event..hope someone will stop it..It is a shame..

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 5:45 am
Sad story. I think the main factors are:being poor and in some cases addiction.