It was a saturday evening, and i was all excited as i was finally going out on a date with the girl that i had been chatting with for about a month.Her parents were settled in uk and she had come to delhi during her vacations.The place was decided, a popular restro-bar.

I dressed up early as i didnt want to be late and reached almost on time, beating the heavy trafic and after finishing all the errands assigned by mom.She was on time too, and was looking beautiful in a blue dress, with a nice blue hairband, complementing her dress, which neatly puled her hair straightened hair backwards.

My excitement level had reached the roof, and i greeted her pleasantly by planting a kiss on her cheek.

I started the date very casually by asking her, how her day was and talking about things that she sounded interested in, like the dress she was wearing.We started talking, and it was going really well, as it had been an hour, but we were still standing outside the mall,without looking at the watch even once.We both were enjoying each others company, and i realised that i had scored  brownie point, as she kept smiling at me, gushing, each time i cracked a joke.I could figure out that she was having a good time.

                                                                 As time passed by, the date entered its second phase, as we both started feeling hungry.So, we took the elevator to the second floor, where that restrautant happened to be.I asked the waitress for a table for two, and i was directed exactly towards the table i was eyeing on.So i held the door open for my girl, pulled the chair for her.The ambience was nice, lights were dim, and the music was good.I was getting the right kind of vibes, as i knew she was impressed.

Now i was a little nervous before the date, as this was the first time that she was going out on a date, here in india.I just didnt want anything to go wrong.She was a little hesitant when i had asked her out, as she didnt know about the place, but i had convinced her and i had taken it upon myself to ensure that everything worked out.

                  Now, it was getting late, and we were feeling hungry too, so i called the waiter, and without  any further delay i asked her to place the order. She, in her heavy british accent placed an order for chicken pasta and drums of heaven and two pints of indian beer.The waiter had a confused expression on his face, which i thought was due to her british accent, so i was about to repeat the order for him, but he immediately leaned forward and whispered in my ears..Sirjee ID!!

I was a little taken aback, as i had been to the same place before, and had ordered a mocktail without showing any Id's.So i leaned forward, winked at the waiter and asked him to serve the beer.He looked back and said Sirjee CHECKING chal rahi hai..

I didnt know, what to do, i had suggested this place to her, and i had ensured her that there wont be any problem, and she was not even aware of what was going on.So, i tried to convince the waiter that i didnt hav any id's on me and that i am a regular customer.My date which was going so well till now, had been ruined.

I made my last atempt, and spoke with the manager.The manager was also adamant, that without any id's, he wont be able to serve alcohol.

                                             I was helpless, so i had to tell my girl, about what had happened.She kept quite.I knew she was dissappointed, but then suddenly she pulled out her id from her bag.I looked closely at her id,and explained it to her that in india, the legal drinking age is 25!!

She looked at me stunned, but then kept quite.So, i ordered the food, had it quietly, and left the restraunt dissapointed.

I dropped her home, and asked her whether she had fun.I knew it was a stupid question to ask, but still i went ahead with it.She looked down, took a deep breath and said

"In a country, where getting your kids married before they reach puberty is accepted and considered normal and where you are encouraged to start voting as soon as you hit the age 18, this comes as a shocker!

If you are big enough to decide whether you should get married or not, and if you are big enough to decide who is going to lead your country for the next five years, then why not drinking.

Why, is it not legal for an 18 year old to decide, whether drinking is right for him or not.

I knew, she was right, and i kept thinking about it.

I am sure everyone of us has a similar story to share and the drinking age set by the government is rather foolish, so i urge everyone to standup and be a part of the ongoing protest initiated by famous bollywood actor Imran Khan.

Its time we question, what is not right..Its time we  stand up for our rights!