Never mind about no beer at Qatar

Much is being made of Qatar hosting the World Cup. Many of us in India who know how to put the ball in someone else's court (sorry, wrong sporting metaphor) are also harrumphing the conservative West Asian nation holding something as footloose and fancy-free as World Cup football. On Friday, one more goal against Qatar was scored when after pressure from authorities, Fifa announced that beer would be banned in and around all match venues. This, at the cost of breach-of-contract with Budweiser, one of the tournament sponsors. Qatar may have invited fans from all over the world saying, 'Mi casa es su casa'. But, at the last minute, it's said, 'My house, my rules.' No alcohol, Bud or buddy. So, Qatar is a party pooper not just for teetotalling women, gay people and migrant workers, but also for all folks who like to grin and beer it - unless they book high-end hospitality suites starting $950 inside venues.

But hang on. No beer can be sold in and near stadiums in liberal, fun-loving (football prowess-deficient) India either. Not for football, not for cricket, not for concerts - unless you've got something tucked away in the VIP lounges. So, never mind Qatar. Let's have the right to bear beer during games here in fair and free-(flowing?) India, shall we? And please don't give that line as an excuse: we aren't mature enough yet to handle our drinks.