The border between India and Nepal, barring moments of political tension, has been an example of how an open policy helps frontier people enjoy wider economic choices. That openness has been particularly welcomed by local drinkers since Bihar banned alcohol in 2016
A shop selling bottles of Nepali alcohol, with labels that often copy designs from well know international brands, near Maruwai, Nepal, April 15, 2022. Since the Indian state of Bihar banned alcohol in 2016, a small industry of bars and restaurants has sprung up just across the border in Nepal, catering to Indians of all classes seeking to quench their thirst. Image: Saumya Khandelwal/The New York Times
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