Kochi, Monday, December 28, 2009: Taking a jab at Kerala’s booze binge, President Prathiba Patil said, despite high literacy and concerted efforts by several religious as well as voluntary organisations against the evil of drinking, Kerala is emerging as one of the largest consumer of alcohol and the worst hit are the women.

Inaugurating the National conference of the All India Federation of Women Lawyers, Prathiba Patil said, legal proceedings should be hastened. More women should enter this field, and government should provide legal aid to women in distress.

President added that, women and children are increasingly becoming victims of increasing cyber crimes. Supreme Court chief justice KG Balakrishnan, chief justice of Kerala SR Bannurmath, Health Minister PK Sreemathi also attended the function.