Not since the release of Pokemon Go have Kerala seen this high an interest for an app releasing on Google's Play Store.
BevQ, the queue management app of Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco), has been hitting roadblocks en route to its Google Play Store foray.
The app was necessitated to ensure social distancing norms and prevent crowding when booze outlets resume after being shut in the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak.
Since the announcement of the name of the app on May 20, the Play Store was swarmed by Keralites with fervent searches for the app.
When it was later announced that the app had failed Google's security screening despite repeated attempts, Kerala's hyper-active netizens rummaged the Internet for the profile of Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google and even left him personal requests.
The messages on this unverified profile of Pichai were mostly in the form of requests to speed up Google's nod to feature the app on Play Store for downloading.
As BevQ's Play Store entrance got delayed, fake apps mushroomed on the Play Store. They were quickly stifled by the well-learned Keralites. One such app by Calvinteq met the full fury of the Keralite's anger, earning a rating of just 1.5 stars from over 300 reviewers on the same day it was launched.
Now, a week after the 'inordinate' delay, BevQ is all set to feature on the Store.
Elated Keralite netizens have once again returned to Pichai's profile to leave heaps of praise.
It is unlikely that Pichai had anything to do with the approval, but for many this India-born 'Sundar ettan' is a beacon of hope in these troubled times.
'Thanks Muthalali', wrote a user. (Muthalali means owner)
Excise Minister TP Ramakrishnan is expected to make a formal announcement on Wednesday, according to reports. ManoramaNews reported that liquor outlets are likely to resume operation as soon as Thursday.
Through the app, users will be able to make online bookings and get virtual tokens with which liquor could be purchased from the prescribed outlet or bars at a specified time.
Kerala State Beverages Corporation MD G Sparjan Kumar had earlier said the process of disinfecting the state-run outlets were being held across the state and instruction had been issued to the staff on how to deal with the customer once the shops are open.
As many as 551 bars and 260 beer and wine parlours had given consent letter to state-run Beverages Corporation, to sell alcohol as takeaways.
