You might have seen this image or similar images splashed across social media and newspapers in Mumbai and Maharashtra showing the crowded flower market at Dadar.
Now this is a flower market that operates from early morning selling flowers that come to the city of Mumbai all through the year.
On normal days too, this market, which operates at Dadar is generally crowded as vendors sell flowers in wholesale to consumers and decorators and flower arrangement agencies all through the year.
On special occasions like Valentine’s Day and on festivals these markets are crowded beyond belief and is a rotten place to visit.
The locals chew tobacco or Gutka and spit every where.
This image taken on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, a festival that originated in Maharashtra shows that all social distancing and caution in the times of Corona Virus has gone for a toss.
And what you can’t see is the failure of the various agencies in preventing this mess.
All the authorities had to do was anticipate this rush, which really requires no brains and moved the market elsewhere.
Like they could have posted notices and moved the market to nearby Shivaji Park and allocated tents to flower sellers and ensured social distancing and compliance.
But our bureaucrats will not take any lessons nor take any initiative. Result is this mess, which left people aghast.
Will anyone be punished for this lapse? Before that will someone own up for the lapse?
It seems we are not really learning any lessons.