With Dahi Handi over and all the controversy that marked the run-up to the festival on the ebb, it is time to take stock of how the festival was marked in Mumbai this year, given all the brouhaha about children not being allowed to break the handi, the political claptrap that accompanied statements and finally, the festival itself. While some did flout the rule and make children under-12 break the handi, one needs to acknowledge that a great many mandals did pay heed, lowered tiers and put slightly older children on top to break the handi.

While the decision may not have been hugely popular, it was a step forward in bringing about some element of safety into the festival. The festival was admittedly more low key than it has been before, but one must reiterate that mandals need to see logic in the stress on safety. Even now, with so much awareness, we still find that there is no absolute premium on safety. Mandals must be equipped with safety gear for participating govindas.