For us, the festive season has begun. Every month has its unique festive flavour ufffd beginning with Raksha Bandhan this month, followed by Ganesh Chathurthi in September and Diwali, Christmas, ushering in the new year et al.

While festivities will be grand with enough gusto and enthusiasm, for Mumbai, the festive season also means being 'more vulnerable'. Obviously, the shadow of terror never leaves the city, keeping the cops on their toes 24X7. And, as festival times means huge gathering of people at a particular place, it becomes more potent for a destructive terror-striking mind.

While the festivals bring cheer to us, for a policeman, they mean more work.

While the festivals bring cheer to us, for a policeman, they mean more work. Being alert becomes an imperative, back-breaking bandobast duties are immediately included in the day's schedule for the next six months and then keeping crime under control will continue to be a part of their job. Let's not forget investigations and court proceedings. All in all, it is tough times ahead for the policemen.

They too have families back in their hometowns in other parts of Maharashtra. They too, like us, would love to celebrate festivals with their near and dear ones. But naturally, they will not be granted leave. For every policeman, it will be duty first. Each one of them will report to work every single day and work well beyond their schedules.