With one day to go for Lord Ganesh to enthrone himself in mandals across Mumbai, we know that the city will see challenging times ahead. The festive season is upon us, which means more crowds, traffic-snarls on our roads and crowded public transport. Discipline will help Mumbai ease challenges and help lawmakers in their tough, unenviable task. Pedestrians are going to be squeezed out of the small space they have on the pavements, as many are going to sprout small stalls selling everything from foodstuff to trinkets and toys to sell to worshippers.

We want big mandals to step up to the plate this season. It will be admirable if mandals spout messages — from communal harmony to organ donation and pledging to keep the city clean. While these may sound trite and temporary, they do have a subtle effect on the thousands that visit to pay respects to Lord Ganesh.