Bappa in the time of a pandemic

A Ganesh idol at the Parel workshop on Sunday, all ready to be taken to the pandal this week. Pic/Bipin Kokate

"Why so tired, Pheroze? Were you engaged in some kind of strenuous activity?" Lady Flora asked her friend whose forehead was splattered with beads of perspiration. The facemask was making it tougher for him to breathe, she could tell. "Oh, that's because of so many errands I had run that dare I say, has knocked the wind out of me. You see, the Ganesh festival is coming up, and our neighbourhood is doing its best to keep it a quiet affair, what with all the pandemic-related guidelines and safety precautions. But the missus is doing her bit to help the little ones in the area with simple art and craft DIY décor for their home idols. She used to teach craft at her school back in the day, and now with all this talk about keeping the environment as topmo87uuuuuuuuuuuuuust priority, she is enjoying her second stint as a teacher using waste-free ideas," he smiled, genuinely pleased at his wife's exploits, despite the umpteen requests that dragged him out of home on a very wet Sunday morning in September. This year, the call to reduce plastic waste generated from décor has been louder, and Sir PM and the wife were keen on spreading the word in the neighbourhood in their own little way.

"Since you are in the know of these things already, tell me, Pheroze…how do you think the city will react to the festival season this time? Last year, Bombaywallahs gave all festivals a miss for very obvious reasons but I am hearing how with the opening up of life, authorities have a new set of headaches," a very curious Lady Flora asked her friend. Sir PM took a few moments to gather his thoughts and then replied, "You see, Lady…we are not entirely sure what this ‘Third Wave' will bring, and with that in mind, I hope certain systems are in place and a strict check is kept on safety protocols," he reasoned, trying to sound every bit the lawyer he was in his heyday.

"With respect to the Ganesh festival in particular, I feel we have to adopt a policy of being smart by not flouting rules; this, I must admit, hasn't been the case until now. People are throwing caution to the wind wherever I look around. No masks. No social distancing. These are worrying signs, and the festival hasn't even begun. Not only are they risking their lives but are also putting others around at risk, which I…" Lady Flora interrupted him, "Tell me, Pheroze - what is this style of wearing one's face mask on the chin? It's shocking and at the same time, a terrible advertisement to be safe during the pandemic. I really worry if the city is able to stick to any kind of rule-following each time they step out to shop for the festival. While the crowding around public areas of devotion can be curtailed to some extent, I'm not sure about the rest," she rattled on, visibly upset at how casual a majority of people had been when it came to approaching guidelines.

Sir PM and Lady Flora had reached the area where one of Fort's most popular mandals would arrive in a few days' time. "I am praying that Bappa hears our prayers. Last year, was forgettable, and we really don't want a repeat of case numbers or casualties. It's up to us, Bombaywallahs, to ensure that we don't go down that road again. Haven't we had enough and learnt our lessons?" sighed Sir PM. His friend noticed that he was looking skyward seeking that much needed divine intervention. "I agree, Pheroze. It is Bombay's favourite festival, I understand, and I've seen in the past how much the city loves their beloved Bappa. But, it would be the ultimate tribute to Him if everyone can actually observe this festival in a more subtle and eco-friendly manner minus all the fanfare, and instead offer their prayers to the ones we lost due to this terrible pandemic. That would be the best way to usher in their favourite deity," suggested Lady Flora.

As they walked back to their respective pedestals they could sense the festive mood in the air. Yet, there was a sense of anxiety lurking around, too. That was the cloud that the pandemic had cast over the city. All they could hope and pray for, is for Bappa to take care of His beloved Bombay.

mid-day's Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the city's sights, sounds, smells and stones...wherever the ink and the inclination takes her. She tweets @bombayana

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