Mumbai Diary: Monday musings

Kalva station

A bridge never too far
This diaryist happened to spot people crossing the tracks, actually going under a fence that had been built at Kalva station. All this caused the train to wait till everyone had crossed over.

Dangerous: People putting their lives at risk as they cross the tracks at Kalva. Pic/Shrikant Khuperkar

This undisciplined and frankly extremely dangerous behaviour by commuters was observed when the foot over bridge was just a minute away from where the commuters chose to cross! Crossing tracks is perilous and a social evil, when a foot over bridge is so close, this behaviour is inexcusable. Commuters often complain of lack of foot over bridges, but here the case seems to be laziness on their path. They prefer to cross in front of a train, step into a ditch under a divider and cross another track to head to their destination. There are few if no words to explain this mindset. We say it is more of a death wish.

Caution, child in driver's seat
On a busy workday evening at Dadar, heads turned to see this car. Not a Ferrari or a smashing vintage model, it was just a small boy driving.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, CHILD: It's fun for the kid but not really advisable, we think. PIC/CHIRAG WAGHELA

Fortunately, he was not at the wheel of a real car, but was piloting his toy model through the streets, all lights flashing and his face sporting a wide grin. Though his ayah (nanny) was accompanying him, we can't help thinking how dangerous this is. After all, it is a crowded, busy area - and it only takes a slight miscalculation for an accident to occur. A child would not be able to avoid it or even to recognise a dangerous situation. While it is tempting to let loose with a nice new toy, parents must be aware of where their kids are going and what they are doing. After all, the little ones are their responsibility, no matter how many ayahs accompany them. We would just say, in conclusion, don't do this.

Pic/Bipin Kokate

They have hearts too ... Let us hear it for the sex workers of Kamathipura who donated to the victims of the Nepal earthquake yesterday. These workers too, who have so many challenges of their own were moved enough by the devastation of the Himalayan Kingdom to contribute towards the cause. A doff of the hat to them. Pic/BIPIN KOKATE