Has Mumbai matured?

This time that Happy New Year email, SMS and spoken wishes worked. Statistics and analysis show that Mumbai really put the Happy into the New Year, with a relatively safer celebration than that of past years.

This time that Happy New Year email, SMS and spoken wishes worked. Statistics and analysis show that Mumbai really put the Happy into the New Year, with a relatively safer celebration than that of past years.

Road accidents and drunken driving were down, in fact, there has not been a major case reported as on December 31. Molestation of women revellers has also not been reported. While this is not to say that it is okay if such cases occur on other days, let us take this as a sign that Mumbai may be finally maturing as a city.

Repeatedly this paper has taken a stand that it's not just the police's job to see that you do not drink and drive, or wear a helmet while on a bike speed. The onus lies with the driver as well, not just the uniformed cop with his breathalyzer, 'pauti' book and the scepter of a night (or more)in jail.

Having said that, one can also conclude that this newfound discipline may be a result of a sustained, consistent and impressive campaign against drinking and driving by the police. While cops are often targeted for slacking off or not doing their duty, one thinks they deserve the proverbial pat on the back for a thorough job.

Using a multi-pronged strategy from jail to social media to raise awareness against driving under the influence of alcohol, the cops have managed to put the fear of God into Mumbai's car owners.

One also welcomes the 'no molestation case recorded' report. A city that prides itself as a safe haven for women is in danger of losing that label.u00a0

Mumbai has witnessed cases, especially in recent times, which it should be ashamed of. If Mumbai's women can commute to and from work at odd hours, without fear of molestation, why can they not bring in the New Year without fear of being groped in the crowd? Let's just say Mumbai may be growing up and it is time it did.

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