Avoidable fire tragedy

The death of 12 workers in a snack shop fire in Mumbai is symptomatic of the tragedy of urban India. Scores of workers have to brave an existence in near inhuman conditions in mega- cities with limited space to eke out a living and send some money home for parents and siblings. And they do so without even a modicum of pretence on the part of the owners of the business to look after the safety of their workers. Most businesses would not consider even the purchase and maintenance of fire safety equipment or the creation of emergency exits for cramped living spaces. Given such reluctance on the part of businesses to invest even a small proportion of operating expenses for the safety and welfare of workers, it would be even more far- fetched to believe that businesses would, at least, insure their workers.

The rigmarole of the authorities waking up after the tragedy to find that none of such small businesses are licensed to produce goods like eatables using fire for cooking would be gone through in every case. A probe would be ordered and the owner arrested and booked. The accused would emerge after a hiatus to carry on doing his business in exactly the same manner without a thought lent to safety. It is also standard practice in the country to put down every fire to a short circuit but which is probably invited by the drawing of various wires in a haphazard manner. If the government is inclined towards salving its conscience, it would order the compensation of a few lakh of rupees and normal life would resume for all. Not a thought would be lent to the human tragedy or the dreams shattered with the lives of young Indians being snuffed out like this.