On a seemingly ordinary Sunday afternoon, a startling incident took place at the Inox courtyard in Panjim when a sudden fire broke out at a temporary stage being constructed for the highly anticipated Serendipity Festival. Thankfully, as the flames engulfed the structure, there were no reported injuries. Workers present at the site, reacting quickly to the sudden peril, fled to safety as the fire blazed out of control. However, this incident raises a pressing question: why have the organisers of Serendipity, and those responsible for the preparations, not faced any consequences for the chaos?
The blaze, which reduced the temporary stage to mere ashes, could have easily escalated into a far more catastrophic situation. With the cinema screens at Inox gearing up for a rush of moviegoers for the screening of Pushpa 2, the potential for a tragedy loomed large. Just imagine the unsettling scenario where the fire had spread to the cinema complex. The repercussions would have been unthinkable, potentially costing lives and creating a scene of havoc in an otherwise routine Sunday.
Given the high stakes involved, one cannot help but question the inaction of the police and local authorities regarding the incident.
The primary responsibility lies with the event organisers who should have ensured that safety protocols were strictly observed during the construction of the stage. However, instead of swiftly addressing the oversight, there seems to be an alarming lack of urgency in holding those responsible accountable.
This kind of negligence must not be tolerated, especially in cases where public safety is at stake.
The call for accountability isn’t simply about punitive measures; it’s about setting a precedent that affirms the importance of safety in event management. If the organisers of the Serendipity Festival are allowed to go unpunished, what message does that send to other event planners? It implies that there are no serious consequences for endangering public safety, undermining the hard work put forth by authorities in enforcing safety regulations.
Moreover, this incident highlights an urgent need for an overhaul of safety measures in public events. It’s not just about ensuring that everything looks good and runs well; it’s about protecting individuals from potential harm caused by negligence. With the rise of various festivals and public gatherings, a stringent safety framework needs to be enforced to prevent incidents like this from recurring.
In the absence of timely action, there is growing frustration among the local community and those who prioritize public safety. It begs the question of whether the authorities are taking the matter seriously, or if they are waiting for the dust to settle before addressing what could have been a major disaster.
The situation is clear: the Serendipity organisers must be scrutinized and held accountable for the fire incident. The potential dangers their negligence posed to both workers and patrons demand immediate investigation and action. The community deserves assurance that their safety is a priority and that those responsible for creating risk-filled environments will face consequences. It’s high time for the authorities to act decisively; otherwise, we risk normalizing negligence, with grave implications for public safety in the future.
SURAJ BNANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
