Circus Shock

The news of twenty-one circus animals including sea-lions, eskimo dogs and others orignating in cold countries charred to death in a Mumbai circus tent, comes as a shock. Mumbai traditionally experiences a high temperature at this time of the year. How at all could the Russian circus be allowed to stage its shows there in the month of April, and that too with animals that are not known as not familiar to heat and atmospheric humidity? Three air-conditioners with one out of order are just not enough for the animals. It is nothing short of being utterly inhuman and imprudent to use polythene-based material for setting up a circus tent. That makes one and all – humans and animals, owners and spectators open to the threat of being charred if and when there is a fire. Profiteering has to be tempered with some sympathy for the circus inmates. Are the authorities finding themselves too out-of-gas to look into the matter and take necessary actions promptly?