Though drinking is universal, it is the day that makes the difference. While majority of the people have no objection to those drinking and making gay, even the prohibition police soften their stand on those inebriated, considering the joyous day. After all, it is practically impossible for anybody to be on their feet dancing all day in sweltering conditions.

As an unwritten law, prohibition does not exist on two days, one when Ganesh idols are installed, second when they are immersed. Important events like these are just the time ``to get charged'' many reason.

Predictably, trends are changing and Ganesh Utsav is also no exception. And like Godzilla's `Size does matter' slogan, every year Ganesh idols touch a new high. While last year many idols were painted with the tricolour, many with statues of our great national leaders, and the map of India, to mark the country's 50th year of independence, this year idols bore resemblance to the Titanic, Ganpati breaking nuclear missiles with his legs, and those based on the Internet.

With the festival came changes in fashion also. One person could be seen in a bright orange T-shirt, fluorescent green pair of trousers, mirror type glasses and white shoes. Many, ardent fans of our film stars, could be seen wearing clothes worn by our film heroes, the duplicate ones, of course.

And all these bright dressed youths are under the impression that every young woman is staring at them and admiring their attire.

Some things, however, remain unchanged. Last year, the amount of liquor bought and sold increased manifold on installation and immersion days, the year before that and years before that - it was the same. And unless prohibition is lifted, the trend is sure to continue. Another thing that has not changed is the slogan in the Marathi language that practically every non Marathi ganpati enthusiast has memorised by now. And though it has taken a beating, the originally intended meaning of the utsav -- national unity -- still manifests itself in one way or another.