Small-time local politicians were seen vying to board helicopters to get an aerial view of their flood-ravaged city. The helicopters, meant to drop food packets in flood-affected areas, were allegedly used for joy-rides, inviting people's wrath.

The floods also brought out the best and the worst in surtis. While many were left without a roof on their head, thousands gathered to see the rising waters of Tapi. Known for their passion for food, fun and frolic, for many it was a sort of a picnic. Residents also did not let the flood waters hamper the navratri festival. So what if the Surat Municipal Corporation did not allocate party plots for Navratri celebrations? The show must go on, many said.

Yes, the floods have caused large-scale destruction and also taken lives. But, Surtis can live with it. After all, much before the floods caused havoc, the city was flooded with migrant labourers from other states. Saurashtrains flooded the city making Varachha their second home. Besides, Surtis themselves flock to the city's gardens, parks and theatres on every weekend. However, with the SMC sealing shops and restaurants in view of the safety aspect, one wonders what they would do on weekends.

It is certainly an unique Surti spirit that keeps the people moving, celebrating, notwithstanding floods or plague. Life goes on even after hundreds flee the city.

One of the fallouts of the flood is that Navratri celebrations have returned to the sheris, the traditional form in the street corners where they actually belong. Though the recent flood has certainly robbed the city of its traditional charm; the basic reason was that party plots were not allotted for Navratri celebrations.

The first Sunday, after normalcy was restored in the city, saw local dailies full of advertisements about navratri celebrations. Flood stories were being replaced with raas and dandia advertisements. But when, in a interview to a local TV channel, a senior official asserted ``The people of the city are fun loving,'' people took exception of his remark, though many claimed that it was misinterpreted, and the official was greeted with brickbats. To be fair to the official, he was just making an observation when Suratis were thronging the Vivekanand bridge to see the surging waters.

After the flood waters receded, some souls in search of booze, landed in Golwad. One such tippler opened his heart, ``I wish I had a boat''.

He did not want the boat for any rescue or relief operation, but to reach to his `paradise,' to quench his thirst.

While the flood waters have receded and normalcy restored, the Surati spirit lives on.