DNA Edit: Baywatch For Safety - Bombay HC evokes bitter-sweet memories

Baywatch and beach safety weren’t quite synonymous for most Indian viewers who found the American action drama series compelling for different reasons.

Pamela Anderson was, of course, a big draw in those days when India was gradually embracing liberalism and opening its doors to Western culture. Now, the Bombay High Court revives the bitter-sweet memories of an era by asking the Maharashtra government to draw inspiration from the series in ensuring safety of those visiting the beaches.

In the two avatars of the serial that changed locations from Los Angeles in the US to Hawai, the narrative revolved around the interpersonal relationships of the protagonists who routinely risked their lives to save people from drowning. It looked picture perfect with everything running in clock-work precision.

The Bombay HC division bench seemed impressed by those set pieces and thrilling elements — earthquakes, shark attacks and serial killers — in a series where ensuring safety of revellers was a crucial catalyst. The court has urged the state to “use modern methods” as well as put up warning signs.

Maharashtra beaches have claimed several lives this year. While the state should accept a large part of the blame, citizens too are guilty of taking undue risks. The government can begin a safety initiative by using mobile vehicles on the beach for patrolling and spotting people in distress.

It will definitely make the division bench happy. After all, some memories simply refuse to die after many, many years. Baywatch had that sort of influence among Indians. It was a nation’s coming of age story played out in the drawing rooms in full view of family members.