Sharon pulled back her lips and smiled benevolently as she announced that the Little India Shopkeepers Association had done a great job organising the Deepavali celebrations several weeks ago and that she was confident she could request additional grants the following year. She only asked that the merchants in Little India continue to support the measures she intended to roll out for the constituency. Both Nayagam Ranjan and Kaustubh were mystified by the sudden switch of topic, but being aware that they were still being filmed, they grinned widely and affirmed that they were supportive of their MP.

Sharon made the producer play back the recording to ascertain that he had captured the zealous nods and affirmation of the two men. This was important, for the pair would not like what she had to announce next.

“There is going to be a total ban of alcohol sales in Little India.”

There was a collective gasp of shock from both film crew and the subjects. For several seconds, everyone stared at Sharon with incredulity.

“That is not possible.” Sasukumar, the grassroots leader, was the first to protest. “The Little India Shopkeepers Association will never agree to that!”

“Alcohol sales account for a big chunk of our business,” Kaustubh said, feeling the need to speak up for his father. “The ban will cripple us!”

“We all have to make sacrifices for the community,” Sharon reminded them. She would give instructions for the producer to edit the clip such that the affirmative responses from father and son captured earlier could be transplanted onto the segment where she announced the alcohol ban. It was important to convince the viewers that the merchants of Little India supported such a measure. “The police commissioner and I will be announcing this at a press conference tomorrow morning. I just thought I should give you a heads up.”

“Can we speak in private, please?” Sasukumar ushered Sharon to one of the aisles, out of sight of the filming crew. “You can’t just drop this on me, Sharon! How am I going to explain this to the members of Little India Shopkeepers Association?”

“I am sure you will find a way,” Sharon remarked casually. “The merchants of Little India look up to you. You are one of only four grassroots leaders serving in Jalan Besar who has been conferred the Public Service Medal. It is an honour that is rare to come by.”

Sasukumar had always worn his Public Service Medal with pride, but at this very moment, he could feel the pointed end of the medal nicking his skin and drawing blood.

“Alcohol is big revenue for the business owners here. They will start their own riot if you force this down their throats.”