Mango madness: Lucknow Aam Mahotsav ends in chaos as crowd loots display fruits
watch viral video here
Lucknow: What began as a festive tribute to India's favourite summer fruit ended in utter chaos at the Lucknow Aam Mahotsav, where the final day of the event witnessed scenes of confusion as visitors stormed display areas to grab mangoes meant solely for exhibition.
The three-day mango festival, held from July 4 to 6, was organised to celebrate the region's diverse mango varieties and was attended by dignitaries including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath. The event featured separate sections for display, sampling, and sale, drawing large crowds eager to explore the produce.
However, as the festival drew to a close, visitors reportedly ignored public announcements, swarming the exhibition stalls and stealing mangoes in large numbers. The situation quickly spiraled into chaos, with people pushing one another and rushing toward the exits while carrying off the display fruits. Many were seen stuffing mangoes into their dupattas, bags, and even their pockets in a desperate scramble to grab as much as they could.
A video of the incident, now widely circulated on social media, has triggered criticism of both the organisers and the attendees. Many users expressed dismay over the lack of civic sense, discipline, and respect for public spaces.
Last day of Mango festival in Lucknow.
— Tarun Gautam (@TARUNspeakss) July 7, 2025
This is our civic sense. No wonder, other countries don't want Indians on their land. pic.twitter.com/iFFjM7RGvp
Comments on the viral clip ranged from disappointment to satire, with users lamenting the erosion of cultural values and civic responsibility. Some pointed to poor event management, while others highlighted the irony of economic progress coexisting with declining public behaviour. “There was a time when self-respect, honour, integrity, and honesty were valued in our culture. It is heartbreaking that we lost it along the way,” a user said. Another wrote, “Low self-esteem paired with lack of civic sense is a perfect recipe for chaos and stampede.”
“Fastest growing GDP with no civic sense, what an irony,” a user added. One user further remarked that given more time, the crowd might have taken the tables and covers home as well.
The organisers are yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
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Man arrested with Rs 2.54-crore heroin in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Police have arrested a man and seized over 500 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.54 crore in the illicit market from him in Mumbai, officials said on Friday.
The police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) made the drug seizure in Santacruz in the western suburbs. The operation was conducted by the Kandivali unit of the ANC on Thursday as part of a special crackdown against drug trafficking in the area, they said.
Acting on specific inputs, an ANC team conducted a raid in Santacruz (East) and intercepted a man. During a search, the team recovered 508 grams of high-grade heroin from his possession, an official said.
The seized contraband, a highly addictive, opioid drug derived from morphine, is estimated to be worth Rs 2.54 crore in the international market, he informed.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against the man under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and he was formally placed under arrest in the early hours of Friday.
The police are currently investigating the source of the drug and trying to identify the intended recipients of the consignment, he said.
