India, May 16 -- They have been meeting at Patwardhan Park, Bandra, regularly over the last couple of weeks since fire engulfed the three-storeyed Link Square Mall, in Linking Road, reducing their places of business to ashes, on April 29. Shopkeepers and owners of 210 galas (small shops) gather at the park in the day to discuss the way forward, draft letters to various government authorities and politicians for help, or share know-how about work options.

On Monday afternoon, some of them were seen playing cricket, to keep at bay anxieties about their future even if momentarily, while some others were seated in a corner worrying about mounting bills and monthly rents.

One of them, salon owner Hema Gadia, who started her business here in ...