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Support for Anna gets stronger as around lakh turn up at Maidan
Heaps of garbage at Ramlila Ground
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People donate generously to keep campaign going
Gung-ho, but unaware of Anna’s drive
Many down with dysentery, but spirit still high
Dutch journo cuts short hols to cover ‘Annalila’
Sex workers too join in
Chatterati
Some show the ‘Ravan of corruption’
Units served notice for polluting Hindon
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Support for Anna gets stronger as around lakh turn up at Maidan
New Delhi, August 21 The crowd at Ramlila Maidan, where Anna Hazare is sitting on fast, was the biggest today with the police estimating "around 70,000" present at the grounds while volunteers put the figure at 1 lakh around 5 pm. "The intelligence reports predicted around 1 lakh people coming here today, but we believe that apart from around 70,000 present right now, thousands have come and gone already while thousands will come later in the evening," said a senior police official from the Central district present at Ramlila Maidan this evening. Meanwhile, on the sixth day of his indefinite fast, the 74-year-old crusader said that people in far-off villages and cities who cannot come to Ramlila Maidan should gherao their local MPs and convince them to support the Jan Lokpal Bill. "Go to your MP and tell him to support the Jan Lokpal Bill and ask him if he supports us or not. Convince him to support us, and if he does, then tell him to come in our support in Parliament as well," said Hazare. The message sent across this morning showed result by the afternoon itself when scores of people reached 7 Race Course Road, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence, and were detained by the police. Manish Sisodia, key member of Team Anna announced from the podium later in the evening that he is getting reports from various parts of the country about people marching towards the house of their MPs. Addressing people here today, former Karnataka Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde expressed confidence that public support for Anna Hazare and his campaign would continue until his demands are met by the government. "What does Hazare want? He does not want to be Prime Minister. All he is asking for is a strong Lokpal Bill which would root out corrupt official and ministers. Can anybody say here that there is no corruption in the country or can anybody say it can be ignored?" asked Hegde, adding that had there been a strong Lokpal Bill scams like 2G spectrum allocation and CWG would not have happened. A Muslim cleric from Moradabad, Maulana Qasim, while addressing the people today said that Muslims are supporting Anna's movement but they are not able to participate owing to Ramjan. "I am telling you Annaji if it were not the month of Ramjan, this ground would have been filled with topis and dhadis (skull caps and beards)," he said while appreciating the cause of Anna. People were also addressed by Salim Beg, an RTI activist, Medha Patakar, Swami Agnivesh, Kiran Bedi and others. The huge support against the anti-corruption crusade is expected to continue tomorrow on the occasion of Janmashtmi. |
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Heaps of garbage at Ramlila Ground
New Delhi, August 21 Even as Anna entered the sixth day of his fast today, the supporters flocking to the ground to participate in the biggest-ever campaign against corruption are generating tones of garbage which is giving hiccups to the civic body. The heaps of garbage have become a point of worry for the volunteers at the venue. "The situation is becoming worse day by day. The MCD is not collecting the garbage despite our repeated requests. We have been calling them for the past six hours. The area has become a locality garbage," said Sachin Gupta, a volunteer from California working in Delhi. The volunteers said the piling garbage was posing the risk of diseases. While MCD officials said its employees were working at the venue round the clock, volunteers claimed that the civic agency's men don't pay heed to their requests. "These people do not listen to us. We tell them to clear the garbage, but they do nothing at all. At last, we clean the mess on our own," said Gupta. However, Delhi Mayor Rajni Abbi today visited Ramlila Ground to oversee the arrangements being made by the MCD for the upkeep of the ground. She said the spray of anti-mosquito chemicals was being intensified and the garbage was being lifted from time to time. The Mayor said the garbage problem was due to the huge crowd which was eating and throwing waste around. "There has been a constant flow of crowd to the ground. Over 200 MCD employees are working there for the whole day. It is dirty water which is making people sick," said Abbi. She said 20 trucks of soft earth had been spread to level the ground. She directed the officers to ensure that the arrangements for fogging, lifting and transportation of garbage were made as per the requirement. |
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Thousands gather for anti-graft rally at India Gate
New Delhi, August 21 His words had far-reaching effect on thousands of people, who had gathered at India Gate to express their solidarity and commitment in the campaign against corruption. Hazare's loyalists who were waving flags of the Indian tricolour merged into a single entity at India Gate, where they energized the crowd by shouting slogans such as: "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata ki jai". These were the words that encouraged the people to shout anti-government and anti-corruption slogans. Most of them were wearing caps similar to the one Hazare wore, which read: "I am Anna." Some supporters arrived at India Gate on motorcycles and were at the forefront of the procession. Others had mounted mini-trucks from where they shouted: "Anna ji sangharsh karo, hum tumhare saath hain." They also urged onlookers to join the campaign against corruption. "We are against corruption. The public has elected the government and therefore, it has to listen to us. We are conducting protests in a peaceful manner. The Jan Lokpal Bill will definitely be passed and the people will ensure that it happens," said Tamanna Singh, who had attended the rally. Tamanna is not the only person who supports the bill. Ankit Gupta, another loyalist of Hazare, who had attended the demonstration, said that everybody needs the Jan Lokpal Bill. "The Congress is delaying the implementation of the Jan Lokpal Bill by employing tactics such as Aruna Roy's plan to implement a third Lokpal Bill," he said. Hazare's team of Swami Agnivesh, Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi had joined the supporters and led them to the man, whom they blindly follow. Before the demonstration started, Bedi had addressed the crowd and said that if the Jan Lokpal Bill is implemented, it will benefit the coming generations. "The public will definitely win. Anna is fighting for tomorrow's generation. The Jan Lokpal Bill will benefit our children. The dishonest people are getting scared, because the honest are winning the battle," she said. Even though it is a Sunday, more than 50,000 people attended the rally, which resulted in traffic jams in Connaught Place, Barakhamba Road, India Gate and other areas. |
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People donate generously to keep campaign going
New Delhi, August 21 The volunteers of India Against Corruption have set up an information centre at the maidan, where they distribute pamphlets, explaining medical issues and the differences between the Jan Lokpal Bill and the government’s version of the bill. People also give their suggestions and queries regarding the Lokpal Bill and methods to reduce corruption. “People come to us to seek permission for reciting poems and songs at the stage, where Anna sits. Some want to meet him, but those who cannot write him a letter they also give us their views on corruption. The people also want to know how they can help us,” said Ram Bhram, a volunteer of India Against Corruption drive. Suhela Kapoor, who volunteers at the information centre, said people from all walks of life and different age groups wanted to help so that they could contribute to the campaign against corruption. “For three days, 71,000 people have registered with us to become volunteers,” she said. People also donate money, besides volunteering. “Since Friday, people have been giving us money. Today, two women with their children donated Rs 4,392. The children had given the money from their piggy banks,” said Raj Kiran, a volunteer working at the donation desk. “We were given Rs 2 lakh via a cheque, which has been the highest donation so far,” said Kulbir Singh. However, when he was questioned about the total amount of money donated by people, he did not give an answer. There was a medical camp adjacent to the donation desk, where 45 private doctors have volunteered to give free checkup to the people. "We have received 1,468 patients, who were suffering from dehydration, diarrhoea and fever. We have referred 49 patients to LNJP Hospital since the camp was established on August 19. We have first-aid kits, an ECG and an ambulance. At the camp, there are a total number of 45 doctors, who have volunteered,” said Dr Sanjeev Chibbar, a cancer surgeon, volunteering at the medical camp. |
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Gung-ho, but unaware of Anna’s drive
New Delhi, August 21 Even as the organizers for Anna's campaign have been spending lakhs for distributing pamphlets and conducting tutorials on the nuances of the Jan Lokpal Bill, people are still in the dark about it. When asked, many supporters at the Maidan failed to talk about the difference between Anna's Jan Lokpal Bill and the government's Lokpal Bill, however they did raise slogans like "Anna tum sangharsh karo, hum tumhare saath hain." Not able to comprehend the reason for "Anna's sangharsh", they had little or no insight into the Jan Lokpal bill, or had larger-than-life expectations. Radhika Chitra, 23, an air hostess, who didn't know what was in Anna's Jan Lokpal Bill, said, "If the bill is implemented, it will generate more jobs. The unemployed youth will benefit like never before. Anna is fighting for our employment." "We are tired and hungry. We haven't had the chance to eat anything since morning. But if we are not here, then who will support Anna? He is 74 and hungry for six days, this is the least we can do," said Malti Kapoor, 62, a housewife. Every now and then, famous songs like "Hai reet jahan ki preet sada" and "Ab tumahare hawale watan saathio" rend the air and the crowd claps and sings along with sheer joy. Kisan Chatarbhuj, 83, from Gurgaon, has been coming to the Maidan for the last three days with 100 other farmers. The group said Anna had the answer to their problems and poverty. "Anna will help eradicate poverty. We will get better houses. Our children will have better education. Anna will make our life better," he added with moist eyes. There were young school students as well in the crowd. The fancy camera equipment of the electronic media, tricolour souvenirs, decorative banners and patriotic songs drew them. With soiled clothes, splashing muddy water from the puddles, these kids pronounce "Hazare" as Ha-jaa-riii and have no idea who he is and what he is fighting for. "I have noticed that people are busy singing and raising slogans, but they are not listening to what is being said about the bill by the speakers on the podium. Let's hope the people will become more informed in the days to come," said Ketan Bharti, an MPhil student from JNU, who has been come to the Maidan with a group of more than 200
friends. |
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Giving different
strokes to the cause
New Delhi, August 21 And till date, he has painted eight pieces at various protest locations — Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Ground, Rajghat and India Gate — to give an expression to his support to the movement led by Anna Hazare. While he would continue the work till the second Satyagraha goes on, he plans to hold an exhibition later and ask the Gandhian to inaugurate it. While his earlier works, which he has created during this anti-corruption movement, include one showing Mahatma Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose together to convey victory over corruption through ahimsa and youthful spirit; people supporting Anna as a public-hero. "Gandhi got India free and Anna wants to free India of corruption," said Alam. "Through my paintings, I wish to draw the attention to the corrupt forces at work within the governance system and I have been with the movement since it started here in Jantar Mantar. The recent acts of government's high-handedness and corruption, including the 2G Spectrum, CWG scam and land-scam have angered the people to an extent that the government would no longer be able to control the uproar," said Alam. Paintings - Idol of India tied up in shackles of corruption and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi standing as silent spectators to it; the Jalianwala Bagh tragedy with the Father of the Nation weeping; then the black money stashed in foreign banks and finally trample of democratic rights (painted at India Gate during the protest on August 16) after Anna's arrest - clearly depicted the mood and sentiment of public. For the past 10 years he has created many works through the colourful strokes of his brush. But this time, he takes the onus of contributing his bit by bringing the concerns of the civil society and people at large alive through his paintings. |
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Protest outside PM’s house, 80 detained
New Delhi, August 21 The police detained about 80 people who were protesting opposite the PM House when they were demanding the stronger Lokpal Bill be passed in Parliament. They said instead of the government's Lokpal Bill, Jan Lokpal Bill should be passed in Parliament. This tactic is being adopted by the Anna men to pressurise the government to come in action as today is the sixth day of Anna sitting on indefinite hunger strike but the government is not giving any response. There was information last evening that the government would talk to close aid of Anna. But so far nothing has happened. Anna's appeal was so effective that just after the announcement was made from the dais, people left Ramlila Ground for their respective public representatives. It was also announced that take the help of your MPs for getting passed the Jan Lokpal Bill. This was also written on banners hanged on trees around Ramlila
Maindan. More protests will be done opposite the houses of other MPs and Delhi government ministers. |
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Many down with dysentery, but spirit still high
New Delhi, August 21 Doctors at the medical camp on the ground said on Saturday and Sunday, they checked some 1,200 people for dysentery, but only 20 were diagnosed with the infection. However, the fervour of the people remains undeterred. Vinod Gupta, a patient at the medical camp, said, "I came here with stomach-related problems. The doctor told me that my stomach is upset. I am relieved that I don't have any serious problem like dysentery. The doctor has prescribed medication. I will go home for some rest, but will return by evening. In the meantime, my family-- two sons and wife-- will stay here to support Anna." Anurupita Singla, another patient at the camp, said, "I don't have dysentery, but am suffering from dehydration and a stomach ailment. I will go home to take some rest and medicate myself. I should be better tomorrow and will return. I am firm in my support to Anna. No personal discomfort can keep me away." Manish Kapoor, who owns a chain of shops in Punjabi Bagh and Lajpat Nagar, said, "Sickness does not matter when the future of the nation is at stake. I am unwell and the doctor has prescribed me medication. I will go home to take medicine and some rest, but will return the moment my problem is under control." |
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Dutch journo cuts short hols to cover ‘Annalila’
Hours after landing and checking in at a hotel this afternoon, the couple were at Ramlila Maidan, amused by the largest crowd that they had seen in their life. When asked if he has ever seen a crowd like this. No, came the prompt reply. "In our country, 2000-5000 people is a huge crowd", said Stefen. Peggy was surprised as well. When asked if she is not angry with Stefen for ruining the holidays, she said that the office is paying for the expenses and they got to see India as well. "Stefen was asked to come here since he was close by. Besides, it's like a paid holiday. I am glad I came to India," said beaming Peggy. Patkar all praise; cops all smiles
The media and the police come in for praise every now and then at Ramlila Maidan. It seems the crusader against corruption realizes that it is important for their movement to keep both of them amused. Even if one is grim and tired of working in the sweaty conditions, the activist would find a way to bring in the smile. Towards the end of her speech today, social activist Medha Patkar too put in her share of praise for the police and the media. "Look at the police. They have been working hard since morning and still have a smile on their faces. Just look at the face of a policeman standing near you. Isn't he smiling," said Patkar and as people turned around to catch their faces, all the grim faces in khakhi could not help but smile. Malini adds colour
Wife of a senior administrative officer in UP and renowned folk singer and dancer in the area, Malini Awasthi, draped in bright yellow sari added colour to the scene. The moment pretty Awasthi took on to the stage and began singing a song which she wrote in praise of Anna, the sleeping photographers and reporters rushed near the stage to have a closer look. Some reporters unaware about who she was were seen inquiring about her identity, even as photographers went on with their business. When a journalist from a national daily asked his photographer whether he knew who she was and that the pictures are not required, the lensman retorted, "They are not for the newspaper. They are for me." |
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Sex workers too join in
New Delhi, August 21 With all roads leading to Ramlila Maidan, hundreds of sex workers today visited the ground to meet team Anna who is fasting against corruption and to bring a stronger Jan Lokpal Bill by 30 August. They indicated their full support to Anna’s fight against corruption. "Everyone in the country has been a victim of corruption in one or the other way. We too have been the victims of corruption in some phase of our lives. So, if Anna is fasting to weed out corruption from the country, we also decided to support the cause because it is only for our benefit," said one of the sex workers. The community also feels that it's high time that corruption should be eliminated. Some have also decided to observe a token of fast in the coming days to support the cause taken up by Anna. "He is fighting for the basic rights of every individual and he has taught us to live with pride and dignity. Sex workers from my area are also actively supporting Anna by conducting a support march everyday. We are all with him to eradicate corruption from the country," said another sex worker. The anti-corruption wave has gripped people in the city so much so that they are sporting various accessories showing their support "on-to-corruption" leading to a brisk business for many hawkers selling Gandhi caps, Tricolour, photograhphs of Gandhi, etc. Young children, who said they begged to earn a living till some days back, are now having a field day at what they called a "15-day mela". Badges, flags, hand bands, hair bands and Gandhi caps sporting the Tricolour and depicting Anna's pictures are selling like hot cakes as support swells for the Gandhian leader. |
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Chatterati
It’s not so much about members as it is about sensing the public mood. It's not so much about details and clauses as it is about democracy and free speech. The Ramlila
Maidan, carefully prepared for Anna's fast, is only the staging ground for a movement that has travelled well beyond Delhi. And that is what has made Raisina Hill feel nervous as hell. Every capitulation by the government, indeed even every conversation is magnified into a retreat.
Twenty-four by seven media coverage has extracted and magnified every fault line of this new battlefield that is the redone, repaved Ramlila grounds. While team Anna has skillfully expanded its narrow Lok Pal platform to the wider anti-corruption one, the government's silly actions have unwittingly allowed it go this further. Today the septuagenarian on fast has also become a symbol of democracy--not something that he had marched out of his village in rural Maharashtra to achieve. Indeed bringing a government to its knees in this manner has made him a folk hero. It's less about politics and more about raw people power. Comparisons with the Mahatma may be unfair, but Anna has ensured that the simple old man now has a brand image much bigger than anything seen in the recent times. Even as the doctors monitor his health, it's Anna's confidence, clarity and courage that inspire people like the dabbawalas in Mumbai to go on their first strike in 120 years. Being a seasoned activist and agitator, Anna moves in a methodical manner. His pre-fast check up at
'Medanta', a hospital in Gurgaon, ensured that he would have a baseline record of not
just vital functions but also bodily marks to preempt possible roughing up by
the police. A free fully equipped ambulance is also parked by 'Medanta' for any emergency. After all Anna has an IRS officer
Kejriwal, a police officer Kiran Bedi, a law minister and a lawyer in the
Bhushans', all retired but today devoted full-time to managing the Anna movement. Crowds at the Ramlila Maidan are not the only things that the government will be watching nervously. It's the spread and depth of the people's movement and the feeling elsewhere, that they worry about today. Rattled Congress spokesperson and ranting ministers haven't helped Manmohan's image. A government beleaguered by rampant corruption, inflation, policy paralysis and terrorism has turned an ego battle into a very public headache. Unfair male attention
To get male attention in India has never been a problem. Lecherous looks and being teased on the roads of Delhi or anywhere is the done thing. It is usually said by cops also that if you do not want to be teased or glared at, you should not be dressed as 'sluts'. Sexual crimes they say are usually provoked by women who dress inappropriately. It was a Canadian police officer who started to use the word 'slut'. This is what outraged the women who marched in London and Latin America dressed in tiny clothes. This was a message that however women may dress in bikini or sari, they do not or should not get lecherous looks. Delhi being the "rape" capital and also in a recent survey was the world's fourth most dangerous place for women. This was perhaps the right place for this walk. It was nicknamed as
'Besharmi Morcha' and even in this humid weather last week, women in full force protested against undue attention bestowed upon them by men. The message that was loud and clear behind this 'slut walk' was whether it is simple dressing or provocative dressing, women deserve security and no harassment. The modern women of Delhi who marched though were dressed in everyday decent clothes. It was a good turnout as women in this country are moving out of their homes and working at
BPOs, clubs and doing night shifts. They do have to fight the shameful behaviour of the hungry frustrated men. It is a good start or maybe a message for men to be more careful next time and control their wandering hands, lecherous looks and degrading comments on women. |
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Some show the ‘Ravan of corruption’
New Delhi, August 21 Kamal, a civil engineer who works with a private firm, carried about 20 posters of different thoughts. Another man was wearing purple colour suit showing the 'Ravan of corruption'. He was carrying a toy sword. In another poster, he has shown Digvijay Singh as Bin Laden who had always uttered lies in his life. He claims that Digvijay in his statements always say baseless things. He has nothing to say in favour of the poor of the country. In yet another poster, he has shown the Prime Minister as a weak man. Narender Singh who was also wearing clothes depicting the 'Ravan of corruption' said that the state and central governments are involved in corruption. There is nobody and no law to take action against them. Today is the sixth day of Anna Hazare's fast, but the government is not assuring us to book the politicians involved in various scams. Vijay Kumar, carrying his three-year-old baby, said, "I have a small family of three members — myself, my wife and small child. I have brought all of them to express our support to Anna's movement". |
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Units served notice for polluting Hindon
Ghaziabad, August 21 The river water is unpotable even for animals due to the high level of pollution, regional manager of the Pollution Control Board TU Khan added. Discharge of effluent from industrial units into the river must be stopped and the administration would make efforts to clean the river, Rai
added. — PTI |
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New Delhi, August 21