New Delhi, August 22
With all roads leading to Ramlila Ground these days to support Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement, people from all across the nation are still pouring in to contribute their bit in the campaign in their own special way.

Presenting a mocking version of the government's Lokpal Bill, artist Jaspal Bhatti today sat on the dais with team Anna for a 15-minute fast under the banner saying "government approved fast".

"It is really surprising that you do not need permission to give or take bribe but to protest against corruption, you need government's approval. The politicians don't bother to take any sanctions while doing scams of crores of rupees," said Bhatti.

Ridiculing the government's stand on the Lokpal Bill, Bhatti presented a sarcastic idea of his bill which said it should not include any officer above the level of peon. Commenting on the government, Bhatti said, "People are unnecessarily accusing government for its soft stand on the Lokpal. In fact the government is very strict actually. So we have introduced an extra-soft bill that says 'save the corrupt bill'."

"There are mainly three points we want to focus on. One is that no officer above the level of peon should be included in the bill. The bill should exempt all the MPs, MLAs and the Prime Minister as they work too hard for the nation. As far as judiciary is concerned, only the person who calls for the names of people during the court hearing should be added in the bill and lastly only after a minister or councilor is declared dead for at least 50 years, the government should initiate inquiry against him," said Bhatti mockingly.

Joking around Bhatti's sarcastic version of the bill, the protestors present at the ground appreciated the thought. "It is really a food for thought that doing corruption does not need approval whereas fighting against it needs dozens of permissions," said Ashutosh, a volunteer at the ground.

"The government's bill is keeping the Prime Minister and Judiciary out of the ambit of the Lokpal simply because they do not want to cut their own hands," said another volunteer.

New Delhi, August 22
A massive crowd at the Ramlila Maidan increased by the thousands today. There was a constant stream of people and children flowing into the ground through the day and more are expected by evening.

Children of all ages maintained a substantial presence at the ground and many came to express their solidarity with Anna Hazare's movement. They livened up the atmosphere considerably. Some formed human chains and sang songs, composed by them, in support of Anna, some carried placards were written by them and some were wearing Gandhi caps and waving flags.

Ramu is a 13-year-old homeless boy who sleeps on the streets and earns his living by selling flowers. He heard of Anna's movement from his elder sister, who sells flowers outside temples.

Ramu said, "It is my didi who told me about Anna's fast and his fight against corruption. Then I heard his speech against corruption on a TV at the shelter run by a local NGO where I go sometimes to take classes. His speech fired me up and I felt I had to go to Ramlila Maidan and see him. For two days I am here and didn't beg for money here at all. Instead I have talked to some elders and educated myself on the Jan Lokpal Bill and have vowed that I will support and serve Anna."

"My sister has also come here and she has brought bottles of water which I am helping her sell to thirsty people. I intend staying here and supporting Anna for as long as he requires. We have suffered all our lives from corruption and injustice. My sister has to make a small payment to the local police every month so that she can keep selling flowers. She does this despite the fact that we earn little and cannot afford to pay the police. That is why I am here to support Anna."

Another unique story is that of 10-year-old Siddharth Sen, a resident of south Delhi. He said, "I first came across Anna's protest on the TV and immediately felt the need to become a part of this historic protest. However, my parents and the rest of my family were very content to watch the protest on the TV and felt there was no need to join it. I argued and fought with my dad till I convinced him and then, rather reluctantly, my parents agreed to take me to the Ramlila Maidan. Ever since that day, my parents come here every day with me and my dad is now grateful that I forced him to come here."

Siddharth has his own style of expression and method of supporting Anna. He has already made a number of black and white sketches as well as colour drawings of Anna while he is fasting and of the protest movement on the maidan. He said, "So far I have made four black and white sketches and two colour drawings. I just felt I had to capture this moment on my drawing book, I hope to show these to Anna and his team. My dad has promised me to talk to Kiran Bedi."

Nandini is a nine-year-old girl who has formed a human chain with her siblings and cousins. Nandini said, "My entire family is here for the past two days. With the help of my cousins and my brothers, we have formed a human chain and are shouting slogans that we have composed ourselves. We completely believe in Anna's cause. Corruption is a disease that has to go. I and the rest of the kids here have written letters to the Prime Minister, union minister Kapil Sibal and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit asking them to remove corruption from the government and to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill. We have been educated about this bill by our elder brother who is in college."

New Delhi, August 22
He has not had food for a week, but Anna Hazare is apparently going strong despite weakening health. The 74-year-old anti-corruption campaigner seems to have mastered the technique of surviving without food for long periods, say health experts.

Doctors treating Anna said the septuagenarian had lost 5 kg of weight as his fast continued for the seventh day at Ramlila Maidan.

Anna drinks only water during his fast. His blood and urine samples are showing up ketone particles that are created by the body during starvation and are meant to provide an alternate source of fuel from fatty acids.

"Ketone particles have been traced in his blood and urine. He was 71 kg. After a week of fasting, he has lost 5 kg of weight; now he weighs 66 kg," Balram Gupta of Medanta Medicity, one of the doctors treating Anna at the fast venue, said.

"His health is deteriorating but for his age he is strong," said Gupta.

According to health experts, formation of ketone particles is dangerous as it may affect vital organs like kidney and liver. After 60 hours of continuous fasting, any human being body will get dehydrated and blood sugar levels will go down.

"Normally, a person is required to take 1.5 litre of water a day for normal functioning of the body. Anna takes around 3 to 4 litre of water. Fasting is not new for Anna," said a member of team Anna.

Meanwhile, Rommel Tickoo, senior consultant (internal medicine) of Max Hospital, said, "It depends on person to person. As per medical literature, anyone who goes on hunger strike can withstand for three weeks, but after that complications creep in.

"Taking Anna's age into consideration, he seems to be strong after a week's fast and his will power is admirable. He seems to be active and fasting for long periods seems to be a practice for this ex-Army man. Even people who are much younger can't do this."

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, 40, had broken his fast against corruption after only nine days. His condition worsened after he kept away from solid food for around a week.

Anna had earlier gone on a one-day fast protesting the police brutality against Baba Ramdev's supporters in June and a five-day-long fast in April when the government conceded to his demand on drafting a stronger Lokpal Bill.

"Anna has high cholesterol and we advised him not to go for such frequent fasts as his health could deteriorate. But he is still going on with the strike," Parag Sancheti, a Pune-based doctor who treated him for osteoarthritis, said.

"We advised him to eat at regular intervals and bed rest. It was really surprising to see Anna running in Rajghat after fasting for four days. I am totally amazed by his will power and determination," Sancheti said.

Anna has been suffering from osteoarthritis and has been under treatment for the past five years. - IANS

New Delhi, August 22
It seems Anna's call for a peaceful protest is losing steam. After a brawl among a group of drunken men at the Ramlila Maidan last night, traffic policemen looked on helplessly as several groups of young bikers went around speeding, triple-riding, driving without helmets, jumping red lights and even eve- teasing in various parts of the city. With instructions from the 'top', the lower-rung police officials on the road refrained from restraining these people.

"We have been told to avoid any 'protestor-versus police' situation. If we stop them, they will allege we were asking for money and call other protestors. Frankly, we can do nothing about them. We just have to ignore such traffic violations now," said a police official outside the Ramlila Maidan.

Such scenes of hooliganism on roads by protestors were also witnessed in and around the ITO, Connaught Place, Daryaganj, India Gate, Jantar Mantar, Turkman Gate etc.

Meanwhile, in an incident reported in the wee hours of today, a group of drunken men picked up a fight and hurled abuses at a media crew in the Ramlila Maidan. According to the police, the incident was reported around 12.30 am when a young man entered the media enclosure and abused the media people.

"He was politely requested to move out, but he refused, after which the police was called. We moved him out. However, after an hour or so, another group of about 20 drunken men came to the Maidan and demanded that the media should interview them. Some of the reporters told them to get lost, after which they tried to damage the barricades and started abusing them," said a police official from the Kamla Market police station.

The official added that these men were finally taken out of the ground around 2.30 am. When asked why they were not arrested for creating problems at a public place, the official said their hands were tied. "Had we detained or arrested them, the media would have said we arrested innocent protestors. We reported the matter to our seniors and they decided to let them go," said the official.

Disturbed by the incident, team Anna alleged that efforts were being made to disrupt the movement as "certain people" were scared to see the massive support for the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Hazare's close aide Arvind Kejriwal today said there might be efforts to trigger violence during the protest. He asked the people to remain vigilant and inform the police about such activities. "Some people are working to break our unity. There may be efforts to create communal tensions. We will have to remain very vigilant," said Kejriwal.

New Delhi, August 22
Though people were busy celebrating Janmashtmi today, they spared time to join the movement of Anna Hazare and turned up in large numbers at the Ramlila Ground which was filled to its capacity.

In the evening, it seemed that all Delhiites had gathered in the maidan.

There was such a huge rush at the entrance that people were moving from one entrance to another to get a chance to enter the ground. At the entrance, volunteers were standing to welcome the crowds with fruits and biscuits. As it was a hot day today, sweet and cold water was also served to the supporters.

People from urban as well as rural areas were gathered under the shamianas. Even foreigners were seen moving around in the ground. Some of them came with their local friends who explained to them about the movement, posters and announcements made from the dais. Some people came on tractors from Alipur, Daulatpur, Najafgarh and other villages. The tractors were parked near Mata Sundri College.

A woman said she had to make all the arrangements of the festivity at home but she had managed to come here with the support of her family members.

Due to the rush, some mishandling with volunteers was reported in the ground. But the person, who was managing the stage, appealed to the people to have patience, if they wanted to make the movement successful. He asked the people to have patience, listen to the addresses and let the volunteers do their job. There is no arrangement by the government for cleaning the ground or providing the basic amenities. The volunteers were managing all the things inside the ground, he said.

Buses from Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Bulandshahar were seen parked near Minto Road.

New Delhi, August 22
Thanks to the Anna-led crusade against corruption, which has caught the nation's pulse, people, both old and young, now seem to have just one motto-to put up a brave face against the corrupt.

Those who have witnessed India's Independence movement view this crusade as the second struggle of independence-- from corruption.

"Where is the Ramlila Ground? I need to be a part of the second freedom struggle," said a man in his late eighties after getting down from a bus at Baba Kharak Singh Marg.

According to him, the country's money is being flown to foreign lands, and if the all that is recovered, people here would no longer sleep on empty stomachs.

A group of old people, running the Dehat Sewa Vikas Sangathan at Kheda village, stood to register their solidarity with Anna at the ground's information desk. 98-year-old Ramnarayan, a freedom fighter, expressed the hope of a new India, even as despondency prevailed in his words.

"The dream that was set after India got freedom in 1947 still remains a dream and all the pain that the nation's bravehearts undertook has gone down the drain. But, now the time has come and the fight for reviving the lost love has started," said the freedom fighter.

New Delhi, August 22
Activist Anna Hazare's anti-graft campaign has translated into an increase in profits for a fuel pump located just outside the protest site Ramlila Ground, thanks to the unending stream of vehicles and media vans.

Pragati Service Station on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg is selling an additional 1,500 litre of petrol and diesel since Friday, with diesel forming a major chunk of the sales due to the around 50 media vans stationed outside the ground, with diesel generators running 24X7.

"Usually, we sell around 4,000 litre of diesel daily, but these days we are selling more than 5,000 litre because of the media vans and the cabs that are parked here all day long," said an attendant.

In monetary terms, the sales have increased from an approximate Rs 1.7 lakh to over Rs 2 lakh.

"The petrol sales have also increased by 500 litre, an increase of about Rs 30,000," added the attendant.

The service station was particularly satisfied that the roads around the gas station were not closed like in June, when Baba Ramdev's agitation against black money took place at the same site.

"We had suffered a day's loss last time because of the shutting down of roads. But thank god it didn't happen this time. We all support Anna's cause and there is something about him which convinces us that he'll succeed in his endeavour," he added.

Anna began his indefinite fast on August 16 soon after his detention while he was proceeding to the JP Park in central Delhi. The same day he was taken to Tihar Jail, where he remained until Friday when he shifted to Ramlila Ground. - IANS

New Delhi, August 22
It is the humane intention that matters and the rest takes its own course, as is evident in the case of three-year-old Zahid from Pakistan. His family has built an emotional connection with many humanitarian souls, belonging to the Sikh community, here in New Delhi.

All this started with a noble gesture of J S Sandal, a resident of West Patel Nagar and nearing retirement from the Airports Authority of India. With his modest means, Sandal started collecting money for funding the life-saving operation of Zahid who was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect - tricuspid atresia - in which a ventricle of the heart is missing since birth.

In 2009, Zahid's parents, Shahid Mahmood and Madiha, were shattered when a paediatric surgeon at Lahore's Children's Hospital gave up hope after Zahid (then a few months old) was diagnosed with a faulty heart during his treatment for pneumonia.

"We lost all hope when we were told by the doctor to take away the child as they said his condition was serious and would not improve. But somebody told us about Dr Rajesh Sharma and then Sandalji came as God's messenger," Mahmood who earns Rs 15,000 a month from his wedding photography business, told The Tribune.

Once strangers, now the Lahore family, Sandal and many other Sikh families of Defence Colony who rendered a helping hand to the distressed-family, share a mutual warmth.

Filled with gratitude, the child's parents are carrying warm memories of the time spent with people here captured in their digital camera. As they return today after their son's second surgery, they have just one wish: that brotherhood and harmony should be nurtured on both sides of the border so that every child and family is benefited.

"Differences between India and Pakistan remain even as ministers of both sides continue with their talks. Only opening up people-to-people contact on both sides can bring both governments to agreement," said MP from Amritsar M S Gill. On his intervention, a part of the surgery expense was waived by the Delhi-based Fortis Escorts Heart Institute and Hospital and some part came from charity from the generous families.

In 2009, when Dr Rajesh Sharma saw the baby's scanned echocardiogram copies of the cardiac surgery (paediatrics), he was positive about Zahid's prognosis though corrective surgery. It required directing the impure blood from the heart to the pulmonary arteries, and was to be carried out in three phases, with the last one to be performed when the child turns five.

While the child was first operated upon on February 27 in 2009, the second surgery was done on July 29 this year and the final one, i.e the fontal operation, would involve connecting the other parts of the body's blue blood with the pulmonary arteries for oxygenation.

"The child has a single ventricle and his surgery was to be conducted in three stages. In the first stage - pulmonary artery bending - was done to reduce the lung pressure for preparing for the second stage, which involved connecting the blue blood of the upper part of the body directly with the lung arteries," explained Dr Sharma.

According to Dr Sharma the condition is rare with 2.3 per cent of all congenital heart diseases falling under the category even as he has treated many such patients successfully in his nearly two decades career.

Ghaziabad, August 22
In a bid to combat shortage of officers in the force, the Uttar Pradesh police has decided to promote sub-inspectors in the age group of 55-58 to the post of station house officers (SHOs).

"Sub-inspectors in the age group of 55-58 will now be posted as SHOs on merit basis," Ghaziabad SSP Raghubir Lal said here today.

Till now, sub-inspectors above 55 years of age were not eligible for the post.

The decision was taken by DGP Karam Bir to combat shortage of SHOs in the police force, the SSP said. - PTI

New Delhi, August 22
A 41-year-old man who brutally murdered his wife and chopped her body into pieces before dumping them near a rail line has been awarded life imprisonment without any remission for 20 years by a Delhi court.

Terming it as a "rare" case, the court said the murder was executed in a pre-planned and cold-blooded manner and the sight of severed body parts strewn all over the ground reflected the brutality of the crime. The scene must have given sleepless nights to those who witnessed it, the court said.

"The manner in which the woman had been brutally killed proves that the offence was pre-planned and he has executed the same in a cold-blooded manner and the extent of brutality is large," additional sessions judge Kamini Lau said.

"The brutality reflected from the photographs is so gruesome that anybody who would have seen the scene or even the photographs of the severed portion of the body parts strewed all over the ground, would not have slept for days," the judge said.

Kaushal Singh, a resident of Bihar, was the second husband of the victim, Baby Devi. The couple resided in a rented house here. The two were having a discord and on September 24, 2005, Singh hit his wife on her face with a sword-like weapon, injuring her.

Prosecution said after severely injuring Devi, Singh strangulated her and chopped her body into several pieces.

He dumped the body parts near a railway line in the Nangloi area of north-west Delhi and threw the weapon in the bushes.

Though Singh's case did not come under the category of "rarest of rare" warranting death sentence, the judge said it certainly fell in the category of "rare".

"The convict is sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for life with the direction that he shall not be considered for grant of remission till he undergoes an actual sentence of 20 years," the judge said. — PTI