Mumbaikars quit work to join in Anna's cause

Some took leave from work, others brought it along, and a few gave it up altogether to join in the protest fast at Azad Maidan for Lokpal Bill

As Anna Hazare's fast-unto-death at Delhi's Jantar Mantar entered its third day yesterday, Mumbai did its bit toward the enactment of the anti-corruption legislation the Jan Lokpal Bill the veteran activist is fasting for.


Urmila Lunvara, a teacher with a BMC school in Sion, corrects exam papers during the protest at Azad Maidan yesterday

And the platform for most protests in the city, Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, is once again peopled with citizens with a cause.

This time though, the ground has turned into a mini replica of the protest fast at the national capital. People from all walks of life are walking in to support the bill.

Clad in khadi headgear with the message 'I am Anna Hazare', and carrying the tri-colour, they are populating the small pandal set up in the radical Maidan.

And a la Hazare, there are many who have been on the dais and fasting for the last three days.

Naresh Thakur (26), who used to reside at Dombivli, hasu00a0 since Tuesday, made the 200 sq ft pandal at the maidan his home.

Thakur used to work with an MNC until he told his parents that he was quitting his job to fast till the bill is passed. He'd return only after his goal is seen through.
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"I am a qualified person, completing my MBA and after I am done with this task, I will soon get a job. For me, my nation comes first.
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Even great leaders like Bose and others had quit their jobs for the nation. I can do this too," he said.

Urmila Lunvara, a teacher with a BMC school in Sion, said she can not leave her job and participate in the protest as she is a government employee.


Participants at the protest

So she brought some exam papers to the protest and, as she fasted, was correcting the papers.
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"I am fasting against corruption and doing my job. First, I attended the classes and presided over the exams, then I came here," she said.

Khusvi Gandhi, who works with an MNC, took sick leave to protest for the cause. "I took a sick leave so that I can participate in the protest against corruption," she said.

Similarly Maitreyee Avachat, a pilot, came to Azad Maidan to be part of the dharna. "My country needs me at this time and hence I am participating in the protest.
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The bill needs to be passed so that we can make politicians who think highly of themselves accountable to us," she said.u00a0