City resounds with National Anthem, crackers as Hazare supporters celebrate breaking of his fast after government accepts his demands
City resounds with National Anthem, crackers as Hazare supporters celebrate breaking of his fast after government accepts his demandsIf the fervour in the city was anything to by, August 28 could be called the second Independence Day; the day Anna Hazare broke his 13-day fast at 1.15 am at the Ramleela ground in Delhi after convincing the government to accept his three-point demands on the Jan Lokpal Bill. "It is the happiest day in my life that Annaji broke his fast and that both houses in the Parliament unanimously resolved Hazare's three-point demands in the final draft of the Lokpal bill," said Trupati Desai, a young activist who was agitating and involved in relay hunger strikes in the city.
Triumphant spirit : City youths take out a bike rally from Balgandharvu00a0
Rangmandir Square on J M RoadThe city resonated with national anthems and crackers as many like Desai celebrated August 28 like the Independence Day. Some even daubed gulal on each other. "I myself and many Punekars are fully aware that we have won only 50 per cent of the battle with the government and are ready to fight with Anna for the remaining 50 per cent," said Desai.
By taking a long march from Balgandharv Rangmandir Square at J M Road, over 2,500 activists from India Against Corruption (AIC) reached the Chatuhshrungi temple for a Mahaarti. The march was to celebrate the victory of Team Anna. 'Sarkar Ki Jo Tedhi Chaal, Ab Paas Karo Jan Lokpal,' was the slogan of the marchers.
Manisha Ingle, a first year economics student from Fergusson College participated in the march. "Anna is like our parent who is taking care of his children. I am so happy and proud of him. I am proud to be an Indian," she said.
Rahul Goswami, a college youth from S P College, joined a bike rally carrying the tricolor national flag. "I feel lucky and privileged that my generation could participate in the second struggle for independence with Anna," he said. "Anna, we love you from the bottom of our hearts," he said.
Writers' supportCity-based litterateurs came together at Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad last morning, when Hazare broke his fast. Over 30 writers and poets supported Anna's struggle against corruption. In a resolution passed in the meeting, Dr Madhavi Desai, executive president of the body, said Hazare has set an ideal before many writers though there were differences of opinion about his means. "We are all united in supporting him for his cause of getting approval for the Jan Lokpal Bill in the standing committee," she said.
