People from all walks of life, including youngsters, toddlers, parents, and foreigners, flocked to Azad maidan; some vendors, however, claim that the commotion and mayhem is making them lose customers
People from all walks of life, including youngsters, toddlers, parents, and foreigners, flocked to Azad maidan; some vendors, however, claim that the commotion and mayhem is making them lose customers
Tiny tots throng
Azad Maidanu00a0
The Anna Hazare wave continued to sweep the city for a fourth consecutive day yesterday. Most schools having declared a holiday for the Parsi New Year, Azad Maidan teemed with school-going kids, who flocked to the ground with their parents in tow. Even toddlers could be spotted, lending strength to Anna Hazare's anti-graft crusade.
Song and dance: The Mumbai Dabbawalla Association turned out in
full strength to support Anna Hazare at Azad Maidan yesterday. This
was the first time in the 120-year history of the association that
Mumbaikars did not get their lunch dabbas delivered. Pic/Sayed
Sameer Abedi
Supporters found innovative ways to demonstrate their unstinted support; a group of youths chose to stage a dance near Cannon hotel. Another group added political flavour to the proceedings, shouting angrily, "Yuva yahan hain, Rahul Gandhi kahan hain?"
Voice of india: College students joined the protest sporting Anna caps
and shouting slogans at Azad maidan. Pic/Atul kamble
Bhavan's College student Yamini Desai said, "It is heartening to see that youngsters have come out in droves to add strength to Anna's cause. This bodes well for the future of our nation." St Xavier's college student Karan Dubhe said, "We only wave the Indian flag during cricket matches, but that seems frivolous compared to this."
Thane resident and zealous parent Himesh Radhakrishna assembled at the Maidan with kids Ashwini (10), and Rohan (8). Radhakrishna claimed that the two kids were well versed with the politics surrounding the Jan Lokpal bill, and were enthusiastic about the cause.
Noise and fury keeps food lovers off CST subway
While the vendors at the Khau Galli near Azad Maidan have been raking in huge profits as they serve up delicacies to hungry agitators, the scene in the subway below is quite bleak. Shopkeepers and vendors at the CST subway say they are fed up with the sloganeering supporters.
Abdullah Rehman Ali, a juice seller said, "Large crowds turn up and start shouting slogans from as early as 9 am. I am losing custom, as most of my regular clientele have started avoiding the subway, owing to the crowds and the commotion."
Ramesh Yadav, an ice-cream vendor added, "Customers say it is too noisy and crowded. We used to do brisk business earlier, but over the past few days the number of customers has dwindled drastically."
Geeta Ojha, a banker who usually stops to grab a bite in the subway, said, "I realise that this is a worthy cause, but it should not obstruct other people's lives and livelihood.u00a0 When you are on your way to work, you prefer some peace and quiet. It is impossible to eat in the subway."
ADVERTISEMENT