A podium in place will be used by Anna; arrangements to counter possible rain disruption almost complete
A podium in place will be used by Anna; arrangements to counter possible rain disruption almost complete
IT isn't always easy to put the past behind you. The midnight mayhem that took place during yoga guru Ramdev's mass agitation at the Ramlila Maidan in June is still fresh in public memory. But the site is the chosen venue of another protest that begins today. The cast of characters, however, has changed. The next two weeks will reveal whether the drama will have a less dramatic conclusion or not. 
In full swing: (From above, clockwise) MCD employees fog the venue
with anti-malarial pesticides
MCD in action
On Thursday, Ramlila Maidan was in the process of being revamped for the event. Present at the site were members of Team Anna and representatives of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Sources in the civic agency told MiD DAY yesterday afternoon that Ramlila Maidan can accommodate no more than 30,000 protesters and that only half the work was complete. A senior MCD official said they were completing their part of the bargain i.e. providing Team Anna with the venue and undertaking restoration work of the ground, which is filled with large potholes each many metres in diameter. 
Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwalu00a0 inspects the site
Mukesh Gaur, Junior Engineer, MCD said, "Restoration work comprises earth filling and ground levelling. Suction machines are being used to suck out water." When asked about the total amount of MCD staff being mobilised, Gaur said the entire City Zone, close to 250 personnel, was present. 
MCD truck being carried by a crane at Ramlila Maidan, where Anna
Hazare will continue his fast, in New Delhi on Thursday. PICs/Rajeev
Tyagi, imtiyaz khan
MCD is also fumigating the entire venue with anti-malarial gas in an attempt to prevent protesters falling prey to the vector-borne disease. At the site on Thursday, MCD was present with its entire arsenal of heavy-duty machinery consisting of JCB- dumping trucks, huge suction machines, tipper dump trucks to transfer soil for earth filling, and jumbo road rollers for ground levelling.
Team Anna at site
Core members of Team Anna also visited the site to make sure things were progressing as planned. Arvind Kejriwal gave his nod of satisfaction to most arrangements but expressed concern in the eventuality of rain. "The ground will get extremely soggy and people will face difficulties," he said. India Against Corruption, the mother organisation which is behind the movement, assured Kejriwal they will set-up water proof tents and lay down plastic sheets on the entire ground.
Darshak Hathi, International Director of Art of Living and core member of India Against Corruption, who was arrested along with Anna in Mayur Vihar on August 16 also came to overlook the preparations. He said, "Our top priority is to get Annaji here tomorrow. Whatever the state of things tomorrow, Annaji will be here tomorrow." Darshak further said besides the MCD providing two ambulances for medical assistance, they will arrange for two more. Also, Team Anna is in the process of arranging for bhandara-style free distribution of food and water.
Foreign support
Proving that Anna's agitations find acceptance the world over, Luigi and Deborah, Italian tourists visiting India rushed to the Capital to take part in the protest when they saw the news coverage from their hotel room in Mysore. Luigi, who is a professor of Psychology at University of Rome, said, "Any movement against evils like corruption must be supported. We have come here to take part in the uprising to express solidarity of the people of Italy."
In and out
Three gates will be opened for entry of protesters into Ramlila ground. The entrance on Ajmeri Gate side of Ramlila Maidan will be the point of entry for the general public. The gate on Turkman Road will be used by VIP participants and a gate opposite Zakir Hussain College will be used for entry-exit of media persons. Notably, a permanent stage made of cement is already present at the ground. This will be the place where Anna will be conducting his fast protest. Adjoining it, on the front a separate stage supported by bamboo poles is being constructed for performers who will dance and sing patriotic numbers. Two small cottages are also being constructed behind the main stage for Anna and VIP personalities.
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