Chhatrasal Stadium pulsates with Anna vigour

The pulse of a nation fed up with graft and under-the-table dealings could be felt in and around the Chhatrasal Stadium in Model Town, where a day after the arrest of social activist Anna Hazare, thousands of people from all walks of life marked their attendance. Supporters showed no signs of fatigue amid chants of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. Certain individuals, however, stood out of the crowd.

Signs: A protester at the stadium. Pic/Mid Day

Moving quietly amid the uproar was a man with his eyes directed towards the road and a placard in hand that read, "You can imprison a man but not an idea. Anna Hazare is larger than life". Sagar Patel, an IT professional from Maharashtra, flew down to the Capital just to participate in the protest. He said, "Annaji did not marry but look what a big family he has. I consider him my father. I am a son of the revolution." When asked why he held his head hung low, Sagar remarked he was ashamed of his government's policies.

Wheels in motion
Inside the stadium, while numerous protesters took shelter of the shade of the seats, many young protestors circumnavigated the race track with the national flag in hand and popular patriotic songs on lips. Among them was Gaurav Gupta, dressed in military fatigue and wearing skates. Gupta, a resident of Mayur Vihar Phase 2, is an architect by profession.

He said, "I have been doing my bit to help raise awareness among people to change the present state of affairs. I teach slum children and want people to rise up and help India reach its true potential by passing the Jan Lokpal Bill." Gupta, the founder of a new philosophy "Laasya", has a Facebook page by the name of 'School of Happiness'. He further said, "I was with the protestors yesterday. I played the flute and sang songs to infuse enthusiasm in people."

Yet another protester, Manohar Anand, dressed himself in Khadi dhoti and flung a chaddar across his torso, to mimic Mahatma Gandhi. Anand travelled 40,000 km across the world, by foot, and without any footwear to spread his message. He said, "I am a servant of the nation and the world. I courted arrest on Tuesday and will remain here with my brothers and sisters till the Jan Lokpal Bill is passed." Manohar said he is certain the protesters will convince the government to pass the Bill through their relentless 'peaceful' agitations.

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