Clean-up drive at Maidan a no-show

Despite online messages, volunteers not aware of drive

Clean-up drive at Maidan a no-show

Despite online messages, volunteers not aware of drive

No one seems to be interested in cleaning the mess that has accumulated around the Ramlila Maidan in the last four days. A day after NGO India Against Corruption (IAC), the organisers of the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, announced its cleaning drive at the venue, few supporters were seen up to the task.

Through a message on a social networking website, IAC announced 'Operation Clean-up Ramlila Maidan' on Tuesday. The message requested all supporters to bring large-size dustbins and brooms. "Get our hands dirty and let's sweat it out for Jan Lokpal Bill. Bring limestone powder, plants, phenol and contact stall for volunteers. By evening, let's turn the maidan into a beautiful park," the message stated.

By evening, however, the mess only increased. While some supporters excused themselves, saying they were not aware of any such clean-up drive, others said they had to either leave for office immediately or for some other important work. Ratnesh Gulati, a businessman who came with his wife and six-year-old son from Noida, said, "This is a noble cause and I won't mind cleaning the streets. But I was totally unaware of the drive."

Akashdeep Chouhan, another supporter who had come from Jaipur, said, "I was aware of the drive. I even brought dustbins and brooms but seeing no one cleaning the maidan, I opted not to take them out of my car."
The NGO members, however, claimed the cleaning could not kick off on a wider scale due to heavy rain. A volunteer from IAC said, "We had proper plans and most volunteers were ready. But due to the heavy rain, the ground was filled with water. So they were engaged in draining the water out."