Gen Y to party with Anna this New Year's eve

Ask the Gen Y 'how do you plan to usher in the New Year -- by participating in Anna Hazare's anti-graft movement or indulging in revelry in nightclubs?' And pat comes the reply: 'We will be participating in the historic movement to bring about an era of change and cure India of corruption cancer'.

As the question 'where is the party this New Year's Eve?' has been doing the rounds in college campuses and corporate offices in the city, MiD DAY did a reality check in some institutions only to find the popular answer that most youths are not partying in a nightclub oru00a0private places this time.u00a0

Thousands of youths have decided to start their agitation at Bal Gandharva Chowk from December 27 and are willing to court arrest in large numbers on December 30 as part of the Jail Bharo Andolan, forgoing their New Year revelry plans.u00a0

"We will participate in the Jail Bharo and are not afraid of going behind bars for the sake our motherland," said IT professional Dhaval Gulhane (23), who has formed a group called 'Kranti Mela'. The 40-member group will organise a musical event on New Year's eve where they will belt outu00a0patriotic songs.

Another Anna supporter Mayur Gaikwad(25), who is preparing for his civil services exams, has put his hectic study schedule on hold for now. He is busy creating awareness about the Jan Lokpal Bill.u00a0"As an aspiring civil servant, I feel that an effective Lokpal Bill is the need of the hour. I will start a parallel agitation on the same day as Hazare. I am also thinking of going to Mumbai u00a0Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) grounds," said Giakwad.

Meanwhile, youths in Mumbai have also decided to give up their revelry plans this New Year. They have decided to sit with Hazare at the MMRDA ground for a hunger strike.u00a0Naresh Thakur (26), who left his cushy job just to beu00a0part of Hazare's movement, said, "Participating in the anti-graft movement will be the best way to usher in the New Year. We are willing to go behind bars for Hazare's Jail Bharo Andolan. We have alsou00a0formed a group called Jail for India."u00a0

Asked how does he plan to usher in the New Year,u00a0Mumbai-based Russel Mascarenhas, who is has just completed his graduation from University of Pune, said, "I will prefer to take part in the historic movement to bring about an era of change and cure India ofu00a0corruption cancer. I am Anna. I am with Anna."

The president of Restaurant's and Hotelier's Association, Ganesh Shetty said, "The hotels in the city are ready to attract the youth by organising various food and wine festivals. But if the youngsters are keen to be part of Hazare's campaign, it will definitely affect our business."