It was celebration time in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan and all over the country on Sunday morning as Gandhian Anna Hazare ended his 12-day fast before thousands of cheering supporters following the Parliament’s adoption of his demands for a strong law to fight corruption.
Simran and Ikra, two small girls from a village called Sundar Nagri in west Delhi helped Anna Hazare break his fast, who has been fasting since 12 days. Anna broke his fast by having honey and coconut water at 10.15 a.m.
Wearing Gandhi caps and waving the tricolour, hundreds of supporters of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare hit the streets on Sunday after the Gandhian ended his fast at Ramlila Maidan. "I have no words to express my happiness. It is a victory of the common man... The enthusiasm is yet to sink in," 64-year-old Ratna Magotia, who was one of 17 people fasting since the last 12 days, said. Over 60 people had launched a parallel fast at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai to express support to the Gandhian's anti-graft agitation.
Anupam Padaya, who was also fasting, said, "It is the power of common man that made Parliament take a decision on Jan Lokpal bill which was pending for quite some years."
"This is the first phase of victory. We have won the battle but the war against corruption is still on," another supporter Urmila Lunaware, a primary school teacher, said.
Anupam Padaya, who was also fasting, said, "It is the power of common man that made Parliament take a decision on Jan Lokpal bill which was pending for quite some years."
"This is the first phase of victory. We have won the battle but the war against corruption is still on," another supporter Urmila Lunaware, a primary school teacher, said.
"We are happy that the government considered the three main points and also the parliamentarians acted with dignity. We would be carefully scrutinising the process and if need be, we will intensify our protest," IAC member Mayank Gandhi said. Every participant seemed enthusiastic about the movement and the euphoria it has generated across the country for a noble cause. Their joy was doubled because Anna broke his 288-hour-fast on Sunday morning. Most participants sported a Gandhi cap and had a tri-colour in their hands.
Ashwini Kamat, a second year science student, said, "We feel proud that all our efforts and especially Anna's efforts have borne fruits. It's a very proud moment for us and my entire family is participating in this rally. It's great to see the spirit among others also. The chants of 'Vande Mataram' and the enthusiasm that each one is showing is just amazing."
Another participant, Vivek Rajkumar, a software engineer, said, "I also participated in the candle march that was organised and have been spreading awareness about Lokpal Bill among my colleagues, mostly through social networking sites. I deeply feel that the Bill should be passed and I think Parliament has done justice to crores of people."
Voicing similar opinion, Sakhi Kulkarni, another college student, said, "Better late than never. Even if it took 12 days for Parliament and our MPs to realise that the Bill is necessary to bring an end to corruption, I'm happy they have given priority to the Bill. Anna is an inspiration for the country. Besides, look at the number of youths who came on the streets not just in Pune but across the country. The scene at the Ram Lila Maidan, where Anna was fasting, was breathtaking. This is truly inspiring and how could I sit at home and just be a mere spectator?"
Banners saying 'Thank you, Anna', 'We are with you', 'Jai Lokpal' among other were all over. Women also participated in large numbers and offered prayers at Chatushringi temple.
The rally reached the temple where a colourful evening of art and music was organized. Band 'Chakra' played the number 'Anna Aage Badho'. A live painting of Anna Hazare and the Indian tri-colour was also arranged while several people got themselves painted in celebration.
A 'deepotsav' too was a part of the event which began as soon as the rally reached the temple. "It feels as if Diwali has begun. It's really a festive atmosphere. We feel great that every citizen has realised the importance of the Lokpal Bill and gone are the days when only India's win in cricket used to be celebrated," said Devika Rathi, a homemaker.
