A personal Experience of iSupport Anna campaign in Lucknow.

Since about a week I was watching the news on TV. No matter which channel I switch to, I could only find Anna’s Fast and Scenes of ramlila ground. I could see thousands of people in the ground and road, shouting slogans, waving tri-colors and clapping at speeches from the Anna and His team. Anna Hazare, The brave and courageous old man, created another movement in the entire nation.
Luckily last weekend I was in India and It was Sunday i.e. Aug 22, 2011 when got a call from a Sanju ( a childhood friend ) to join the iSupport Anna rally . With slight hesitation I confirmed my participation. I reached his place on time; His home office was converted into political party office, full of banners and poster. Few friends were still busy making the poster and banners; I was pleased to see energy and enthusiasm. You can see that scene in pictures.
Our bike rally started from Smiriti Park in Indira Nagar and ended at Mahatma Gandhi park at GPO, Hazrat ganj, We were wearing Gandhi Cap and ” Main Anna hun” written over it . On the way I must have seen a hundreds of people wearing the same cap.
During ride of 8-9 Km I experienced the Anna wave in city . Once we enter in to GPO Park I could not believe my eyes. GPO park was jam packed and Even though these were floating crowd it was really crowded. Almost every one in the crowd were wearing Anna cap, holding Tri-color, banner and few with tri color tattoo.
There I saw people in different clusters and groups and I did check them one by one to know what is happening there. There was a group holding candles and singing some patriotic song. It was so wonderful to see youngster and kids have so much love towards the nation.
While moving around, I saw an old lady with her grand son, she was lighting his candle and later again I spotted them sitting quietly and enjoying the atmosphere. It was so electrifying, I was not able to hear anything except “Anna tum Andhi ho, desh ki dusre Gandhi ho”, Anna tum sangharsh karo”, “hum tumhare saath hai”, Soniya jiski Mummy hai Wo Sarkar Nikkami Hai. Where ever I see, I would find a cluster of people, tri-color and candle in their hand and slogan. There was a small group with Dhol and every body was enjoying the dhol beat with rhythmic clapping. It really amazing scene.
It was the crowd of few thousands belonging to different class of society. Some where well-educated who know the cause very well and supporting it. Then there was a youngster who supports the cause with zeal and enthusiasm. It was mostly crowd of middle class who know the fight is for Jan Lokpal and they want to support as they believe it is good for nation and themselves. There were many teen agers and babies who were the part of this, probably because of their guardians. Few kids were looking to cute and innocent I am sure they really don’t know what’s they doing there in ‘Main Anna Hun ‘ cap, holding tri –color in hand and some with tri color tattoos on cheeks.
I spent about one and half hours in the ground. Finally while driving back home I recollected the entire experience. I realized Anna has really become a Hope for every one; Anna has become a brand, a tool to let out his frustration against corrupt system. Anna has become a reason for everyone to gather and raise their voice against any wrong doing. Literates know the right reason for this movement; youth is showing its aggression and commitment for better system.
No one really cares what will be the end result of this campaign. But they want it to be part of it and make it successful in hope that some day corruption will be eradicated.

****Thank you Sanju , Pankaj , Anand and Mona for this initiative . It was a memorable and life time experience****