It's now or never, say Pune’s youth

The 74-year-old anti-corruption crusader, Anna Hazare’s resolve has struck an extraordinary chord with the youth of the nation.

As in other cities, this was very evident in Pune, with an overwhelming number of youth, including students and young professionals, pouring out on the streets to show solidarity with Hazare’s crusade against corruption.

The India Against Corruption (IAC) pandal at the Balgandharva Rangmandir Chowk was the epicentre of protests in Pune, where people gathered in groups throughout the morning to demonstrate support.

They signed the register for volunteers, took part in the relay hunger strike, waved the Tricolour and sang patriotic songs, or simply became part of the multitude.

The turnout of people on Wednesday was far higher than on the previous day. Information technology (IT) professional, Yogesh Shah, who was there with his friends said, “We could not take leave to participate in the movement. Therefore, we decided to come to the venue during our lunch hour.”

A group of 40 students from standard X bunked classes to show solidarity with Hazare. They said their school authorities denied them permission to participate in the protest.

The chowk was swarming with youth force as rallies by students from various parts of the city converged there one after another.

The students, including Anuj Sabade, Shubham Agnihotri, Rigved Joshi and others, were well-informed about the Jan Lokpal Bill. “It’s going to help control corruption and, therefore, we wish to be a part of the agitation,” one of them said.

Many youngsters wore T-shirts with slogans supporting Anna and wearing the Gandhi topi.

Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce (BMCC) student, Bharat Giri, came with his 30 classmates, all from standard XII.

Anil Sutradhar from the same college said, “It’s now or never. I am here for support because corruption has plagued the whole society and it’s high time we take a firm stand.”

Students of hotel management institutes finished their classes early to join the rally. A student, Sanjay Kshirsagar, said they were not just supporting Hazare, but have also decided not to pay bribes to get work done.

Students from Chaitanyanagar in Dhankavdi had made posters with interesting sketches of politicians for their rally from Dhankavdi to Rani Jhansi Chowk.

MBA student Arjun Sankpal, who drew the sketches for the posters said, “I got up early to make the posters. It’s the best way to express ourselves.”

Throughout the city, spontaneous rallies were organised by citizen-groups in Vimannagar, Kalyaninagar, Hadapsar, Vaiduwadi, Warje and other parts. A motorcycle procession in support of Anna was organised by Rafiq Sheikh and his friends in Magarpatta City.

The Navyug Mitramandal Ganeshotsav Mandal from Pimple-Nilakh had a late night meeting on Tuesday, when they planned to take out a procession to the Balgandharva Chowk on Wednesday.
“Corruption is everywhere.

Right from getting a birth certificate to making a career and even in the later years of life one has to pay a bribe to get things done. We can’t allow it to go on,” said Navyug member, Sagar Sadakal.

A constable at the Balgandharva Chowk told DNA, “We are supporting this movement wholeheartedly. However, we can’t come out in the open.”