Anna March

Srichand Arora is a man of his word. The day-before yesterday he had proposed taking out a rally on Wednesday morning in support of Anna Hazare. But he absented himself yesterday and invited a lot of mischievous jibes upon himself. Today he came and announced, much to everybody’s surprise, that we would set out on the march soon after our exercises. Those willing to join were welcome.
Without much ado, he ripped off a placard near the Garden Gate and before we could gather our wits (and umbrellas), he was out on the main road leading a motley group of a dozen-odd people. In his stentorian voice, he was raising full-throated slogans: “Anna Hazare, Zindabad”, “Vande Mataram”, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”…
Dilip Babani ran up to the front to pitch in with him, soon to be flanked by Ved Prakash Grover and Bapu Rane on either side. The ladies followed immediately behind – Monthi Serrao, Geeta Sardhana, Santosh Tyagi, Sushma Gupta, Sandhya Narang, Renu Babani, Bhaswati Bose, Rachika Majerekar… A number of early morning risers and stragglers, initially taken by surprise, joined in and followed the rally as it crossed Lokhandwala Garden No 2 and took the turn back near Celebration Club.
It was a short march, but the crowd swelled by the minute and newer slogans were being thrown up: “Ek jalebi tel mein, bhrashtachar jail mein”. After a point, the slogans were no longer audible to those at the far rear end, but they kept chanting "Zindabad", "Zindabad" – even when the call was for “Bhrashtachari, Band Karo!” And then, just as abruptly as it had started, it was all over at the Chinese Hut, with Suresh Samel (right), a retired assistant commissioner of sales tax delivering a sermon on corruption in politics and bureaucracy.
All of us who took part in the march, will not forget those 15-odd minutes any time soon. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience – an opportunity to lend our voices, though in a small way, to a major cause and join forces with the national uprising that many hail as the ‘Second Independence Struggle’. Srichand Arora has made us proud, as Indians, today.
Says Srichand Arora:
Blog Monster, we all in the Laughter Club appreciate your effort in updating the blog. And of course, hats off to you, the way you highlight the day's happenings. Today made me feel like a hero. Thanks!
Says Renu Babani:
Vande Mataram! Anna Hazare Zindabad... resonated this morning as members decided to head out for a peaceful rally after the morning exercises. Everyone was supportive and that short walk was enough to make our intentions really clear. I have never ever participated in a protest/rally of any sort. Today, as a proud Indian, I walked with the rest, head held high and the pride I felt at that time will always remain with me. Jai Hind!
Says Dilip Babani:
Anna Hazare, Zindabad! Today's procession was nice. Everybody participated and it felt good. The rally was for everybody -- even for our children, who suffer corruption.
I think corruption exists because everybody wants extra money to enjoy a lavish lifestyle. But money makes man mad. When everybody is after money, nobody respects the poor or even talks nicely to them. Maal hai toh taal hai. Society, relatives, wife, children and friends, all will respect you when you have a lot of money. Otherwise you will be treated like a dead person. They will treat you like they don't even know you. So money's role is important. Like fish cannot live without water or man cannot live without wife, we need money. But it is also the root cause for greed and corruption. I know it is impossible to remove corruption from our system. But we have to try. Keep trying by supporting Anna-ji. It is very good.
Says Vivek Arora:
Way to go, Bade Papa! You make all of us proud too.
Says Manu:
Dear Siri, I am delighted to see your initiative and determination. Many of us think likewise, but few have your courage and go-ahead attitude. God bless you and all those who are in this march to end corruption from our otherwise rich country -- where most money is in wrong and dishonest pockets.
Says Anonymous:
I really liked the article. And the very cool blog.