By Gaurav Sharma, IANS,
New Delhi : Holding a mike with a mini loudspeaker slung over his shoulder, 35-year-old Kamal Sharma roams around the Ramlila Maidan tent calling out to people to have food which he and his friends are distributing among the supporters of social activist Anna Hazare.
Offering plates of rice, matar paneer and kheer to protesters, Sharma told IANS: “I don’t know how much I have contributed to society, but by providing food to the supporters of Annaji I get satisfaction. I want to do it for my countrymen.”
Along with his 25 friends from Masjid Moth in south Delhi, Sharma is providing food and water to the protesters, especially those who have come from outside Delhi and are staying put at the venue as Hazare carries on his fast against corruption that began Aug 16.
Debunking talk of “foreign funding” for the protest, he says: “Let me tell you that there is no foreign funding behind this movement unlike what the Congress says. It is indeed funded, but by the people of India.”
“We will keep providing food to the people until Annaji emerges victorious. This is a revolution and I want to be part of this revolution,” Sharma said. He said he had been asked to pay a bribe of Rs.100,000 for the admission of his son to school.
Like Sharma, 55-year-old Gopal Sharma can be seen distributing biscuits and packaged water at the entrance to the ground.
“Annaji is doing a lot for this country. It’s high time we did something for this country too. I distributed snacks and water outside Tihar Jail when Annaji was arrested,” Sharma, who is from Vaishno Seva Charitable Trust, told IANS.
“Till now were providing only snacks but on Sunday we will distribute poori and subzi to people at the maidan. When the whole country is coming here for a good cause, I want to do something for them. Our trust will keep us going no matter how much money is spent,” said Prem Prakash, another member of the trust.
At 3 a.m. Saturday morning, when the rains began lashing the ground, which had no water proof tents, some people were found drinking tea. This was courtesy a group of five people who were on their toes the entire night to makes sure that no goes without a cup of tea.
Hukum Singh, one of the members of the group from Pandav Nagar, said: “I am doing this for my Anna who has vowed to end corruption in this country. I am here till Anna breaks his fast.”
(Gaurav Sharma can be contacted at [email protected])