Hazare crusade: Hope burns bright in Mangalore

Day 10 of Anna Hazare’s crusade against corruption extended beyond daylight in this coastal city as people from different walks of life  braved the rains, poured into the roads, and held a candlelight demonstration.

While women and children flashed held lit candles, the men egged the passersby to join them. A modest crowd of 75 grew into 250 by the time the demonstration ended. “Our idea was to involve as many people as possible and we received a rousing response,” said organiser Srinivasan Nandagopal.

In Mysore, several street vendors, from Devaraja market, Vani Vilas Market Gandhi Square, Sayyaji Rao Road, Dhanvantri Road, Nazarbad, Ballal circle and Ashokapuram joined the protestors at Gandhi Square in the city.

“In the last 10 days we’ve seen people from all spheres, barring politics, take part in the protest. Today we had vendors,  petty shop keepers, sanitary workers from Mysore City Corporation, roadside mechanics, labourers, and, coolies  joining the demo.

A large number of drivers also had sat on the dharna for considerable time of the day” said Manjunath Doddamane, leader of the roadside vendors’ association.