This time, they don’t mind opening their wallets

The crowds kept streaming in throughout Saturday. Those who walked did not just come in to take away an experience, they gave back generously too. Many citizens reached out for their wallets when organisers announced that the funds collected on three days so far were running out.

With Rs500 notes in hand, they queued up to make their donations. “It requires money to drive an event like this,” says Srinivas A, an IT professional who was at Freedom Park for the first time since Anna Hazare’s began his fast. Srinivas had to pay a bribe for his vehicle and house registration, and securing a water meter and electricity connection. But this time, he voluntarily paid for a cause he supported.

Vijay Krishna, who works with an NGO, says: “It’s good that somebody is holding the parliament accountable.” He doesn’t mind parting with Rs500 if it means ensuring that the movement continues.

For Vasuki N, the money goes into securing his children’s future. It’s money well invested, says the businessman, who spent three days at the Ramlila Maidan, Delhi. “I’ve had to pay on numerous occasions. But I am paying wholeheartedly for the first time,” he says. Vasuki would have gladly fasted with Anna Hazare had his health allowed him.

“The poor are deprived of food by the mafia that siphons it off. There is corruption everywhere. I am fed up with politicians who do not care for the commoners,” he adds.

RTI activist Rina Mahendra brought her daughter to show “how one man has managed to convince so many people to come together”. And such an effort “does not come free,” she says, as she collected the receipt for Rs500.

Nidhi Jain put in Rs98. “This system that’s running here with flags candles, rallies... needs money to run and, so I wanted to contribute. I could spare a few rupees,” she says.