 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Anna Hazare may be on a fast for a "strong" Lokpal, but elaborate arrangements have been made to feed his supporters during the three-day protest.
Poha for snacks and puri-sabji for lunch and dinner are some of the items being dished out by some organisations which have set up base at the sprawling MMRDA ground in Mumbai, the venue of the fast.
"We have made arrangements to provide snacks, tea and food to 10,000 people," said Sumit Gupta from Giriraj Seva Samiti, who has set up Anna ki Rasoi (Anna's kitchen) along with Janseva Sansthan, an NGO from Rohtak.
Swami Chaityna Maharaj from Janseva Sansthan said that 60 people will be working round-the-clock to prepare the food.
"Tea and poha is being prepared for snacks and puri-sabji for lunch and dinner," said Maharaj, who will fast with Hazare on all three days.
"Anna says he will fast and others should support him. So they need to eat, to be here for three days," he said.
Main hoon Anna (I am Anna) caps and badges are also being sold for Rs 10 each. Raja, a young boy from Sadar Bazar in Delhi, has come to the metropolis to sell the merchandise.
"In Delhi, I sold nearly 1,000 caps every day," he said.
Theatre personality Bharat Dabholkar was the first celebrity to be seen on Tuesday morning sporting the Anna cap.
Since early hours, over 2,000 people from the media descended on the MMRDA ground for live coverage of the three-day event.
Media and police contingents heavily outnumbered Anna supporters at the venue.