GUWAHATI, Aug 19 � Enthusiasm is high among the old and the young alike � they are sure to win the ongoing crusade against corruption led by a Gandhian who has succeeded in uniting a diverse country.
Extending support to Anna Hazare, students, farmers, lawyers, housewives, businessmen and others from the capital city and outside have been gathering everyday at the NCP office field opposite Shanti Udyan, Dighalipukhuri, under the banner of India Against Corruption, Assam branch.
Hasiram Deka, a 64-year-old farmer from Baihata Chariali and Pavan Sharma, a BCom first year student of Gauhati Commerce College, have nothing in common. But still they have established an affinity at the NCP office field because they both want an end to the rampant corruption in India. The campaign has brought together people from all walks of life � the common people want the government to heed their grievances.
�If democracy is still alive in the country, then surely we will win the war against corruption,� said Hasiram Deka who has been at the protest ground day and night. Wearing just a dhoti, this farmer has made the protest ground a sacrosanct precinct from where he has been raising his voice against corruption.
On Friday, this protest ground reverberated with voices that wanted a change in the system. The protesters shouted slogans and sang demanding a strong anti-graft legislation.
�I�ve come here on my own free will to support the cause of Anna Hazare,� said Pavan Sharma. He has been coming to the ground regularly after attending four or five classes in college. His friends also accompany him to the protest ground.
�I am confident that the people will win this war,� said Pavan adding that his confidence was building up as more and more young people were coming out to fight corruption. He said that the whole country was with Anna Hazare and that Anna will win because the youths of the country were with him.
These protesters in solidarity to Anna Hazare participate in a candlelight vigil everyday and affirm their determination to continue the fight.
The young generation is really determined to weed out corruption from the country. Bedabrat Gogoi of Cotton College said that students of this historic college will resort to indefinite hunger strike from August 20. The students of the college took out a torchlight procession this evening as a mark of their support for Anna Hazare.