The day being Sunday, as expected, more Mysoreans participated in the campaign than before. We had doctors from the Indian Medical Association, the Mysore Clinical Society, the Family Physicians Association, Association of Physicians of India and the Mysore Medical College Alumni Association joining us. We has students from the Sanskrit Pathashala and other schools and colleges also joining us.
The highlight of the morning session was the music played by Rock Vrunda, a rock band made up of engineering students and fresh graduates. They not only kept the audience engaged with their fusion music but were also the cynosure of the media. We had people from different walks of life participating and many of them requested us to continue with the campaign at Gandhi Square. We had to explain to all of them that this was not an emotional event spread over a few days to coincide with Anna’s fast at Delhi, but would be a long drawn anti-corruption campaign to fight corruption in Mysore district. We also extended invitations to other movements and progressive organizations to join us. I also spent an hour at the studio of Amogh TV answering questions from people all over the district of Mysore, explaining to them the two versions of the proposed legislation.
The core group decided that the campaign at Gandhi Square would end this evening and all of us voted to take the struggle forward as micro events in the suburbs of Mysore, led by our numerous volunteers.
Later in the evening, I flagged off the candle-light march organized by the Junior Doctors’ Association of Mysore Medical College in association with students from other colleges. It was exciting to see more than a thousand students and young graduates march together demanding a strong Lokpal bill. It was indeed very invigorating to walk with them till the Gandhi Square where the MAC team waited to welcome and appreciate these students.
– Balu
Related reports in the Press:
The Hindu: Movement grows on sixth day of protests
Deccan Herald: Rock music makes Day-6 sound
The Times of India: Spreading Anna’s message on wheels
