It is not just college students and techies who waited with bated breath to catch a glimpse of anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare as he landed at the Bangalore International Airport (BIA) on Friday. Even foreigners did.
Steve and Thaya — a UK couple touring India — came to the BIA just to see the ‘aged-man who is waging the war against corruption’ after learning from newspapers that he was visiting the city.
Thaya said: “We were reading about him for quite some time. It is unbelievable that one individual can bring about a sweeping change. He has energy to do more. We have to follow him.” Steve said: “Corruption is a world-wide issue. We don’t get to see people like him in other countries.”
They figured out that their best chance of seeing Hazare was when he walked out of the terminal building. Though BIA security personnel did not allow them to get close to Hazare, the couple was excited that they at least got to see him.
Several other overseas-bound travelers at the BIA also tried to catch a glimpse of Hazare. A passenger was overheard telling his friend: “This is a beautiful city. Not only do we give a grand welcome to scam-tainted politicians and film-stars but also to Gandhians.”
In fact, the airport’s arrival lobby was filled with Hazare’s fans holding anti-graft posters. Some people had also come with representations to be given to Hazare. But heavy security prevented them.
Hazare was escorted to T Begur near Nelamangala where he visited a charitable health care centre run by Dr Ramana Rao.
Though the police piloted the convoy, Hazare requested the cops not to switch-on the blaring siren. A cop remarked: “A VIP would love to be driven around with the beacon light on and the siren blaring, but he is the first VIP who did not want any.”
Hazare is on a two-day visit to Bangalore to discuss with civil society representatives how to strengthen the nationwide anti-graft campaign. He will hold a public meeting in the National College grounds at 2 pm on Saturday. This is Hazare's first visit to Bangalore after his five-day fast in New Delhi led to the setting up of a 10-member panel to draft the Lokpal bill.
Corruption is a world-wide issue. We don’t get to see people like him in other countries
Steve, Uk citizen
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