<p>Determined to get his answer from the very man who has raised a furore against corruption, Shiva Kumar R (29) hitchhiked all the way from Nelamangala town on Friday morning, on an empty stomach. His question to anti corruption crusader Anna Hazare - "How can the rural masses tackle rampant corruption, which is unfortunately existent in all four pillars of democracy - legislature, executive, judiciary and fourth estate?"<br /><br />He succeeded in catching Hazare's attention. The Gandhian smiled at him and asked him to "be patient". <br /><br />"I will starve myself today, as a symbolic representation to the indefinite fast Hazare had undertaken in April. I can't express my happiness on having met him," Shiva Kumar told this newspaper.<br /><br />Rajesh, who works in a factory in Baragenahalli had ironically paid a bribe of "a few thousand rupees" for availing himself a pahani for his land, at Nelamangala. This, on the very day that Hazare preached to him "neither to receive nor to pay a bribe." <br /><br />"I came to T Begur when I heard that Anna Hazare was visiting. His speech was very inspiring. But the reality is very different. If I refuse to pay a bribe, my work will never be get done. I have been running around for several days to avail records for my agriculture land. Every visit to the revenue department has resulted in me shedding a few thousand rupees," he added.<br /><br />Like Rajesh, the villagers of Anandnagar, Byadarahalli and T Begur stood transfixed, oblivious to the rains, while Anna Hazare articulated his thoughts on rural development, corruption and his life.<br /><br />He moved them, made them laugh, applaud and cheer all at the same time. He choked on his words while reciting "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon". <br /><br />His message to the youth - adopt the five principles - pure action, pure thinking, sacrifice, enduring humiliation and untainted life, for a fulfilling life. In a lighter vein he warned them not to remain "brahmacharis" "Don't copy me and remain unmarried. It is a very difficult path to tread. Even Vishwamitra slipped for a moment. Instead, marry and raise children who will become the foot soldiers leading our movement against corruption." His plea to the women - "instil good values in your children. That way India will surely be corruption-free in 20 years."<br /><br />He thundered against the "goonda raj" and the corrupt politicians and babus. "I have taken six wickets of ministers and have sent 400 officials packing home. I have abstained myself from everything including my family. I have been in the army and have taken a bullet. My struggle is till the end. If the government does any hanky panky in passing the Lokpal Bill, I will intensify my movement." He said that T Begur village should become a model village like Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra. <br /><br />Later talking to the media, Hazare said that he had nothing against Baba Ramdev's parallel movement against corruption, and that he would support the yoga guru.<br /></p>
<p>Determined to get his answer from the very man who has raised a furore against corruption, Shiva Kumar R (29) hitchhiked all the way from Nelamangala town on Friday morning, on an empty stomach. His question to anti corruption crusader Anna Hazare - "How can the rural masses tackle rampant corruption, which is unfortunately existent in all four pillars of democracy - legislature, executive, judiciary and fourth estate?"<br /><br />He succeeded in catching Hazare's attention. The Gandhian smiled at him and asked him to "be patient". <br /><br />"I will starve myself today, as a symbolic representation to the indefinite fast Hazare had undertaken in April. I can't express my happiness on having met him," Shiva Kumar told this newspaper.<br /><br />Rajesh, who works in a factory in Baragenahalli had ironically paid a bribe of "a few thousand rupees" for availing himself a pahani for his land, at Nelamangala. This, on the very day that Hazare preached to him "neither to receive nor to pay a bribe." <br /><br />"I came to T Begur when I heard that Anna Hazare was visiting. His speech was very inspiring. But the reality is very different. If I refuse to pay a bribe, my work will never be get done. I have been running around for several days to avail records for my agriculture land. Every visit to the revenue department has resulted in me shedding a few thousand rupees," he added.<br /><br />Like Rajesh, the villagers of Anandnagar, Byadarahalli and T Begur stood transfixed, oblivious to the rains, while Anna Hazare articulated his thoughts on rural development, corruption and his life.<br /><br />He moved them, made them laugh, applaud and cheer all at the same time. He choked on his words while reciting "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon". <br /><br />His message to the youth - adopt the five principles - pure action, pure thinking, sacrifice, enduring humiliation and untainted life, for a fulfilling life. In a lighter vein he warned them not to remain "brahmacharis" "Don't copy me and remain unmarried. It is a very difficult path to tread. Even Vishwamitra slipped for a moment. Instead, marry and raise children who will become the foot soldiers leading our movement against corruption." His plea to the women - "instil good values in your children. That way India will surely be corruption-free in 20 years."<br /><br />He thundered against the "goonda raj" and the corrupt politicians and babus. "I have taken six wickets of ministers and have sent 400 officials packing home. I have abstained myself from everything including my family. I have been in the army and have taken a bullet. My struggle is till the end. If the government does any hanky panky in passing the Lokpal Bill, I will intensify my movement." He said that T Begur village should become a model village like Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra. <br /><br />Later talking to the media, Hazare said that he had nothing against Baba Ramdev's parallel movement against corruption, and that he would support the yoga guru.<br /></p>
