Rousing reception for Anna Hazare in Pune
April 11th, 2011 - 7:57 pm ICT by IANSPune, April 11 (IANS) Over 2,000 people accorded a rousing reception to social activist Anna Hazare, who arrived here Monday evening from New Delhi after rallying the whole nation in his crusade against corruption.
The huge gathering outside the Pune airport raised slogans cheering Hazare, whose 97-hour hunger strike in New Delhi forced the government to name a panel that would frame a stringent Lokpal Bill.
The frail but smiling Hazare accepted the people’s greetings with folded hands.
Hundreds of social activists from Pune, Nashik and other parts of western Maharashtra had gathered at the airport since afternoon to receive the 73-year-old Gandhian.
Several hundreds of people in Pune, including students, had taken part in campaign rallies, candelight processions and hunger strikes to express solidarity when Hazare fasted.
Hazare then left for his village Ralega-Siddhi in neighbouring Ahmednagar district.
A hero’s welcome awaits Hazare in the village, which will received the hero with elephants, horses and fireworks.
Ralega-Siddhi has been spruced up with colourful “rangolis”. Almost every home is decorated with a “gudi” (symbolising Maharashtrian New Year, which was celebrated April 4), welcome banners and flags.
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- Parallel agitations in Mumbai, Delhi: Hazare - Dec 23, 2011
- After Ramlila Maidan, all roads lead to Ralegan Siddhi - Sep 12, 2011
- Gherao MPs opposing Jan Lokpal: Hazare - Sep 10, 2011
- Hazare weak but well, to address rally - Sep 02, 2011
- Students in Maharashtra join Hazare's crusade - Apr 07, 2011
- Shutdown in Hazare's village, protests in Pune, Mumbai - Aug 16, 2011
- Joy over Hazare's victory in Maharashtra - Apr 09, 2011
- Thousands march in Mumbai for Hazare - Aug 21, 2011
- Will launch countrywide tour for Jan Lokpal: Anna - Mar 13, 2012
- Maharashtra activist Anna Hazare ends hunger strike - Mar 20, 2010
- Hazare renews 'jail bharo' threat over 'weak' Lokpal bill - Dec 22, 2011
- Hazare's rallying anti-corruption cry galvanises India - Apr 06, 2011
- Hazare's security cover enhanced - Sep 03, 2011
Tags: anna hazare, april 4, campaign rallies, crusade, elephants, folded hands, gudi, hunger strike, hunger strikes, New Delhi, pune, rangolis, rousing reception, siddhi, slogans, social activist, social activists, solidarity, welcome banners, western maharashtra