CHENNAI: Appaindruvel’s legs wobbled as he hobbled off the dais. The 81-year-old has been fasting for the last 10 days under the banner of Anna Hazare’s ‘India Against Corruption’. The doctors had raised an alarm over his condition and even recommended hospitalisation, but the wizened man kept his Nehru cap on and went on with his fast.Appaindruvel’s perseverance evoked strong sentiments in those who have been volunteering by his side over the last 10 days. “Shame on the government,” declared an SMS from ‘India Against Corruption’.“Anna Hazare has been fasting for 10 days. These people too have been fasting for 10 days. The government’s response has been unsatisfactory. It does not care about the opinions of the common people,” said a volunteer.[Another volunteer standing next to her got up to leave, after calmly saying, “If anything untoward happens to either Anna Hazare or anyone here, we will bring the government to a standstill.”The mood of indignation, however, changed when the Centre seemed to be on the verge of capitulating to Anna’s demands. The news that the government may table all existing versions of the Lokpal Bill, further lifted the spirits when close to a 1,000 people held a candlelight vigil at the venue.“We will continue fasting as long as Anna Hazare fasts. I want to see this law come through. It is a conviction,” said Appaindruvel.
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