Karnataka man pedals his way to meet Hazare

RALEGAN SIDDHI: Traversing his way on a makeshift welded cycle cart, across the border of Karnataka, 35-year-old M Mahesh arrived here today, braving the bad weather, to pay his tribute to anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare.Curious crowd, gathered around Padmavati ‘Bhakta Nivas’ where Hazare is puttin up and stared at the man, who looked weather beaten, but appeared high in spirits, as he entered the compound on his cycle cart, which displayed the poster of Anna Hazare with the slogan ‘I salute Anna’.“Justice Santosh Hegde flagged me off from Bangalore, on August 17, while appreciating the mission to spread the message of Hazare,” Mahesh said.What prompted him to undertake this long arduous journey in his personal capacity, without outside financial support? With a clenched fist, Mahesh said, “Gussa (anger) against corrupt ministers and abhiman(pride) in Anna’s selfless crusade”.On his way from Bangalore to Ralegan, Mahesh addressed groups of people, who came to see his queer looking vehicle, urging them to join Anna’s movement. However, sitting atop his cycle cart, the tired man presented a sad spectacle, as he waited endlessly to meet his hero, urging the volunteers to send a word to Hazare and clear the heavy security      cordon.