I am happy even as I write this. Today I had a holiday because of “Krishna Janmastami”. My wife had to go to her office, since it was a working day for her (Yes, I got married. Thanks! for the wishes 
). I thought what better time than today to go out and roam around in the city.
I must say, it was a good decision that I took. My feet took me to CST. The ever bustling, vibrant and arguably, the nerve center of Mumbai. I aimlessly walked along fort, CST.
As I was walking, at a corner in the street i saw a group of “govinda’s” dancing to some good hindi numbers. I stopped by to see what was going on. The govindas were making human pyramids. Each person climbing on the shoulders of another to make a pyramid of sorts. After a pyramid is almost complete, a small kid climbs on top of the human pyramid and gives a “salami”. People besides me watching this went wild with ecstasy and started clapping their hands and whistling. The kid then took out a small coconut from his pocket and broke the “handi”, spilling out the milk and curd… This made the people go absolutely mad! The music system started to blare with full volume. The scene was so electrifying, that I unconsciously caught myself dancing to the music. It made me feel good. It made me feel happy. It made me feel as if I am also a Govinda – carelessly dancing on the streets, having fun and genuinly enjoying myself. I stayed there for some more time, soaking in the fun and then decided to move towerds CST station.
I reached CST station and at the enterance of the gate, I saw a small gang of young students (maybe in their twenties) sporting gandhi caps, which read – “I am Anna Hazare”. I was charmed to see these youngs guys and went towerds them to see what they were actually up to. They were members of the “India againest corruption” group being led by the charesmatic Anna Hazare. They were shouting slogons – ” Dont feel shy now, you will regret later”, “Lets fight together and eradicate corruption from India”. I asked one of the members – “Whats going on mate?”. He urged me to go to azad maidan and see for myself – What’s going on.
Azad maidan in just a stone throw away from CST station, so i thought – why not? Just outside Azad maidan, I saw a sea of Gandhi caps. All the caps were shouting- “I am Anna hazare”. A small street play was also being enacted just besides the enterance. It was fun seeing the play. Partly because, i hardly get to see any kind of plays and partly because it was on a subject that everone is actually sick and tired about – corruption. The play had 4~5 young guys who were comparing the lokpal bill sponsered by the government Vs the lokpal bill proposed by team Anna. It was a simple play for the simple man. But it was effective. It drove home the point – “Whats good for my country?”.
After finishing seeing the play, I went inside the gates of Azad maidan. The sceance was electrifying and smacked of patriotism. People were singing patriotic songs in small groups. A very old lady was posing as “Bharat mata” with her hands tied, eyes and mounth covered with black cloth and wearing a signbord reading – “Son, I need your help to break free”. It actually drove home the point in full totality.
A small dias too was formed inside the maidan. Speeches were being given from the dias. The speakers were urging every person to give “one small push” for the nations cause. The speakers ranged from an industrialist, a representative of the jain community, a doctor, a RTI activist and – a blind person from pune who had travelled all the way from pune just to say – I support anna’s cause.
I was not even born when the indian freedom movement started. But I felel lucky to have seen the anna hazare movement. I felt first hand how the freedom movement might have been fought. As one of the speakers right said – “Earlier we fought againest forigners, now we fight againest thives”. I have not seen any issue, any political party, any person draw the kind of participation that the Anna hazare movement has drawn. The way in which public openion is building and mass participation is being mobilized is something amazing! The movement, I am sure, has shown the people of India how to voice their openion as one unit. I felt proud that I am an Indian. I left Azad maidan with a “I am Anna Hazare” stamp on my hand and a smile on my face.
I walked back to CST station and saw another sea of people, of different kind. Busy commuters, oblivious of what’s going on around them. Mumbai again amazed me. Its a city that never stops. Its a city that never sleeps. I took and local train to Mulund where I am put up.
As soon as I got down at mulund station, the familier smell of Vada pav, shev puri, chat masala greeted me. I also saw another small group of Goivindas joyfully marching along the streets – singing and dancing.
Even as I sit in my house, writing this, i cant wait to see my sweet wife to return from her office and I relate the days events to her.
Life’s good! Mumbai ROCKS!! 
