'Anna Ki Rasoi' at MMRDA grounds to feed supporters

Mumbai, Dec 27: Anna Hazare is on a fast for a "strong" Lokpal, but elaborate arrangements have been made to feed his supporters during the three-day protest.

'Poha' for snacks and 'puri-sabji' for lunch and dinner are some of the items being dished out by some organisations who have set up base at the sprawling MMRDA ground here, the venue of the fast.

"We have made arrangements to provide snacks, tea and food to 10,000 people," said Sumit Gupta from Giriraj Seva Samiti, who has set up 'Anna ki Rasoi along' with Janseva Sansthan, an NGO from Rohtak.

Swami Chaityna Maharaj from Janseva Sansthan said that 60 people will be working round-the-clock to prepare the food.

"Tea and 'poha' is being prepared for snacks and 'puri-sabji' for lunch and dinner," said Maharaj, who will fast with Hazare on all three days.

"Anna says he will fast and others should support him. So they need to eat, to be here for three days," he said.

"Main hoon Anna (I am Anna)" caps and badges are also being sold for Rs 10 each. Raja, a young boy from Sadar Bazar in Delhi has come down to the metropolis to sell the merchandise. "In Delhi, I sold about 1000 caps every day," he said.

Theatre personality Bharat Dabholkar was the first celebrity to be seen this morning sporting the Anna cap.

Since early hours, over 2000 people from the media descended on the MMRDA ground for live coverage of the three-day event.

Media and police contingents heavily outnumbered Anna supporters at the venue.

PTI