From yoga to ‘Technobaba’, protest took many forms

Witty slogans and snappy attire symbolized the prevailing mood at Jantar Mantar. Many used art, culture and even fire to express their support for Anna Hazare. Yamuna Chand (42) held a burning wick in cupped hands. Making light of the pain she felt, she went on to explain what her action represented.
"The pain I feel is the pain people feel every day when they become victims to corruption. However, the fire that burns in my hands is the zeal of the people to dispel the darkness of corruption," she said. And Chand was not the only one doing so. She was accompanied by four other supporters.
While one student of yoga made his point by standing on his head, another Anna supporter drew attention through his attire. Clad in a saffron turban and tee, was the 'new age guru' who called himself Technobaba. The 33-year-old resident of Meerut held three flags in his hand - the Tricolour, a blue Facebook one and one that read Google. His 'mission' was not just to support Anna Hazare, but also promote awareness about technical education so that the rural youth could be employed. "There are many gurus and old people preaching and teaching us a lot of things.
I want to be a new age guru and teach the youth about technology so that they can be employed," said Technobaba.
Technobaba said he was carrying Facebook and Google flags to laud the companies for refusing to give in to the government's demand of pre-censoring matter to be posted online. "Censorship would have led to striking down discussions that are not in favour of the government. These social networking sites are great places for discussion and dissemination of news," said Technobaba.
An artist from Bihar, Tabrez Alam, who had come to support Anna at Ramlila Maidan in August, was back in the capital on Sunday. Alam was busy finishing a painting that showed how ineffective the government's Lokpal draft was compared to the proprosed Jan Lokpal Bill.
"The tiny hook on this weak thread in my painting represents the government's watered-down version of the Lokpal, while Anna's strong anti-corruption bill is depicted by the hangman's noose made of a thick metal chain which can weed out corruption," said Alam.
Source:TNN