Journalism of Courage
For the first time in 10 days,the focus at Ramlila Maidan was briefly not on Anna Hazare or his team but on two young girls who were chosen to offer the activist coconut water and honey symbolising the end of his fast.
The announcement came at around 10:15 am. The two children who will have the privilege of feeding Anna are Simran (5),a Dalit girl from Sunder Nagri,and Iqra (8) from Turkman Gate, said the organisers.
I have been fasting for five days. When I brought Simran to the ground today I was told that she would give nariyal paani to Anna. It is the proudest moment of my life, said Simrans mother,Rekha Devi,an anganwadi worker with Parivartan,an organisation founded by Arvind Kejriwal.
Simrans father,Bacchu Singh,who works as a guard at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital,was away on duty.
I am very happy today. Anna said thank you and patted my head, said Simran, a Class I student at the Morni Public School in Janata Colony.
I have been bringing Iqra to the Maidan for the past three days. I was told by one of the volunteers that she was selected, said Iqras father,Shakimullah Mewati.
I dedicated the month to Annajis service and he has given me the best possible pre-Eid gift, said Mewati,who works as a mechanic at Turkman Gate.
The youngest among Mewatis nine children,Iqra is a Class IV student of Chattalal school in Old Delhi. Anna thanked me and told me to study well. I will not forget this and try to be a police officer like my mother wants me to be, said Iqra.
