'We have stopped collecting donations'

'We have stopped collecting donations'

Col Shivraj

Everybody has been glued to the TV from the day when the Anna campaign started. In order to get a feel of the happening on the ground I visited Ramlila. More specifically I wanted to make some contribution (financially) to the cause. I approached the volunteer at the counter (there are two/three huge counters and help desks set up by the India Against Corruption volunteers.). "But Sir, we are not taking any donations." I was shocked and informed him that I am not paying by cash as I have brought my cheque book. (They are extremely meticulous in maintaining their accounts. I had experienced this when I had visited their fast site at Jantar Mantar in April. Even if somebody gave them Rs10, they would insist on giving a receipt with details of address, phone no. etc. This had caused long queues. They know that the crooks in the government offices are just waiting to pounce on them with allegations of irregularities in accounts). "Sir, we are not accepting even cheques now. We have stopped collecting donations." I pulled out my copy of a newspaper of the day and showed them the report where it said that they had a special cell for collecting donations. "We know it Sir, but thanks to generous people like you, we have collected enough money for our needs for the time being and since last night, we have stopped taking any more money." In more than 65 years of my existence, this was the first time I was coming across an NGO/ institution/ movement which was not taking money. I am more used to their pestering. Just to double check, I approached a few other volunteers at different desks and I received a same response. But doesn't an ongoing movement like this constantly need funds? The response was that they will restart the collection drive in that situation. But for the time being, they had enough for their needs. "Besides Sir, most of the activities that you see here on a large scale, e.g. water, tea, food distribution etc. are being organised by individuals/organisations. We are not doing anything on that front." Talking of volunteers, they are so young and well educated. Replace their "India Against Corruption" T-shirts with normal office attire and you will see they fit into finest of the companies. Many of them indeed are from very professional organisations. Clearly overworked, they presented such a dedicated face. Not a single case of losing temper, at least as long as I was there. Some were not even getting time to sip a cup of tea. The relief on getting a chance to do so was so palpable on their face. There must have been more than a hundred of them there. They are the true heroes and heroines of India. When you looked at your eye level, one can see a sea of humanity, tricolours fluttering, massive and un-coordinated slogans, but when you will look down, you will feel sick. Muddy and uneven grounds with pools of stagnant water every few steps. So difficult to walk around; often one needs to jump around. This was Ramlila ground, where every year, Ramlila celebrations take place on a large scale and any. of political rallies take place every alternate week, so to speak. Could the municipal corporation of Delhi not pave it all these years? No more questions but only one answer, I am proud to be with Anna. — Col Shivraj