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Here's the real foreign hand

Here's the real foreign hand

Author: Avinash Kalla
Publication: The Times of India
Date: August 21, 2011
URL: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-21/special-report/29911781_1_anna-hazare-foreign-hand-indian-media

Blocking the body blows from an assault it had not expected, the Congress, rather bizarrely, saw a "foreign hand" strengthening Anna Hazare's resolve against corruption. But if news coming from across the world is any indication , there might be more than one foreign hand - from Spain to Italy, Russia to the UK - fuelling the fire sweeping through India . Most, of course, have readily bestowed upon Hazare the 'modern-day Gandhi' epithet.

"He is old, determined, sincere, non-violent and ready to give up his life for the greater cause of the nation. He is perfect story material," says a senior journalist at CNN.com in London describing the fascination of the western media with Hazare and his Lokpal movement.

Though it took some time for the media in these parts to wake up to what's happening in India, Hazare is now a permanent fixture on their websites, TV channels and news pages.

'La Republica' , the Italian newspaper , talks about how India's hero "returns to lead an anti-corruption drive" . Lorenzo Perelli, a journalism student from Italy living in the UK, says, "This is the first time I am hearing about this guy in the Italian media. Following the coverage in Britain, Italians now seem to have picked up and are keeping readers updated."

Spanish newspaper 'El Pais' led with the headline: 'Protests shake India for the release of anti-corruption activist'. And not just that, their portal ran features stressing how corruption has "overshadowed the celebration of 64 years of Indian independence".

Also following closely the developments in India is 'Russia Today'. The news channel has been trailing the Lokpal campaign ever since Hazare was arrested on August 16. He's been featuring in their news bulletins ever since.

Media in the UK and US have, of course, given the event larger space. The BBC, 'Guardian' , 'The Times' , CNN, 'TIME' , 'New York Times' , 'Wall Street Journal' and 'Washington Post' have dedicated sections to the movement. Interestingly, most of these have been referring to Hazare as the new Gandhi. Why? "In Britain and in the USA, Gandhi still has a following, even among non-Indians, and this guy is following the Mahatma's footsteps. The comparison is natural," says the CNN journalist.

But the comparison, unlike in the Indian media, has gone a little too far, feels Daya Thussu, co-director, India Media Centre, University of Westminster, London . "Merely adopting a few techniques and lifestyle doesn't make him the new Gandhi. But that bit can be understood. However, some news channels are comparing the events in India to the Arab spring. That is too much and over the board." Thussu ascribes this to a lack of understanding of the Indian system in the western media.

Even as the argument continues, the number of overseas Indians coming out in support of Hazare has been quite amazing. In London, a group of professionals have been demonstrating outside the Indian High Commission every evening from 6-9 pm since August 16. They plan to keep this on until Hazare's effort back home bears fruit.

Calling themselves India Against Corruption-Great Britain, these people also plan to make the most of the ongoing cricket series as they start 'Cricket Giri' at the Oval. "Starting Saturday, every time the Indian team plays anywhere in the UK, our supporters will be in the ground; every boundary scored or wicket taken by India will be cheered by a Mexican wave and chants supporting Anna," says Prasad Unnikrishnan, an IT professional from Bangalore working in London.

Indian students in the University of Surrey also carried out a symbolic march in and around their campus. "Though we can't be present in India, through social media tools we can show our support for team Anna and the cause," says Chintan Salva, a masters ' student at the university.

In Canada, too, a group of former IITians kept a day-long fast. "In Toronto, members of the IIT Alumni Canada (IITAC) fasted in their corporate offices and working places," says IIT Kanpur alumnus Rakesh Kumar Verma, a research fellow at the University of New Brunswick.


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