Why Anna Hazare is now fashionable!

The Indian fashion industry reacts to the anti-corruption movement and tells us why they see Anna Hazare as a new icon.

A wise man once told me "You won't realise the power of a stone lying on the road, until you get hit by it."

Similarly, while most of us who had attended the Lakme Fashion Week had come there with a strong desire to cover the event and talk about the recent designs and collection doing the rounds, while a man called Anna Hazare had decided to fast unto death at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

At the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai, there were televisions on either sides of the corridor that kept the audience updated about the shows that were playing that day, besides random clips from last season about interviews from models, designers, stylists and celebrities about their experience and their take on fashion and fashionistas.

Camera men and journalists were all injected with an extra dose of adrenalin when they were bombarded by such buzz from all quarters leaving them no time to think, but act and report them back to their desks in time. Models and designers had to no time to breathe as they were shuttling between changing costumes, meeting buyers, giving interviews to the press etc

Behind these closed walls of a world that walked and talked all about fashion, most of us were unaware about the happenings elsewhere in the city. Needless to say, most of us, including me, had undermined the whole anti corruption movement that was gaining momentum in different parts of the city.

Following Anna Hazare's arrest, the second day at Grand Hyatt had some surprise visitors who had absolutely nothing to do with fashion yet ensured that they set some trends right. All they did was spread the message of fighting against corruption and distributed some Gandhi caps. Soon, the caps became the new identity for people there.

Such was the impact that media representatives from TV channels who generally park themselves at leisure for the rest of the day till a celebrity lands up, stood up from their spots and rushed with their mics and other camera equipment along with camerapersons and photographers to find out how the fashion industry was reacting to the anti-corruption revolution.

Since it was a pretty unlikely event to happen at a fashion week, both media persons and fashionistas were caught unawares.

Some of them who had no time to check newspapers were not even fully aware of the recent developments and found themselves completely at loss for being quizzed on their opinion. Others cleverly ducked the issue and focused on the movement and voiced their support by wearing the Gandhi caps that read 'I am Anna'. For the moment, the gesture was enough. Soon, we were back in our media room and the difference was visible.

The television channel was now showing news about Anna Hazare and giving constant updates about how the movement had gripped various parts of the country with people voicing their opinion both in favour and against the anti-corruption Bill in question.

Needless to say, everyone had an opinion to share. Some of them had their personal reasons to support the cause; others were inspired by the courage of an elderly man, who was now turning to be a hero.

We caught up with a few attendees, designers and models, Candice Pinto for one, who proudly endorsed the Gandhi cap and expressed her support. Here's what the others had to share.

Model Mrinalini Sharma says, "Anna Hazare has raised his voice for a noble cause and I completely support him. He has become the voice of the nation and is a source of inspiration for many!"

26-year-old model Gaurav Arora from Mumbai, joins in the movement.

He says, "I completely support Anna Hazare, the man and his movement. At this age, he has the resolve to fight against the government. Look at the amount of following he has generated. I haven't been able to follow up much. Although I am not very certain about what the future or result of the movement is going to be, I am sure that it is at least making people aware of corruption and urging people to rise and fight for themselves. At the same time, I am wondering who will take the lead forward after Anna. I just hope this agitation and anger doesn't fizzle out soon."

Meanwhile, designer Arjun Aggarwal who spoke to us backstage was among the ones who was caught unawares. He quickly said, "I support Anna Hazare's fight against corruption. But honestly, I did not have the time to look into the details of the movement."

When asked if he has ever offered a bribe, he replied, "To get certain things done, bribes are given. So, Yes, that has happened quite a few times"

Designer Niranjana Adhya, who was almost about to give in to corruption but chose her principles gives a thumbs up to the struggle. She says, "We were almost about to give a bribe once to speed up the renovation of our house until we decided otherwise."

"It's high time we end corruption in this country. India would have been one of the most powerful countries today if it weren't for black money. Corruption is so deeply rooted in our system and something really needs to be done about that. Here's Anna Hazare, a man who has taken the bold initiative and lead the way and I completely support his cause."

30 year old Gennext designer Sidhartha Arya expressed his disappointment for not being able to be present at Azad Maidan where the anti corruption movement is staged in Mumbai.

"I completely support the Anna movement. I really wish I could do something for the man behind this new revolution. Had it not been for Lakme Fashion Week, I would be there at the Azad Maidan supporting them and raising my voice against the system. If I had the time I would have seriously done my bit for the nation. I would have designed t-shirts supporting Anna and distributed it for free among the supporters. I may even make a whole anti-corruption line up of clothes and promote the movement in my own way. It could make an impression, spread the word around and awaken young citizens."

While saying so, he goes to narrate why he strongly feels the urge to uproot the social evil.

"Just a week ago, I was on my motorbike, with a friend who was sitting behind, carrying a bag full a clothes. On our way, we were stopped by a police constable who asked me for my official documents. I was carrying all of them. Disappointed, they found a new excuse to confiscate my license. They told me I should not be carrying such a huge bag when travelling on a bike. I asked them to tell me if it was written in the law. He did not give me an explanation and instead warned me that he could send me behind the bars for breaking the law."

Then, he did the obvious. He took me away from the senior and hinted me to pay up Rs 200 and claim my license without creating an issue. I was getting late for an appointment, so I had no choice but to pay him the bribe. But I realised how powerless I was in front of them."

"Today, when I see the magnitude of people who have come to support the cause, I feel motivated to contribute. My friends could not attend my show because they were sitting at Azad Maidan in kurtas and chappals supporting the movement, when I was presenting a fashion show here. I wish the fashion industry as a whole could unite and do something, to promote the movement."

Even students and working professionals who were cynical about the outcome, felt strongly about the anti-graft crusade and the movement against the cancerous social evil.

Dhruv Aditya Dutt, a student of fashion says, "There was a time when I was asked to pay a bribe. I ended up reporting that person to the police."

He further tells us why he feels that corruption has become a part of the system. "Corruption is an evil that's so embedded in our political infrastructure that it is almost difficult to function without it. Sadly, it's present in every field of life. Even though I support Anna Hazare and the step he's taken to put is point forward, I don't think such protests will make much of a difference at all. These things won't stop people from being corrupt."

PR professional Tulika Dutta, feels that by offering a bribe you are adding to the corruption. She herself restrains from it and voices her support to Anna Hazare's cause but at the same time tells us why the strategy employed by him is wrong.

"I've never given a bribe. I am against taking such short cuts. I see people who say that bribes are the only way to get things done in India but it's a two sided thing. If you're giving a bribe then you're adding to the corruption in this country."

"I completely support Anna Hazare's cause and that is to fight corruption but I feel that the method undertaken by him is just pure blackmail. I don't see why he needs to pressurise the government in this manner. We are talking about a Constitution here and there are certain ways to get things done, there are certain rules and methods and I don't see how this 'fast unto death' figures in here. But yes, looking at the number of people he has gathered, we must give it up to him for uniting the people of this country for a noble cause!"

Kavita Gupta, who works as an assistant designer argues how unintentionally people are pushed towards the crime for selfish needs. "Honestly, there were times when I did give a bribe in the past for small things here and there. Everyone's done that at some point or the other," she says.

But that doesn't stop her from supporting the cause of the movement. "We are all against corruption and Anna Hazare has taken a stand and I'm with him. We can only hope that his effort pays off. Here's our chance to save our country from corruption and I think we should all support Anna in his fight. I don't think his method is 'unlawful' at all because in a country like this, such extreme measures are needed to bring in changes!"

While Anna Hazare may be popular among the crowd, journalist Abhishek Gupta begs to differ and he has a reason for that. Without mincing any words, he says, "I see police officers taking bribes every single day. I have been in many situations where I was asked to do the same but I've never given in to that."

He further explains why he is against corruption but cites the inefficiency of the Bill in question. "I am against corruption but I don't favour Anna Hazare's fight against corruption. I don't see how millions of people can have such blind faith on him. What is the guarantee that this man won't turn his back once the Lokpal Bill is passed?"

"Being a 72 year old and putting up such a good fight is worth appreciating but I don't think it will have much of an effect on the widespread corruption in this country. I'm also against blaming political parties because corruption is within ourselves and blaming others won't get us anywhere.