PIX: How 'Brand Anna' prospers near Ramlila Ground

Toral Varia and Rajesh Karkera visit Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi and find that Anna Hazare is the new brand being marketed by street vendors.

It's the eighth day of Anna Hazare's fast. As the sky darkens, the crowd may be thinning at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan but 'Brand Anna' is only picking up momentum.

Step out of the Ramlila Maidan and you will see scores of salesmen on the pavement with their small stock of the national flag, a tricolour hand band, and 'Main Hoon Anna' written Gandhi caps.

...

Bhalaram, a 53-year-old resident of Rajasthan, migrated to Delhi in search of work. Before August 16, Bhalaram used to earn his living by doing odd jobs barely managing his survival in the city.

Post August 16, Bhalaram makes a trip to Delhi's Sadar bazaar to buy his small stock of accessories that are now a trademark of an Anna supporter. Bahalaram sells the flags ranging from anywhere between Rs 100 to Rs 150 and a 'Main Hoon Anna' Gandhi cap for Rs 10 each.

Bhalaram justifies his makeshift business by saying, "This is my way of contributing to Anna's movement. I am taking his symbols to the people. I have to earn a living also. This is what Anna has taught us. He has taught us to earn our living legitimately."

But Bhalaram is not the only one. Rokshit Racher too is encashing on the Anna fever.

"They have opened a godown of sorts inside the ground, what is wrong if we sell a couple of flags and make a living? Even if I manage to sell two flags, I get Rs 300."

Step out of the ground and at least three to four boys will approach you with chilled water pouches for Rs 5 each.

Babu Shaik, 20, says, "Who doesn't need water? By selling water if we are making money, we are also doing a noble deed."

Move a little ahead and you will find boy's painting a tattoo of the tricolour for whatever amount the customer is willing to pay.

May be when the deadlock between the government and Team Anna finally break, these enterprising vendors will have to look for another occupation.

But for now, they are milking as much as they can in the name of Anna's anti-corruption movement.