Season of Anna Hazare

HYDERABAD: The Anna Hazare movement has evolved from a protest to a fashion trend. At every protest, one can witness people of all ages, wearing India Against Corruption T-shirts, topis, black wrist bands and bandanas, with “I am Anna” written on them. This has brought good news for vendors and T-shirt manufacturers, as their sales have gone up. Anna Hazare merchandise are sold at counters near the protest venues, which are sourced from Khadi Bhandars and a few outlets in the city. The popular products include T-shirts, bandanas, Gandhi topis, black wrist bands ( that  symbolisemourning), flags, badges and posters.  Inkfruit.com, an online venture, which also manufactures T-shirts, launched their theme-based creation, the Bad Joke Pal T-shirts, with different slogans on Lokpal Bill, corruption and Anna Hazare on popular demand and on the mood of the hour. The front side of the T-shirt says Bad Joke Pal and the back side of the tee cheekily states a few satires on the government’s version of Lokpal bill. Kashyap Dalal, founder of Inkfruit.com, says, “Demand for these T-shirts has been high. We have seen a considerable increase in our sales in the last 10 days. And since we have free shipping facility, many people book from us.” The T-shirts cost anywhere between `100 to `300 and the firm also invites people and designers to participate in putting forth the ideas for designing T-shirts and according to Dalal, people have responded really well to it. Commenting on such a response of people, Dalal says, “People these days are willing to wear something that is carrying their opinion. They want to make a statement --- be it corruption, supporting Anna Hazare or environment protection. This brings in a flavour to the cause they fight for, doing the new way I would say.” He also adds that the T-shirts set in the right mood and are an effective way of expressing the cause.The vendors are also making a decent profit. Many stores in Koti and Sultan Bazaar areas, which sell plain T-shirts are now even printing them. “One can easily get your message printed at stores in Sultan Bazaar. Just tell him, how many you want. If one wants 10 or less T-shirts, they would cost around `150, but in bulk would fetch a T-shirt at `50,” says Harika Pidikiti, a participant of the Anna Hazare protest.Talking about flags, caps, badges and headbands with messages supporting Hazare, they sell like hot cakes. Another volunteer for India Against Corruption at the Indira Park, Sagar Madishetty says, “I really think it’s bringing a fashion trend in the whole movement, with more and more supporters opting for these T-shirts for the cause. Earlier it was restricted, just to the volunteers. But, now the whole crowd wears them.”Other merchandise like the Anna wristbands and posters are going at `20. Some things like the Anna tattoos and flag face-paint are available for free.