ALL ABOUT WORLD: August 2011

Aug 31, 2011

The world celebrates Ramadan & Photos

Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Eid al-Fitr marks the conclusion of 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the month of Ramadan.

Muslims gather around the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque during the Muslim month of Ramadan, in Mecca

Muslims break fast at the Jama mosque on the last day of the holy month of Ramadan in New Delhi on Tuesday.

A Muslim woman prays during Laylat al-Qadr in front of the Dome of the Rock, on the compound known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City during the holy month of Ramadan

Malaysian Muslims perform a prayer ahead of Eid al-Fitr in Kuala Lumpur. Muslims in Malaysia will celebrate the festival of Eid al-Fitr either on August 30 or 31, depending on the sighting of the new moon of Syawal, the month after Ramadan. Muslims celebrate the end of the sacred Ramadan with the Eid al-Fitr festival.

Muslims attend mass prayers marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, at the Grand Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta August 31, 2011. Some Indonesian Muslims celebrated Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday despite the government setting Wednesday as the official date for the event.

Children attend an Eid al-Fitr celebration to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a worship hall of the Niujie Mosque in Beijing

A child and his father from the Islamic Community in Mexico enjoy a meal during the Eid al-Fitr celebration which marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Mexico City

A policeman stands guard near residents praying outside the Shah-e Doh Shamshira mosque during the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Fitr in Kabul

Children buy balloons as they celebrate the Eid in Alexandria

Children play on swings as they celebrate the Eid in Alexandria, August 30, 2011. The Eid al-Fitr festival marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

An Afghan woman walks as Afghan Muslims offer prayers during Eid al-Fitr that marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kabul, Afghanistan

Aug 26, 2011

Monitoring the Hazare situation: U.S.

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The U.S. has said it is monitoring the events related with Anna Hazare, and is confident that India would be able to address the challenge within democratic means.

State Department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, said the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi was monitoring the situation there.

“Our Embassy has been monitoring the situation, and I think they have been saying the same thing in Delhi that we’ve been saying here with regard to our confidence and expectation that India is going to be able to address its internal matters, political disputes, through its own democratic system,” Mr. Nuland told reporters at her daily news conference.

She added that the U.S. has always supported the right to protest peacefully.

“We support the right of peaceful protest, including and especially in the United States,” she said, when asked about the protests by supporters of 74—year—old Hazare in front of the Indian Embassy in Washington.

Mr. Hazare has been on a hunger strike for 10 days demanding a bill for a strong anti—corruption agency, Lokpal.

Best dressed men in India

Uber cool and super stylish. Being well dressed isn't about flaunting brands. It is about knowing what looks chic on you; when to turn up in a suit and when to sport jeans, ganjis and slippers. It translates to having that spot of special pizzazz that always singles you out. Here is the list of popular names that make the cut...

Saif Ali Khan

Forget the awful chai advertisement on air, where he sports the Yeh Dillagi floppy locks. What was he thinking, really? But if you forgive the odd blunder, in arm candy and otherwise, filmstar Saif Ali Khan exudes a classic charm. Blame his lineage. Daddykins Tiger Pataudi is quite a charmer, and the finesse seeps through. About Saif: slick Cartier watches, meticulously tailored achkans, impeccable suits and accessories from the house of Hugo Boss, Zegna, Giorgio Armani... printed kurtas, paisley jackets, the man can carry it all off. And yes, he's one of the few men who looks equally sharp in a tuxedo as he does with a turban.

Rohit Bal

Languorous, lithe. The perfect blend of fashion and flamboyance, fashion designer Rohit Bal is one of the most stylish men around. "I would rather live in a pair of jeans and a Tee, though I wear linen shirts often. I believe the food you eat is as much a fashion statement as the place where you eat it in," he says. Here is a guy who can looks cool in a pair of Jodhpur pants. He is someone who is well turned out for a lazy Sunday brunch. Unpredictable, yet fun. His wardrobe is bursting with fine Hugo Boss jackets; Diesel jeans.... Then in watches Omega and Tag Heuer, teamed with fine, handmade Italian shoes (even JP Tods).

Gautam Kalra

Bangalore-based fashion store owner and restaurateur has a fetish for vivid hues and quirky cuts. Expect Gautam to make a splash in a pink sherwani coupled with burnt orange footwear. He is experimental with his clothes and dresses the way he feels. More often getting his designer friends to customise clothes for him as he does not like what is available on the racks. Though he is equally comfortable buying from flea markets as well. "For me, style means comfort and dressing according to your own personality and individuality," says Gautam. Favourite designer?
Issey Miyake. "I love his flowing, minimal look."

Shah Rukh Khan

He simply makes clothes his own. Black suits and crisp cotton shirts, ripped jeans, ecru loafers...SRK sports all threads and more with equal elan. He is the quintessential metrosexual male, the rakish don, the dapper host on KBC. Wears fine tailored clothes. Though he insists that his wife purchases most of what his closet is made up of, he has a secret: " I don't try to make a fashion statement with what I wear.". Of course, throw in a fabulous collection of watches, 100 odd black tuxedos, racy gadgets including the latest phones and a self assured style that breathes careless confidence. Bullseye.

Narendra Kumar Ahmed

The man with the eye popping hat; clean nails and big feet. Meet fashion designer Narendra Kumar Ahmed, a total non-conformist as far as fashion is concerned. "I never give anything away from my wardrobe," he confesses. "I store all my clothes as I believe that fashion always comes full circle." Peep inside his closet to discover a mindboggling array of ironed jackets; a super neat collection of shoes, belts and hats. A neat freak, a rare male attribute.

Arjun Rampal

Tall, strapping, good looking. The complete clotheshorse. He looks devastating with a stubble, a ponytail and even in velvet overcoats. Actor Arjun Rampal wears printed shirts, tattered jeans, biker gear and thongs with equal elan as he dons formal suits and bandhgalas. Guess it's easy when you have a superb body like that. He pours himself into clothes, exuding that rugged ease. Totally masculine. Even in trenchcoats, T shirts and trackpants

Salman Khan

An absolute rockstar. Salman Khan is one of those guys who fulfils your innate need to soothe your eyeballs, each time you look at him. Perfect eye candy. Well built, toned, bulked up when needed, the guy is a killer in low slung, faded blue jeans teamed with a plain white T. His sense of casual style sees him with a simple T inside a sharp suit, and tight T and tighter jeans at a discotheque. He is a complete rule breaker, even in sexy ganjis. And can carry off Versace suits, Rolex watches, ear studs, turquoise studded bracelets and stylish neckpieces with aplomb.

Vijay Mallya

"I love dressing well. I love good things in life," he says. Natty in a suit, with an immaculately groomed goatee and multiple rings and bracelets, Vijay Mallya is a guy who is completely at ease with his body. One of the few men who can carry off jewellery. A blinding diamond studded 'VJM,' bracelet on his right hand; a diamond, ruby and emerald pendant of Lord Venkateshwara; breathtaking solitaires in his ears. He looks cool whether posing in a Hawaiian print shirt some far flung, exotic island with the skimpily clad models for his Kingfisher calendar, or on a TV channel in a sharp suit, taking on questions by reporters in the thick of some controversy. Proves self confidence wins all.

Omar Abdullah

Light eyed, fair complexioned, erudite. The Kashmiri good looks help. Looks dishy in a Pathan suit, in a cool cotton kurta pyjama and jeans. There are times when he dons the pashmina, the Kashmiri cap, goes traditional, yet retains that exclusive appeal. He knows what to wear for any occasion and has a keen eye for detail. Probably takes after father Farooq Abdullah in his suave, contained style of dressing.

Ranbir Kapoor

The youngest, brattiest, chattiest. Ranbir Kapoor inherits his good looks from father Rishi Kapoor. Everybody loves him, even in just a towel. Whether he sports the beret, hangs around in floaters, goes yuppie with the cropped hair and chinos or wears the monkey cap at airports, Ranbir Kapoor always manages to make an impression. His passion for luxe watches, glares and cars helps. Looks neat in a tux too.

Aug 25, 2011

Top 10 Richest Athletes in 2011|Highest-Paid

Winning in different competitions is what makes each representative of each country proud of signifying the pride on what they have and where they originated. Athletes are peculiar individuals who have strengths in specific areas in sports where the strong passion to compete and win are their booster and confidence. They do not only gain fame and honor but they have acquired wealthy possessions on the monetary prizes and rewards they have received. Who are these wealthy athletes by height and pride?

1. Roger Federer

A consistent ATP number one position holder for 237 consecutive weeks who brag his spot up to be declared as the richest athlete in the world for 2011, beating Beckham who had this spot last year. He has earned $61.7 million this year’s Forbes rating result.

2. Lionel Messi

He is one of the best football players who have played in this era. He bagged different awards, such as FIFA World Player of the Year and he has been included in the National Team. He is an Argentinean boy who took the second spot for earning $44 million, which exceeded David Beckham.

3. David Beckham

He is known to be the highest paying athlete in the world. Despite that, he was not able to play in the World Cup held in South Africa; he still managed to be consistent in maintaining his earnings, which amounted to $40.5 million.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

He is the most expensive player when it comes to Football where he plays as a striker or winger at Spanish La Liga Club Real Madrid. He had served as a captain of Portuguese National Team. Imagine that he is being paid €1 billion as part of his contract for buyout clause that made him the fourth wealthiest athlete in the world with current income of $40 million.

5. Manny Pacquiao

He started with nothing but he had gained not just fame and honor in the boxing league, which has exceeded other boxers who have etched name in the history of boxing. He is consistently maintaining the speed and titles that he had earned while increasing his earnings that totaled to $38 million.

6. Ichiro Suzuki

He is better known as Ichiro in the field of baseball. His age did not hinder him to perform well just like any other young athletes who are in this kind of sport. He has accumulated $37 million that represents how he has treasured all the competitions that he and his team went through.

7. Valentino Rossi

Despite on what happened to his leg that left him no option but to abandon the career that he has established in the motorcycle racing, he still managed to hit $35 million and gained the whole perspective and respect from the world and his co-athletes for his positivity.

8. Yao Ming

A Chinese NBA player who started his career as a player of Shanghai Sharks in China from 1997 to 2002, he was picked by Houston Rockets of NBA in 2002. It opened opportunities for him not just to be known but to become richer. His total fortune is worth $34 million.

9. Raphael Nadal

He is once known as the World’s number 1 tennis player and got the second spot for the same title. Hence, he bagged the ninth spot this time that Forbes released this year where he had gained $27 million aside from the recognition that he earned in this field.

10. Lewis Hamilton

He is a British Formula One racing driver who was raised in Stevenage, Hertforshire on January 07, 1985, who has earned a total net worth of $26 million. He is just 25 years old but he actually accumulated enough possessions where he could simply stop driving and drive a different path.

Aug 24, 2011

The wonders of cinnamon Controlling diabetes

Cinnamon is one must-have spice in your kitchen. It has numerous health benefits that you can easily combine in your everyday meal.

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Cinnamon and its nutrients

It has a spicy, sweet flavour, and is used to flavour a variety of savouries. Besides its fiery aroma and flavourful kick, cinnamon is loaded with numerous health benefits.

This spicy bark is a great source of minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese and magnesium. It also contains high amounts of vitamin-A, niacin, pantothenic acid and pyridoxine.

Cinnamon contains loads of anti-oxidants, in addition to fibre -- that can do wonders for your body.
Health benefits of cinnamon:

Helps lower cholesterol: Studies suggest that adding half a teaspoon of cinnamon can help lower bad cholesterol, aiding your heart health.

Treating infections: Cinnamon is known to have anti-bacterial, anti-microbial properties that can help stop infections, particularly yeast infections and bacterial infections. In fact, adding cinnamon to food inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.

Controlling diabetes: Several studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with type-2 diabetes.

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Anti-clotting quality: Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.

Reduce inflammation: Studies have shown that one tablespoon of cinnamon a day can help provide significant relief in arthritis pain and swelling.

Aids digestion: Cinnamon helps reduce indigestion, flatulence and nausea. The high fibre content in cinnamon can provide relief to people with irritable bowel syndrome.

Natural warmer: In winters, adding some cinnamon to your diet can help increase your body temperature.

Boosts memory: Cinnamon helps cognitive function and boots memory.

Cancer-fighting properties: Since cinnamon has both calcium and fibre, it helps remove bile (a yellow-green fluid made by the liver) and prevent one of the potential causes of colon cancer.

Advisory against cinnamon

Excessive use of cinnamon stick may cause inflammation of taste buds, gum swelling and mouth ulcers. Also some people can be allergic to cinnamon.

Source: www.mdhil.com

"Good meeting" but end still elusive

Team Anna & govt tango but three sticky points remain; Govt in huddle

New Delhi: After a meeting that lasted 90 minutes, there was still no consensus on three sticky issues - citizen's charter, inclusion of lower bureaucracy and setting up of Lokayukta in state through Lokpal

Hectic efforts to break the deadlock over Lokpal were on for the second day on Wednesday as Team Anna presented a fresh draft for consideration by the government. Even as both sides have differences on three contentious issues, Team Anna submitted a draft which will be taken to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the chief government negotiator, sources said.

After the 90-minute meeting, both sides maintained that the discussions were good but declined to go into specifics of their deliberations. Three members of Team Anna - Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Prashant Bhushan - held talks with Law Minister Salman Khurshid, who was accompanied by East Delhi MP Sandeep Dikshit and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's close aide Pawan Khera.

"It was a very good meeting but there is nothing concrete," Khurshid said. "There is no resolution as of now. Talks are continuing. There will be further discussions," Bhushan said.

Team Anna members will meet government negotiators soon after the all-party meeting scheduled on Wednesday afternoon. Bedi said there was no forward movement on three sticky issues - citizen's charter, inclusion of lower bureaucracy and setting up of Lokayukta in state through Lokpal.

Earlier in the day, Hazare stuck to the three issues and said he will continue his fast till all his demands are met. As his indefinite hunger strike demanding a strong Lokpal Bill entered the ninth day, he said the government has no intention to eradicate corruption even today and it is not honest in its effort in this regard.

"Yesterday, the government agreed to our demands but kept a decision pending on three issues," a frail-looking Hazare told the gathering at Ramlila Maidan where he is sitting on fast. "If the demands are not met, I have decided that I will fight till my last breath," he said.

Meanwhile, concerns over Hazare's health mounted after he refused doctors' advice to be be put on an intravenous drip once again this morning even though he has increased his intake of fluid.

The 74-year-old anti-corruption crusader has lost another 200 grams in the past 24 hours with his weight settling at 66.2 kg. He was 72 kg before he began his fast on August 16.

His blood pressure was recorded at 104/86 while blood sugar was 106 and pulse rate 82.

"After his intake of fluid was increased, his health has stabilised. We have put the team of doctors on full alert. We are keeping a strict vigil on his health," Dr Naresh Trehan told reporters at the Ramlila Ground after examining him.

Source: PTI

Aug 23, 2011

Top 10 Best Interesting Habits of Women

There are these moments wherein it is very hard to fathom women. They just have these common habits that make you wonder why almost all women do these things or why they have such weird ways. You may have wished that your girlfriend doesn’t have the same routines with your sisters or your mom. Well, the world does not take sides, but there are just these interesting habits that may annoy you or make you laugh at times, basically it is your choice. Here are top ten of the most fascinating habits women have.

1 Using the comfort room too long

This habit does not choose any kind of woman. It is unquestionable that this habit should be and always will be on the number one spot. We all know that women just-use-the-comfort room- TOO LONG. Whether these women are going to take a bath or just simply there to comb their hair, there’s just this huge magnet that only women are attracted to

2 Refusing to offer an opinion when asked for one

This is definitely a top two habit of women. This happens mostly when boyfriends and husbands make decisions without their knowledge and tells them over dinner. So women get disappointed and act habit number three. The men then ask their opinions as if it will change their minds, and the women zip their mouth.

3 Telling her boyfriend that “it’s ok” when it is really not

Not any man can say that their partners do not have this habit. When things go wrong, women do not say directly what she thinks is wrong. However, her mood will change and it is like the mute button was pressed. When the boyfriends or husbands ask, they always say everything is okay even if they’re not, until the men get annoyed. When the men get annoyed and stars to act pissed off, the women then pour out all the issues like an instant hurricane.

4 Saying they do not have anything to wear for a date or a night out when they have a closet full of clothes

Typical women love clothes and dressing up. Dates and night outs are just the moments to stand out and show what they have. But if their favourite clothes are not present in their closets, those other clothes just vanish in thin air.

5 Waiting and expecting to be complimented

As they wear their best outfits for dates, women just expect compliments from their partners. They may not show that they do, but THEY REALLY DO. Why would they even exert effort and putting those make up or fancy jewellery or wearing something sexy. If the men forget to praise their partners’ beauty and EFFORT, then men should expect a mood swing by the end of the day.

6 Nagging

Generally, men try not to make mistakes or they try not to get caught doing their mistakes, not because they are afraid of their wives or girlfriends but because they find nagging a bit annoying. Nagging is just one of the many interesting habits women have that men need to endure. Not just for the relationship to stay long but because almost all women have this habit and you have no choice but to accept it and learn how to turn of the volume of your hearing sense.

7 Sometimes they do not want to hear honest answers

Women love asking their husbands and boyfriends of how they look or how their performance were, or if the food they cook are delicious, etc. They ask men to say the truth and be honest, but mind you, women prefer hearing the positive side or the answer they long for and expect. They love it when they are being complimented, sometimes in a sincere or insincere way

8 Talking about someone else’s life

Women love talking. It is one activity which does not require money or an expensive ambiance. Women find talking fun and it is just like men playing their favourite golf or watching a basketball game. So women just end up talking about anything under the sun, well, especially those people who they think haveinteresting lives and are “not worth their time”.

9 Crying over little things

Yes, men do cry and it is not true that they don’t, but definitely not over little things. Women cry over little things like a pet dying or her shoes getting broken, their tears are just too shallow to endure extreme emotions. It is like these things are impossible to happen and that they are really affected. Well, women’s tears are like water from faucets waiting to be turned on.

10 Taking a bath with a whole bunch of friends together

Men just do not understand why women or teenagers take a bath at the same time, at the same comfort room. Most teenagers, especially when they have their girlfriends and girl groups have experienced this. This is just one of the many women’s activities that men do not understand. For men, these girls may all be best friends but can’t they just put having fun aside first and do some private activities, alone?

LIVE: Day 7 of Anna fast-2

As Anna Hazare's fast enters Day 7, we bring you a blow-by-blow account of the events as they unfold

06:05 PM: PM to convene 'high-level' meet at 7.30 tonight to discuss Anna impasse

05:24 pm: "L K Advani greedy for power" says Abhishek Manu Singhvi, new chairman of the Parliament Standing Committee.

05:17 pm: Abhishek Manu Singhvi named new chairman of the Parliament Standing Committee; Bill in Winter Session now

05:11 pm: Abhishek Manu Singhvi: Lokpal bill will be introduced in the new session

04:48 pm: Anna wants govt version of Lokpal bill to be withdrawn

04:18 pm: Anna says negotiations only with PMO, Rahul or Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan

04:11 pm: Anna rules out Lokpal negotiations with non govt mediators

03:34 pm: Top NDA leaders meeting at LK Advani's house to discuss Anna issue and strategy ahead of Parliament tomorrow

03:25 pm: Dismissing all speculation over negotiations, Team Anna member Kiran Bedi says Anna would like to have the PM send his representative for talks on Lokpal

03:07 pm: After reports emerge of negotiations initiated, Team Anna dismisses the same as rumours

02:51 pm: Left and like-minded parties to go on a strike outside Parliament tomorrow, in demand for a strong and effective Lokpal Bill: Reports

02:34 pm: Congress now wants Sri Sri Ravishankar to mediate with Anna: Reports

02:21 pm: Despite it being a weekday, huge crowds gather at Ramlila to rally behind Anna; sit-ins, marches and various expressions of support continue to be reported from across the country

02:09 pm: Maharashtra bureaucrat Umesh Chandra Sarangi in meeting with Kapil Sibal now

01:54 pm: Team Anna says that Anna may be willing to talk to Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan

01:49 pm: Meeting underway at Home Minister P Chidambaram's house to coordinate the suggestions and changes in the Lokpal Bill; Salman Khursheed, V Narayansami among others present at the meet

01:45 pm: Anna's latest health bulletin - BP 130/80; Pulse 78/minute; Blood sugar 97 mg/dl

01:40 pm: State-level Lokpal mechanism cannot be diluted: Anna

01:38 pm: Anna says that a strong Judicial Accountability Bill is needed if judiciary is to be excluded from Lokpal

01:36 pm:Anna says he may be flexible on the issue of bringing judiciary under Lokpal ambit
01:35 pm: Anna wants Lokpal talks only with PMO or Rahul Gandhi directly

01:22 pm: Union minister Salman Khursheed says that problems of the country cannot be solved in a few days only; deadlock can be resolved only through dialogue

01:11 pm: Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh tells media that any mode of communication may be used now to arrive at a solution

01:05 pm: Parents of Kargil martyr Lt. Saurabh Kalia, who are waiting till today for the government to take up the case of human rights violations with Pakistan, express their support for Anna; they say that Anna's movement has given them the courage to continue their fight for justice

12:50 pm: Protests continue outside ministers' homes - Pranab Mukherjee, Kapil Sibal and Sheila Dixit's homes in capital targeted

12: 45 pm: PM feels that Lokpal may help, but will not solve the corruption problem; says, judicial reforms would be needed for fast trials and judgment
12:42 pm: Anna wants to negotiate directly with a national leader: Reports
12:37 pm: Opposition steps up pressure on government to quit and seek fresh mandate

12:30 pm: Kapil Sibal agrees to talk to Anna if other team members stay out of talks

12:08 pm: Need comprehensive restructuring of government procedures, says PM
12:06 pm: PM acknowledges the trust deficit created by corruption and vows to come up with systemic ways to weed it out

12:00 noon: Anna supporters protest outside Kapil Sibal's house

11:40 am: Anna has lost 5 kg of weight, but other indicators are reported to be stable

11:32 am: Anna reportedly upset over the Government's move to use Maharashtra bureaucrat U C Sarangi and longtime Hazare associate Bhayyuji Maharaj as mediators

11:30 am: Team Anna says there has been no concrete proposal from the Centre as yet

11:18 am: "What is democracy? Democracy is not about going and voting in five years" - Kejriwal

11:15 am: Key Anna aide Arvind Kejriwal denies charges of inciting hooliganism and anti-democratic sentiment; says those with 'vested interests' are making such charges

11:00 am: Thousands continue to pour into Ramlila Grounds to express solidarity with and support for Anna's cause; however, there seems to be little breakthrough in negotiations with government

Efforts being made to disrupt Hazare's movement: Kejriwal
Ministers, MPs face 'aam aadmi' protest
Manmohan Singh must resign; hold fresh elections, says Advani
Anna's backstage helpers who oversee the Ramlila show
Anna vs Govt: Speak Up!

Anna power at Ramlila: Latest pics

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New Delhi: Civil society activist Anna Hazare said on Friday that he would not leave the Ramlila ground till the demand for a stronger anti-corruption Lokpal bill was met.

"We will not leave this place till the (stronger) Lokpal bill is passed," Hazare told crowds soon after reaching Ramlila ground in central Delhi where he will continue his fast.

Calling upon the youth to be the flag bearers of change, Hazare said they should carry forward the torch of revolution even if he were not there.

"The power of youth is the power of the nation, whether or not Anna Hazare is there or not. This torch of revolution should always remain lit," he said.

The activist reached the Ramlila ground around 2 p.m., after visiting Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat and India Gate. .

We bring to you latest pictures of the historic movement that has swept across the city and the nation and continues to grow unabated.