Lost things found and returned here

Amid allegations of pick pocketing at Ramlila Maidan, a different face of the crowd also emerged on Monday when people returned wallets, mobile phones and other costly items they found in the ground. Neelam Pandey reports.

Amid allegations of pick pocketing at Ramlila Maidan, a different face of the crowd also emerged on Monday when people returned wallets, mobile phones and other costly items they found in the ground.

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Volunteers stationed at the ‘lost and found counter’ at Ramlila Maidan say, 20-25 persons claimed their lost items every hour. All the items that were being deposited at the counter were being kept in a box by the volunteers. The items include wallets carrying cash, watches, mobile phones, identity cards, driving licenses and many other valuables.

“More than 25 persons are visiting this stall every hour to reclaim their lost articles. Naturally, we are also being cautious and are getting the necessary verification done before returning them. But the people’s gesture is symbolic of the movement’s success,” said a volunteer posted at the counter.

The organisers were making regular announcements of missing items and were informing them about the counter’s location.

“There was a lot of rush on Monday and I was trying to make my way to the enclosure where Hazare was seated. I didn’t realise when I dropped my wallet. Later on, while I was trying to look for it I approached the counter and as my identity card was also inside it got my wallet back,” said Raghubir Singh, from Rajasthan.