Team Anna reaches out to Indians in Japan

In an effort to reach out to NRIs, a core Team Anna member met Indians settled in Tokyo to increase awareness about the anti-corruption movement, said an organiser.

In an effort to reach out to NRIs, a core Team Anna member met Indians settled in Tokyo to increase awareness about the anti-corruption movement, said an organiser.

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Team Anna's core committee member Kumar Viswas, who was in Tokyo, met activists on Wednesday and explained to them Hazare's thoughts and the role NRIs could play in spreading the movement as part of the 5th India Against Corruption awareness, Swapnali Puradkar told IANS in an email.

Hazare, 74, had started a vow of silence Oct 16 that he broke Friday. He is leading a campaign against corruption and has threatened to launch a hunger strike if an anti-graft bill is not passed in the winter session of parliament beginning later this month.

"Viswas discussed how the Indian government is targeting each individual in Team Anna to damage their reputation and working hard to break the team," Puradkar said.

She added that his visit gave a big boost to the anti-graft and IAC movement in Japan.

Among other things, Viswas also discussed electoral reforms.

"India needs transformation, not revolution. We should fight against wrong thoughts/ideas and not against the people," said Puradkar quoting Viswas.

He also urged NRIs in Japan and other countries to actively use modern communication tools like Internet and social networking sites for such movements, participate in the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas and connect with local volunteer groups to fight corruption.

Puradkar said Viswas also asked NRIs to refrain from bribes and raise their voice if anybody demanded a bribe.

"He urged the NRIs to come out of the 'comfort zone' and work together to transform India into a prosperous and corruption free nation."