Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NR)

Mangalore, Dec 8: Mangalore Dec.8: Mangalore-Bangalore Rail Abhivruddhi Krisya Samithi convenor P V Mohan declared that it was the intense pressure felt by Delhi owing to the complete involvement of public in relay hunger strike demanding passenger train services between Mangalore and Bangalore, that lead to the success of the movement. He made this observation while addressing media persons here, on Friday December 7.

In the course of his address he pointed out that this 22-day relay hunger strike, which was subsequently increased from eight to 12 hours reinforced his beliefs in the Gandhian methods of Satyagraha. On a personal note, he added that he was touched by the symbolic participation of eminent orthopaedician Dr Shantaram Shetty and the active support of his wife and mother-in-law.

According to him the press meet was called not to grab all credit for himself but to thank the various organizations, individuals, political parties and elected representatives for extending their support to the agitation. The media coverage on the agitation also drew support from outside districts and states.
Giving an example he recalled with amusement, to a guy from Hubli called Jaypal who wrote to him repeatedly expressing his support to the agitation. At the same he also lamented the fact that he had made some enemies. In this context he admitted that many bus operators who were his friends prior to the agitation, but now they had stopped talking to him, he added.

However, he did confess that he had no regrets and added that the committee, which had spearheaded the agitation, would now be disbanded. The pending 20 demands would be submitted in the form of a memorandum to union minister for Railways Lalu Prasad Yadav, who as all are aware would be visiting the city on Saturday December 8.