The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Netizens rally for peace

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Sunday, Sep 02, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Netizens rally for peace

Staff Reporter

A minute’s silence observed at Lumbini Park

Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

Show of solidarity: Students from various colleges taking out a peace rally at Lumbini Park on Saturday. -

Hyderabad: What began as a topic on a discussion forum on Orkut, a popular social networking site, turned out to be a reality for Internet surfers from the twin cities. Saturday morning saw people of Hyderabad participate in a peace rally that was planned on the web.

“We condemn the blasts,” said a placard on a bike that Pavan, a member of the Hyderabad Sunday Bikers Club rode. He was one of the bikers who were escorting the 400-odd people in a peace rally from Eat Street at Necklace road to Lumbini Park.

Focus on unity

The brain behind the peace protest was Deepti Tanikella who urged fellow Hyderabadis to stand united. In due course of time, the community on Orkut saw several city-based clubs such as Lion’s Club, Sailing Club, students from Chaitanya Bharati Institute of Technology (CBIT) and Hyderabad Sunday Bikers Club pitching in to participate.

“Bikers have a negative aspect attached to them. But we are Hyderabadis first and the blasts have affected us mentally. It was a downright inhuman thing to take so many lives,” said Sushant Muthyala, a member of the biker’s club.

As a tribute to the people who had died during the blast, a minute’s silence was observed at Lumbini Park. “It’s sad to see how terrorists take lives. It shows how cold blooded they can be. The rally is all about getting out in the open symbolising that we have nothing to fear,” said Ashwath Vyas, a second year engineering student from CBIT.

Several organisations expressed their resentment at the attacks and support to peace since the twin blasts in various ways. But it was the true spirit of fellow Hyderabadis to come together, not as an organisation but for one reason, as the scrap on Orkut read, “Let us tell them that Hyderabadis are not scared and are united as one.”

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