Flash mob dance spices up anti-corruption drive

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If you thought youngsters were merely obsessed with looking good and the latest iPhone, you’ve got to be mistaken. Just a day after eminent personalities including industrialists Azim Premji, Keshub Mahindra and Deepak Parekh, expressed their concern over the growing corruption, Delhi University students have taken control and are hoping to erase it completely.
After making people aware about terrorism last year, in its fourth year of inception, the annual DU marathon (on February 8) will spread the anti-corruption message through unique initiatives. The tagline of the marathon is “I am running against corruption”.
Interestingly, the four kilometer long marathon would be held in North Campus in February, but the pre-alert events that include a flash mob dance at various places across the capital — Metro stations, malls, India Gate and different parts of the campus — will start earlier.
Neetu Dabas, secretary Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) says that while planning a central theme for this year’s marathon, nothing better than corruption struck them. “Many big scams were unearthed in the last few months. And it is affecting the mindset of youngsters. We thought if the government is not doing much, aware and responsible youngsters need to take strong steps on their own. Thus, we conceptualised this year’s marathon around an anti-corruption drive,” says Neetu.
But just a marathon in the campus could not have helped much. So, the ECA (extra curricular activities) groups from various colleges like Hindu, Ramjas, Daulat Ram, SRCC and others have been signed up to spread the message far and wide. “Keen students from the choreography society, drama society, fashion society, basketball team and other groups have been chosen for the flash mob. We have formed a sequence that talks about the lethal consequences of corruption. These students will perform this sequence at different venues to surprise you and then disperse,” says Mohsin Raza, the marathon in-charge.
He adds that the first performance would kick-off this weekend probably at the Rajiv Chowk Metro station.
While the impact of the move is yet to be seen, many are already sure about its popularity. Former DUSU president, Manoj Choudhary, says that these initiatives help a lot. “Last year, the message against terrorism was very well received. If the concept is executed well, the effect is more. And I’m sure a concept like flash mob would work,” he says.
He adds that last year’s event included retired armymen, who spoke about terrorism and many volunteers from different Universities, like Jamia Milia Islamia, in the city. “Such events become better with greater participation,” he says.
Neetu concludes, “We are trying to bring together maximum number of students from across the city.”