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Youth major part of crowd at Kejriwal's swearing-in

Swept by euphoria, youth witnessed the historic occassion, content that their vote made a difference in recent assembly elections

Arvind Kejriwal

Press Trust of India New Delhi
Youth made up a major chunk of the crowd at the swearing-in ceremony of Arvind Kejrial as Delhi Chief Minister.
    
Swept by euphoria, the youth witnessed the historic occassion, content that their vote made a difference in recent assembly elections.
    
Jayant Parashar (23), who said he had cast his ballot for the first time, came to the swearing in function with his friend Calvin Chiramel.

Both of them are members of the band called Woody Acouche Project and played a song 'Samaroh' composed by them outside the Ramlila ground before the swearing in. "The song narrates the situation of the youth in India," Jayant said.
 
    
Playing guitar and djembe, Jayant and Calvin sang "Ab phas gaya launda fashion mein, kyun ki khud se ladega tashan mein, Mulk ki mitti mathe pe kyunki sainik sabke saaath ke sajega samaroh lagega samaroh."
    
The crowd entering the Ramlila Ground also lent their voice to the duo.
    
For 24-year old Nivedita, a resident of Mayur Vihar, Kejriwal has changed the entire grammer of politics.
    
"It was so nice hearing a CM sing in public. Moreover, he came in a Metro. He is so down to earth and soft spoken. He will definitely do a great job," she said.
    
There were some men who even dressed like Arvind Kejriwal and other groups holding brooms rejoicing in the celebration.
    
However, it was hard luck for birthday girl Alia Akhtar, a class twelve student who came to attend the event with her class friends after school hours.

Clad in school uniform, the girls from Government Girls Senior Secondary School, located at Bulbuli Khana, were late and missed Kejriwal and could just see the AAP minister's taking the oath.
    
"We could not see Kejriwal taking oath, but then in the end, the speech he delivered was just amazing. We love him and our best wishes are with him," Alia said.
    
A group of students from Vardhaman Shiksha Mandir also came to attend the swearing-in.
    
"We had our exams today which ended at 10.30 AM and we rushed here. We are inspired by Arvind Sir and want to be like him," Sagar Chawla, a 11th class student said.
    
Then there was a young couple with their seven-month-old baby.
    
"We had attended the Anna Hazare Movement, even were a part of the Nirbhaya protest (against the December 16 gangrape incident) despite I being four-month pregnant. How could we have missed this event"? Ishita Jain said.
    
Another young couple, Ashish and Sonal, were in ear-to-ear smile as they emerged from the Ramlila Maidan wearing the trademark white cap of AAP.
    
"On Saturdays and Sunday, we usually we go for movies or go to mall and spend time there but we had kept this day particularly booked for Arvind Kejriwal. We have seen him on television till date. It was really a wonderful experience hearing him today," the couple said.

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First Published: Dec 28 2013 | 8:32 PM IST

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