It was celebrations at full blast in Ramlila Maidan today immediately after Anna Hazare broke his fast as thousands of supporters broke into impromptu dancing, singing and waving of tri-colour while sweets and flowers were handed out.

The festivities which began last night reached a crescendo when the Gandhian accepted a glass of coconut water from a Dalit and a Muslim girl — Simran and Ikrah — at 10:20 am, breaking his 288 hours of fast that began on August 16.

As Mr Hazare started his address, people who had started descending at the historic ground since early this morning, jostled with each other to get a glimpse of the 74-year-old.

“I am witnessing a historic moment. I will keep this moment alive always,” said Mr Sandip Dwivedi, a 32-year-old man from Dehradun, who has been in the Ramlila Maidan for the last six days.

Holding a tri-colour in one hand and a digital camera in the other, the young professional, who is also is associated with an NGO, said: “corruption is the single biggest hindrance for inclusive growth and Mr Hazare’s fast has given a direction to deal with the problem and inspire millions of people to lead an honest life’’.

As the roar of the people grew louder, Mr Hazare kept appealing to them to celebrate the victory peacefully but the supporters were in no mood to relent.

“This is our day. Let us celebrate,” said Ms Ruchi Gupta, an 18-year-old girl from Saket as she tried to push a policeman to have a glimpse of Mr Hazare.

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