Anna Hazare —The Revolutionary of Modern India
The 73 year might not be as influential as the great Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi, but he has been able to make ripples in the wave of daunted prosperity. I am not a great admirer of Mr. Hazare, as I do not agree with some of his ideologies. However this does not kill my admiration for his zeal, enthusiasm and selfless devotion to eradicate corruption from the Indian society.
He might not be a great orator, nevertheless the truthfulness with which he speaks will leave you thinking and pondering over the fact ‘are you doing enough for the society and for the Indians, or are you merely absorbed in bringing a change in your life’
Anna and Awareness
Anna Hazare is a man who has once again brought the nation under one umbrella and forced them to come out of the cocoon and act and bring a revolution. Even media became independent and took the challenge. The recent news on FDI is a proof of how corruption is being attacked and reporters are no more hesitant in showing pen is mightier than sword.
The man with Gandhiantopi (cap) on his head has evoked the suppressed thought ‘are we being ruled by the right people, whom to trust BJP or Congress or the UPA government’. All are dubious and have hidden agenda behind their soft words. Indian Minister SushmaSwaraj was dancing at the success of Anna ji‘s democracy but what she has to say now when BJP is questioned over FDI.
Drama and lies which these ministers have promised are slowly coming out from the closet and this is what Anna calls corruption. With his 13 day hunger strike that commenced with his arrest on 13th August and continued till 28th August this year, he wanted to enforce transparency.
He believes if the citizens of India have the weapon of right to information through Jan Lokpal bill; it will bring transparency and a chance for a better future in India.
If nothing, then his movements have acted like awareness campaigns and have shaken the seat of democracy that is India.
Anna, The True Caring Big Brother
He might have been born in a small village in Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra, but he is the caring, over protective big brother of Indians. This is the way he is being perceived. His name ‘anna’ stands for big brother.
The official resident of Ralegan Siddhi—the new address and the landmark of Maharashtra; Hazare had early life of hardship and struggle and even today he lives on the pension that he earned from his 15 years tenure with Indian army. He worked as army truck driver and took voluntary retirement in the year 1975 after miraculously cheating death. He quitted with the words ‘God has saved me for better purpose’, and from there his life as a social worker took to full throttle.
Believer of Slow But Continuous Progress
He started his work with transforming his home town Ralegon Siddhi, the place which was plagued by drought and unemployment and restlessness. He brought all and with that prosperity. He worked for conserving water supply and saving solar energy and lighted the city. Today the city has become a role model for the neighborhood villages and towns and they all aspire to become like Ralegon Siddhi. Whom else to thank for this but Hazare!
While chronicling his achievements, an Indian can feel embarrassed. Even after 65 years of independence we are tormented by corruption. In the year 1991 Anna Hazare launched BharshtacharVirodhi Jan Aandolan (BVJA), a public movement against corruption. Under the aegis of aandolan, he found 42 forest officers were involved in duping state government of crores of rupees. Though he provided the government with the evidences but no action was taken. Finally he went on hunger strike in Alandi and then he was heard and action was taken. The result was corrupt officers and six ministers were forced to resign.
He proved common man has power if he has will power and determination. He claims that he has drawn inspirations from the work of Swami Vivekanand, VinobhaBhave and Mahatma Gandhi.
Slowand sturdy attitude win accolades and public support, this was evident when he has put behind the bars on the defamation charges made by the Shiv Sena- BJP minister Gholap. He was arrested on 9th September 1998, but had to be released because of public out bursts and protests. This is his Anna Hazare’s phenomena.
Love it or hate it, you are bound to follow it either on Twitter, Facebook or the traditional media channels—television, radio or newspapers.
He is everywhere and trying to convey in his crude and unsophisticated way—‘Wake up India, before it is very late!’
He knows what his mission in life is, let India know that too!
