Who is Anna Hazare ?........A personal Experience




Who is Anna Hazare?
1. Who is Anna Hazare? 
An ex-army man. Fought 1965 Indo-Pak War
2. What’s so special about him?  He built a village Ralegaon Siddhi in Ahamad Nagar district, Maharashtra
3. So what? This village is a self-sustained model village. Energy is produced in …the village itself from solar power, biofuel and wind mills. In 1975, it used to be a poverty clad village. Now it is one of the richest village in India. It has become a model for self-sustained, eco-friendly & harmonic village.


4. Ok,…? This guy, Anna Hazare was awarded Padma Bhushan and is a known figure for his social activities.
5. Really, what is he fighting for? He is supporting a cause, the amendment of a law to curb corruption in India.
6. How that can be possible? He is advocating for a Bill, The Jan Lokpal Bill (The Citizen Ombudsman Bill), that will form an autonomous authority who will make politicians (ministers), beurocrats (IAS/IPS) accountable for their deeds.
7. It’s an entirely new thing right..? In 1972, the bill was proposed by then Law minister Mr. Shanti Bhushan. Since then it has been neglected by the politicians and some are trying to change the bill to suit thier theft (corruption).
8. Oh.. He is going on a hunger strike for that whole thing of passing a Bill ! How can that be possible in such a short span of time? The first thing he is asking for is: the government should come forward and announce that the bill is going to be passed. Next, they make a joint committee to DRAFT the JAN LOKPAL BILL. 50% goverment participation and 50% public participation. Because you cant trust the government entirely for making such a bill which does not suit them.
9. Fine, What will happen when this bill is passed? A LokPal will be appointed at the centre. He will have an autonomous charge, say like the Election Commission of India. In each and every state, Lokayukta will be appointed. The job is to bring all alleged party to trial in case of corruptions within 1 year. Within 2 years, the guilty will be punished. Not like, Bofors scam or Bhopal Gas Tragedy case, that has been going for last 25 years without any result.
10. Is he alone? Who else is there in the fight with Anna Hazare? Baba Ramdev, Ex. IPS Kiran Bedi, Social Activist Swami Agnivesh, RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal and many more. Prominent personalities like Aamir Khan is supporting his cause.
11. Ok, got it. What can I do? At least we can spread the message. How? Putting status message, links, video, changing profile pics. At least we can support Anna Hazare and the cause for uprooting corruption from India. At least we can hope that his Hunger Strike does not go in vain. At least we can pray for his good health. Thanks for reading.





This is a post that was sent to me by one of my army friends....It is a first person account from Air Marshall Raghu Rajan  who met him in his own village years back, and came back impressed. 


It reads  as.....


I met Anna Hazare,in1998,during a visit as an Air Cmde from DSSC,alongwith my friends,Ravi Burli and Kalaichelvan.We were then in Ahmednagar at the Armd Corps Centre and school.Having arranged a vehicle to take us to Ralegaon Siddhi,we drove along the Nagar-Pune road,till a friendly ex-army sub directed us.As we entered RS,the road was lined with trees on either side!


The road then took a dip and we entered a verdant village,full of greenery .


We met Anna rebuilding the temple with other villagers.My idea was to find out how a Naik ASC driver,could have transformed a village,steeped in the making of hooch,to this green village,and had been awarded the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri.


When Anna arrived in his village,everything was in his  words,imported.The villagers were busy collecting wood to burn and heat the still,and when they started removing th temple wooden beams,it was the last straw!He had Rs20,000/ as his commuted pension,and he used this to buy bricks to replace the beams ans make the walls stronger.The villagers were ashamed at this,and joined hands.He identified water availability as the crux,and with the advice of the Irrigation dept,he made a series of check dams,using chain-link pieces and stones,to hold the small runoffs,till the base,where he built a concrete dam to hold the water during the rains.


His efforts were so successful,that in one year,the water table rose by 12 ft,and water from then on was available to the village on a perennial basis.He then convinced the villagers to adopt-Nasha Bandhi,Nas Bandhi,Chara Bandhi(they were to cut the grass and feed it to the cattle,instead of letting them roam at will and denude the hillsides of precious grass),100% literacy,no caste discrimination and care for the girl child!Water made Ralegaon Siddhi self sufficient in grain,fruits(they started selling Mangoes, Chikoos, Bananas,Papayas etc),and in his words,the GDP of each villager to Rs 3000/.


They built a double storey building for their residential school,were no student would be failed-a revolutionary idea!
When an SC person was facing financial difficulties,he mustered funds,got the person out of trouble,and even collected funds to arrange for his daughter's marriage!


When I asked why I did not see a domino effect,he put it to leadership.He told me that he did not marry,as it would have diverted his attention from bringing up the village-it took 20 years of hard toiling effort.He did not accept any financial help from my side,as he said that it would lower him in his eyes-he had refused to accept 1000$ from a German TV unit for that same reason.


When we left,I saluted him,as I felt deeply humbled in the presence of a man who had achieved so much, in his life
That is Anna Hazare.........................................................



Comments

  1. DEAR DAAR JI,IN FACT WE NEED A LEADER WHO STICK TO HIS WORDS MEANING THERE BY NOT TO DO SOMETHING AND SAY SOMETHING ELSE,NORMALLY WE TALK LIKE SOCIALISTS BUT WANT TO LIVE LIKE CAPITALISTS,IS IT NOT THAT WE BELIVE IN FIVE STAR SOCIALISM?BEFORE TALKING ABOUT THE LOKPAL BILL THERE IS AN ACT "ASSESTS BEYOND INCOME" WHETHER EACH AND EVERYBODY IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SAME? BEFORE THROWING A STONE ON OTHER WE SHALL HAVE TO LOOK AT OURSELVES.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Do you think Anna is a voice....That is saying ..what we have all been wanting to say...?...For decades...

    2 hours ago · Like ·
    Like this item
    Pankaj Malviya, Hardeep Singh, Precy Lao and 7 others like this.

    Dps Jadon SIR ,HE HAS STARTED SOME THING FOR ,EVERY BODY WAS WAITING .AT PRESENT HE IS THE VOICE
    2 hours ago · Unlike · 5 people

    Nilesh Saraf if anybody has followed anna hazare's life we have an encyclopedia in front of us.. simplicity.. absolutely no personal interests... as a human a tall character.. unmatched.. he is the correct person .. and a symbol of the anguish in the mi...
    See More
    about an hour ago · Unlike · 3 people
    Daarji Returns Flawless...record...service to the nation...NCO in the army....Panchayat...organisation...
    about an hour ago · Like · 3 people

    Nilesh Saraf water conservation.. renowable energy... sanitation.. anti dowry.. alcohol banned.. health facilities.. his village is the role model to be replicated!!! rale gan siddhi.. near pune... hats off to this gentleman
    about an hour ago · Unlike · 3 people

    Ramanpreet Kaur absolutely!!
    about an hour ago · Unlike · 3 people
    Daarji Returns Thank you ...Nilesh....What ever little i can do ...I try....I write...I comment...Motivate opinions....ake to the youthis each one can make a difference.....Positive energies transmit...
    about an hour ago · Unlike · 3 people

    Nilesh Saraf slowly and surely we can make it into a force! sir ideas and motivations are important for any revolution.. two things are to be clear for any war or revolution.. what is for we are fighting.. how are we fighting.. you show us the way.. energies we will bind together behind these ideas and translate them into reality..
    about an hour ago · Unlike · 2 people
    Daarji Returns Bless you.... Thank you
    about an hour ago · Unlike · 2 people

    Venkatakrishnan Balaji ‎Daarji Returns- Count me in
    about an hour ago · Unlike · 1 person

    Pankaj Malviya YES !
    36 minutes ago · Like · 1 person

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  3. Ashok Sharma Anna is a voice Daar Ji : yes. I happen to be fortunate to know him closely when we were lodged in the same Hotel on same floor where Anna spent a
    few hours in 2006 and my trip and attendance to that Global Conference was
    also sponsored by One World Org.

    Spending some time with Anna gave me an opportunity to know him from a
    close Angle. Anna is Unassuming... Simple Truthful person with no pretention. and I guess years of his struggles at grassroot levels, scarcity, paucity of funds has made him outspoken and a bit harsh at times. And since I have also lived a life of extreme poverty till today, I could well understand reasons of why he is at times a very Angry Old man. Anna minces no words...He never fumbles for the answers as he has no time to fabricate replies. I could see his mind remains much occupied with other thoughts about India and problems of its people.

    Kiran Bedi specially, besides some others, might prove a good Asset to his Campaigns in coming days. Personally I have a deep respect for this Son of India. From a simple unassuming stance he speaks his heart out..!If not all, i find many points are like I been saying for over 12 yrs. Anna has travelleda different route, gathered his own unique experiences and has a solid experienceof serving society more than 25 years.
    I am sure many in India find Eco of their own thoughts when Anna Speaks !

    Ashok Sharma

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  4. हमने महात्मा गाँधी को नहीं देखा, आप को देखा तो लगा गाँधी भी आप जैसे ही होंगे !!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Priscilla....You are kind...yeh bahut ooncha darza hai mere leye.Dhanyavaad

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ashok Sharma.... This is true Daarji, may be nearly a lakh in 4 km long thick procession that started from India Gate. In my colony where I stay in every block and sector we see youth marching in streets with candles. One wonders if Anna's movement has a blessings from the Supernatural forces. Media coverage has also helped to some extent but Youth of our country has taken the call like never before

    Ashok Sharma

    It is only the Unconditional Love that prevails, and nothing else ! -Ashok
    20 hours ago via · Unlike · 3 people
    Daarji Returns His will is paramount...
    9 hours ago · Like

    Bharath Ram ....yes ashok Ji....here in our locality in south india...many youths are aspired...n waiting for a chance to hit....surely....the country will be with him some day.......
    9 hours ago · Unlike · 2 people

    Ashok Sharma Bharat Ram ji:
    Its is now the the turn of India to bathe in the New Era which says that the AGE OF LIGHT HAS STARTED. Coming days shall unfold the stratagies of the Govt Camp which many civil society members are expecting in suspicion and with raised Eye brows. What truly is most important today to note that Govt has thousand tricks and resources to quash this movement and a United Support of Civil Society groups from all states would strengthen this resolve. Jan Lok Pal Bill Draft of Anna Team is strong enough to contain corruption but for overall good benefits and comprehensive, inclusive and meaningful dev of each member of our our society much work is yet to be completed. I suggest Anna Support zGroups in every colony to prepare and add their inputs to help create a crisp implementable draft. It is time to you’re your imagination and VISION cannons and say Loud How and what we wish to see for India. “ I suggest a 2 page condensed, structured and point wise
    document entiled : MY VISION FOR INDIA “ flowing to Anna from every District of India in next three days because this is where all focus is going to be in next 15 days !

    ReplyDelete
  7. Daarji Returns Let us not dream a big picture....It may lead to disappointment ...Let us just take it as a long journey and this is the first step.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Daarji Returns
    Some days in a nation's life are more equal than others. August 19, 2011, is one such day. A Gandhian, Anna Hazare, begins his own experiments with truth - in the form of an indefinite fast - to root out corruption from the soil of this ancient land. We bring you a blow-by-blow account of events and thoughts as they happen.

    2:22 pm: Anna addresses supporters at Ramlila
    2:14 pm: Anna reaches India Gate
    9 hours ago · Like · · Unsubscribe
    Nilesh Saraf, Manjit Kaur, Anand Bahuguna and 2 others like this.

    Nilesh Saraf .........i m sincerely praying that the steam sustains!! om off to delhi.. i m joining anna hajare on sunday!! i m not bothered who is with me!! i m standing for my country!!!
    2 hours ago · Like

    Daarji Returns Bravo..... hope there are many like you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nilesh Saraf
    I wonder how lunchtime would be in Tihar. Raja Kalmadi filling their plates while they watch Anna fasting because of them.....Chetan Bhagat
    Wednesday at 5:45pm · Unlike · · Subscribe
    You, L.g. James, Narinder Pal Singh, Bharath Ram and 4 others like this.

    Ashok Sharma
    Ha ha ! Anna has developed a strong constitution and a great mental resolve just like a tough soldier on war front. I heard him say- that with now youth on streets he feels more spirited and said, can carry on and on

    Ashok Sharma

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ashok Sharma

    DAAR JI: SSA ! REMAINED MUCH OCCUPIED LAST TWO DAYS WITH AND AROUND OUR GROUPS SUPPORTING THIS BLESSED SON OF INDIA . I AGREE IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO SEE TRICKLED DOWN EFFECT OF GOOD MOVES BUT NEVERTHELESS IT IS HEARTENING TO SEE
    SOME MOVEMENT ASTARTED TOWARD THIS DIRECTION THOUGH CONDITIONS MAY FIRST REACH TO WORST BEFORE IT MAY START GETTING BETTER . MY LOVEFUL REGARS !.
    P.S:
    WISH TO BRIEFLY ADD HERE THAT GREEDY MONSTERS
    WHO ARE THE REAL BOSSES AND WHO DOLE OUT HUGE BENEFITS TO CORRUPT CONTROLLERS AND EVEN LIBERALLY PAY OUT UNDESCRIPT HIDDEN SALARIES TO MOST OF OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AND BUREAUCRATS MAY NOT LEAVE EASILY AND. AMIDST ALL THIS CHAOS AND COMMOTION SNAP NEW TAXES ON PEOPLE. THESE ARE VERY PETRILIOUS TIMES FOR CIVIL SOCIETY AND TESTING TIMES FOR ANNA AND HIS TEAM WHO NEED TO STAY BETTER INFORMED IN NEXT PHASE OF NEGOTIONS THAT HAVE ALREA

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