- ANNA HAZARE -
" My Village My Place of Pilgrimage"
Anna Ji is an Indian social activist who led movements to promote rural development, increase government transparency, and investigate corruption in public life and punish those guilty of corruption.
Annaji's Early Life
I was born on 15th June, 1938 at Bhingar Village near Ahmednagar. Although I belong to Ralegan Siddhi Village which is tucked in Parner taluka of Ahmednagar District, my paternal grandfather worked in the Bhingar Cantonment. Thus, our entire family used to stay with him in Bhingar. In Bhingar, I studied in the Late Khushroo Irani Brothers School up to standard 4th, after which my maternal uncle took me to Mumbai for further studies. My mother instilled good values in me. Although she was illiterate, she knew how to build relationships with people around and how to be a good human being, which comprised not to tell lies, not to steal, not to be shrewd. always make efforts to do good for the people, if you are unable to do good for them, at least do not do ill to others, she would say. These values had a great influence over me all my life.
Since my childhood I was staunchly patriotic thanks to the values instilled by my mother. That’s how I applied and joined the Army in 1963. Why do people live then? What is the purpose of life? I contemplated but could not find any answers. I asked this question to many people but none was able to satisfy my quest. Thus, one day I sat in silence in a corner of the room and thought of committing suicide. By sheer coincidence, I saw an attractive photograph of Swami Vivekananda on a book cover, at the book vendor’s stall at the Delhi Railway Station. I bought it because I found the cover page, attractive. I started reading and found the thread of life. I started reading his other books but it was a bit challenging for me to understand his philosophy, particularly not for a not-so- educated person like me. However, through his words. I comprehended that man indulges in the possessiveness of materialistic wealth, in his chase of happiness.
In 1965, the enemy, that is Pakistan, attacked, by air, at the Indo-Pakistan border of Khemkaran. In that assault, all my colleagues were martyred. Twenty five to thirty bullets hit the vehicle which I was driving because of which the front tires burst. Three bullets hit the windscreen but I was saved. I saw blood all around me and I thought that the fact that I was saved and all my colleagues around me were killed, it implied that God wants me to get something done through me. I made a pledge. I took this escape from death as rebirth and vowed to devote this new lease of life to the service of my village, society and my nation. I also pledged to remain a bachelor, for marriage meant that my first priority would be attending to the family’s daily needs and children upbringing. That would adversely affect my mission. This pledge which I took on the Indo- Pak border at the age of 25 years continued be strong even in my ripe age of 82 years. I feel this is a blessing showered on me by the Almighty.
God has been kind to me and without tainting even a wee bit of my character, i gained the strength of self-restraint and self- discipline. If a soldier decides to overcome the challenges, the hardships turn into achievable goals. That’s a lesson I learnt from the Army. If social activists form their goal of life to selflessly serve, they will conquer death. Such a person will never cow down to challenges, opposition and humiliation. He will never back out even if death stares at him. This is how he continues to overcome all challenges. In the last 50 years I’ve pursued with my resolve and did not get discouraged with any opposition, challenge or humiliation. When I decided to dedicate my life to my village, the society and my country, I realized that serving’ the people is my destination. With this approach, development took place in Ralegansiddhi and nearby villages. Personality should be unblemished with pure thoughts, pure morals, untainted character and a life of sacrifice. A life of sacrifice is the rich cultural heritage of our country.
The law of nature in regard to sacrifice is that. if you want to see a well-studded maize corn on the corn fields, one corn has to bury itself in the ground and sacrifice its existence. They are perhaps ignorant that those who do not bury themselves are churned to nothingness in the flour mill. The seed that is buried is never destroyed -it creates thousands of new corns. Sant Tukaram has said “eka beej kela naash | Mag bhogile kanees.” I took the garb of a seed at the age of 25 years and decided to bury myself in serving the society. Today, the fruition is colossal. No one would listen to a leader who only talks but does not walk the talk. The wise say that action is stronger than speeches. Sant Kabir says, “kathani meethi khaand si | Karanee vish ki loay | Kathnee chod karanee kare toh vish ka amrut hoay |” Just talking is like Khandsari sugar, it is like poison. Instead of only talking, if you show your merit in your actions, then poison turns into sweet nectar.
Awards
1986
Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award
1987
Krishi Bhushan Award (Maharashtra)
1990
Padma Shri Award (India)
1992
Padma Bhushan Award
2014
Allard Prize Award (Canada)
2014
Dinanath Mangeshkar Jivan Gaurav Awards
Agitations
Agitation For Approval of School in Ralegan Siddhi Village
1980
Agitation due To Non-cooperation Of Administration In Village Development Work
1983
Agitation For The Demand Regarding Drip Irrigation and Borewell Subsidy For Agriculture
1989
Agitation For Inquiry Into Corruption In The Forestry Department
1994
Books
Annaji's Work At Glance
Anna Hazare is a well-known social worker of India. A former soldier in the Indian Army, Anna is known and honored for upgrading the ecology and economy of Ralegan Siddhi village, which is located in the drought-prone Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra state. The former barren village has transformed into a unique model of rural development due to its effective water conservation methods, which have made the villagers self-reliant. Earlier, this same village had seen alcoholism, extreme poverty and migration to urban slums. Inspired by Hazareji’s unique vision of saving a hopeless village, the state government has implemented the ‘Adarsh Gaon Yojana’ as part of its official strategy!
Anna Hazare Ji won the prestigious Padma Shri and then Padma Bhushan award, CARE International of USA, Transparency International, Seoul (South Korea) also honored him.
Anna Hazare ji, with his unique movements, has forced the Central Government and State Governments to work in the interest of the people and society.
Anna Hazare Ji’s works have now become synonymous with rural development in India.
Right To Information Act
In the early 2000s, Anna Hazare Ji led a movement in the state of Maharashtra that forced the state government to enact the amended Maharashtra Right to Information Act. This Act is considered the basis for RTI.
Gram Sabha
Anna Hazare Ji campaigned for amendment in the Gram Sabha Act between 1998 and 2006, so that the villagers could participate in the development of the village. Due to this campaign, amendment to the Gram Sabha Act was passed.
Education for All
Anna Hazare ji worked closely with the village youth to increase the literacy rate and level of education. In 1976 they started a pre-school and in 1979 a high school.
Grain Bank
In the year 1980, Anna Hazare ji started the grain bank in the temple with the aim of providing food security to needy farmers during drought or crop failure.
Agitations
Anna Hazare ji agitated on various issues during his lifetime. of those movements As a result, the Central Government and State Governments were forced to work in the interest of the public and society. Anna Hazare's movement was appreciated not only from India but from all over the world.
Hunger Strike
Anna Hazare ji fasted on various issues during his lifetime. of those fasts As a result, the Central Government and State Governments were forced to work in the interest of the public and society. Due to Anna ji's fast, people all over India benefited.
Village Prosperity
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