ANNA HAZARE…THE ONE MAN ARMY!!

• Kisan Baburao Hazare, popularly known as Anna Hazare (January 15, 1940), is an Indian social activist who is especially recognized for his contribution to the development of RALEGAN SIDDHI, a village in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India and his efforts for establishing it as a model village, for which he was awarded the PADMA Bhushan by Govt. of India, in 1992. He is also one of the leading figures who championed the cause of RIGHT TO Information Act in India for his crusade towards fighting corruption in public offices.

EARLY LIFE AND BACKROUND

• Anna Hazare was born in a poor family. His father Baburao Hazare was an unskilled labourer and his grandfather worked for the army. His grandfather was deployed in Bhingar which made Baburao and family to move to Bhingar, where Anna was born. Anna'a grandfather died in 1945 when Anna's father resigned from his job and returned to Ralegan Siddhi. Anna had completed his education up to fourth standard and also had six younger siblings. The family's financial situation was tough. Baburao's sister, who was childless offered to take care of Anna and took him to Mumbai.Anna's father had to sell off his farmland making life tough for the family. This forced Anna who was in Mumbai and just completed his seventh grade in school to take up a job. Anna worked for a florist at Dadar, Mumbai earning about forty rupees a month. He eventually started his own flower shop. Two of his brothers came to Mumbaii to join him in his business, increasing the family earnings soon to about 700-800 rupees a month.

CAREER….HIS ARMY LIFE!In a couple of years Anna fell into bad company and In a couple of years Anna fell into bad company and

started wasting his time and money on vices. He also started wasting his time and money on vices. He also started getting involved in brawls and fights, especially started getting involved in brawls and fights, especially when he found some simple person being harassed by when he found some simple person being harassed by goons. He became irregular in sending money to his goons. He became irregular in sending money to his family. The word went around in Ralegan that he had family. The word went around in Ralegan that he had become a bad character himself. In one such fight, become a bad character himself. In one such fight, Anna bashed up a person rather badly. Fearing arrest, Anna bashed up a person rather badly. Fearing arrest, he avoided coming to his regular work and residence he avoided coming to his regular work and residence for some time. During this period (in April 1960) he for some time. During this period (in April 1960) he appeared in Army recruitment interviews and was appeared in Army recruitment interviews and was selected to join the Indian Army.For his initial selected to join the Indian Army.For his initial training, he was sent to training, he was sent to Aurangabad. After training, he . After training, he was posted in was posted in Punjab as a truck driver. Being far away as a truck driver. Being far away from home and separated from all his friends, Anna from home and separated from all his friends, Anna felt lonely. He had once resolved to end his life and felt lonely. He had once resolved to end his life and even wrote a even wrote a suicide note. However, on further note. However, on further reflection, he realised that his suicide may affect the reflection, he realised that his suicide may affect the marriage prospects of his younger sister.marriage prospects of his younger sister.

HIS INHIBITIONS AND ULTIMATE DESIRE.

• When these thoughts were churning in his mind, he came across a small booklet titled Call to the Youth For Nation Building by Swami Vivekananda in a book-stall at the New Delhi station.Vivekananda's thoughts gave meaning to his life and he decided to devote the rest of his life working for the society. He read many more books by Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. His thoughts started developing and in 1970 he told his parents about his decision not to get married. He urged his parents to go ahead and arrange the marriage of his younger brothers. The new-found desire to live beyond his narrow self interest later drove him to seek voluntary retirement from the Army and come back to serve his own village.

• He wanted his native village, Ralegan Siddhi, to improve, but did not know how and where to start. He used to come to his village on vacation and spend endless days sitting on the rocks at the outskirts of the village. Having spent most of his life in Mumbai and in the Army,  Moreover, the people of Ralegan who had known him as an angry young man from the days when he used to sell flowers outside Dadar station, were unaware of the transformation that had taken place in the personality of Anna Hazare.In 1971, Anna was transferred to Mumbai. From Mumbai he started visiting the village regularly. From 1971 to 1974 his interaction with the village people increased. He also spent about Rs. 3000 for giving a face lift to the Padmavati temple with a coat of oil paint. He also developed good relations with the village youth.In 1974, he was transferred to Jammu. In 1975, he completed fifteen years of service in Army, a statutory requirement for being entitled to a pension. He sought retirement and, finally, in August 1975, he got relieved from the Army and came back to Ralegan Siddhi for good.

HIS CONTRIBUTION TOVARIOUS PROGRAMMES.

1.WATERSHED

DEVELOPMENT.

2.RESTORING THE GREEN COVER.

3.UPROOTING ALCHOHOLISM.

4.MILK

PRODUCTION.

5.EDUCATION.

6.REMOVAL OF UNTOUCHABILITY.

WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT:KEY TO

ECONOMIC GROWTH• Anna Hazare says, you cannot expect a hungry man to live by principles. His first priority will be to Anna Hazare says, you cannot expect a hungry man to live by principles. His first priority will be to

feed himself and his family. Even though jobs, mostly government and army, provided economic feed himself and his family. Even though jobs, mostly government and army, provided economic certainties for a few most of the population still dependent on agriculture in Ralegan Siddhi. Anna certainties for a few most of the population still dependent on agriculture in Ralegan Siddhi. Anna realized that the only way to increase agricultural production in a sustainable manner was to build realized that the only way to increase agricultural production in a sustainable manner was to build better irrigation system. Taking into account the geographical location of Ralegan, located in the better irrigation system. Taking into account the geographical location of Ralegan, located in the foothills, Anna Hazare persuaded villagers to construct a watershed embankment to stop water and foothills, Anna Hazare persuaded villagers to construct a watershed embankment to stop water and allow it to percolate and increase ground water level. The first embankment that was built using allow it to percolate and increase ground water level. The first embankment that was built using voluneteer efforts developed a leak and had to reconstructed this time with government funding.voluneteer efforts developed a leak and had to reconstructed this time with government funding.

• Anna also take steps to stop the second big problem, soil erosion. In order to conserve soil and Anna also take steps to stop the second big problem, soil erosion. In order to conserve soil and water by checking the run off, contour trenches and gully pluges were constructed along the hill water by checking the run off, contour trenches and gully pluges were constructed along the hill slopes. Grass, shrubs and about 3 lakh trees were planted along the hillside and the village. This slopes. Grass, shrubs and about 3 lakh trees were planted along the hillside and the village. This process was supplemented by afforestation, nullah bunds, underground check dams and cemented process was supplemented by afforestation, nullah bunds, underground check dams and cemented bandhras at strategic locations. The Watershed Development programme turned into a huge bandhras at strategic locations. The Watershed Development programme turned into a huge success and helped increase the fortunes of many farmers as they now had a reliable source of success and helped increase the fortunes of many farmers as they now had a reliable source of water.onion worth Rs.80 lakhs today. As a result of these changes total agricultural production water.onion worth Rs.80 lakhs today. As a result of these changes total agricultural production went up from 294.3 tones in 1975-76 to 1386.2 tones in 1985-86. At current prices it meant an went up from 294.3 tones in 1975-76 to 1386.2 tones in 1985-86. At current prices it meant an increase from Rs. 3.46 lakh to Rs. 31.73 lakh i.e. 4.7fold increase in quantity and a 9-fold increase in increase from Rs. 3.46 lakh to Rs. 31.73 lakh i.e. 4.7fold increase in quantity and a 9-fold increase in value.value.

RESTORING THE GREEN COVER.

• Trees are the greatest friend a man can have , they keep environment clean and healthy. They also fulfill the fuel & fodder needs of village. Recognizing this, the villagers undertook a massive tree plantation drive."Social fencing" was introduced whereby villagers voluntarily prevented cattle, goats and sheeps from grazing freely. Open grazing was completely banned with a new emphasis on stall-feeding (Kurhad Bandi). The Sarpanch (head of the village council) of Ralegan narrates: "There is a surplus of fuel wood and fodder. We now help neighbouring villages in their time of need." As fodder became available in abundance, the productivity and number of milk animals increased.

UPROOTING ALCHOHOLISM.

• As the next step towards social and economical change, Anna Hazare and the youth group decided to take up the issue of Alcoholism.. At a meeting conducted in the temple, the villagers resolved to close down the liquor dens and ban the drinking of alcohol in the village.Over thirty liquor brewing units were closed by their owners voluntarily. Those who did not succumb to social pressure were forced to close down their businesses, when the youth group smashed up their liquor dens. The owners could not complain as their business was illegal.

• Through the closure of liquor brewing reduced the alcoholism in Ralegan Siddhi, some villagers continued to drink.The villagers decided that those men would be given three warnings, after which they would be physically punished. Twelve men who were found in a drunken state even after initial warnings were tied to a pole with help of youth group and flogged. Anna Hazare says, “Doesn’t a mother administer bitter medicines to a sick child when she knows that the medicine can cure her child? The child may not like the medicine, but the mother does it only because she cares for child. The alcoholics were punished so that their families would not be destroyed.”

EDUCATION

• Anna Hazare along with the youth of Ralegan siddhi worked to increase literacy rates and education levels. In year 1976 they started pre school to the primary school and a high school in 1979. The villagers started taking active interest in the village school and formed Sant Yadav Baba Shikshan Prasarak Mandal(trust) which was registered in 1979. The trust decide to take over the function of the village school which was in bad state due to government neglect and also lack of interest on behalf of teachers who were moonlighting.After opening of the school in the village, a girl student from Ralegan Siddhi completed her S.S.C in 1982 for the first time. Since then the school has been instrumental in bringing in lots of changes to the village.

REMOVAL OF UNTOUCHABLES.

• The social barriers that existed due to the caste system have been broken down by Ralegan Siddhi villagers and people of all castes come together to celebrate social events. The people of Ralegan have largely succeeded in eradicating social discrimination on the basis of caste. The dalits have been integrated into the social and economic life of the village. The villagers have built houses for the Harijanas and helped to repay their loans to free them from their indebtedness.

PRESENT

• Today Anna has almost acquired the stature of a saint. He donated his land for the hostel building. He gives his pension money to the village fund. A confirmed bachelor, he lives in the village temple with a bare minimum of personal belongings. He eats simple food normally cooked for the hostel boys. Both his parents and brothers stay in the village but they are no different from him than any other family in the village. This moral authority growing out of his selfless life has made him an unquestioned leader of the village.

ARREST

• Anna Hazare was arrested in 1998 when a defamation suit was filed against him by then Maharashtra Social Welfare minister Babanrao Golap. He was released following public uproar.

AWARDS & QUOTATIONS

• Padmashree award by government of India in the year 1990

• Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra award, by government of India on November 19, 1986 from the hands of Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi.

• Krishi Bhushana award by Maharashtra government in 1989.

• Felicitation by Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation 15 January 1987

• Felicitation by Pune Municipal Corporation.

• On April 15, 2008, Kisan Baburao Hazare received the World Bank's 2008 Jit Gill Memorial Award for Outstanding Public Service: "Hazare created a thriving model village in Ralegan Siddhi, in the impoverished Ahmednagar region of Maharashtra state, and championed the right to information and the fight against corruption."

QUOTATIONS• Anna's philosophy is a mix of Hindu spiritualism and modern Hindu thinkers like Swami

Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave. Various quotations taken from Anna's lectures reflect this philosophy and his the foundation of his concept of model village. [2]

• Over every huge tree that we see overground, there always is a seed that had submerged itself into the darkness of the soil.

• Ban on consumption and sale of alcohol lays the foundation of rural development.

• It is impossible to change the village without transforming the individual. Similarly it is impossible to transform the country without changing its villages.

• If villages are to develop, politics have to be kept out.

• Education without spirituality cannot help development.

• Money alone does not bring development, but it certainly corrupts.

• In the process of rural development, social and economic development should go hand in hand .

• The work of social transformation is neither easy nor impossible.

• The ultimate goal of all politics and social work should be the upliftment of society and of the nation .

• Books alone cannot prepare future citizens, it requires cultural inputs to do so .

• Educational institutions are not enough to make good citizens, every home should become an educational center.

• Indulgence causes disease whereas sacrifice leads to accomplishment.

• One should not accept anything free; accepting charity makes one lazy and dependent .

• When the person learns to see beyond his self-interest, he begins to get mental peace .

• One who performs all worldly functions and still remains detached from worldly things is a true saint.

• Salvation of the self is a part of salvation of the people.

• It is experience that gives the direction but it is youth that gives the drive to every plan .

THE ROLE OF MEDIA TOWARDS HIS LIFE…!!

• Anna Hazare's recent arrest and release has rightly generated a sense of outrage and violation amongst the people in India. Anna and his life's message, however, are larger and go beyond this particular issue that has captured media attention. Since 1975 under his leadership, Anna's village, Ralegan Siddhi, has been an evolving as an epitomisation of the Gandhian idiom of a self-sufficient village as an elementary unit of social organisation.  Also an important characterisitic of the economic and social transformation of Ralegan is that it has taken place based on the principle of self-help and is concomitant with ensuring social equity, an ideal that is happily at variance with the current fancy for "free market ideals" and "trickle-down economics".  Ralegan has been hailed as a model village, therefore, with characterisitic bureaucratic simplification attempts are being made to "replicate" the Ralegan miracle.  Inconsiderate, the Ralegan experience is extremely relevant for its central tenet, that with the right moral basis and with reasonable inputs, the collective genius of the people is capable of significantly addressing its own needs. For many years now, Ralegan Siddhi has been a byword for model development. However amongst most people I know, there seems to be a general lack of understanding of what really happened in Ralegan and how it came about to be so. When I myself wanted to learn more about Anna Hazare and his role in Ralegan, I did not find any relevant information on the web. Therefore, this page is an attempt to fill this gap and, hopefully, in the future, serve as a clearing house for information on Anna Hazare, his life and its enduring message.  

PRESENTED BY STUDENTS OF GHANSHYAMDAS SARAF

COLLEGE-F.Y.B.M.M.• AS FOLLOWS:

• AAYUSHI LAHIRI

• BHAGYASHREE BHADRA

• RAKSHA SHETTY

• BHUMIKA