Voice of 1.2 Billion "Anna tum Agge badho hum tumhare saath hain"

Anna Hazare “Voice of 1.2 billion”

Introduction

India, recently celebrated its 64^th Independence Day. I am from India and remember history of my country that how our great leaders struggled to get independence. The first revolt which started in 1857 against the British rule ended up on 15^th August 1947, the day when India became an Independent country. Thousands of our great leaders sacrificed their lives for our future. The G.D.P of India in 1950 was 93.5 Billion whereas with in a small span of 64 years the G.D.P of India has rose to 3,608.196 which is more than 38 times and makes India the country with second highest G.D.P in the World after China.

315 million of the entire population that comes around 30% of the population of India is between 10-24 years, which states that the future of India is bright. But main question in front of India is, will she be able to retain and use the power of their youth in future?

It is estimated that the black money or the corruption money in Swiss bank alone is more than $1.4 trillion of Indian politicians and government officials. The money which belongs to the nation and its citizens is stashed in the illegal personal accounts of corrupt politicians, IRS, IPS officers and industrialists. An amount which is 13 times larger than the nation’s foreign debt, every year this amount is increasing at a rapid speed but the Indian government seem to be silent over this matter from a very long time. The total black money accounts for 40% of GDP of India, if India is able to get money back then that could result in huge growth burst for India. It is even believed by the economists that if India is able to get it back, India would surpass China in GDP and with in a decade will become a developed country.

“Fight against Corruption”

A leader is a common man like all of us but his past experiences; knowledge and go-getter believe distinct him from us. A leader creates a foundation of fairness and openness and always tells the truth. I have learned that a leader is a problem solver and is a part of the solution. He is always willing and able to delegate. A leader should be patient, disciplined and determined. I learned all these characteristic of a leader after reading our leadership book and from various articles which were in our course.

Kisan Baburao Hazare -- known to his admirers as "Anna" or elder brother in his native Marathi language -- is a former soldier who, after watching compatriots die fighting in the 1965 war with Pakistan, considered suicide until he had a spiritual conversion after reading the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, according to his official biography. Vivekananda, a father of modern Hindu philosophy, emphasized the importance of social service in his teachings.

“Anna Hazare” Gandhi of 21^st Century

“Anna Hazare” a man who was born 15 June 1937 who is about 74 years old went on a hunger strike for continuous 288 hours. He is an Indian social activist and prominent leader in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. People call him as 21^st century “Gandhi”. Anna Hazare, a Gandhian by belief, outlook and practice, has become the face of India's fight against corruption. His "fast unto death" over the issue of the Lokpal Bill or citizens' ombudsman bill made him a global hero. By sheer commitment and simplicity, he has demonstrated that Gandhian principles are pertinent even in the 21st-century India.

           

After his voluntary retirement from the Indian army he went back to his village Ralegan Siddhi (a small village in the outskirts of Maharashtra). It was one of the many villages of India plagued by acute poverty, deprivation, a fragile ecosystem, neglect and hopelessness. Anna made his remarkable social, economical regeneration in his village. He reinforced the normative principles of human development – equity, efficiency, sustainability and people's participation and made Ralegan Siddhi an oasis of human-made regeneration in a human-made desert without any inputs of industrialization and technology-oriented agriculture. After his remarkable efforts for his village he gained respect in the heart of common man. He received two of India’s highest awards in the early 1990’s for his commendable job.

           

He also launched a campaign against the distilling and consumption of liquor in the village, which he believed was leading to widespread alcoholism among men. The anti-alcohol drive was controversial which made his critic speak against him as he tied to post and flogged drunken men but women supported an effort to impose prohibition on the village.

Conclusion

According to the research 29 million googled Anna within a week, shows his popularity all over the world. Anna Hazare a bold man who fasted for over 288 hours ignored several pleas of the government to defer his fast and stood firm on his demand for the LokPal Bill. He maintained that the current Bill covering only politicians was inadequate as politicians often colluded with officials to indulge in corruption.

Thousands of people, including students, teachers, artistes, retired government officers and activists joined Anna to support his movement against corruption. On the Net, support for Anna is already a viral movement. Unless the government concedes to the demand, this support is only likely to grow.