Anna unveils public award in own name

Mumbai: Winner of many honours, veteran social worker Kisan Baburao ‘Anna’ Hazare has immortalised himself – by instituting an annual public award in his name for people excelling in community activities, an official said.

Titled ‘Anna Hazare Social Service Gaurav Award’, four notables have been selected for the inaugural distinction and shall be conferred it at a function scheduled on his upcoming birthday, June 15, and thereafter every year.

They are: Dr. Rajendra Dhamane and Dr. Suchita Dhamane of Mauli Seva Pratisthan, Sachin Khedkar of Uphal Foundation in Shegaon (both Ahmednagar); Santosh Garje of Aai Foundation in Gevrai (Beed); and Kishore Deshpande of Sawali Care Centre (Kolhapur).

The award ceremony on behalf of Hazare’s native village, Ralegan-Siddhi, to the silent but dedicated individuals, shall be conducted and honours disbursed under the auspices of Swami Vivekananda Kritagya Nidhi Sansthan.

The prizes shall be worth Rs. 2 Lakhs, Rs 1.50 Lakhs, and two third prizes of Rs 1 Lakh each, besides certificate of merit and mementos.

Explaining the legendary Hazare’s inspiration and magnanimity behind the award, his aide Ansar Shaikh said that during his lifetime, the anti-corruption Gandhian crusader was conferred with many accolades.

“These award monies, totaling to around Rs 1.67 crore, are in fixed deposits through a trust. He specifically directed that since the amount has come from society it should go back to the people in society. Hence, the interest on the FDs shall be utilized for the cash rewards of the new honour in Hazare’s name,” Shaikh told ‘The Perfect Voice’.

On his part, Hazare, 87 – born to labourers Baburao and Laxmibai - reminisced his tough and deprived childhood, the strong values imbibed from his unlettered mother, and the family’s sheer struggles for survival.

“Guided by my mother’s values and the school teachers, influences of Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhiji, I decided at the age of 16 to remain unmarried and dedicate myself independently to society,” Hazare said today.

Unshackling himself from traditional aspirations, and hoping to improve his family’s financial condition, the young Hazare joined the Indian Army as a driver, and had a close shave with death on occasions.

Now in the late-evening of his life, the octogenarian travelled and worked in many places around the country but termed his over seven years in the snowy Himalayas as a ‘milestone’ in his life.

Hazare served the nation plus helped his family back home by sending part of his salary and after a 15-year long stint, took voluntary retirement from the army to immerse himself in a second glorious social career punctuated with many crusades.

“I am nearly 90. I have only a cot to sleep in and a plate to eat my food. But my social service and public activities keep on expanding. I am getting a pension from the army, so there is no need to spend anything from the prize monies. It will now be rolled back for public causes,” Hazare said matter-of-factly on the award in his name.

“I have fulfilled the vows of public service during my entire life… and will continue to do so. However, I want this work to continue even after me. So we have decided to help those whose thoughts and acts are pure, persons with impeccable character, their lives full of sacrifices and treading the path of truth,” he added.

Shaikh said that Hazare’s life-savings from various awards are with the Swami Vivekananda Gratitude Trust which will continue giving the awards uninterrupted, with a celebration in Ralegan-Siddhi, besides supporting the poor and needy wherever required.

“There should be a feeling of 'surrender’ by which joy flows in life and sorrow is erased. When 'I' and 'Mine' dissolve, then there is only joy and more joy left, and it always remains. I am immersed in that bliss,” Hazare observed.