Anna’s hometown is slowly turning into a centre of learning for people flocking there to hear the Gandhian, who has revived their hopes to build a new India

Senior engineers of the Swedish company Hoganas, Michael Johansson and B Bengtsson, took a detour on their way to Pune, from Ahmednagar (where the Hoganas factory is located) to meet Anna Hazare at Ralegan Siddhi. The otherwise 'model' village that has quietly thrived in undertaking exemplary water conservation and harmonious community living, has metamorphosed into the nerve centre of national news, since Anna's historic hunger protest at the Ramlila Grounds in Delhi for a strong anti-corruption bill gathered support nationwide.

Johansson, who is an avid fan of Mahatma Gandhi, having read books and watched several films on the leader and his activity, says enthusiastically, "Anna is a great man and has nice thoughts. I got interested in him when I saw him on Swedish television channels. I have traveled to several countries and have seen that corruption is one of the main reasons holding them back from making proper progress.

"I was fascinated to see Anna's movement which was totally peacefully and for a cause that is a major concern for India. Anna has shown that you can have a nationwide campaign on this issue without a stone being thrown at anyone. I think the world should follow this sterling example of non-violent agitation.'' How does he see the future of this movement? Says Johansson optimistically, "I hope it will have the necessary impact.''

The first visible sign of attention are the OB media vans at the gates of Ralegan Siddhi, and TV journalists nosing around for a new angle in the Anna story. Some weeks ago, one would have found bullock carts parked here, or villagers talking casually by the wayside. "He doesn't meet us these days. Please take an appointment for us," pleads a TV correspondent. Suddenly, a large group of youngsters dressed in blazers descends from the bus. Some of them wear the popular "I am Anna" caps that have become synonymous with the nationwide campaign for the Jan Lokpal Bill.



Back in the village, Anna resides in one of the rooms of the newly-constructed hostel at the Devi Temple. The expansive banyan tree and lush greenery all about give it a heritage setting.

Visitors from all parts of the country flock to Ralegan and yearn for a glimpse of Anna, who has become the symbol of purity and justice.

"I want to meet Anna for just five minutes,'' says one young man, displaying a bouquet of flowers that he has brought along to present to the leader. Another man has brough his three-year-old son along: "He has been seeing Anna on TV. Now he wants to receive his blessings."

Anna's helpers, Suresh Pathare and Anil Sharma, have a tough balancing act. "Anna meets visitors at 11am, 1pm and 4pm," they inform the people gathered about. They don't mind waiting. At about 11.30, Anna walks towards the crowd. Two security men swing open the grill and request the crowd to sit down. Mobile cameras flash, many are switched to video mode. Anna talks to the people, beginning with some points that he made in his speeches at the Ramlila. "Build your families, your wealth, your career, and keep some time for nation building." Youngsters nod in appreciation.



As Anna winds up his exchange and turns back to go to his room, I follow after him. "The most excruciating experience at Ramlila Grounds was the lies that our political leaders indulge in, so brazenly. I am so worried-what will happen to the future of this country if we have such untruthful leaders?'' he says, his eyes reflecting the pain.

But in the next moment they light up: "Something good has come out of it. Earlier, the common man used to think, 'I have no power, I have no money-how can I fight the government?' Now he knows that if he has the desire, the determination, the passion and the faith, he can take on those in power. He knows now that he is an important entity in a democracy."

I wanted to begin my series of interviews with him for the authorised biography on Anna that I am writing. He smiles and says, "I am still feeling weak. I have not recovered completely. Can we talk a couple of days later?'' 'Sure', I said.



Still, I sat around to listen and learn from what is going on. When the Swedish engineers sat down to talk to Anna, he said, "I am proud that the revolution has not been bloody. The person who is doing it has to suffer so that he can spread the message of peace and justice far and wide. The world has become polluted, but there still can be a change. We need a change in leadership-leaders with good character, good thought, the ability to sacrifice and bear humiliation. The leader should be able to pick up a broom and do any menial work too-but leaders these days have big egos and that's the biggest pitfall."

The next visitors bring along a large-sized photo frame of Anna during his fast at Ramlila Grounds… the exchanges and the instructions continue with people who have come to learn Anna "by heart". For Anna, each of them is an epitome of the new struggle of freedom from corruption.

PS: A two-day meeting of the core committee of Team Anna will be held in Ralegan Siddhi this weekend to discuss further strategy in the campaign against corruption. Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Prashant Bhushan are expected to attend the meeting along with Anna Hazare.