Anna Hazare is one of the top politicians in Indian politics today.

I am quite sure Anna Hazare and the members of Team Anna might even not be happy about my referring to him as a ‘politician’ as they prefer calling themselves ‘Civil Society Members’ and not ‘politicians’. All said and done, lets accept the fact that Anna Hazare is a major power in Indian politics today.

Kisan Baburao Hazare is popularly known as Anna Hazare and is said to have played a very important role in the development of his village, Ralegan Siddhi, a remote village in Maharashtra. Anna Hazare won the Padma Bhushan award for this effort in 1992. Some of the good changes brought about in Ralegan Siddhi are abolishing of alcohol, abolishing of cigarettes, removal of untouchability, introduction of Shramdaan (people provide their labour as their contribution towards the improvement of the society).

I also read that some of his techniques are quite strict. Eg, beating up of drunk villagers, supporting capital punishment for corrupt officers, etc.

He has become the central power for anti-corruption struggle in India, which has shaped up in the past two years into a large scale movement, to which the Government has given in during various times. Anna Hazare uses the Gandhian style of approach, going in for fasting as a tool to fight for a cause.

Such a movement, and such a leader of the masses was long overdue in India. All these years, Indians have grown to see corruption become a part and parcel of every day life. Inspite of all the bad news that is coming out against Anna Hazare and his team, it is good to see such a team work together for a common cause.

Good luck to Anna Hazare and Team Anna in their efforts.