Hundreds want to foot Anna Hazare’s medical bill. Anna left hospital today

Mangalore Today / PTI

New Delhi, August 31: Hundreds of Anna Hazare supporters have stepped forward to pay the activist’s hospital bill if the 74-year-old is charged. The help poured in a day after it was reported on Tuesday on the ambiguity over the veteran activist’s medical bills for treatment at a Gurgaon-based hospital.

The virtual world was abuzz with messages such as "I want to pay for Annaji" on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and news sites.

"The people of India are with you, Annaji. We will pay for whatever expenses borne by you. Please give us the account number of India Against Corruption (IAC)," posted Keerat Prakash on news website Yahoo.

While help poured in from all corners, it was not clear if Hazare would be charged for his stay at Medanta Medicity in Gurgaon. Hazare was admitted to the hospital soon after he ended his 12-day fast for a stronger Lokpal Bill on Sunday morning.

"He is a decent man. I have immense respect for what he is doing. Let us first see the bills, only then something can be said," heart specialist Naresh Trehan said.

Hazare has been under the medical supervision of Trehan and has not been charged till now.

India Against Corruption (IAC) member Aswathi Muralidharan said, "Till now, he (Hazare) has not been charged. We can only say who will pay the bill if we get the bill."

"Even when Trehan had seen him earlier, he was not charged," she added. But there is no shortage of volunteers in case of any eventuality.

"I am an engineering student at IIT. I request hospital authorities and Team Anna to share the details of amount that is needed. Pocket money or part-time job, our classmates will give in all help," said S Guru Prakash from Bangalore.

Krishan Patel, from Ahmedabad, posted on micro-blogging site Twitter: " Anna is our nation (sic) hero. I am ready to contribute my one month full salary to meet his medical expenditure."

Many supporters posted their phone numbers for further assistance on any financial help.

It was not just people from India who were hailing the activist for his 288-hour fast for anti-corruption dubbed as "people’s power" - people from across the globe also chipped in with words of praise for the activist.

"I am from Zambia. I love his courage and have been following his cause. If the people of India can’t contribute to his cause, I will be more than happy to do it," posted Mwenda on Twitter.

Trisha Jatania wrote on Facebook, "If a taxpayer’s money can go to Prime Minister’s relief fund, it should be utilised for the national hero’s cause also. Your struggle for India to free it from corruption is immense".

Hazare discharged from hospital, leaves for Pune

Anna Hazare was discharged from a hospital this evening three days after he was admitted after he broke his 12-day fast demanding a strong Lokpal bill and left for Pune enroute to his native village in Maharashtra.

Shortly after he was discharged from Medanta Medicity where he had been under treatment since Sunday, the 74-year-old Gandhian flew out of the capital in a scheduled commercial flight of a private airline.

The anti-corruption crusader is returning to Ralegon Siddhi village to be in time for the commencement of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations tomorrow, nearly three weeks after he came to the Capital to launch his indefinite fast that shook the nation.

"Yes, he is out," Dr Yatin Mehta, who was attending on Hazare, told PTI.

Hazare left through the rear entrance apparently to avoid the the glare of the media which was present in strength outside the hospital premises.

Hazare took solid diet for the first time today since being admitted in the hospital, Dr Naresh Trehan, CEO and chairman of Medanta Medicity, earlier said, adding, "His condition is near normal.

"He has started taking dal-roti and khichidi (porridge)," he said. Trehan said Hazare’s blood-pressure was 140/90, which is normal, and his pulse rate was 80 per minute.

Hazare has also gained 400 gms in the last 24 hours and he now weighs 67 kg.
The doctor said ketones presence in his urine is normal now and his liver and kidneys were functioning well.

Hazare ended his fast on the dais at Ramlila maidan on Sunday before thousands of cheering supporters, a day after Parliament agreed to refer to three of his demands--Citizen’s charter, inclusion of lower bureaucracy and creation of Lokayuktas through Lokpal bill--for Standing Committee’s consideration.