Anna Hazare

Kisan Baburao Hazare, popularly known as Anna Hazare (June 15, 1938), is an Indian social activist. who is especially recognized for his contribution to the development of

Ralegan Siddhi, a village in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India and his efforts for establishing it as a model village, for which he was awarded the Padma Bhushan by

Govt. of India, in 1992. He is also one of the leading figures who championed the cause of Right to Information Act in India for his crusade towards fighting corruption in

public offices.

Early life and background

Anna Hazare was born in a poor family. His father Baburao Hazare was an unskilled labourer and his grandfather worked for the army. His grandfather was deployed in

Bhingar which made Baburao and family to move to Bhingar, where Anna was born. Anna’s grandfather died in 1945 but the family continued to stay in Bhingar until 1952

when Anna's father resigned from his job and returned to Ralegan Siddhi. Anna had completed his education up to fourth standard and also had six younger siblings. The

family's financial situation was tough. Baburao's sister, who was childless offered to take care of Anna and took him to Mumbai.

Anna's father had trouble making ends meet and eventually had to sell off his farmland making life tough for the family. This forced Anna who was in Mumbai and just

completed his seventh grade in school to take up a job. Anna worked for a florist at Dadar, Mumbai earning about forty rupees a month. He eventually started his own flower

shop. Two of his brothers came to Mumbai to join him in his business, increasing the family earnings soon to about 700-800 rupees a month. Vivekananda's thoughts gave

meaning to his life and he decided to devote the rest of his life working for the society. He read many more books by Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba

Bhave.
 Making of Ralegan Siddhi into a model village

Ralegan Siddhi was one of the worst victims, hopeless social and economic situation and irresponsible village leadership before 1975 when Kisan Baburao Hazare, affectionately know as Anna Hazare
served in Indian army, until he retired voluntarily in 1975. His close brush with death in the 1965 war changed the course of his life. He decided to dedicate himself to work for the welfare of others
and returned to work for the betterment of his own village, starting with the re-building of the temple.

Anna Hazare believes that religion has a strong influence on people. He says: “God is everywhere, but a child is first introduced to him in the temple. It is here that he receives education on the
important values and morals of life. In a broader sense, the village itself is a temple where people serve and pray and learn the meaning of life.”

The dilapidate condition of the temple in Ralegan Siddhi, from where wood had been used to fuel the liquor dens, symbolized to Anna the condition of the village . Since the temple represents the
cultural heart of a community, Anna felt that renovation of the temple would be the best way to demonstrate his unselfish motives and created an interest in his activities. With his provident fund of
Rs.20, 000+/-, Anna began the Renovation. Inspired by his selfless devotion, first the youth, then the rest of villagers slowly began to rally around him. Villagers, especially the youth group began
gathering here everyday to discuss their problems and matters related to the welfare of village.

Gandhism

Anna utilized individual centred Gandhian methods for bringing about moral pressure on the people. When the high school was started in Ralegan Siddhi, and the state government was not ready to
sanction grant to the school, Anna quietly started his fast outside the Zilla Parishad's office. When the village people came to know of it they also joined him in hundreds. The state government had to
yield to their demand. In another instance, when a couple of families continued to leave their cattle free for grazing in spite of explaining to them the importance of stopping open grazing and of taking
up massive tree plantation programme, Anna and some youth members went on fast for two days to make the people understand the seriousness of the ban on open grazing.

Restoring the green cover

Trees are the greatest friend a man can have, they keep environment clean and healthy. They also fulfill the fuel & fodder needs of village. Recognizing this, the villagers undertook a massive tree
plantation drive. Almost 3-4 lakh trees were planted and nurtured. "Social fencing" was introduced whereby villagers voluntarily prevented cattle, goats and sheeps from grazing freely. Open grazing
was completely banned with a new emphasis on stall-feeding (Kurhad Bandi). The Sarpanch (head of the village council) of Ralegan narrates: "There is a surplus of fuel wood and fodder. We now
help neighbouring villages in their time of need." As fodder became available in abundance, the productivity and number of milk animals increased.
 Prohibition
Alcohol has ruined many families in rural India. The existing laws did not have teeth to ban the sale of alcohol in villages. So he decided to press the government to make a law for prohibition if 50%
women demanded for it. Ultimately, women are the most affected lot if their husbands are drunkards. By the new Act, the women of any village can collectively demand for ban on sale of alcoholic
drinks in the village. If a minimum of 50% of women complain to the District Collector about their sufferings and request for total prohibition in the village, the Collector can hold ballot paper election
in the village. There will be two signs on the paper – one being a bottle in standing position and another being in a horizontal position. The women will cast their votes. In the evening, the votes will be
counted. If more votes are in favour of ‘horizontal bottle’, then the Collector will ban the sale of alcoholic drinks in the village and cancel the license of the seller.In many villages, the licenses have
been cancelled and total prohibition came into reality after this Act. In some villages, the alcohol sellers have manipulated the election with money power. Anyhow, this Act has supported and
strengthened the women. Women have become empowered due to this act and became fearless to come in open against the alcoholism. This Act has helped in organizing the women and fight against
evils for a common good. Women’s empowerment is the need of the day

Milk production

As a secondary occupation, milk production was promoted in Ralegan. Purchase of new cattle and improvement of the existing breed with the help of artificial insemination and timely guidance and
assistance by the veterinary doctor has resulted in an improvement in the cattle stock. The milk production has also increased. Crossbred cows are replacing the local ones which give a low milk yield.
The number of milk cattle has also been growing. Which resulted in growth of one hundred liters (before 1975) to Around 2500 litres per day which is sent to a co-operative dairy (Malganga Dairy) in
Ahmednagar. Some milk is also given to Balwadi (school in Ralegan Siddhi) children & neighbouring village under the child nutrition program sponsored
by the Zilla Parishad.

From the surplus generated, the milk society bought a mini-truck and a thresher. The mini-truck besides transporting milk to Ahmednagar is also used for
taking vegetables and other produce directly to the market, thus eliminating intermediate agents. The thresher is rented out to the farmers during the
harvesting season. Today Ralegan Siddhi earn nearly one crore per annum on dairy.

Education

In the year 1932 Ralegan Siddhi got its first formal school, a single class room primary school. In the year 1962, the villagers via community volunteer effort added more classrooms. By the year 1971
out of estimated population of 1209 only 30.43% were literate (72 women and 290 men). Boys moved to nearby towns of Shirur and Parner to pursue higher education. But due to socio-economic
conditions girls couldn't do the same and were limited to primary education. Anna Hazare along with the youth of Ralegan siddhi worked to increase literacy rates and education levels. In year 1976
they started pre school to the primary school and a high school in 1979. The villagers started taking active interest in the village school and formed Sant Yadav Baba Shikshan Prasarak Mandal(trust)
which was registered in 1979. The trust decide to take over the function of the village school which was in bad state due to government neglect and also lack of interest on behalf of teachers who were
moonlighting.The trust got a government grant to the amount of 4 lakhs was got for the school building using NREP. A new school building was built in next 2 months with volunteer efforts and the
money got via grant. A new hostel was also constructed to house 200 students from weaker sections of the society. After opening of the school in the village, a girl student from Ralegan Siddhi
completed her S.S.C in 1982 for the first time. Since then the school has been instrumental in bringing in lots of changes to the village.
Removal of untouchability

The social barriers that existed due to the caste system have been broken down by Ralegan Siddhi villagers and people of all castes come together to celebrate social events. The people of Ralegan
have largely succeeded in eradicating social discrimination on the basis of caste. The dalits have been integrated into the social and economic life of the village. The villagers have built houses for the
Harijanas and helped to repay their loans to free them from their indebtedness.

Collective marriages

Most rural poor get into a debt-trap as they have to incur heavy expenses at the time of marriage of their son or daughter. It is an undesirable practice but has almost become a social obligation.
Ralegan's people have started celebrating marriages collectively. The feast is held together where the expenses are further reduced by the Tarun Mandal taking the
responsibility of cooking and serving the food. The vessels, the Loud-speaker system, the mandap and the decorations have also been bought by the Tarun Mandal
members belonging to the oppressed castes. From 1976 to 1986, four hundred and twenty four marriages have been held under this system.

Gram Sabha

The Gram Sabha is an important forum for collective decision making in the villages. If villagers are involved in planning and decision making process, they are more open to any changes taking place
in the village. In Ralegan Siddhi, the Gram Sabha meetings are held periodically to discuss issues relating to the welfare of village. Projects like Watershed development activities are undertaken only
after they are discussed in the Gram Sabha. All decision like Nasbandi, Nasabandi, Kurhad Bandi, Charai bandi, Shramdan were taken in the Gram Sabha. Decisions are taken in a simple majority
consensus. In case of difference of opinion the majority consensus becomes acceptable. The decision of the Gram Sabha is accepted as final.

In addition to panchayat, there are several registered societies that take care of various projects and activities of the village. Each society presents its
annual report and statement of accounts in the Gram Sabha every year. The Sant Yadavbaba Shikshan Prasarak Mandali monitors the educational
activities. The Vivid karyakari society gives assistance and provides guidance to farmers regarding fertilizers, seeds, organic farming, financial assistance,
etc. Sri Sant Yadavbaba Doodh Utpadhak Sahakari sansta gives guidance regarding the dairy business. Seven Co-operative irrigation society provides
water to the farmers from cooperative wells. Mahila Sarvage Utkarsh Mandal attends welfare needs of the women.

Village birthday
In order to foster a sense of unity in the village, the Ralegan Siddhi family celebrates a village annual birthday on 2 October of every year. On that day: The eldest male villager is honoured as father of
the village. The eldest female villager is honoured as the mother of the village. New clothes are stitched for every infant born in the village during the past year, irrespective of the child's caste or
religion. New brides who have come to the village during the past year are welcomed with the traditional offering of coconut, as they are the daughters-in-law of the village. Students who have been
successful in education are honoured. Youth from the village who have achieved something special are honoured. All villagers gather in the evening during this occasion and have dinner together to
celebrate the event.
 Watershed Development
In the years 1972-73 there was wide spread severe draught in whole of Maharashtra. In order to provide employment to the rural population in this situation Government of Maharashtra
decided to undertake soil conservation work in rural areas which required lot of labour. Agriculture and Irrigation Departments of the Government were appointed as nodal agencies to execute the
programme and they undertook the work of construction of percolation tanks, nalla bunding and contour bunding in Ralegan Siddhi. While the work was executed in Ralegan Siddhi due to apathy of
the Government agencies the percolation tank constructed at Ralegan was not constructed taking due care and was leaking and thus its purpose was
defeated. After his retirement from Army in l975 he returned to Ralegan Siddhi and was very much disturbed due to condition prevailing there and started
discussing with the villagers their problems. He observed that the water problem -both for drinking and irrigation -
was acute and felt that something should be done to overcome this problem. At that time he came to know of one
Mr. Vilasrao Salunkhe who was doing soil and water conservation work at Saswad. He visited the work place of
Mr. Salunkhe and felt that if similar activity is undertaken at Ralegan Siddhi, the water scarcity problem at Ralegan could be solved. He, therefore, organized
villagers meeting (Gram Sabha) to explain to them the work of Mr. Salunkhe and its adoption in Ralegan Siddhi. All the villegers were impressed by this idea
and decided to start similar programme in Ralegan Siddhi. Initially they decided to repair the existing percolation tank which was heavily leaking. The cause of seepage of water was ascetained and
work of providing core wall by digging puddle trench upto the level of hard rock was undertaken on upper side of the bund through voluntary labour of villagers. Satisfactory Completion of the work
resulted in retention of water in the tank resulting in recharging of ground water aquifers .This enthused the villagers and they decided to implement the concept of water shed development, i.e. ridge to
valley approach for soil and water conservation which was hitherto not followed by the Department of Agriculture. Implementation of watershed programme involved lot of expenditure and Mr.
Hazare approached the then Director of Soil Conservation and requested his help. He had assured the Director that he and his collegues from village will actively participate in implementation of
watershed development programme and will provide labour voluntarily.
The ridge to valley programme involved structures like gully plugging,loose boulder structure, gabian
structure, nalla bunding, cement check dams etc. The cost involved in constructing cement check dams was
prohibitive and hence Shri Hazare developed modified gabian structure with a core wall which reduced the cost
considerably and was as effective as cement check dam. This novel approach is being followed elsewhere also.
Similarly on the ridge line where the CCT was not possible, shallow soak pits were dug in order to collect rain water so that through seepage the water would
be available to surrounding plantation. This resulted in increase in plant survival and their vigorous growth. This was also a novelty of Ralegan Siddhi programme. Due to availability of water for
irrigation through wells and realising the importance of water the villagers decided to form cooperative societies well-wise. This resulted in bringing more land under cultivation and developments like
double cropping, change of farming system, horticulture plantations, vegetable cultivation, dairy farming etc. could take place. It will not be out of place if it is mentioned that from Ralegan Siddhi for
some period onions and vegetables were exported to Gulf countries.
All this resulted in substantial increase in per capita income of the farmers. and the villagers through their cooperative efforts created facilities like school, hostel., gymnasiums, credit
societies renovation of temple etc. in the village .The residents of Ralegan Siddhi are still enjoying the benefits of watershed programme though more than 30 years have passed since completion of
programme..
 Anti corruption movement

Model Village as contemplated by Gandhiji was brought in reality by Shri Annaji at Ralegan Siddhi by his dedication. “Late Shri Achyutrao Patwardhan, the great freedom fighter, suggested to the
government of Maharashtra that to commemorate the golden jubilee of Bharat Chhodo Andolan, it would be most befitting to create model villages like Ralegan Siddhi in every tehsil of the state. The
government accepted this suggestion and declared to implement “Adarsh Gaon Yojana”. The Government entrusted this responsibility to him and Adarsha Gaon Yojana was started under his
leadership . He travelled whole of Maharashtra and selected 300 villages to implement this scheme. While working in this scheme he realised that development is getting hampered due to planned
corruption in Govermnent machinery and he decided to fight against this corruption. He gave evidence against two ministers who had amassed wealth disproportionate to their income.
However since the Govt was passive about this he started agitation and undertook fast for l0 days. Chief Minister intervened and he deleted these two
ministers from ministry and appointed an Inquiry Commission. The Commission held both the ministers guilty but to save them the Govt appointed another
commission who discharged them from the allegations. Though the ministers were discharged from the allegations, they had to loose their ministership which
is the success of Mr.Hazare's agitation. Mr.Hazare's gave evidence of corruption by Social Welfare Minister to the then Chief Minister. On 3lst July l999 the
Chief Minister informed him that inquiry is being instituted about the charges leveled by him. He had given an interview to a local daily regarding this inquiry
and based on this interview the concerned minister had filed a case in the court against Mr.Hazare for defamation. He was held guilty by the Court and the court had asked him to give an undertaking
that he will not make such allegations in future.He refused to give such undertaking and preferred to go jail for 3 months as ordered by the court. He told the
court that He was willing to give his life for truth. His punishment created commotion in public and scores of people started visiting Yerawada Jail. He
wanted to compelte his jail term but to give respect to the public feelings he accepted his release.In l992 Gandhji had told the court that if court feels that his
actions for the freedom of the country are considered as anti government activities he was willing to undergo any punishment .Similarly he did not give bond
to the court and accpeted punishment. He did not prefer any appeal against the court order immediately but due to public pressure he later made an appeal
which was upheld by the Higher Court and rejected the suit of minister.Mr. Hazare asked the Govt. to conduct the inquiry against the minister which is still
on. In the regim of coaliation Government of Congress and National Congress Party, He had forwarded evidence of
corruption about 4 ministers and had asked the Government to conduct inquiry. One of the ministers had made allegations about corruption in the institutions in
which he was associated. Since there was no action from the Govt. he undertook fast for 9 dys in August 2003 at Azad Maidan. The minister concenred also started
agitation at Azaj Maidan in Mumbai. At last the Government relented and Retired Suprement Court Judge Shri P.B. Sawant was appointed to conduct the inquiry.
The commission conducted the inquiry and sent its report to Govt. on 22nd Februrary. In the report the commission had observed ministers guilty and had held
Mr.Hazare also guilty forirregularities but not a single charge of corruption was proved against him.Mr. Hazare has offered the Government that it should take action against him as well as the
ministers based on the findings of the enquiry comissions.Though Govt has not taken any action on the Commission's report three ministers had to go and this is a big achievement of his agitation
against corruption. He felt that corruption will not stop merely by taking action against a few officers and ministers and it is necessary that a change should be brought about in the system, He believes
that unless decentralisation of power takes place the system will not change.In order to bring change in the system he felt that information should be made available to people regarding Govt.'s actions
which was not being provided to people on the ground of secracy. Here again he decided to follow Gandhiji's path and started Maun Vrat and later fast unto death. This brought pressure on the Govt.
and both the Central as well as State Governments have enacted Right to Information Act. His whole life and work is based on Gandhian philosophy.
 Right to Information
The President of India appoints Civil Servants in Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Police Services (IPS) and Indian Forest Services
(IFS). The People’s Representatives and the Civil Servants are ultimately the public servants. They have to serve the citizens. But, the picture is altogether
different today. The People’s Representatives and the Civil Servants have become masters of the country and made the citizens poor servants. In the Maharashtra
State, a campaign was started demanding for the Right to Information. As Peoples Representatives and Civil Servants are public servants and the citizens of
Maharashtra are owners of the public money, the citizens have the right to ask the public servants how and in what manner they spend the public money. He
pressed for legislating an Act for Right to Information. The first campaign was organized at the Azad Maidan, Mumbai, in 1997. The State Government was giving
only promises, but it failed to crystallize it in many sessions of the Vidhan Sabha. He had to make agitations, dharnas, morchas, maun and fasts many times. State-wide tours were held for awareness
generation among people. Public addresses were organized in many towns and programmes were arranged specially for college students. Posters, banners and
folders were printed and distributed in thousands. All this resulted in the awakening of the citizens and making them aware of their fundamental Right to
Information.The Government made many promises, but it failed to keep one. Any government never wants to decentralize its power and hand over power to people.
Many politicians think that decentralization of power will lessen their importance, status and respect. So the Government was reluctant to make legislation for Right
to Information. Finally, with zeal of ‘do-or-die’, Mr. Hazare went on fast-unto-death on August 9, 2003 at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. He decided that unless the Act is
passed by the Government, he will not end his fast; rather he will sacrifice his life for people’s rights.

The Government of Maharashtra felt that his resolution is firm and He would not step back from his decision of ‘do-or-die’. On the 12th day of his fast, the Government of Maharashtra got the
Bill signed by the President of India and enacted the law of ‘Right to Information’ in Maharashtra. The Act on ‘Right to Information’ is a revolutionary step towards strengthening democracy. This Act
has enabled the common man to seek information. Till to-date, the people have to obey the laws; whereas the government machinery controlled everything. But by the advent of this Act, the
Government Agencies have to obey the law and the people have got controlling power. This Act should have come into force on 26th February 1950 itself; the day India celebrated its first Republic
Day. This would have brought transparency and accountability in every transaction of the government and would have checked corruption to a great extent. The erstwhile British rulers had prohibited
people from getting any information by creating the Official Secrets Act. The following Indi Under the guise of the Official secrets Act, information was denied to people. So he started the movement
for Right to Information. In freedom, every citizen has fundamental right to know how the public money is spent.The question to the Government was "Why do you deny information which is not
confidential" under the guise of Official Secrets Act? Finally, the government had to make the Right to Information Act. an governments maintained status quo by not amending the Act as it provided
them space for corruption. The British Act of Official Secrets was in force for almost 58 years after British left India. This Act gave the weapon in the hands of
corrupt politicians and officers to exploit the common man. Due to this Act, transparency has come in in the administration. Now a common man can get
information by just paying a nominal charge of Rs. 10 or 20. This has paved the way to good governance and healthy democracy. If this Act reaches every village
and every household, it has potential to check corruption to an extent of 80 – 85%. Due to corruption, only 10 percent could reach the real beneficiaries of the
poverty alleviation programmes earlier. Rest of the money percolated to the purses of corrupt officers and politicians. Now, due to the Act of Right to Information,
the poor villagers will get their due share in the development process. The quality of project works has started to improve after the Act.
Central Government stopped amendments in Right to Information Act:

It is a positive step after 58 years of Independence to enact the Right to Information Act. But as this Act has potential to check corruption to a great extent, some politicians felt it as a hurdle in their
corrupt practices. Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh’s Government tabled a Bill for amendments in the existing Act which were detrimental to the very cause of the Act. Citizens had got these
rights after 58 years of Independence after a long struggle. The proposed amendments were going to nullify these rights. To protest against the amendments,
Mr. Hazareundertook fast unto death at Alandi near Pune. Within two days of commencing his fast, people in various parts of Maharashtra started agitation on
their own in support of my demand. People undertook ‘Rail-roko-andolan’ (train blockade) at nine places. Gradually, the agitation spread to other parts of India.
Even some Indians residing in the US went on fast in support of my agitation. Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh sent one of his Ministers as emissary to
Alandi, as the agitation gathered momentum in and outside the country, and promised that the existing Right to Information Act would not be amended by the
Central Government. He requested Mr. Hazare to end his fast and he gave it up on 9th day. Fortunately, the Government gave up the idea of proposed
amendments in the Right to Information Act.

Act for Regulating Transfers:

As there was no clear-cut policy on transfers of the Government Officers, the People’s Representatives and Senior Officers of the government misused their power to transfer the government servants
as per their wish. In these transfers, usually money changes hands. Thus, a transfer was a source of bribery. If an elected Representative wants his relative or confident to
be posted in a key position where an honest Officer is already working, he would misuse his power to get the honest man transferred to other place; thus creating vacancy
to bring his man to that position. This was injustice to the honest officer. To prevent this type of injustice, He started a movement for legislation of an Act which would
prevent transfer of any officer, at the will of his superiors or political heavy weights, for a minimum period of three years. It was also ensured that no officer will
continue at the same place for more than three years. The local politicians like Members of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha, Ministers in the Government and Senior
Officers of the Government opposed legislation of this Act as it was going to affect their vested interest. Due to this act, the honest officers got some relief and the
corruption involved in transfers has reduced to a large extent.
Present
Today Anna has almost acquired the stature of a saint. He donated his land for the hostel building. He gives his pension money to the village fund. A confirmed bachelor, he lives in the village temple
with a bare minimum of personal belongings. He eats simple food normally cooked for the hostel boys. Both his parents and brothers stay in the village but they are no different from him than any
other family in the village. This moral authority growing out of his selfless life has made him an unquestioned leader of the village.

Anna's moral code of conduct is also quite strict. Anna believes that punishment is an essential component of the process to bring about conformity to social morality. When a child stole a fruit from a
tree on the common lands, he was tied to a pole and the fruits were kept before him to teach him a moral lesson. The fruit bearing trees are not protected by any watchman. Not a single fruit is stolen
and ripe fruits are distributed to Balwadi children and the school children. Public beating was used not to create terror but to bring public shame on the defaulter so that he/she exercises more self-
control. People are proud of Ralegan achievements and they have a share and a stake in its glory. Therefore they would not do anything which will hurt Anna or bring a bad name to the village.

Awards

• PRIY DARSHINI VRIKSHA MITRA AWARD, by government of India on November 19, 1986 from the hands of Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi.

• MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD 1988

• PADMABHUSHAN AWARD -Presented by R. Venkatraman ( president of India) on 6th April 1992 at Delhi for Anna Hazare's social work

• VIVEKANANDA SEVA PURASKAR 1994

• NATIONAL INTERGRATION AWARD

• KRUSHI BHUSAHAN GOVT. OF MAHARASHTRA

• MAHAVEER PURASKAR 1997- presented by Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation , Chennai on 2th April 1997 for Anna Hazare’s excellent in sphere of social & community service

• BASAVSHRI PRASHASTI 2000 AWARD- Presented by Shri.Jagadguru Murugharajendra Brihan Math at S.J.M.Math, Chitradurga , Karnataka on 4th June 2000 for Anna Hazare’s relentless

effort to bring in the value of based way of life in the society.

• PADMASHRI AWARD- Presented by R. Venkatraman ( President of India) on 24th march 1990 at Delhi for Anna Hazare's social work.
Anna Hazare says, philosophy

o Over every huge tree that we see over ground, there always is a seed that had submerged itself into the darkness of the soil.

o Ban on consumption and sale of alcohol lays the foundation of rural development.

o It is impossible to change the village without transforming the individual. Similarly it is impossible to transform the country without changing its villages.

o If villages are to develop, politics have to be kept out.

o Education without spirituality cannot help development.

o Money alone does not bring development, but it certainly corrupts.

o In the process of rural development, social and economic development should go hand in hand.

o The work of social transformation is neither easy nor impossible.

o The ultimate goal of all politics and social work should be the upliftment of society and of the nation.

o Educational institutions are not enough to make good citizens, every home should become an educational center

o Indulgence causes disease whereas sacrifice leads to accomplishment.

o One should not accept anything free; accepting charity makes one lazy and dependent.

o When the person learns to see beyond his self-interest, he begins to get mental peace.

o One who performs all worldly functions and still remains detached from worldly things is a true saint.

o It is experience that gives the direction but it is youth that gives the drive to every plan.