Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Thursday vowed to continue his long battle to root out corruption from the system saying he has lived for the country and would die for it.
Speaking after receiving the S. R. Jindal Prize from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at a function here, Mr. Hazare said: “When I was 26-year-old I had decided to live and die for the country. I left my home and did not return. I have no bank balance and all the awards I have received have gone to the Hind Swaraj Trust. The interest earned from the money goes into the expenditure incurred on wedding of youngsters. This award (Rs.25 lakh) will also go to the trust.”
Asserting that he does not accept awards from people or organisations whose hands are tainted, Mr. Hazare said: “Recently I refused to accept an award because the person did not have a clean track record. This award has been presented to me by an incorruptible person and a clean organisation.”
Twin issues
Mr. Hazare said the twin issues facing the country these days are rural development and battle against corruption.
Former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who received S. R. Jindal Prize of Rs.1 crore for science and technology, announced that he was donating the entire money to four charitable organisations. “I am happy that these awards are being presented to the right type of people. All the organisations who will benefit from the prize money are working in the field of education and healthcare services,” he said.
Justice Santosh Hedge, who received the same award for social development, said: “I have done what I was supposed to do. Today I have received the award due to the fault of others who did not do what they were supposed to do. I am donating the amount to the Army Central Welfare Fund that is working for education and welfare of widows.”
