What is the secret of Anna’s 12 days long fast?

Mumbai Mirror

New Delhi, 29 August 2011:

One jowar bhakri, vegetables, and a bowl of simple daal cooked by Badambai for 32 years helped 74-year-old Anna Hazare survive 288 hours of fasting

 

Anna Hazare smiled benignly, sipping on honey-mixed coconut water at Ramlila grounds on Sunday. The 12-day fast had left the 74-year-old almost eight kgs lighter.

 

Doctors called his fast nothing short of a miracle, yoga gurus and spiritual masters hailed him, while his fans attempted to find out the secret of his strength.

The secret is now out, and it is as humble as the man himself: one roti, made from jowar or bajra, vegetables, and a bowl of daal. For the past 32 years, that’s Hazare’s daily meal, alongside plenty of water. All those fancy diets are yet to reach Ralegan Siddhi.

 

Eminent cardiologist Dr Naresh Trehan, who was monitoring Hazare’s health during the agitation, said medical science could not fully explain how Hazare pulled off his miracle. "He has some power in him, which helped him regulate his fluids, and he was able to maintain his balance."

 

What Dr Trehan could not explain, is in fact a simple matter for the woman who’s been cooking Hazare’s frugal meal since 1979. "What’s the fuss about Anna’s fitness," wondered 55-year-old Badambai Bhalekar, who prepares meals at Hazare’s Hind Swaraj Trust in Ralegan Siddhi.

Badambai cooks Anna’s favourite dish

 “He will obviously be very, very strong,” she said, “It’s his discipline. He eats just once a day, in the afternoon. He has simple, vegetarian food.

 

At times, even that afternoon plate remains untouched as he is busy meeting people. On such days, he simply survives on water.”

Welcome plans:

Badambai knows Hazare doesn’t like celebrations, but she has something planned for the day he returns to Ralegan Siddhi.

 

“He loves to eat maswadi (a mixture of coconut and groundnuts wrapped in a roll of gramflour). I know he will never ask for it… that’s not his style, but the day he arrives home, I will welcome him with his favourite dish,” she said.

 

Badambai doesn’t really know what Hazare is fighting for (“it is a good cause, and that’s enough, she says), but she, and other residents of Ralegan Siddhi have decided no more such struggles for the crusader. “Twelve days are too much, despite his fitness,” she said.

 

No more long fasts:

Hazare’s brother Maruti said, “His health is deteriorating. We need him, the country needs him. We are going to appeal to him that no more such fasts.”

 

Ralegan Siddhi villagers almost passed a resolution in their gram sabha to that effect. Village sarpanch Jaysing Mapari said, “He has given himself to the nation.

 

We congratulate those who stood by him, but it’s time he takes care of his health too.” Will Hazare heed to the pleas? Badambai says she will make sure he does.