Anna Hazare discharged from Bombay Hospital after 10 days of treatment for renal infection

Anna Hazare speaks to reporters after getting discharged from Bombay Hospital. PIC/X

Veteran social activist Anna Hazare was discharged from Bombay Hospital in Mumbai on Thursday, 10 days after he was admitted with complaints of a urinary infection, news agency IANS reported.

Speaking to reporters after his discharge, the 90-year-old activist said his only aim was to continue serving people for as long as he is alive.

"Right now, my health is good. My health had deteriorated a bit, but now it has gotten better. I am 90 years old now, want to complete 100 years," Hazare said.

"Till date, till the age of 90, I have served the people and the nation. I still want to continue serving until I turn 100 years old. Service means selfless action. Performing actions with a selfless mindset is similar to the worship of God. Worship takes place not only in temples, but also by serving the public; that is the true worship of God," he asserted.

"I want to serve the people as long as I am alive. I have dedicated my entire life to the service. I am not concerned about my bank balance...despite availing schemes, I have not kept any money for myself. Money and wealth are not my aim; only service to people is what matters for me."

Dr Gautam Bhansali, under whose care Hazare was admitted, said the activist had initially been treated at a hospital in Shirur for viral fever and loose motions.

"Anna Hazare sahab was suffering from viral fever and loose motions, for which he was earlier admitted to a hospital in Shirur. He received good treatment there. But due to severe dehydration and viral illness, he was having urinary problems," Bhansali told IANS.

"His creatinine level had increased by a huge margin, leading to urine infection. So, for that, he had to be admitted here," he said.

Earlier, supporters and well-wishers across the country had expressed concern and prayed for Hazare's speedy recovery.

Hazare is one of India's most prominent anti-corruption crusaders and social reformers. He gained recognition for transforming his native village, Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra, into a model village through initiatives in watershed development, afforestation, rural self-reliance, and addiction eradication.

(With IANS inputs)