Health woes haunt Anna

Just four days before Anna's daylong agitation on December 11, the anti-graft activist is down with lumbar spondylosis once again. Hazare also suffers from osteoarthritis. Doctors have advised him to take two days of complete rest, but this has not deterred the activist from going to Delhi.u00a0

"Initially, Anna was reluctant to take any medicine but he was forced to take them after the pain became unbearable," said Sanjay Pathade, a schoolteacher from Ralegansiddhi and close associate of Hazare.u00a0

He was down with pain since Monday morning and refused to meet any visitors. Many well-wishers and fans went back without dissapointed, he added.

The doctor prescribed two pills and an ointment for the back pain. "We have administered the doses and expect quick recovery," he said. u00a0As per the schedule Anna is leaving for Delhi on December 10.u00a0Dr Parag Sancheti, chairman of Sancheti Institute of Orthopedics, who had treated Hazare for osteoarthritis and knee problem was in Delhi attending a medical conference. Hazare's PA Suresh Pathare contacted him after which he prescribed medicines.

Dr Kantilal Sancheti, Dr Parag's father, said, "I am not aware of the present status of Hazare's health, but Anna has a strong will power to fight against anything that comes his way, and will be able to withstand physical problems even at this age."u00a0

Dr Parag told MiD DAY over phone from Delhi that Anna is suffering from lumbar spondylosis and is undergoing treatment for the past one and a half years.u00a0"I had prescribed some pain killers, muscle relaxing tablets and an ointment. This will give him relief for the next three to four days and he should be fit for his agitation in Delhi.u00a0He added that he is in constant touch with Anna's PA.

Noted political and social activist Aruna Roy was in the city yesterday addressing her stand on the Lokpal Bill. She said, "I wanted to meet Anna at Ralegansiddhi but it was not possible as I have to rush back to Rajasthan immediately. I shall discuss the Lokpal Bill with Anna during his fast in Delhi."u00a0Roy has differences with Hazare over many issues in the Lokpal Bill. "For the effective enforcement of the Bill, it should be decentralised at every level and separate committees should be appointed to look into it. "I had already discussed some issues with Anna earlier, but no consensus came out of it," she said.