22 newborns named after Anna Hazare in MP district

BHOPAL: Anna-mania seems to have gripped Damoh district in Madhya Pradesh. 22 newborns have been named after the Gandhian who is on an indefinite fast against corruption. These children were born from August 16 to 22 in the district hospital of this backward district in Bundelkhand. 18 boys and 4 girls were born. All have been named Anna.

The villagers feel Anna is the hero of the day, hence their children should be named after him.

Says Sanjay Patel, a resident of Patharia tehesil of Damoh, "Last year when my wife delivered a child, I had to pay Rs 500 as bribe to the hospital. The hospital staff demanded it as a gift.

Now my brother's wife delivered a child this week, no one dared to ask even a single paisa", he told TOI.

This is Anna's magic, he says.

"May be because the India against Corruption protest is going on at Ambedkar square just opposite the district hospital. And the hospital staff is aware of the fact that the (bhrashtachar k khilaf mahol hai) atmosphere is against corruption."

Interestingly, this is the place where an Anna Hazare look-alike is spearheading the campaign. He is a 68-year-old retired court clerk and is drawing huge crowds.

A man who named his child after the anti-corruption crusader said, "I want my son to grow like Anna. He has shown us a ray of hope against corruption."

Another person said, "Though my son is not a part of this campaign against corruption, as I have named him Anna he has automatically become a part of Anna's crusade."