By IANS,
Ralegan Siddhi (Maharashtra) : Receiving a hero’s welcome, anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare early Thursday arrived here to his native village from Delhi to celebrate the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
Hazare’s supporters stayed awake all night to welcome him here in Ahmednagar district after he landed in Pune late Wednesday.
“Annaji will rest today and address the residents of the village Friday,” said Hazare’s personal assistant Suresh Pathare.
Hazare was welcomed with cheers at the Pune airport late Wednesday by hundreds of supporters who jostled to get a glimpse of him.
His fellow villagers received him with loud cheers and celebrations with traditional gifts of flowers and sweets.
But the tone of the celebrations was low-key at Hazare’s insistence, an associate said.
Hazare was keen to celebrate the Ganesh Chaturthi festival here, said another associate.
“We have arranged for a cultural programme tomorrow and he has been invited there,” a resident said.
Hazare, 74, broke his fast Sunday after MPs agreed for proposed changes to the anti-corruption Lokpal bill.
Hazare was admitted to a Gurgaon hospital Sunday after he broke his 12-day fast for a stronger Lokpal bill and was discharged Wednesday evening.