Anna Hazare ends fast, nation celebrates

Anna Hazare ended his fast on the 13th day by drinking cocunut water and honey. He will now spend some time an the Ramlila Maidan and then go straight to the hospital. A Team Anna member said the 74-year-old Gandhian will go to Medanta Medicity in Haryana's Gurgaon soon after he breaks his fast.

Doctors are concerned about his health as his fast enters the 13th day today with his internal organs getting affected.

Hazare had lost at least 7.5 kg since August 16 when he sat on a hunger strike for a strong Lokpal Bill. He now weighs 64.5 kg.

A roaring crowd greeted Gandhian Anna Hazare this morning at Ramlila Maidan as he emerged on the dais to break his fast.

Clad in his trademark white dhoti-kurta and Gandhi cap, Hazare came to the stage at 9:30 am from his tent and waved to the crowds and chanted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', 'Vande Mataram' and 'Inquilab Zindabad'.

A visibly weak 74-year-old Hazare had trouble walking as he walked, with the fast launched on August 16 for a strong Lokpal apparently a toll on his health.

Sitting cross-legged and with folded hands, he listened to Mahatma Gandhi's favourite hymn 'Raghupati Raghava Rajaram' even as several children joined him on the stage.

He was also seen chatting with his close associates Manish Sisodia and Kiran Bedi. The waiting people, some of whom were at Ramlila Maidan since last night, went ecstatic as the activist emerged on the dais.

People are hoisting flags and chanting slogans making the atmosphere festive and jubilant.

Demanding passing of Janlokpal Bill by the Parliament, Hazare went on fast from August 16.(PTI)