Crippled, ex-Air Force officers dons Anna cap to support Hazare

Like tens of thousands of Puneities, former flying officer of the Indian Air Force, MP Anil Kumar of the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre (PRC) at Khadki in Pune, is closely following Anna Hazare’s fight against corruption. He is a quadriplegic and is bound to his mechanized wheelchair. But he has been closely following the mass movement initiated by Anna Hazare against corruption.

Such was his enthusiasm that Kumar had planned to be present at the candle-light rally organized by India Against Corruption (IAC) in Pune on August 19.

“I wanted to be there for the rally and had made all my plans. However, last minute glitches prevented me from attending the event,” Kumar said.

Although physical constraints prevented Kumar from actively participating in various rallies and marches, he continues to do his bit for the movement against corruption.

In fact, Kumar had sent his attendant out to get him the Gandhi topi.

Kumar’s stint with the sky was cut short because of a road accident in 1988. Housed in PRC for the last 19 years, Kumar’s life story titled “From Airborne to chair bore” was included in the official English textbook for Maharashtra board for many years, making him a household name for students in the state. During his interactions with students, Kumar urges them to join what he calls “once in a life time opportunity to fight corruption in the country.”

Since the last few days, Kumar has been urging every one to take part in the movement against corruption that has been initiated by Hazare. “This is once in a lifetime opportunity and we must do our bit for this,” he said.