Anna Hazare celebrates 74th birthday attending Lokpal panel meet

Supporters of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare celebrated his 74th birthday today, while he was in the national capital, attending a meeting of the joint panel to draft Lokpal Bill.

"Programmes like tree plantation were organised on the occasion and villagers of his native Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district and supporters celebrated the birthday in his absence," Hazare's aide Datta Awari said.

Kirtans (socio-religious discourse) were also organised, Awari said.

Normally, Hazare is at Ralegan Siddhi on his birthdays but the Lokpal meeting kept him away this time, he said. "He does not like celebrating his birthday in a big way," Awari said.

Next year, Hazare turns 75 and his supporters have big plans to mark the occasion. "Next year, we are planning grand celebrations," Awari said.