A Weak Anna Hazare Wednesday broke his fast by drinking lime juice offered by nine-year-old Prateeksha Patangale of Ralegan Siddhi. Hazares worsening health has been worrying doctors and his supporters. His health was the worst Tuesday night; he had high fever and chest congestion due to cold, said his physician Dr Devlat Pote. His fever has subsided and his blood pressure and pulse are normal. However he is still very weak. He needs plenty of rest and should eat light. His kidneys need to be monitored over the next 15 days, he said. Pote will accompany Hazare back to Ralegan Siddhi. In the morning,a team of doctors told the gathering that Hazares health was better than the previous day,but still a matter of concern. We advise discontinuing the fast as continuing it may lead to kidney failure. There is evidence of dehydration, said Ashwin Mehta of Jaslok Hospital,who examined Hazare along with JJ Hospital Dean P P Lahane. As doctors we have asked him to call off his fast. Now he has to take a decision, Lahane said. Till then,Anna had been stubbornly rejecting requests by his associates to call off his hunger strike. Anna villagers relieved Pune: When Anna Hazare broke his fast,about 250 of his fellow villagers heaved a sigh of relief. Subhash Pathare,a school teacher from Ralegan,said that though this was a setback as the movement was called off without the government agreeing to the demands,Annas health was more important. If Annaji is in good health,many such agitations could be launched in future, he said. Hazare is scheduled to return to Ralegan Thursday.
