Veteran social activist Anna Hazare was discharged from Bombay Hospital in Mumbai on Thursday, 10 September, after a 10-day hospitalisation for a severe urinary infection and dehydration. The 90-year-old anti-corruption crusader, speaking to reporters outside the hospital, declared that his sole mission remains public service — and that he intends to continue until he turns 100.

What Anna Hazare said after discharge

Addressing the media, Hazare struck an upbeat tone about his recovery. 'Right now, my health is good. My health had deteriorated a bit, but now it has gotten better. I am 90 years old now, want to complete 100 years,' he said.

The activist, who has long been associated with India's anti-corruption movement, underscored his philosophy of selfless action. 'Service means selfless action. Performing actions with a selfless mindset is similar to the worship of God. Worship takes place not only in temples, but also by serving the public; that is the true worship of God,' he asserted.

He added that financial accumulation has never been his goal. 'I have dedicated my entire life to the service. I am not concerned about my bank balance… despite availing schemes, I have not kept any money for myself. Money and wealth are not my aim; only service to people is what matters for me,' Hazare said.

Details of the medical condition

Dr Gautam Bhansali, the physician overseeing Hazare's treatment, explained that the activist had initially been admitted to a hospital in Shirur for viral fever and loose motions. However, severe dehydration led to a significant spike in his creatinine levels, triggering a urinary infection that necessitated his transfer to Bombay Hospital for specialised care.

According to Dr Bhansali, the elevated creatinine — a marker of kidney stress — had risen 'by a huge margin,' prompting the medical team to prioritise renal management alongside the infection treatment.

Nationwide concern and well-wishes

During Hazare's hospitalisation, supporters and well-wishers across India expressed concern and prayed for his speedy recovery. The outpouring reflected the enduring public regard for the activist, who remains one of the country's most recognised anti-corruption figures decades after his landmark campaigns.

Hazare's legacy in public life

Anna Hazare gained national prominence for transforming his native village, Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra, into a model settlement through watershed development, afforestation, rural self-reliance programmes, and addiction eradication drives. His 2011 anti-corruption agitation — which galvanised millions and contributed to the eventual passage of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 — remains a defining moment in India's post-liberalisation civic activism.

Now 90, Hazare continues to champion grassroots governance reform. His discharge and public remarks suggest he has no plans to step back from the causes that have defined his life, even as age and health challenges mount.