Bhopal, Aug 24: You might call it anything, "Anna fever" or "Anna mania". This fever seems to have gripped the people of Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh to such an extent that around 22 newborns have been named after the Gandhian crusader who is now on an indefinite fast against corruption.

These babies were born from August 16 to 22 in the district hospital of this backward district in Bundelkhand. 18 boys and 4 girls were born. All have been named Anna. The villagers, who also have been affected by the corrupt system, thought to name their kids after the name of the national hero Anna Hazare.

Sanjay Patel, a resident of Patharia tehesil of Damoh said "Last year when my wife delivered a child, I had to pay Rs 500 as bribe to the hospital. The hospital staff demanded it as a gift.
Now my brother's wife delivered a child this week, no one dared to ask even a single paisa", he claimed. He adds that this was Anna's magic and miracle.

A man who named his child after the anti-corruption crusader said, "I want my son to grow like Anna. He has shown us a ray of hope against corruption."

Another person said, "Though my son is not a part of this campaign against corruption, as I have named him Anna he has automatically become a part of Anna's crusade."

OneIndia News