Banaskantha (Gujarat): A 112-year-old, who served as a foot tracker for the Indian Army during the Indo-Pak wars, from Vav taluka in Banaskantha, Gujarat, has come out in support of Anna Hazare in the fight against corruption and also wants to fast with him.
Ranchhod Desai, a veteran foot tracker from Limbala village in Vav, had served in the Indian Army in 1965 and 1971 war with Pakistan and claims to know the Indo-Pak border in Gujarat like the back of his hand.
"Anna is doing a great job to set the country free from the clutches of corrupt people, who are at the helm of affairs. I wish I could join him," Desai said.
However, considering his age, Desai, known as the Old War Camel, has been advised not to fast.
Nonetheless, the veteran not only observed one day fast, but has been offering prayers for Hazare's success every day since the agitation began at Ramlila ground in Delhi.
"Anna is an ex-army man, who fought the 1965 Indo-Pak War. I pray to Goddess to shower her blessing on this noble son (Anna) of the country fighting for the second freedom fight," Desai said.
Expressing his solidarity with Anna and his team, Desai has also appealed to the youths of his village to join Hazare.
"Despite his physical inability, he wanted to join Hazare. But we have persuaded him not to do so, as his health will not permit. He agreed and had observed fast for one day," Desai's nephew Babba Desai, former Sarpanch of Limbala village said.
He had helped the Indian Army track enemy footprints during two wars and helped capture border areas during the 1965 and 1971 wars against Pakistan.
"Known as the Old War Camel, he is the last of the living legends among professional trackers who played a crucial role in leading the Indian Army into Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 wars," Babba said.
District collector J B Vora said, "He is not only revered in his village, but also across the district. With immense tracking skills, which he displayed especially during the 1971 war, he identified enemy soldiers in the desert of Kutch by crossing into enemy's territory and helped round them up."
The collector had recently felicitated Desai for his contributions to the country.
Affectionately know as Ranchhod Bappa, the 112-year-old is still active and regularly visits village temple to offer prayers.
Though his hearing and visual senses may have weakened with age, his memory is still sharp and he can recall many incidents of the two wars, his nephew said.
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