Gandhian crusader Anna Hazare’s movement against corruption has historic importance. The people of India have found a leader in Hazare who will speak for the compelling issues affecting them. The coming together of citizens across the country  in the movement for a stronger public ombudsman finally forced the government to consider the demand. But, another Gandhian social activist Natwar Thakkar has voiced reservations over the second phase of fasting by Anna and his team.

Thakkar, 79, expressed his great admiration for Hazare. However, he contends that Anna’s fast at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in April had already achieved the necessary momentum for spearheading the jan lokpal bill as he made the entire population aware of corruption and the government had also showed interest in resolving the issue. So, the second phase of fasting at Ramlila Maidan should have been avoided, Thakkar commented.

Attending the ‘guest of the month’ program of Guwahati Press Club on September 2, Thakkar argued that both houses of Indian Parliament have their own role to play and even the strongest civil society group should understand the style of functioning of the lawmakers' highest forums.

Thakkar said he appreciated the civil society groups, which render voluntary and selfless service to the society. He held that the presence of a strong civil society has enriched the country's democracy. He even insisted that civil society should be recognized as the fifth pillar of democracy. Talking about the role of India media as a whole and that of the northeast, Thakkar expresses satisfaction over the service of local media. He noted that the regional and local media in the northeast, leaving aside few media groups, played an important role and had, on many occasions, helped the locals get due justice.

Thakkar, who was born to Gujarati parents at Dahanu, has made Nagaland (and Assam) his home. He has dedicated his life for the mission of promoting goodwill and emotional integration through voluntary social service on Gandhian lines among various ethnic groups of the region.

Thakkar, as a 23-year-old, went to Nagaland in 1955 and established the Nagaland Gandhi Ashram under the auspices of Bharatiya Adimjati Sevak Sangha at Chuchuyimlang.

He has even faced threats from some insurgent outfits there. But Thakkar and his Naga wife Lentina survived. They have today three children (two daughters and one son).

Thakkar with his Gandhi Ashram continues encouraging the local people to take up various development and income-generating activities like bee-keeping, jaggery making, oil ghanis, biogas plants, Mechanised carpentry workshop, Khadi sales centres etc. Thakkar is honoured with Padmashri Award (1999), Diwaliben Mehta Award (2001), Jamnalal Bajaj Award (1987), Indira Gandhi Award (1994), Meghalaya State Mahatma Gandhi Award (1996) etc.