In Arvind Kejriwal, you will meet an unassuming fighter with a focused social objective -- rooting out corruption and introducing better governance. The Right to Information activist and winner of Ramon Magsaysay award sits in his spartan office, juggling multiple phone calls, drafting letters and typing out an urgent press release alongside.
Surprisingly there's a rhythm in the mayhem. The former IITian talks to Urmila Rao and explains why he no longer takes up cases of aggrieved college students, the limitations of RTI and much more.
From an IRS officer to an activist, why and how did the change happen?
When I was in the job, I started doing these things part-time and felt that the value I am bringing here was far better. On the contrary, what I was doing in the Income Tax department could be done by anyone else.
When did the RTI journey begin?
RTI came much later. Initially I, along with some others started addressing corruption issues, wherein a common
man had to pay a bribe to get his work done. The concern was how to create a bribe-free atmosphere. So we started advising customers who came to the Delhi Vidyut Board and Income Tax Department, not to pay bribes in these two departments. We told them that if they have a problem they can come to us and we will get their work done free
of cost.
man had to pay a bribe to get his work done. The concern was how to create a bribe-free atmosphere. So we started advising customers who came to the Delhi Vidyut Board and Income Tax Department, not to pay bribes in these two departments. We told them that if they have a problem they can come to us and we will get their work done free
of cost.
So we used to gather grievances of people and collectively present those complaints to the chair of the department
and add to public pressure.
and add to public pressure.
Were you an activist during school days as well?
I was completely a kitabi keera (book worm). I did not do anything but study.
You have worked for government schools. Why not for colleges?
It is a different matter to take up the cause of poor people who can't fight for themselves. They are from underprivileged backgrounds. Working for such students is understandable. However, in case of engineering college students or others, where the middle class goes, I am sure they can fend for themselves.
Let people who are suffering from existing malpractices take up the cause. Every person in this country is suffering because of bad governance. A few NGOs will not be able to take up this job. So people who are suffering will have to take up the cudgels.
How wise is it for students to compromise on career and get entangled in a time-consuming legal process?
Right. So, let him find some people who can do something for him. People first of all have to find courage. It is precisely students of this very country, who at the time of Quit India Movement gave up their studies, left colleges and that is why our country got independence.
If someone thinks that education, health, infrastructure all are different sectors and issues and they ought to be fought independently, then they are mistaken. There is an underlying pattern in the process. And that is bad governance.
So unless you tackle governance, unless you tackle corruption you will not be able to solve any of these problems.
Were you an activist during school days as well?
I was completely a kitabi keera (book worm). I did not do anything but study.
You have worked for government schools. Why not for colleges?
It is a different matter to take up the cause of poor people who can't fight for themselves. They are from underprivileged backgrounds. Working for such students is understandable. However, in case of engineering college students or others, where the middle class goes, I am sure they can fend for themselves.
Let people who are suffering from existing malpractices take up the cause. Every person in this country is suffering because of bad governance. A few NGOs will not be able to take up this job. So people who are suffering will have to take up the cudgels.
How wise is it for students to compromise on career and get entangled in a time-consuming legal process?
Right. So, let him find some people who can do something for him. People first of all have to find courage. It is precisely students of this very country, who at the time of Quit India Movement gave up their studies, left colleges and that is why our country got independence.
If someone thinks that education, health, infrastructure all are different sectors and issues and they ought to be fought independently, then they are mistaken. There is an underlying pattern in the process. And that is bad governance.
So unless you tackle governance, unless you tackle corruption you will not be able to solve any of these problems.
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