Skip to main content

Empowering communities to exercise right to access information from J&K govt bodies

J&K RTI Foundation note on RTI Pend's third event successfully held in Magam: 

***
September 25, 2023 marked another significant milestone for RTI Pend as it successfully conducted its third event at the J&K RTI Foundation office in Magam. The event, which saw enthusiastic participation, was dedicated to spreading awareness about the Right to Information (RTI) Act, empowering individuals to exercise their right to access information from government bodies.
The event featured Mr. Karar Reshi, the District Coordinator of Baramulla District for J&K RTI Foundation, as the esteemed guest. The discussion, hosted by Mr. Irfan Banka, an anthropologist and the driving force behind RTI Pend, was engaging and insightful.
One of the highlights of the informal discussion was the exploration of Section 26 of the Central RTI Act, which delineates the government's responsibility for the implementation of the RTI Act. Participants delved into the significance of the RTI Act, its profound impact on communities, and its potential to empower the youth by providing them with a valuable tool for transparency and accountability. The delay in hearing second appeals at the Central information Commission was noted as a major concern which discourages people filing RTI Applications in J&K.
Mr. Karar Reshi, in his address, passionately encouraged the youth to harness the power of RTI and become active agents of change in their communities. He emphasized the importance of accessing information to drive positive transformations.
Mr. Irfan Banka reiterated the need for the government to conduct RTI awareness programs and announced RTI Pend's commitment to hosting weekly events every Sunday from 10 AM to 11 AM. He extended an open invitation to the youth to reach out to J&K RTI Foundation and collaborate on organizing RTI awareness programs in their villages and towns.
RTI Pend firmly believes that RTI empowers every citizen of India and is committed to fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making.
Besides offline participation, the event was also live-streamed on Facebook and Zoom, providing a wider audience with valuable insights on the RTI Act.

Comments

TRENDING

Amidst climate of hate, none cares to remember VP Singh, not even his family

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*   It was former Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh's birthday on June 25. He would have turned 93 on this day. A man of great idealism and conviction, VP changed the politics of power in India that became more inclusive in terms of participation and representation of the marginalised in our highest decision making bodies. 

Will official Modi invitation to Pope include itinerary of meeting Manipur Christians, too?

  By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ*  Few will not remember Judas Iscariot and the role he played in the betrayal of Jesus! For those who don’t know or don’t remember, these passages from Sacred Scripture will help put things in perspective: "And while they were eating, he said, 'Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.' They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, 'Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?' Jesus replied, 'The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray from Sacred Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.' Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, 'Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?' Jesus answered, 'You have said so.'  (Mt. 26: 21-25)

RSS supremo Deoras 'supported' Emergency, but Indira, Sanjay Gandhi 'didn't respond'

Indira Gandhi, Balasaheb Deoras By Shamsul Islam* National Emergency was imposed on the country by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25-26, 1975, and it lasted for 19 months. This period is considered as ''dark times' for Indian democratic polity. Indira Gandhi claimed that due to Jaiprakash Narayan's call to the armed forces to disobey the 'illegal' orders of Congress rulers had created a situation of anarchy and there was danger to the existence of Indian Republic so there was no alternative but to impose Emergency under article 352 of the Constitution.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah*   The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Manipur's Meira Paibis: Inter-sectional activism, regional bias, media misconstruction

By Biswanath Sinha*  The women led movement in India is a diverse and multifaceted phenomenon that reflects the country's vast cultural, social, and political landscape. One of the most distinctive and influential women's organizations in this tapestry is the Meira Paibi of Manipur. Known as the "torchbearers," Meira (lights/torch) Paibi (holder/bearer) carved out a unique space in the annals of women's activism in India.

Architects, planners, designers discuss impact of climate change on infrastructure

By Dr Mansee Bal Bhargava*  The School of Architecture and Planning at the Woxsen University, Telengana, organized a conference on Architecture & Design of Built Environment (ADoBE) on 6-7th June 2024 at the Indian Institute of Technology, IIT-Hyderabad. The larger theme of the ADoBE’24 pivoted on ‘Cities Embracing Inclusivity’. 

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.