J&amp;K activists explore transformative potential of Right to Information Act

J&K activists explore transformative potential of Right to Information Act

J&K RTI Foundation note on RTI Pend Initiative's successful inaugural event, which explores the transformative power of the Right to Information (RTI) for transparency and community empowerment:

***

The RTI Pend Initiative, a community-driven platform dedicated to transparency, accountability, and community empowerment, made a significant impact with its inaugural event, "RTI Pend 1st," held on September 10, 2023. The event, both online and at the J&K RTI Foundation's office in Magam, brought together individuals, activists, and community leaders to explore the transformative potential of the Right to Information (RTI).
Irfan Banka, a social activist, anthropologist, and the founder of J&K RTI Foundation, assumed the role of host and warmly welcomed participants, setting the stage for a day of engaging discussions and shared insights.
Sheikh Maqbool, Co-Founder of J&K RTI Foundation, graced the event as the esteemed guest speaker. His profound insights on RTI advocacy and its impact on communities resonated with attendees, sparking meaningful conversations on how RTI can be leveraged as a tool for positive change.
The event's agenda covered a comprehensive overview of RTI, step-by-step guidance on filing RTI applications, open community discussions, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and an opportunity for participants to network and connect informally.
Notably, participants actively engaged in the event, asking questions and seeking clarification on various aspects of RTI. The J&K RTI Foundation's members, including Akhtar Ali and Sajad Hussain, played a crucial role in addressing the queries of participants, offering expert guidance, and sharing their wealth of knowledge on RTI-related matters.
The event's Technical Director, Ishfaq Majeed, ensured a seamless technical execution, overseeing recording, livestreaming, editing, and providing technical support to enhance the experience for both online and offline participants.
One of the event's key announcements was the RTI Pend Initiative's commitment to extend its mission offline. The initiative is set to conduct awareness programs, facilitate RTI filing assistance, and engage with communities in villages, government departments, and public gatherings.
Irfan Banka, the event's host, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the participants for their enthusiastic support. He emphasized the community's vital role in driving positive change through transparency and open dialogue.
The RTI Pend Initiative remains committed to empowering communities by providing the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to exercise their Right to Information effectively. The initiative invites individuals, communities, and government departments to collaborate in this journey toward a more transparent and accountable future.

About the RTI Pend Initiative:

The RTI Pend Initiative is a community-driven platform dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and community empowerment through the Right to Information (RTI). Founded by social activist and anthropologist Irfan Banka, the initiative aims to create positive change by fostering open dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative problem-solving.

Comments

From algorithms to exploitation: New report exposes plight of India's gig workers

By Jag Jivan The recent report, "State of Finance in India Report 2024-25," released by a coalition including the Centre for Financial Accountability, Focus on the Global South, and other organizations, paints a stark picture of India's burgeoning digital economy, particularly highlighting the exploitation faced by gig workers on platform-based services.

'Condonation of war crimes against women and children’: IPSN on Trump’s Gaza Board

By A Representative The India-Palestine Solidarity Network (IPSN) has strongly condemned the announcement of a proposed “Board of Peace” for Gaza and Palestine by former US President Donald J. Trump, calling it an initiative that “condones war crimes against children and women” and “rubs salt in Palestinian wounds.”

Gig workers hold online strike on republic day; nationwide protests planned on February 3

By A Representative Gig and platform service workers across the country observed a nationwide online strike on Republic Day, responding to a call given by the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) to protest what it described as exploitation, insecurity and denial of basic worker rights in the platform economy. The union said women gig workers led the January 26 action by switching off their work apps as a mark of protest.

India’s road to sustainability: Why alternative fuels matter beyond electric vehicles

By Suyash Gupta* India’s worsening air quality makes the shift towards clean mobility urgent. However, while electric vehicles (EVs) are central to India’s strategy, they alone cannot address the country’s diverse pollution and energy challenges.

Jayanthi Natarajan "never stood by tribals' rights" in MNC Vedanta's move to mine Niyamigiri Hills in Odisha

By A Representative The Odisha Chapter of the Campaign for Survival and Dignity (CSD), which played a vital role in the struggle for the enactment of historic Forest Rights Act, 2006 has blamed former Union environment minister Jaynaynthi Natarjan for failing to play any vital role to defend the tribals' rights in the forest areas during her tenure under the former UPA government. Countering her recent statement that she rejected environmental clearance to Vendanta, the top UK-based NMC, despite tremendous pressure from her colleagues in Cabinet and huge criticism from industry, and the claim that her decision was “upheld by the Supreme Court”, the CSD said this is simply not true, and actually she "disrespected" FRA.

Stands 'exposed': Cavalier attitude towards rushed construction of Char Dham project

By Bharat Dogra* The nation heaved a big sigh of relief when the 41 workers trapped in the under-construction Silkyara-Barkot tunnel (Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand) were finally rescued on November 28 after a 17-day rescue effort. All those involved in the rescue effort deserve a big thanks of the entire country. The government deserves appreciation for providing all-round support.

Whither space for the marginalised in Kerala's privately-driven townships after landslides?

By Ipshita Basu, Sudheesh R.C. In the early hours of July 30 2024, a landslide in the Wayanad district of Kerala state, India, killed 400 people. The Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Vellarimala and Chooralmala villages in the Western Ghats mountain range turned into a dystopian rubble of uprooted trees and debris.

Fragmented opposition and identity politics shaping Tamil Nadu’s 2026 election battle

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* Tamil Nadu is set to go to the polls in April 2026, and the political battle lines are beginning to take shape. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state on January 23, 2026, marked the formal launch of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Addressing multiple public meetings, the Prime Minister accused the DMK government of corruption, criminality, and dynastic politics, and called for Tamil Nadu to be “freed from DMK’s chains.” PM Modi alleged that the DMK had turned Tamil Nadu into a drug-ridden state and betrayed public trust by governing through what he described as “Corruption, Mafia and Crime,” derisively terming it “CMC rule.” He claimed that despite making numerous promises, the DMK had failed to deliver meaningful development. He also targeted what he described as the party’s dynastic character, arguing that the government functioned primarily for the benefit of a single family a...

Over 40% of gig workers earn below ₹15,000 a month: Economic Survey

By A Representative The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, while reviewing the Economic Survey in Parliament on Tuesday, highlighted the rapid growth of gig and platform workers in India. According to the Survey, the number of gig workers has increased from 7.7 million to around 12 million, marking a growth of about 55 percent. Their share in the overall workforce is projected to rise from 2 percent to 6.7 percent, with gig workers expected to contribute approximately ₹2.35 lakh crore to the GDP by 2030. The Survey also noted that over 40 percent of gig workers earn less than ₹15,000 per month.

Search This Blog