Interactive Workshop on The Right to Information (RTI) Act
The Pune Chapter of the IIT Bombay Alumni Association organized an interactive workshop on The Right to Information (RTI) Act at the Dewang Mehta Auditorium on Saturday, 8th September, 2007. The objective of the workshop was to make the urban elite understand how we can invoke RTI to make a difference in our civic life and particularly help improve governance.
The Right To Information Act has proved to be an extremely potent tool in the hands of responsible citizens in their quest for clean and efficient administration. While there have been many RTI success stories, very few of them involve the urban elite.
This workshop was conducted by leading RTI activist and IITB alumnus, Shailesh Gandhi along with Mr. Vijay Kuvalekar, the State Information Commissioner for Pune region, who shared his thoughts citing case studies.
In his address, Mr.Vijay Kuvalekar said that the past few months as the Information Commissioner has been a process of learning for him. He said he had realized how this powerful piece of legislation can solve day-to-day problems of the common man. He shared some experiences through some cases he had handled recently. He also shared that almost about 2000 cases have been transferred to him for disposal. While answering to the question about the way he would like to conclude cases – he remarked that he would generally follow the chronological order, however the nature of the matter decides the priority than just when the application was filed. He also answered several questions from the audience to their satisfaction.
After Mr.Kuvalekar, Shailesh Gandhi took to the podium. Shailesh, an IITB Alumnus himself, has been one of the prime movers behind the establishment of Right to Information Act. He continues to be a crusader for transparency and integrity in all public matters. In his talk with the audience, Shailesh explained that the RTI procedures are extremely simple and inexpensive. Citizens can even demand to inspect public works- with resources supplied by the Government. The onus of furnishing the information in reasonable time is on the Government.
He shared a booklet about the RTI Act which laid down the formats for seeking this information. With a ten rupee fee and a proper format, a Citizen initiates a very powerful legal course, which entitles him to information. The audience had many questions for him as well and he patiently answered them with all the conviction that it is the urban elite who eventually can use the Act to achieve good governance.
He concluded that if all of us decide to move, use and spread the RTI movement, we could change the way our country is governed in as little as three years.
Interactive Workshop on The Right to Information (RTI) Act
Registration: Please send an email to pune[at]iitbombay.org (Please indicate number of guests.)
Entry fee: Nil.
Dinner: Order-your-own (No credit cards please!)
The Right To Information Act has proved to be an extremely potent tool in the hands of responsible citizens in their quest for clean and efficient administration. We are pleased to announce an interactive workshop with the leading RTI activist and IITB alumnus, Shailesh Gandhi. The State Information Commissioner for Pune region Mr. Vijay Kuvalekar has also agreed to participate in this event.
While there have been many RTI success stories, very few of them involve the urban elite. The RTI procedures are extremely simple and inexpensive. Citizens can even demand to inspect public works- with resources supplied by the Government. The onus of furnishing the information in reasonable time is on the Government. This workshop is an unique opportunity to understand how we can invoke RTI to make a difference in our civic life.
About Shailesh Gandhi
Shailesh obtained his B.Tech. (IIT B) in Civil Engg. in the year 1969 and is the recipient of Distinguished Service Award of IITBAA in the year 2001 and Distinguished Alumnus Award in the year 2007. He was an entrepreneur and the Chairman & Managing Director of Clear Plastics Limited till recently when he sold his company to concentrate on social activities. He has been vigorously active in voluntary public service. He is one of the prime movers behind the establishment of Right to Information Act. He continues to be a crusader for transparency and integrity in all public matters. In the intial part of IITB Alumni Association's existence, he was the Chairman – Board of Directors and gave shape to the policies that guide IITBAA even today.
About Mr. Vijay Kuvalekar
A distinguished journalist and writer, Mr. Kuvalekar is a former editor of Daily Sakaal. The following article gives an insight in to the unique perspective he brings to his role as the Information Commissioner.
http://www.suchetadalal.com/articles/display/46/2483.article
We have received three nominations for the three posts of the Executive Committee of IITBAA-Pune Chapter.
Since there are exactly three nominations for three posts the election will be deemed a no-contest election and the nominated candidates will be considered "elected" to the said posts.
an IIT Bombay Alumni
Association and TiE event 6thJanuary 2007,
Pune Exclusively Sponsored By
About Innovations
2007:
Innovations 2007 is an annual
technology exhibition that we hope will become the best forum in India to
showcase innovations in practice. A national event like this is a must in
today's fast paced technology environment to encourage high impact yet relevant
innovations. The focus of this event is on "ideas in practice".
Event highlights:
Featured innovations –
from diverse industry segments – with demonstrated initial success in the
market.
Close interaction and
mentoring by panels of experts for candidate innovations during selection.
Keynote by Gururaj
"Desh" Deshpande focusing on the process of
innovation.
Attendees consisting of
invited stakeholder communities.
Intense, single
day, single-track format, ending with an India perspective by Arun
Shourie.
This is an inaugural event
co-developed by the Pune Chapters of IIT Bombay Alumni
Association and TiE.
Innovations 2007 is aimed at promoting interaction between the innovators,
various key industry segments – such as Manufacturing, Biotech/Chemical, IT,
and Communication – venture and financial community and experts who have
"done it all".
Benefits to
Attendees:
There are a number of reasons why
an invitee will be compelled to attend such an event:
Meet multiple innovators
to learn about what it took to put the innovation in practice. The attendees
will acquire an interdisciplinary perspective on the process of innovation
and on how to pitch an innovation.
Listen to "Desh"
describe the process of innovation.
Have 1-on-1’s at the
exhibits and set up subsequent dialogs. The exhibits will emphasize the
experience of the innovators. The organizers expect to ensure that
individuals closest to the innovations presented are available to interact
with the attendees. This will ensure that each dialog will be "direct"
with the persons with the "experience".
Listen to Arun
Shourie provide the India perspective.
Being part of an invited audience
will be a significant opportunity to network. All attendees will receive a
consolidated attendee list before the meeting so that they can set up meetings
beforehand at the event.
For more information please
visit website of the event: www.iitbombay.org/innovations2007
Registration
Process:
There are a limited number
of attendee seats for the event. Few of these are open for the enthusiasts on a
first come first serve basis. Please read the ‘Terms
& Conditions’ below and to receive an invitation,
please follow the steps mentioned below:
2. Submit the form along with the
registration fee of Rs. 1000/- at any one of the places mentioned below between
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Dr. Shantaram Kane
1, Indradhanushya Apts,
Agarkar Road,
827/A, Shivaji Nagar,
Pune 411 004
Tel: 020 – 2567 2833
Ms. Mazel Francis
G S Lab
"Stellar Enclave"
501-504, 5th Floor,
D P Road, Aundh,
Pune 411 007
Tel: 020 2588 3363\
Ms. Sandra Pinto
Kirloskar Brothers Limited,
Udyog Bhavan, Tilak Road
Pune - 411 002
Tel: 91-20-24401005
Mr. Prakash Patil / Mr. Anil
Pawar
112, Paras Chambers, Near
Laxmi Narayan
Cinema, Above Bank of India,
Parvati Road,
Pune 411009
Tel: 020- 2446 8408
3. In case if you face
difficulty in registration please contact Mr. Anil Pawar at 020- 2446 8408 / ppatil@vsnl.com
Terms &
Conditions:
1. There is a registration fee of
Rs.1000/-. By submitting the registration form, you agree to pay this amount in
case of confirmation of your registration.
2. By registering for the event,
you provide your consent to share your information with the rest of the
participants. You will receive the information provided by the other
participants.
3. Submitting your registration
form and the registration fee does not guarantee the reservation of your seat
for the event. Seat confirmation would only be by a confirmatory email from the
organizers.
4. Confirmed seat can not be
cancelled or transferred under any circumstances.
5. Please carry a printout of the
confirmatory mail received by you with you to the event. Failure to do so may
result in you not being allowed to attend the event.
6. In case you have submitted the
registration fee and are not confirmed a seat, organizers will refund the entire
registration fee.
7. Organizing committee reserves
full rights on all the decisions regarding event / invitation / attendance.
8. Organizers do not take
responsibility and can not be held liable for any change or cancellation of the
event.
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