15 students studying in the Government primary school in Vailpoor, Nizamabad district of Telangana did not receive the promised scholarship amount from the Labour welfare department for the academic year 2011-12. (They are children of Beedi workers and as per government norms, they are given Rs 1000/- per year as scholarship). While parents and students were disheartened and worried about it, a little crusader did something that surprised everyone.
9-year old Manoj, studying in class 4 decided to find out why the money was not given. He submitted an RTI application asking the same. He asked the Labour welfare department to furnish the details on why the amounts were not sent and if they were going to be sent, what was the time. He also requests them to state the reasons if they do not plan to send the scholarship amounts.
At a time when many of us crib about lack of transparency and inefficient functioning of the government, Manoj has set an example. He has not only reminded us that we should seek and utilize our rights but also the need for all of us to wake up and do something about our problems as individuals, as a society and as a country.
10 of the 15 students received their scholarships and Manoj was informed about it through a letter from the department. Next time we have a problem on our hand, lets think of Manoj and follow his example.
(Please read a similar RTI success story on Mamata here)
