Remembering Rahul: A comrade and spirited activist

18 May 2009, 0440 hrs IST, TNN
May 5. It was 6 am. Rahul's lifeless body lay before our eyes. We stared at it in disbelief, hoping he would get up and talk to us.


His wife Twinkle wept inconsolably and his son Swaraj, 7, sat by his side in a daze. He had just come from his grandfather's room and had no idea what had happened. The boy who waited every night for his father, did not know that he would never come back.

Rahul was only 36. At 5 am, a massive heart attack claimed his life and before the paramedics arrived, he was no more. When he was being taken for post-mortem, I noticed the gold necklace around his neck and bent to remove it. Swaraj whispered, "Gently please, it will hurt," and the statement shook my heart. My guess was right: The little boy had no clue his father was gone forever.

The hearse came and as Rahul's body was being hauled, he asked, "But why is papa still unconscious?" Nobody said anything, as Twinkle gently took her son away.

Rahul's parents were shocked. Their son had gone before them. To lend a shoulder for own son's funeral procession can be a crushing blow for any parent. But they did not cry and that worried me. Perhaps they had steeled themselves because they had to look after Twinkle and Swaraj.

Rahul had joined us at The Times Of India only about 18 months back. An activist at heart, he had specialised in Right to Information (RTI) Act and used it to fight for people. He used to train Gujarat government officials on RTI. He would write about RTI's success stories and be euphoric if he won a case under the act.

The six-feet tall Rahul was always fighting with the system and had the unusual ability to fight back after defeat. I remember how he would be lost in thoughts and smoke one cigarette after another.

On that fateful night of May 4, Rahul seemed in a different mood, at work till about 10.30 p.m. Normally a quiet guy, that day he was freely cracking jokes. He even hid a burger brought by a colleague something quite unlike Rahul. The colleague asked everyone, as Rahul wore a mischievous smile on his face and said, "You will get it back, but will you give me half?"

The fun continued till late in the night. It was 10.45 pm when Rahul and two other collegues called up senior AMC officials and pulled their leg on a press note issued by an animal-rights group that wanted chicken statues to be erected at busy road junctions to protest non-vegetarinaism. Then Rahul planned to take the joke a step forward the next day and distribute copies of the press note to government and AMC offices.

But, the next day at 5,15 am, I got a call saying Rahul was terribly unwell. By the time I got ready there was another call saying he was gone. I refused to believe it.

At the besna, Twinkle found it difficult to control her tears. Just then, little Swaraj suddenly took a handkerchief, wiped her tears and poured her a glass of water for her. It struck me like a bolt of pain that the little lad suddenly looked very grown up.

RAHUL, WE WILL MISS YOU

Anita Karwal

On Monday, at 9.28 pm, when my cell phone rang, I instinctively knew it was Rahul calling. Ever since the election date had been declared, he kept in touch with me, not just to confirm news, but also to continuously assure me that “this too shall pass”. “Ma’am, you must remain cool in the face of adversity. That will not only get your work done faster, but keep your family happier too.” He loved telling me this. From today, I can keep on waiting a lifetime for the phone to ring and Rahul to call and it will never happen.

I was struck by Rahul’s dedication. It was so infectious. I had to take up the causes he espoused. Then he began spreading awareness about Right to Information Act (RTI) in the state. He became a scribe suddenly and one saw issue-based activism through well-researched articles. That is Rahul for you; rather that was Rahul for you. Rahul took up issues like school building safety, safety of transport for schoolchildren, helmets, vehicular pollution, city traffic and BRTS.

Rahul left this earth prematurely. His work remains unfinished. His affable manner and concern for societal and governance issues can never be forgotten. In a short span of just 36 years, he has positively impacted thousands of people. Rahul, this city will miss you but you will live on always in the hearts of every citizen who feels the air is getting cleaner every Diwali, or whose child’s life was saved because he heeded your warnings and withdrew him from that overcrowded van, or that poor family that got the benefits it was eligible for because you told them about RTI. Rest in peace, Rahul.

(The writer is the chief electoral officer, Gujarat)

Rahul Mangaonkar awakened citizens through his column ’Jaago Gujarat’, but on Tuesday morning he suddenly went into deep sleep. His death has left RTI users and promoters across the nation in shock. Rahul’s involvement with governance started long back when he was associated with Loksatta. He had also played a key role in creating a constructive environment for RTI and establishing effective co-ordination when he was associated with the RTI cell in Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA). Rahul played a key role in taking the RTI movement ahead in Gujarat. His death is a great loss to the RTI world. Farewell, fearless RTI crusader

-Arvind Kejriwal (Parivartan), Aruna Roy and Nikhil De (Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan) & Bibhav Kumar (Kabir) with other RTI activists.

Since we have been propagating Right to Information, we enjoyed reading Rahul’s sharp articles on this right and on his ability to take on all, with out fear or favour. The world has truly lost a great journalist and I am sure, that The Times of India would have lost somebody very precious.

Publication: Times Of India Ahmedabad; Date: May 6, 2009; Section: Times City; Page: 2

Rahul Mangaonkar : An activist turned journalist

Shyam Parekh Wednesday,May 6, 2009 12:19 IST

Ahmedabad:
Thirty-six years is no age for a lean, trim and seemingly underweight man to die of a heart attack. But Rahul Mangaonkar was known for doing things unusually.


Despite fears of sounding hackneyed and clichéd, I will say that with his passing away, not just Ahmedabad, but entire Gujarat has lost a warrior who fought to sensitise them about clean air for themselves.

Rahul fought quietly, not shouting slogans in the streets, but effected change in people's minds -- often in those of the virulently insensitive babudom and moneybags' offices.
He did this not for millions of his ilk who fight for personal gains, but for the good of the people who stood as stumbling blocks in ensuring a better environment for themselves!
It was on a wintry afternoon in 2003 that I first met him -- introduced as a guy who worked with an ad agency but was serious about environmental issues and activism. He sounded clear about what he wanted. "At this rate (of the surge in pollution), the people of this city will soon die. Why don't we do something?" He was trying to shake up the environmental journalism streak in me. The meeting venues kept shifting with my offices.
Soon the campaign he was driving 'Amdavadio Marsho', succeeded in shaking up Amdavadis from their deep slumber on environmental issues.

The activist in him took over the ad professional and he thrust his networking skills to enrol all and sundry into the AIR Initiative which helped create the right environment for the administration and powers that be to enforce CNG autorickshaws and more, with heart. He assiduously pursued what he had set out for -- cleaner environment for the city.

It was during one such brainstorming session that he shook me again with his confidence and foresight. "This RTI is going to be a big weapon for the common men. It is revolutionary. This should be more accessible to all. We should do something about it."

I registered his untiring zeal to make a difference and his sense of responsibility towards the society, which made him a rare breed. My cynicism failed to influence his conviction - I knew this guy was not just skin deep in his belief about the RTI's utility. Despite his repeated nudges for days to follow, I failed to come up with a smart solution. He dragged me along to knock on every door in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad that housed a potential supporter.

Finally, tired of his relentlessness, I suggested that he re-brand himself as an activist and start educating people by writing in newspapers. Since he communicated well and DNA was yet to be launched in the city, I suggested he approach other newspapers.

Probably the activist got the better of him and he eventually underwent a metamorphosis to surface as a fulltime journalist. I was shocked the day I heard about Rahul's new avatar. Probably the need to be 'professionally correct' saw us drift away and led to a patch of sterility; sometimes bitchy gossip generates mistrust. But he brushed it away soon with advice on which paediatricians and schools were beneficial for my little one.

One day, as he found that we had a problem getting an Election Commission I-card, he volunteered to get us an EPIC just a few days before the recent polling. This was his last gift -- to empower me to vote! I have one regret: that I could not thank him!

Barely a couple of years into journalism, he had carved a niche for himself. I will miss him as no one else had pushed me and many others, day in and out, to do our bit for the city and its environment. I will miss him because as a professional journalists we all tend to be bystanders; but he stood up for something. Adieu, Rahul, a real and dear Amdavadi who fought for his city's health. May your soul rest in peace.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1253366

we lost our Saathi Rahul Mangaonkar

Dear all,

we lost our Saathi Rahul Mangaonkar, today early morning. it is severe heart attack as he complaint of chest pain and expired on the way to hospital.
This is unbelievable but unfortunately true.....

Pankti Jog
09909006791
MAHITI ADHIKAR GUJARAT PAHEL

Dear all,

Still reeling under the shocking news, I inform you that we have lost our Saathi Rahul Mangaonkar, today early morning. I just received an email from Pankti Jog. She informs that, it is severe heart attack as he complained of chest pain and expired on the way to hospital.

As he had done for Masterji, we will be only allowing respects to Rahul for the next 24 hours. Other RTI mails are to be put on hold till then.

May his soul rest in peace.

Regards,
Vishal


To
The Bereaved Family of Rahul,
Please convey our heartiest condolences to the family and loved ones.The RTI family will always remember his works in this field.
May his brave soul rest in peace.Amen

Raja Bunch
Mumbai

Dear all
I was shocked to get a SMS followed by phone call from Vihar Durveji announcing the sudden death of Rahul. I just could not beleive that his young man, a seasoned journalist with Times of India, Ahmedabad could depart from this world so soon.

I would fondly remember him as a upright person, blunt and honest to the core who would not mind at all calling spade a spade. He was very prompt to apologize if he erred somewhere. I had very high regards for his seniors in profession. Once he called me, when I pulled him for some remarks, which was offensive. Hespoke for nearly 30 minutes and clarified the misunderstanding very politely. That is how he won the hearts of many. The late PMK nutured him to be one of the best RTI activists in the country.

I wish to extend my hearfelt condolonces to his family thru HJ and pray God to give the departed soul peace and place in Swarg.

In grief with all the members of HJ
Shahid
Dear Friends,
__._,_.___
SHOCKING. !!!!!!

It is difficult to express our loss in words.

It is not even 72 hours since I shared my last international RTI story with him.

As a Journalist (TOI) he minced no words in calling spade a spade.. His bold and forthright writings (articles/news report) spoke how much he cared for the society.

In these hours of grief we pray to God to give us strength to carry on with his unfinished mission.

Expressing our condolences to his family, near dear one, friends and his readers and all.

In grief...

Lokesh Batra

Dear all

I join with you on this sad demise of our RTI activist Mangaonkar
and pray God to grant his soul peace.

Dr JN Sharma


It is a great loss to RTI Activists throught the country, Our heart felt condolence, May god give strength to bear this loss to the bereaved family.

MVK ANIL KUMAR
KRIA KATTE, BANGALORE



This is in deed very SAD news for me and entire RTIn's!

During my LONG struggle he helped me a lot! Infact he is my FIRST GUIDE on the RTI journey. He helped through out and guided. Mr.MANOJ PAI and Mr. PAUL JOHN is witness thorughout the journey.
May his soul get PEACE!!

DARSHAN
Ahmedabad

very shocking....can't have words to express...unbelievable

Mahesh pandya
Paryavaran Mitra
Ahmedabad



this is unbelievable!!! please do convey my heartfelt sympathies to his family.

vishal
USA


Really and still unbelievable...let's pray to God for his etrnal peace and bear the his loss to all his dear & near.
Dinesh Patel
Gujarat


Dear Pankti
It is really shocking and very sad.
Regards
Rajesh Kapoor
Ahmedabad


Can't believe it that Rahul is no more. RTI cause lost a great friend. May god his family strenth to bear this loss

prem gera

Resident Commissioner &
Commissioner (Investment Promotion)
Government of Gujarat
A-6 Baba Khadag Singh Marg
New Delhi