DNA: Thane: Sunday, March 01, 2015.
Shobha
Subhedar is a freelance writer who writes columns for the newspaper Thane
Vaibhav. An M.A in Marathi literature, she has also authored a book called
‘Tichyatil Stree’. Her book, published in Marathi, is a compilation of all her
columns that appeared in the daily Navshakti over a span of four years.
Subhedar has
made a successful transition to activism, as she holds fort during the RTI
katta sessions at M H High School in Thane (W), twice a month. During these
sessions she not only shares information about how to effectively use the Right
to Information Act (2005), but also tries to ensure that the tool is used to
benefit others.
Subhedar says
that being a columnist, writing and commenting on what was happening in the
society came naturally to her. She closely followed Anna Hazare’s movement that
ensured that RTI act is passed. She says, “I feel that the RTI is the most
powerful weapon that a common man can use to set things right. I realised that
many of us did not know what the RTI is and how to use it. At RTI katta, we
only discuss issues related to RTI.”
A slow
start
Subhedar held
the first session at Mahatma Gandhi garden in June 2009 on 1st Saturday. While
banners were used to announce the event in advance, those who came did not stay
for long. She used the local newspapers to inform people about the upcoming
sessions. The sessions are now held at M H High School twice a month and are
free of cost.
Over a period
of time interest in the sessions grew. Subhedar, describing the initial
sessions, says, “It was the month of June and it was raining heavily, yet
people came to attend the session. In one of the sessions, a visually
challenged person came and sat till the very end. I was amazed to see his interest.”
However the
young generation that does not seem to be too interested in using the RTI
according Subhedar. She adds, “I conduct several programmes in colleges and in
the end, I ask the students to attend my RTI sessions. None of them show up. I
feel that youngsters have the ability to change and should take an initiative
in activities.”
Won’t
charge a penny, says Subhedar
Subhedar is
clear that she would not charge money for the sessions. While many have asked
her to charge a basic fee of Rs 10, she has refused to do so. She explains, “I
do not want to be like the organisations that take money but do not deliver
anything. Also, I feel that only the people who are genuinely interested in
filing a RTI must come.”
The sessions
have not just focussed on sharing information, but also on using it to deliver
tangible results. In 2009, six firemen lost their lives inside the lift when
the 14th floor of Punarvaru building in Thane’s Samta Nagar caught fire.
Subhedar says, “Questions like why there was no ladder to reach the 14h floor
and how did the firemen not know that they must avoid using the lift came to
mind. We discussed the issue at our RTI katta sessions and filed several RTIs.”
The replies also helped the families of the deceased.
Giving
social causes a push
RTI activism
is not the only things that Subhedar does. She is also actively involved in a
neem awareness campaign as a part of which she has distributed hundreds of neem
saplings and seeds. She also works as a counsellor and motivational speaker.
She is involved in a project that focuses on educating people at grassroots
about the importance of keeping the wells clean.
While
activism is an important part of her life, it is her family that gives her the
strength to continue her work. Subhedar says, “My husband is an engineering
consultant, my daughter is an architect while my son is pursuing his post
graduation. They make my life meaningful.”
The sessions
are conducted on the first and third Saturday of every month from 6 pm to 8 pm
at the M H High School in Thane (W) and are open to all.
.JPG)
.JPG)
