On Saturday 21 September, Moneylife Foundation and a gathering of prominent RTI activists from Mumbai came together at the Press Club of Mumbai to felicitate and honour Commodore Lokesh Batra (Retd.) for his outstanding contributions to promoting transparency, accountability and good governance in India through the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The event, presided over by Sucheta Dalal, founder-trustee of Moneylife Foundation, recognised Cmdr. Batra’s relentless efforts to use RTI as a tool for public good, particularly his fight for transparency in areas such as political funding and government expenditures.
In her address, Sucheta Dalal read a heartfelt felicitation letter, highlighting the profound impact of Cmdr. Batra's work. The felicitation ceremony was marked by Shailesh Gandhi, former Central Information Commissioner, presenting a shawl to Cmdr. Batra. Debashis Basu, founder-trustee of Moneylife Foundation, presented him with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the Foundation and the RTI activists of Mumbai. Yogesh Sapkale, Deputy Editor of Moneylife, greeted Cmdr. Batra with flowers to complete the heartfelt recognition of his contributions.
In his address, Shailesh Gandhi said, “It’s a privilege to honour my friend Cmdr. Batra. His post-retirement achievements are monumental and more valuable to the nation than even his distinguished service in the Navy. His fight for transparency continues to inspire all of us.”
Since the inception of the RTI Act in 2005, Cmdr. Batra has played a pivotal role in shedding light on critical issues, including the PM CARES Fund, the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and the 2007 Nithari killings investigation. His efforts also led to the introduction of Electronic Indian Postal Orders (e-IPO), empowering Indians living abroad to seek information through the RTI Act.
In his acceptance speech, Cmdr. Batra thanked the RTI community and emphasized the continued need for vigilance in using RTI to ensure accountability. He said, “The fight for transparency is far from over. We must continue working together to keep the RTI Act a strong tool in the hands of every Indian. Although I had thought about concluding my transparency campaign after the victory with Electoral Bonds, the need for inspiring the younger generation to carry forward this fight has kept me going.”
The event also featured Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat, who had served with Cmdr. Batra in the Indian Navy. Admiral Bhagwat expressed his pride in seeing Cmdr. Batra transition from a Navy officer to a formidable RTI activist. “It is inspiring to see how Lokesh has switched over from the uniform to becoming a transparency campaigner, constantly fighting for justice. His journey is commendable and should inspire the younger generation,” said Admiral Bhagwat.
The event was also attended by Moneylife Foundation trustee Walter Vieira, who commended Cmdr. Batra’s dedication to the cause of transparency and accountability.
Anil Galgali, veteran journalist and RTI activist, took the stage to share his experiences with the RTI Act, offering practical advice to the audience. Galgali emphasised the importance of perseverance and strategic thinking when filing RTI applications. He said, “While there is one RTI Act, we all have different perspectives and approaches to using it. When I file RTIs, I usually avoid first or second appeals as they are time-consuming and often lead to unsatisfactory results. I prefer having direct conversations with information officers, which often yields better outcomes. I always tell people that persistence and patience are key.”
He further explained that citizens should also leverage other tools, such as the Right to Services Act and the Citizen’s Charter, to seek accountability from the government. He concluded saying, “RTI is one of the many tools at a citizen's disposal. Use every weapon available to ensure that somewhere, something works and you get the information you need.” His speech struck a chord with the audience, emphasising that success with RTI often comes down to persistence, networking and credibility.
Bhaskar Prabhu, social activist and convener of Mahiti Adhikar Manch, echoed Galgali’s sentiments, urging RTI users to build credibility and sustain their efforts. “If you persist and sustain your efforts, change will come. The power of the RTI Act is still there, but it requires a thoughtful approach. Start small and look at local aspects. Look the expenditures of your local municipal corporation on parks and gardens in your ward. Don’t stand on the shoulders of RTI activists to seek information under RTI, put in your efforts, build relationships and be persistent. Those of us who have built a strong track record no longer need to file appeals to get information, but that took time and patience. Networking with public information officers is crucial to success,” he explained.
Samir Zaveri, known for his work using RTI to improve railway safety, shared similar thoughts, encouraging activists to file RTI applications repeatedly and to maintain a reputation for using RTI for the public good. “Building credibility is crucial in this space. When public officers know that you’re filing RTIs for genuine causes and public interest, they are more responsive. Persistence combined with a credible track record makes a significant difference.”
Krishna Gupta, an RTI activist focused on the Mira-Bhayander area, shared his experience of using RTI to remove illegal banners and hoardings from public spaces. “It took years of sustained efforts and persistence to clean up the city. We filed RTI applications, complaints, and FIRs, and finally, we were able to get the illegal hoardings removed. Mira-Bhayander is now free of these banners, and that’s a direct result of sticking with the process.” His remarks reinforced the notion that persistence, combined with other legal tools, leads to impactful results.
The event served as a powerful reminder of the critical role RTI activists like Cmdr. Batra play in strengthening democracy and ensuring transparency in governance. The gathering celebrated not only Commodore Batra’s extraordinary efforts but also the broader RTI community’s collective fight for accountability and good governance.
This event was not only a celebration of Cmdr. Batra’s incredible achievements but also a reflection on the power of the RTI Act to bring about meaningful change. The speakers emphasized the importance of staying committed, using different strategies and building credibility in the pursuit of transparency. Cmdr. Batra’s work stands as a beacon of inspiration for both the RTI community and citizens across India, reminding us all that the fight for accountability is ongoing and must be carried forward by future generations.
Moneylife Foundation continues to work at the forefront of empowering citizens with tools like RTI, and the event served as a powerful reminder of the critical role RTI activists play in strengthening democracy and ensuring transparent governance.
