Haryana whistleblower, Delhi activist chosen for Magsaysay

Ananya Panda

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 29

Two Indians — whistleblower bureaucrat Sanjeev Chaturvedi and human rights activist Anshu Gupta — are among the five persons chosen for the Ramon Magsaysay Award-2015.

Three others who have won the Asia’s highest honour are: Kommaly Chanthavong from Laos, Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa from the Philippines and Kyaw Thu from Myanmar, the board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation announced.

Currently at odds with the Narendra Modi-led NDA government over charges of “harassment” for exposing corruption, 40-year-old Chaturvedi says officers face challenges but there are “checks and balances” in the Constitution that “vindicate” graft cases. “One faces difficulties but there are safeguards in our system along with a corrective mechanism that enables an honest officer to work fearlessly within the defined system,” he said.

Chaturvedi, who has been transferred 12 times in the past five years, had taken on land sharks during his stint in the Haryana Government. “This award is an inspiration to many honest officers fighting corruption. It has reaffirmed my faith and bolstered my spirit to continue my battle,” he said.

About his graft allegations, he said: “I backed my charge of corruption in the AIIMS with evidence but still no action was taken by the PMO. This left me disappointed. I was defamed by the Centre, which hampered my promotions and cadre transfer. I respected the PM for his stand against corruption but stood harassed for my zero tolerance to it.”

Currently the AIIMS’ deputy secretary, he blames Union Health Minister JP Nadda for “engineering” his removal from the Chief Vigilance Officer’s post and later trying to “fabricate” his Annual Performance Appraisal Report.

His mother Kalawati Chaturvedi said: “He has always had a positive attitude and never been afraid of anyone. This award brings cheer amid the harassment he is facing at the hands of politicians and the government.”

Anshu Gupta (44) left a corporate job to establish NGO Goonj in 1999. He said: “The idea of Goonj — collecting old clothes and household goods to distribute them among the needy — is being accepted widely. As responsible citizens, we need to make a difference by changing things instead of complaining. It is important to take charge.”

They will be formally conferred the Magsaysay Award on August 31 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.