Bhubaneswar, - To ensure people's right to information and to popularize electroral reforms a campaign has virtually been launched in Orissa. Prominent Oriya film actor, educationist and eminent citizen Shri. Sharat Pujari, took pledge by lighting candles in the presence of Media persons gathered in a city hotel, on 22^nd Aug. Journalists and media professionals representating all the 30 districts of the state took oath to spread this movement at grassroots level with an objective of achieving right to information and creating awareness among people on electroral reforms, following the recent Supreme Court Judgement.

This decision was arrived at during the three days workshop held at Hotel Marrion in Bhubaneswar. The workshop was jointly organized by New Delhi based Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) and People's Cultural Center (PECUC) one of the leading NGOs in Orissa.

More than 300 delegates including Panchayat Raj representatives, media persons and NGO functionaries attended in different days of the workshop to deliberate on the topic "Right to information and electroral reforms".

The prominent speakers who delivered their observations on the above issue, were Mr. Livinus Kindo, Chief Electroral Officer and Ex-Officio Principal secretary to the Govt., Elections (Home) Dept. Mr. Bibhu Mohapatra of CHRI, Mr. Jagadananda Member Secretary CYSD, Prof. Radha Mohan Mallick., of Naba Krushna Choudhury Centre for development studies and Mr. Ranjan Mohanty, Secretary, PECUC.

Expressing concern on the growing distance between people and the government., Speakers, observed, citizens are yet to be enlightened about the democratic process and constitutional rights; these have been reflected in our  voter list and voting percentages besides voting patterns. The recent Supreme Court Judgement is an eye opener. We must guard our rights and be aware of our responsibility.

While furthering this cause, it was unanimously decided to spearhead this movement at grassroot level by organizing village level meetings, regional workshops, imparting training to activists and forming election watch committee in village, dist and state levels.

This workshop was conducted and coordinated among others by Mr. Ranjan Mohanty, Mr. Bibhu Mohapatra, Ms. Anuradha Mohanty, Mrinal Ojha, Sudarshan Chhotoray, Ms. Swosti Rana and Elasha Bose. A documentary film based upon study on media and older persons produced by PECUC was released by eminent media personality Mr. Kedar Mohanty.

The workshop unanimously adopted a resolution demanding to enactment right to information Act in Orissa and ensure participation of common people in the governance process.

( Ranjan Mohanty )

Secretary