Whispers Forum

Dear Dr. Mehrotra,

Eighty-two is a wonderful milestone, but what makes your birthday truly special is the life that has brought you here. For nearly six decades, you have lived journalism, not merely practised it. Your journey, from the early years in print to Whispers in the Corridors, has been a remarkable testament to what passion, perseverance and an unshakeable sense of purpose can achieve.

On your 82nd birthday, I find myself thinking not just of the remarkable journalist you have been, but of the remarkable human being you are. A friendship spanning decades makes one value such things even more deeply.

For nearly six decades, you have given yourself to journalism with a passion and purpose that few can match. Through Whispers in the Corridors, you have continued to inform, provoke and sometimes unsettle the corridors of power. Your reports may have stirred political storms, but you have remained serenely untouched by the turbulence you create. Such equanimity, combined with your characteristic modesty and simplicity, is rare indeed.

What moves me most, however, is that even as your health grows frail and the body begins to falter, your commitment remains as strong and unflinching as ever. The journalist in you refuses to retire from his calling. There is something deeply inspiring about this quiet tenacity. It tells us that when a life's work becomes a life's purpose, neither age nor adversity can easily diminish its hold.

Your life is itself a celebration of commitment. It has been a life devoted to a purpose that is both useful and positive, and one that has made a difference. May the years ahead bring you the very best of health, abundant happiness, and the love and warmth of those who matter most. Above all, may they bring you that deep contentment and bliss which come from looking back upon a life well lived, a purpose faithfully pursued, and a contribution that will endure.

Happy 82nd birthday, Dr. Mehrotra. May life be gentle with you, may your heart remain at peace, and may you continue to find joy in the calling you have served so faithfully.

With much affection, admiration and warmest wishes,

Uday Kumar Varma,
Former Secretary I&B

Congress must come out from the cage of the Gandhi family. Must give responsibility to Shashi Tharoor or Sachin pilot or any other leaders

Bhavesh

Significance of Ist November Congress Rally

November 1 in Christianity is celebrated as All Saints Day. It follows October 31. On this day prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated. It is called Halloween, widely celebrated in western Christianity, especially USA, Canada etc. Halloween, the night of October 31, when it was believed in the past that dead people appeared from their graves, is celebrated by children who dress as ghosts, witches. November 1st is All Saints' Day (also known as All Hallows' Day or Hallowmas) in Western Christianity. November 2 is All Souls Day !

M L Gupta

Rahul Gandhi is the only ray of hope for Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and America, to control the growth of India. That's why people vote for BJP.

Keerty

Upright and clean gentleman needed in WB

WB needs this upright, clean gentleman to continue as a governor. In contrast to what a neighbouring state got recently.

Guru

The UP election will give more visibility to the cracks within the INDIA alliance!

Anmol

DRI power

It will be a big blow to such a premier agency. As ports grow its powers should also grow. It looks like the IRS have lost the battle to the IPS.

Shrikant

DRI authority

While GST deals with trade, DRI normally deals with criminals and smugglers... It will demean such an important and integral agency for safety of country's economic borders.

Praveen Mishra

DRI power: Welcome step

Welcome step in so far its investigation under Customs Act is concerned. Extremely poor record of obtaining convictions. Even trials are not pursued properly and are plaqued by unending adjournments.

Kislay Deb

No one can match the strategic depth and diplomatic experience of Dr. S. Jaishankar as India’s External Affairs Minister. At the same time, Devendra Fadnavis could be considered for a larger role in the Union Cabinet, particularly in the Finance Ministry. His experience in Maharashtra’s governance and administration makes his potential role at the national level worth discussing.
Rather than limiting his role to Maharashtra, the BJP leadership could consider whether his experience and understanding of state finances would translate well to the national economic portfolio.
Dr. S. Jaishankar in External Affairs and Devendra Fadnavis in Finance — an interesting possibility for India’s future leadership team.
Ultimately, any such appointment would depend on the Prime Minister’s assessment, the government’s priorities, and the requirements of the portfolio.

Tiger

Fadnavis – better choice for PM

Quite possible, Fadnavis comes from RSS bastion, staunch hindutva leader and knows the rulebooks of sangha. He has better articulation and intellect than the current PM. Can possibly woo the Hindi heartland and even extend himself beyond that, lets see where does the Bjp leadership go

Anubhav Bhat

A tragic stampede occurred at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in central Kolkata. Triggered by a massive crowd surge and confusion near the exit amidst heavy rainfall, the chaos left at least 19 people dead—mostly women and children—and over 20 others injured.
On Sunday, Kolkata Police arrested seven key individuals associated with the pandal's management and private security on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, with the court remanding them to 10-day police custody. Government officials visited victims, announcing financial compensation and initiating high-level probes.
Mamata

The appellant sought the details of employees appointed under the Reserved Quota in the Assistant Grade-III cadre in the Food Corporation of India in a specific proforma. The PIO denied the information adding that an information shall ordinarily be provided in the form in which it is sought unless it would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority or would be detrimental to the safety or preservation of the record in question. Before the CIC, the Respondent submitted that the appellant sought information about SC/ST/OBC employees in Assistant Grade III Cadre from 2021 to 2024 along with their verified caste certificates in a tabular format given by him. The respondent submitted that there are around 6000 employees in their department and the compilation of the sought information in desired format for 24 years would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority. The respondent submitted that in view of the aforesaid reasons, they have denied the sought information U/s 7(9) of the RTI Act. During the hearing, the respondent additionally pleaded that the caste certificates of the employees are exempted U/s 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. On being asked by the CIC whether the PIO confirms for placing on record his plea for exemption U/s 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act as the same was not earlier mentioned in reply as per record, the PIO confirmed. The CIC observed that the respondent gave an appropriate reply to the appellant. Further, the CIC observed that the respondent had pleaded additional grounds during the hearing and the same was held as appropriate.
Comments
The caste details of an employee are his personal information which are not liable for disclosure. Information can be provided in the format in which it is available and asking the data in a specified format may lead to rejection of RTI application.
Citation: Yashwant Rao Hedau v. Food Corporation of India, File No: CIC/FCIND/A/2024/640832; Date of Decision: 23-01-2026
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an accomplished Right to Information (RTI) consultant who has worked for organisations such as IIM Indore, IIM Mumbai, IIM Visakhapatnam and ICAI. She is the co-author of two widely acclaimed books, PIO's Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. She conducts training programmes, workshops, and capacity-building sessions on the RTI Act. She also provides consultancy services on RTI implementation, compliance, and third-party audits. Her weekly article is been published on this website since 2008. Other articles and publications can be accessed on the RTI Foundation website at: www.rtifoundationofindia.com