Photo Credit: Shailesh Raval Photo Credit: Shailesh Raval

Bhadresh Vamja, a 21-year-old Law student and RTI activist has been elected as the sarpanch of Saldi village in Gujarat. This makes him the youngest in the state to be bestowed with this rare honour. Vamja doggedly used Right to Information (RTI) to fight corruption and was responsible in bringing about a mini social revolution in a previously little-known village.

Saldi now looks upto this little boy who has grown up as a hope for this secluded hamlet in Gujarat. "I realized that one has to enter the system to cleanse it and make things more transparent. I am happy that villagers have shown faith in me," Vamja told India Today. Out of 1,805 people who voted in the polls, Vamja secured 758 to win by a margin of 310 votes.





Photo Credit: Shailesh Raval Photo Credit: Shailesh Raval

Photo Credit: Shailesh Raval Photo Credit: Shailesh Raval

Post his victory his first step is to activate the e-Dhara yojana in his village which enables more transparency and digitalising all records. "I want to use Gujarat's model for e-Governance that was introduced by Narendra Modi, as a tool to fight authorities. This model is more efficient and also provides broadband connectivity in our villages." He would also be using RTI to campaign yet again, if any laws are violated.When Vamja was just 18 years old his fight through RTI back in 2011 led then chief information commissioner (CIC) R N Das to direct the government's food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department to order proactive disclosure of ration stock at all the FPS across the state. It is due to his persistence that stock disclosure has become mandatory in Gujarat.Vamja first came to know about RTI through an article published in a local newspaper. Post that he did self research on the subject through internet, books and magazines. "I always wanted to fight injustice, I knew only school education was not enough for that" he says. His family has supported him immensely. "I was never forced by anyone to fight against the authorities but it is my own decision" he says. And he continues to do so till date. "My parents were scared initially but slowly their perspective is changing. Even my friends have come together to support me that helps villagers understand their rights." While he claims he has got success in his endeavours till now but his biggest achievement is yet to come.