An example of 'aware and activist India'

New Delhi, Sep 28: In what may be a true example of an 'aware and activist India', a couple features in the Guinness Book of World Records for their Letters to Editors of various national newspapers.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal features in the Guinness Book of World Records for most letters to editors -- 3,699 till January 31, 2006 -- published in newspapers in a lifetime. Interestingly, his wife Madhu Agrawal also a shares space in the book for the maximum number of letters published in newspapers in a year -- 447 in 2004. She was also adjudged world record holder by the Limca Book of Records for maximum published letters by a woman.

The couple takes up causes of national and public interest by writing to newspapers and concerned authorities on subjects ranging from the Constitution to Finance, Banking to Communication and Transport to Television.

Mr Agrawal is a prominent Right to Information (RTI) activist, who regularly takes up issues of national interest through his numerous petitions filed under the RTI Act.

The Central Information Commission lists his public interest petitions for priority hearing, constituting an unusual full bench for hearing his petition concerning the Chief Justice of India in one instance.

His petitions are keenly observed in judicial and bureaucratic circles.

Mr Agrawal wrote his first letter to the Dainik Hindustan editor in 1967 over an unpleasant experience with a bus conductor, who refused to give him a proper ticket.

He got a quick response to the published letter, making him realise the impact of taking up matters through newspapers.

Nothwithstanding hardening of his right hand thumb during adolescence, Mr Agrawal continued with his passion for writing.

He has a vast collection of letters from authorities acknowledging his selfless service for taking up public interest issues and his suggestions are taken seriously at the highest levels of decision-making.

Former Vice-President Mohammad Hidayattulah honoured him for his writings, calling him a personal friend.

The couple is invited for various panel discussions on national interest issues on various television channels and other fora.

UNI