Aruna Roy is one of India’s most influential social activists and a key figure in the Right to Information (RTI) movement, Roy is a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who turned into a full-time social activist. After quitting her prestigious government job, Roy dedicated nearly four decades to working with rural communities across India, advocating for transparency and the rights of the marginalized.Roy co-founded the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), a grassroots organization focused on demanding transparency in government dealings and ensuring fair wages for labourers. Her efforts played a pivotal role in the creation of the Right to Information Act, passed in 2005, which empowered Indian citizens to seek accountability from the government.Throughout her career, Roy has been at the forefront of numerous protests and campaigns, fighting for the rights of the poor and oppressed. Her leadership in these causes has earned her several prestigious awards, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Asia.”In addition to her activism, Roy serves as the president of the National Federation of Indian Women, and her memoir, The Personal Is Political, delves into her personal and professional journey, offering an insightful look at the challenges and triumphs she faced over the years.
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