Rupesh, who goes by one name only, is is an advisor to India's Supreme Court Commissioner on the Right to Food and is one of those people who's dedication and commitment to his job goes well beyond the call of duty. Refreshingly unsentimental in his approach to the task of uncovering corruption and equipped with a dry sense of humor that undoubtedly provides respite from the depressing nature of his work, he is charged with a responsibility to uphold the Indian Constitution that guarantees...
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Rupesh, who goes by one name only, is is an advisor to India's Supreme Court Commissioner on the Right to Food and is one of those people who's dedication and commitment to his job goes well beyond the call of duty. Refreshingly unsentimental in his approach to the task of uncovering corruption and equipped with a dry sense of humor that undoubtedly provides respite from the depressing nature of his work, he is charged with a responsibility to uphold the Indian Constitution that guarantees life to all Indians. This right - it goes without saying - cannot be granted without access to food.

Rupesh was at a food distribution depot in the town of Atri when he found himself surrounded by retailers responsible for supplying food to those who qualify for rations under India's Public Distribution System (PDS).

These retailers, who were at the depot to collect monthly supplies of rice and wheat, were keen to inform Rupesh of malpractice on the part of Bharat Rai, assistant manager of the depot. According to them, Rai had failed to supply grains specifically allocated for Atri's poorest of the poor as part of a scheme called Antyodaya. Rai, they said, had sold this grain and pocketed the money for himself.

Rai's alleged misconduct cannot be underestimated in a state where where 56 percent of under-5?s are underweight.

Rupesh argues that Rai must be held accountable for his own actions and has raised the case with the District Magistrate. But he insists that corruption should be considered chiefly a consequence - rather than the cause - of a deeper malaise, namely poverty and inequality. Rupesh is adamant that until these structural deficiencies are confronted, India cannot hope to build the proper systems of education, accountability and justice that are prerequisites for a society free of corruption.
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