RTI specialist injured in Delhi blast plans to return with bang

“Fine,” was Harish Kumar’s spontaneous response when asked how he was doing. Kumar, 41, was in the Delhi High Court on 7 September to file what would have been his first public interest litigation (PIL), when a bomb blew up just outside its gate, killing 11 people on the spot (three more have succumbed to injuries since) and injuring 70. A personal visit by Central Information Commissioner (CIC) Shailesh Gandhi to meet him at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital seems to have brought him some relief. The RTI activist has been assured by the CIC that all his pending appeals will be heard when he is back on his feet. [caption id=“attachment_97125” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Santosh, Harish Kumar’s wife, with their son Sudanshu (14) as he heads off to school from their residence in Old Delhi’s Azad Market. Photo by Naresh Sharma”] [/caption] Not being able to attend to his RTI applications and the growing pile of letters seem to be foremost on Kumar’s mind, even as he recovers from a devastating injury. “I’ve requested the commissioner that since 7 September (was the day of the blast), all my appeal hearings should not be considered as lapsed and I should be allowed to appeal when I have recovered. He has assured me that the ’limitation period’ will be relaxed,” says Kumar, who has filed over 1,500 RTI applications. Kumar’s left leg has been amputated and he has suffered a fracture on his right leg. Two more operations have been scheduled. His enormous courage under fire and his undiminished spirit have made him the most recognisable face among those injured in the blast — he has been featured in many of the leading dailies. [caption id=“attachment_97126” align=“alignright” width=“200” caption=“Harish Kumar”] [/caption] “I will work with the same energy and twice the force. God has given me a second life. And I will use it to the fullest.  I see no hurdles in front of me.” Ask him what he would like to say to others who have been injured in the blast and he says, “What has happened cannot be changed. Keeping the best interests of our families in mind, we should look forward to life and focus our energies on recovering from our injuries and return home as soon as possible.” He adds, “This is no time to lose hope.” His wife, Santosh, spends the better part of the day at the hospital. “I just want him to recover and be better soon,” she says. Kumar, a resident of Old Delhi, also runs a household plastic products store in the famous wholesale market, Sadar Bazaar. He has two children Sudhansu (13) and Muskaan (11). “I’ve told my children that they should focus on their studies. Their exams are on. And when I am back, there will be plenty of time to enjoy.”