The Manjunath Shanmugam Trust (MST) was formed on 23 February 2006, Manjunath's 28th birth anniversary, by members of the international IIM alumni network. MST's immediate objective was to ensure quick justice in Manjunath's case.

S. Manjunath (1978-2005), a sales officer with Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and an IIM-Lucknow alumnus, was murdered on November 19th 2005 in Lakhimpur Khiri, UP, following his efforts to curb oil adulteration. A petrol pump dealer and seven accomplices were arrested and stood trial for his murder. MST's relentless effort ensured close of trial in a record nine months; all eight accused were found guilty of murder, with the petrol pump dealer being given the death sentence and the rest, life imprisonment. MST will act as a facilitator to enable better public administration. This will be achieved by creating transparency in process and ensuring accountability. Operating on the voluntary efforts of mainstream industry professionals, the MST does not see itself adopting an activist approach. MST has received widespread support both from within the government system of police officials, judiciary, legal professionals, the media and the professional corporate community.

THE MANJUNATH SHANMUGAM INTEGRITY AWARD

On 19th November 2006, Manjunath's first death anniversary, The Manjunath Shanmugam Trust instituted the Manjunath Shanmugam Integrity Award to honour and encourage person(s) or institutions who are working to uphold the values of truth and honesty in Indian public life. The Award is for deserving candidates who have reported and worked to rectify corrupt practices in government, public or corporate life. The evaluation is on the basis of:

a. Gravity of the situation and its impact on society

b.  Corrective action undertaken.

c. Extent of difficulty faced by nominee in correcting the situation The award carries a citation and a cash prize of Rs. One Lakh.

The first Award was presented to Prof. R.P Singh, Vice Chancellor, Lucknow University by Mr. N.R Narayana Murthy.

For the year 2008, the 7Jury Panel consisted of:

* S. Gopalakrishnan, CEO and Managing Director, Infosys Technologies.

* Mr. Gopalakrishnan is also on the Advisory Board of the MST.

* Rama Bijapurkar, Strategy Consultant, and Independent Director on the  boards of Infosys Technologies, CRISIL, UTI Bank, Godrej Consumer Products, Entertainment Network (India) Ltd. and Give Foundation.

* Shekhar Gupta, CEO, Indian Express Group, Editor-in-Chief of The

Indian Express, host of ‘Walk the Talk' on NDTV 24x7, author of the weekly column ‘National Interest'.

The   Manjunath Shanmugam Integrity Award 2008 was presented by Dr. Kiran Bedi to Mr. Akhil Gogoi. General Secretary, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), Assam

A brief profile:  Fields of work:

* Cause of the farmers in thestate particularly the forest dwellers, living in Golaghat  district bordering Nagaland

* Various irregularities (fake names, benefits delivered partially or in some cases no benefits at all) in Panchayat & Rural Development schemes

*  Irregularities in the Public Distribution System (PDS)

*  RTI Act implemented but not being used/PIO and information  commission not functioning well.

KMSS and Akhil Gogoi used the RTI Act to uncover mal- practices in various schemes such as Indira Awas Yojana, Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana, Individual Benefit scheme, etc. This was reported to the Chief Minister, ensured publicity in media; corrupt officials were arrested; parts of the schemes implemented. Akhil Gogoi was attacked, and a case filed against him, till he was rescued by the High Court. Peoples' Interest Research Group was constituted by KMSS to study serious issues in the PDS system in Assam, and worked to rectify the same. They are convincing the officials of PRIs, officials attached to PRIs, officials and agents of PDS towards implementing the PDS and P & RD schemes in right direction at the grassroots level. Constantly focusing the benefits of RTI in public media to popularize the same; holding hundreds of public awareness meeting in villages on PDS and P & RD schemes, and constantly focusing the benefits of RTI in public media to popularize its usage.

The Right To Information Act: On 19th November 2006, the Trust launched India's first National RTI Helpline in partnership with Parivartan, to mark Manjunath's death anniversary.

The helpline number is 0-9718-100-180; calls will be answered in Hindi and English. MST will continue to look for other such opportunities to enable effective usage of the RTI Act as a key weapon against corruption.

Our vision is to channelise the immense resources of one India - the growing and successful corporate world - to help development of the other, marginalized India.

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