New Delhi: After a six-year tenure in the poll body, former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi is set to launch another innings in philanthropy.
Quraishi, who retired as CEC in June this year and was recently appointed a member of the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), an independent body set up by the News Broadcasters Association to consider and adjudicate upon complaints about broadcasts, has decided to now associate himself with philanthropic activities for the cause of disabilities and education, especially the blind and illiterate.
The former CEC was also requested in May this year by Anna Hazare, when he met him along with his core team, to be associated with his anti-corruption movement, which he had politely ignored.
Team Anna member Kiran Bedi had also requested him to join their movement.
Declining all other offers, Quraishi has now opted to work for some social causes and involve himself with some existing and reputed NGOs in the field of disabilities and education and helping empower the downtrodden.
"I had many offers for being associated with current national issues, but I have decided to work for the cause of the disabled and education," Quraishi told a news agency.
"I am often invited to speak on democracy and elections which, of course, I will continue to do since this is one area India can be justly proud of", he said.
He is currently in the process of writing three books-- one on Indian elections, one on Old Delhi and the third one on Urdu poetry for non-Urdu persons.
Quraishi, who did his Master`s degree from St Stephen`s College, Delhi University before joining the Indian Administrative Service in 1971 also has a PhD for his thesis "The Role of Communication and Social Marketing in the Development of Women and Children".
Prior to his appointment as the 17th Election Commissioner of India, he was Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and has made special contribution in the social sector reforms covering health, education, population, drug abuse, and civil society action.
PTI
