The fresh scar across her throat is a chilling reminder of the opposition young Santosh faces everyday. This 20-year-old girl is fighting for the residents of Sundernagari in Shahadra, against the powerful ration shop owner lobby.

Born and brought up in Sundernagari, corruption in government departments was a reality her family and neighbours were forced to live with. Says Santosh, “I grew up watching my father run from pillar to post trying to get simple work done out of government officers.’’

However, after attending a few camps put up by Parivartan, a group for people’s right to information, Santosh was struck by how she and many others like her were being exploited. She says, “A simple fact that struck home was that government officers are meant to serve us and it is our taxes that pay their salaries.’’

She made the local residents realise the discrepancy in the Public Distribution System. It was this mini revolution started by her that resulted in a life threatening attack on her on December 30, when a lone assailant tried to slash her throat. Says Santosh, “This was not the first time the shopkeepers had tried to scare me away. Besides threats, I have been gheraoed and also attacked with a blade by two assailants earlier.’’

Santosh survived the attack and today has a group of women who follow her everywhere she goes. Asks this crusader, “These people have rallied behind me saying that no one can touch me. Why should I feel scared, when I have so many people with me now?’’