<p>She filed her papers as a Lok Satta candidate on the last day of nominations, convinced that she could ring in some change. It’s a change from academics and psychology to civic matters. <br /><br />She’s upfront on the ward’s problems, and minces no words, as she battles eight rivals, all men, in the elections. <br /><br />Her field of study is behavioural science and mental health. She studied both in the US and in India. <br /><br />Armed with a PhD, she was a nominated member of the Bangalore University. She has been actively involved with many NGOs, including the Cheshire Home, Association of the Mentally Challenged and the Red Cross in Karnataka. <br /><br />A resident of Jayamahal Extension, she decided to jump into the fray with a budget of Rs 5 lakh. “It was a call of duty.” <br /><br />Bala Mani is clear about her objectives. “Honesty and integrity, efficiency and responsibility, a safe environment, garbage and cleanliness, stray dogs, traffic, lung space and emergency medical facility for residents, particularly for senior citizens, are my priorities.”<br /><br />Corruption is her pet hate. “But corruption also recoils. What goes around comes around. I joined the Lok Satta out of the sense of helplessness and frustration I felt in the face of corruption in governance today. If we all chicken out then nothing can change,” she observes.<br /><br />Bala Mani says for a good cause you have to be a fighter.</p>
<p>She filed her papers as a Lok Satta candidate on the last day of nominations, convinced that she could ring in some change. It’s a change from academics and psychology to civic matters. <br /><br />She’s upfront on the ward’s problems, and minces no words, as she battles eight rivals, all men, in the elections. <br /><br />Her field of study is behavioural science and mental health. She studied both in the US and in India. <br /><br />Armed with a PhD, she was a nominated member of the Bangalore University. She has been actively involved with many NGOs, including the Cheshire Home, Association of the Mentally Challenged and the Red Cross in Karnataka. <br /><br />A resident of Jayamahal Extension, she decided to jump into the fray with a budget of Rs 5 lakh. “It was a call of duty.” <br /><br />Bala Mani is clear about her objectives. “Honesty and integrity, efficiency and responsibility, a safe environment, garbage and cleanliness, stray dogs, traffic, lung space and emergency medical facility for residents, particularly for senior citizens, are my priorities.”<br /><br />Corruption is her pet hate. “But corruption also recoils. What goes around comes around. I joined the Lok Satta out of the sense of helplessness and frustration I felt in the face of corruption in governance today. If we all chicken out then nothing can change,” she observes.<br /><br />Bala Mani says for a good cause you have to be a fighter.</p>
