NHRC, India began its two-week Online Short Term Internship Programme
NHRC Member, Justice (Dr) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, urged the interns to evolve as human rights defenders to take up the cause of protecting the rights of every individual
The two-week Online Short Term Internship (OSTI) of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has started in New Delhi. 80 university-level students out of 1,957 applicants of diverse academic disciplines from 21 States and Union Territories of the country have been shortlisted to participate in this programme. The two-week programme seeks to impart a deeper understanding of human rights, related laws and the institutional mechanism among the interns.
In his inaugural address, NHRC Member, Justice (Dr) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi said that protecting human rights is intrinsic to leading a life with dignity, liberty, equality and justice. Therefore, understanding the issues related to human rights is crucial to protecting the rights of others. He also mentioned that the contributions of human rights defenders (HRDs) must be valued. He expressed the hope that the interns will make the most out of this internship to learn from the subject experts about various aspects of human rights and make a lifelong commitment to the cause of human rights protection.
Justice Sarangi also gave an overview of the NHRC’s mission under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHR Act) and the Constitutional guarantees to the citizens under Articles 14, 19, and 21 protecting the rights to equality, liberty and life, aligning with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). He also highlighted NHRC’s various interventions, including initiatives such as mainstreaming the rights concerns of transgender.
Earlier, NHRC Joint Secretary, Smt. Saidingpuii Chhakchhuak gave an overview of the internship programme. She said that the carefully designed curriculum will have 46 sessions led by serving and retired senior government officers, NHRC officers and core group members, academicians, HRDs, experts and representatives of civil society organisations. Besides, the interns will also be given exposure to various aspects of human rights through group research presentations, book reviews, declamation competitions and virtual tours to Tihar Jail, a police station and ASHA Kiran Shelter Home to have an understanding of their functioning and the human rights-related challenges.
She said that beyond building knowledge, the programme also aims to foster sensitivity among the interns and to equip them to contribute more meaningfully to society as ambassadors of human rights.
NHRC Joint Secretary, Shri Samir Kumar, Director, Lt Col Virender Singh and other senior officers were present.
Disclaimer: This is an official press release by Pib.
