The National Human Rights Commission organised a function on the 21st October, 2016 to celebrate its 23rd Foundation Day. The Commission was set up on the 12th October, 1993. Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest on the occasion, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Law & Justice and Electronics & Information Technology, lauded the Commission's efforts towards promotion and protection of human rights and expressed the hope that through its interventions, it will become a beacon for human rights institutions in different countries. Celebrating the diversity and democracy of India, Shri Prasad said that every model cannot be judged from the point of view of a western model. He remembered the vision of founding fathers of Indian Constitution, which, he said, became a guiding force for the people to be rights conscious.
Shri Prasad said that there is need to focus on the rights of people affected with HIV-AIDS. He also emphasized on the need for legal awareness of the marginalized sections of the people, the lack of which makes them vulnerable to human rights violations. He said that helping people in distress can be the most rewarding experience for anyone in life.
He said that the government is using information technology for building awareness and as a tool to ensuring good governance. Shri Prasad also said that there is a need to look beyond the conventional image of police and security forces and to think about the human rights violations of those also give up their life fighting against terrorism.
Earlier, addressing the gathering, Justice Shri H. L. Dattu, Chairperson, NHRC said that the Commission represents the work, dedication and relentless spirit of freedom, justice and equity. He expressed the hope that by adopting human rights culture as way of life, a fundamental change can be brought about to eradicate the scourge of poverty, ignorance, prejudices and discrimination based on sex, caste, religion, disability and other forms in society.
Justice Dattu highlighted various activities of the Commission and the new initiatives, taken as part of its consistent endeavour, to make people aware and engage them towards promotion and protection of human rights. In this context, apart from other activities of the Commission, he particularly highlighted the NHRC's Short Film Award Scheme, which has generated tremendous response reflected through more than 80 valid entries from different parts of the country this year compared to more than 40 received last year.
Justice Dattu also said that in order to strengthen human rights protection mechanism within the country, the Commission has taken numerous initiatives to strengthen and improve the operational capacities of State Human Rights Commissions. It has also proposed to the Government of India for suitable amendments in the PHR Act, 1993 so as to provide for the setting up of Human Rights Commissions in the Union Territories as well.
On the occasion, Shri Prasad gave away awards to the four winners of Hindi Essay Competition for the writers from the SC, ST and Other Backward Communities on the theme of 'Crisis of existence of women and Human Rights'. Shri Rakesh Sharma 'Nisheeth, Dr. Santosh Kumar Singh and Dr. Puneet Kumar got the first, second and third prize of Rs. 12,000/-, Rs. 8,000/- & Rs. 6,000/- respectively. Shri Pawan Kumar Maurya was given a special prize of Rs. 10,000/-. Nine children, in three age groups, were given awards for their paintings on different themes related to human rights. On the occasion, six meritorious children of the NHRC employees, having secured more than 90% marks in class 10th and 12th in 2016, were also rewarded apart from the two best male and female voices of the Commission, who included Shri Rajeev & Ms. Vandana.
Marking the joyous celebrations of the Foundation Day of the Commission, its officers and staff presented a medley of cultural show followed by an ensemble of performances by the renowned Aamad Dance Centre of Ms. Rani Khanan.