NHRC, India’s online short-term internship programme for university-level students started today

Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 5th August, 2024

NHRC, India’s online short-term internship programme for university-level students started today

In the inaugural address, NHRC Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal spoke on India's tradition in providing refuge to persecuted people

He highlighted India’s deep-rooted value system of empathy, compassion and protecting human rights as basic human values

About 100 university-level students selected from over 1,300 applicants from diverse academic backgrounds

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India began its bi-monthly two-week online short-term internship programme for August, 2024 today. About 100 university-level students from different academic backgrounds shortlisted from over 1,300 applicants have been selected.

In his inaugural address, NHRC, India Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal said that human rights values and protection thereof is part of Indian ethos. It is embedded in the social and cultural fabric of the country. He elaborated India's historical role in providing refuge to persecuted people from different world reflects its deep-rooted value system of protecting human rights. He emphasised that ancient Indian ethos of empathy and compassion is part of basic human values.

Shri Lal expressed the hope that the interns will make the best use of this opportunity to understand the spirit behind the fundamental rights and duties as enshrined in our Constitution. He also exhorted the interns to internalize 'The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)', the Protection of Human Rights Act, the Paris Principles and other relevant laws to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the human rights framework. He exhorted the interns to dedicate themselves to strengthening human rights and improving quality of life and ensuring dignity to all.

Earlier, NHRC, India Joint Secretary, Shri Devendra Kumar Nim gave an overview of the internship programme in which besides the interactive sessions by various experts and senior officers of the Commission, the interns will have an opportunity for virtual visits to Jail, police station, NGO, Shelter Home, etc to gain a better understanding of their functioning. He also gave a brief about the various individual and group activities scheduled to be held during the internship programme. NHRC, India Director, Lt Col Virender Singh gave the vote of thanks.

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