T he National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India celebrated its 24th Foundation Day and organized a function in New Delhi to mark the occasion on the 12th October, 2017. Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, Mr. Justice Dipak Misra, Chief Justice of India lauded the efforts of the Commission towards promotion and protection of human rights and said that it is doing an excellent job. He said that it is because of its efforts that awareness about human rights has increased and also the number of complaints registered with it.
Referring to the Supreme Court's recent judgment, recognizing the right to privacy as a human right, Justice Misra said that the range of human rights has been expanding. He said that mutual respect for each others' rights should be valued. The NHRC and State Human Rights Commissions should agitate before courts, if the public authorities do not comply with their recommendations on an issue of human rights violation.
Earlier, Mr. Justice H. L. Dattu, Chairperson, NHRC, India said that by adopting human rights as a 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 of the importance of the promotion and protection of human rights. In this context, apart from other activities of the Commission, he also highlighted the NHRC's Short Film Award Scheme, which has generated tremendous response from the citizens of the country.
Justice Dattu also said that in order to strengthen human rights protection mechanism, the Commission has further streamlined its complaint management system and expanded the scope of activities to maximize its outreach.
Mr. Ambuj Sharma, Secretary General, NHRC, in his welcome address, highlighted the role of the Commission in ushering in human rights culture in the country and the way it has been relentlessly making efforts to create an enabling environment for promotion and protection of various human rights including socio, political, economic and culture rights, through its broad based mandate.
On the occasion, Justice Misra gave away awards to the winners of different competitions. Four persons were awarded for winning Hindi Essay Competition, organized by the NHRC on the theme of 'Terrorism & Present Scenario of the Country'. Ms. Shyani Bundela, Mr. Santosh Kumar Gupta, Ms. Neelmani Sharma got the first, second and third prize of Rs. 12,000/-, Rs. 8,000/- & Rs. 6,000/- respectively. Mr. Jugal Kishore was given a special prize of Rs. 10,000/-, instituted for the writers from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Communities.
Nine children of the officers and the staff of the Commission were given awards for their paintings in three categories on different themes related to human rights. Two meritorious children of NHRC employees- Master Aarya Yadav, son of
Mr. Dharmesh Yadav and Master Soumin Kumar Sadangi, son of Mr. Santosh Kumar Sadangi - were also rewarded for securing more than 90% marks in class 10th and 12th respectively in 2017. Apart from them, the six NHRC officials were given awards for their excellence in the vocal and instrumental music. They are: Mr. M.S. Gill, Mr. Devesh Saxena, Ms. Vandana Singh, Ms. Sonali Huria being first and second in solo male and female categories respectively and Mr. D.P. Singh and Mr. Yashwant Chandra in instrumental music.
Apart from the NHRC Members, Mr. Justice P.C. Ghose, Mr. Justice D. Murugesan, Mr. S.C. Sinha and Mrs. Jyotika Kalra, several other dignitaries, including the judges and senior government functionaries, civil society members were present.
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 artists from Song and Drama Division. The well attended programme was prominently covered in media, including the public broadcasters, Doordarshan and All India Radio.
Winners of the Painting Competition
Category-I : Children upto Class-III
1st Prize : Poorva Sharma, cash prize Rs. 2,500/-
2nd Prize : Pratham Thapa, cash prize Rs. 2,000/-
3rd Prize : Rajat Upadhyaya, cash prize Rs.1,500/-

Category-II : Children from Classess-IV-VII
1st Prize : Vijayalaxmi Rout, cash prize Rs. 2,500/-
2nd Prize : Krishna Rawat, cash prize Rs. 2,000/-
3rd Prize : Arunima Tyagi, cash prize Rs.1,500/-

Category-III : Children from Classess-VIII-XII
1st Prize : Arya Yadav, cash prize Rs. 2,500/-
2nd Prize : Shubhalaxmi Rout, cash prize Rs. 2,000/-
3rd Prize : Mayank Sharma, cash prize Rs.1,500/-