Inauguration Highlights
NHRC Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian, inaugurated the programme, describing it as a unique in-person platform for peer learning in India’s diverse society. He encouraged interns to internalise human rights values in daily life, at home, in workplaces, and within communities, to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
NHRC Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal, addressed the interns on the importance of empathy and compassion, rooted in constitutional and civilisational values. He urged them to use the internship to broaden perspectives and work toward an inclusive, equitable, and just society.
Programme Structure and Activities
NHRC Joint Secretary, Smt Saidingpuii Chhakhchhuak, outlined the internship structure, which includes interactive sessions with human rights experts, group research projects, book reviews, and declamation contests. These activities are designed to enhance understanding of human rights issues and encourage innovative approaches to address them.
The programme provides students with hands-on exposure to the working of NHRC and real-world human rights challenges, fostering analytical and leadership skills essential for future civil society engagement.
Fostering Human Rights Awareness Among Youth
The NHRC Winter Internship Programme has emerged as a critical initiative to engage university students in human rights discourse. By participating, interns gain knowledge of the commission’s role, processes, and impact while contributing fresh ideas toward creating a more empathetic and informed society.
Lt. Col. Virender Singh, NHRC Director, delivered the vote of thanks at the inauguration, recognising the efforts of the selection committee and emphasizing the importance of youth involvement in promoting constitutional and human rights values.
National Outreach and Selection
From 1,485 applications received nationwide, 80 students were shortlisted to ensure representation from multiple disciplines and regions. This diverse group provides an opportunity for cross-cultural dialogue and collaborative learning in the domain of human rights.
NHRC aims to continue leveraging such internship programmes to cultivate a generation of socially conscious leaders committed to upholding human rights and constitutional principles.
