India Launches Prestigious Two-Week Online Short-Term Internship Program on Human Rights
New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India yesterday launched its two-week Online Short-Term Internship (OSTI) program. Out of 1,795 university-level applicants from various academic disciplines across 21 states and union territories, 80 students have been selected to participate in this program. The objective of this two-week internship is to provide an in-depth understanding of the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.
In his address, NHRC Secretary-General Mr. Bharat Lal emphasized that the youth are torchbearers of India’s 5,000-year-old civilizational ethos of empathy, compassion, and justice. He urged the students to serve as ambassadors of justice, equality, and dignity and encouraged them to use this opportunity to understand India’s constitutional framework and advocate for the rights and dignity of all individuals. He also asked the students to focus on reflective thinking, make the most of learning from experts, and see this experience as a means to discover their life’s purpose.
He explained the objective of the online program—to enable students from remote areas, who may not be able to travel to or stay in Delhi, to learn about various aspects of human rights. He appealed to the students to take full advantage of this opportunity to prepare themselves for the protection and promotion of human rights.
He further highlighted the development of human rights in India, constitutional provisions, the role of the Supreme Court in the protection and promotion of human rights, the functioning of the NHRC, and India’s civilizational and cultural nature in offering refuge to the persecuted.
Joint Secretary of NHRC, Mr. Sameer Kumar, provided an overview of the internship program and its carefully designed curriculum. The program includes lectures, both team and individual competitions such as group research project presentations, book reviews, speech competitions, and virtual visits to institutions like Tihar Jail, offering practical insights into human rights realities. The curriculum is being coordinated by Lt. Col. Virendra Singh.
The online short-term internship program is designed to equip students from diverse academic backgrounds with the knowledge and skills required to address human rights challenges. Through interactive sessions and engaging activities, interns will gain a deeper understanding of international human rights law, India-specific human rights issues, and effective advocacy strategies.