The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, plays a pivotal role in fostering awareness and understanding of human rights across the nation. Through innovative initiatives, the NHRC engages young minds and creative individuals to uphold values of justice, equality, and dignity. Two such remarkable programs are the NHRC's online short-term internship and the annual short film competition, both designed to deepen the understanding of human rights and their significance in India’s socio-cultural fabric.
NHRC’s Online Short-Term Internship Programme
Inauguration and Objectives
On May 14, 2025, the NHRC launched its two-week online short-term internship (OSTI) programme, bringing together 80 university-level students from 21 States and Union Territories. Selected from 1,795 applicants, these students represent diverse academic disciplines, ensuring a rich exchange of perspectives. The programme aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of human rights promotion and protection within India’s constitutional framework.
Insights from Leadership
Shri Bharat Lal, NHRC’s Secretary General, emphasized the role of youth as torchbearers of India’s 5,000-year-old civilisational ethos rooted in empathy, compassion, and justice. He urged participants to act as ambassadors of human rights, encouraging them to reflect deeply and learn from experts. The online format of the internship expands outreach, enabling students from remote areas to participate without the need to travel to Delhi.
Curriculum and Activities
The internship, coordinated by Lt. Col Virender Singh, features a meticulously designed curriculum. It includes:
- Interactive lectures on international human rights law and India-specific issues.
- Competitions such as group research projects, book reviews, and declamation contests.
- Virtual tours of institutions like Tihar Jail, offering insights into real-world human rights challenges.
These activities equip students with the knowledge and skills to address human rights issues effectively, fostering a sense of responsibility and advocacy.
NHRC’s 11th Annual Short Film Competition
Call for Entries
The NHRC has also announced its 11th annual competition for short films on human rights, with entries accepted until August 31, 2025. This initiative, started in 2015, encourages Indian citizens of all ages to showcase their cinematic creativity in promoting human rights. Winning entries will receive awards, recognizing their contribution to this vital cause.
Guidelines for Participation
The competition welcomes short films in English or any Indian language (with English subtitles), ranging from 3 to 10 minutes in duration. Films can be documentaries, dramatizations of real stories, or fictional works, including animation. There is no entry fee, and participants can submit multiple entries, each accompanied by a duly filled-in form available on the NHRC website.
Themes and Submission Process
The films should address themes such as:
- Right to life, liberty, equality, and dignity.
- Issues related to bonded and child labour, women and children’s rights, and persons with disabilities.
- Fundamental freedoms, human trafficking, and socio-economic disparities.
- Rights to education, healthcare, a clean environment, and food security.
- Rights of marginalized communities, including Nomadic and Denotified Tribes, and the LGBTQI+ community.
Submissions, along with required documents, should be sent via Google Drive to nhrcshortfilm[at]gmail[dot]com. The NHRC website provides detailed terms and conditions to guide participants.
Key Takeaways: The NHRC’s initiatives reflect India’s commitment to human rights education and advocacy. By engaging students and filmmakers, the NHRC fosters a culture of empathy and justice, aligning with India’s constitutional values and cultural heritage.
Important Facts About Human Rights in India
To deepen your understanding, here are some critical aspects of human rights in India:
- Constitutional Framework: The Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights under Articles 14-32, including equality, freedom, and protection against exploitation.
- NHRC’s Role: Established in 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, the NHRC investigates violations and promotes awareness.
- Cultural Ethos: India’s 5,000-year-old civilization emphasizes values like compassion and refuge for the persecuted.
- Supreme Court’s Contribution: The judiciary has expanded human rights through landmark judgments on education, health, and environmental protection.
- Global Alignment: India is a signatory to international human rights treaties, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
By participating in NHRC’s programmes, individuals can contribute to a more just and equitable society, rooted in the principles of dignity and fairness.