The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India began its two-week online short term internship (OSTI). 80 university-level students from diverse academic disciplines from 18 States and Union Territories of the country have been shortlisted out of 932 applicants to participate in this programme. The two-week programme aims to foster human rights consciousness and proactive engagement, empowering individuals to serve as catalysts for a more just, equitable, and humane society for all citizens.

NHRC, India Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal in his address urged the students to view this period not merely as an addition to their curriculum vitae, but as a critical phase in their personal and professional development. He emphasised that the true value of the internship lies in the deep, lasting knowledge offered for the transformation of the interns’ thinking, behaviour, and sensitivity to the challenges confronting society. In an era when information is readily accessible on laptops and mobile devices, the real challenge is bridging the gap between digital access and internalisation followed by application.

The Secretary General stressed that the two-week programme is designed to foster sensitivity to suffering and injustice, along with instilling a deep sense of responsibility. He noted that true transformation lies not merely in observing injustices but in taking decisive action, and that cultivating responsiveness to rights violations—from subtle indignities to overt abuses—is paramount. This programme aspires to instill these qualities, ensuring that education transcends mere knowledge to cultivate a more humane and engaged individual.

Lt Col Virender Singh, Director, NHRC, India gave an overview of the internship programme and meticulously designed curriculum. The curriculum includes lectures, team and individual competitions such as group research project presentation, book review and declamation competition and virtual tours of institutions such as Tihar Jail, which offer first-hand insights into human rights realities.

The OSTI is designed to equip students from diverse academic backgrounds with the knowledge and skills necessary to address human rights challenges. Through interactive sessions and engaging activities, interns will gain a deeper understanding of international human rights law, human rights issues specific to India, and effective advocacy strategies.

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NSK