The National human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, today organised a function at its premises in New Delhi to felicitate and present awards to the seven winners of its short film competition on human rights in 2024. Addressing the gathering, Justice Shri V. Ramasubramanian, Chairperson, NHRC, India, said that the objective of the Commission is to create awareness to promote and protect human rights. Its short film competition on human rights has been very effectively fulfilling this purpose for a decade. NHRC Members, Justice (Dr) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, and Smt Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal and other senior officers were present.

Justice Ramasubramanian said that in the inaugural run of this competition in 2015, only about 40 entries were received. In its tenth year, in 2024, more than 300 entries were received from different parts of the country. This shows, how significantly the human rights awareness and this event has gained traction with people from Kashmir to Kanyakumari choosing to make films in various Indian languages on various human rights and make people aware about them, which is heartening to know.

Congratulating the seven award winners, Justice Subramanian said that the awarded films have touched a range of human rights issues, including river water pollution, the value of potable water, child marriage and education, rights of older persons, rights violations due to certain religious practices, women’s rights and domestic violence. He appreciated all the participants and described them as the brand ambassadors of human rights. He expressed the hope that next year they would make more films on human rights and win awards.

Before this, NHRC, India Member, Justice (Dr) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi in his remarks said that all the seven films carried different messages. He said that the films are an effective medium to promote and protect human rights among masses. He particularly highlighted the documentary Doodh Ganga, which indicates how the pollution has changed the landscape of the valley that needs to be addressed.

NHRC, India Member, Smt Vijaya Bharathi Sayani said that the winners have worked tirelessly to bring the stories to life to challenge stereotypes, break societal barriers, and empower people to think, feel and act. She said that their dedication is not just about filmmaking but about advocacy, courage and commitment to a better world. Every frame they have captured and message delivered contributes towards a greater cause where human dignity is respected, voices are heard, and justice prevails.

Earlier, the NHRC, India Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal, in his opening remarks, gave an overview of the short film competition of the NHRC, which started in 2015 each year with an increased number of entries with quality films. He said that for the tenth edition of the competition in 2024, a total of 303 entries were received. After initial scrutiny, 243 went into the fray for the awards decided by three rounds of rigorous jury process including the final round chaired by the NHRC Chairperson, and Members, and senior officers deciding the seven winners.He said that all the awarded films will be uploaded on the website of the Commission, like in previous years. These are open to screening for human rights awareness purposes by government departments, training and academic institutions, as well as civil society.

NHRC, India Director, Lt. Col. Virender Singh announced the names of the prize winners. Er. Abdul Rashid Bhat’s film ‘Doodh Ganga- Valley’s Dying Lifeline’ was awarded the first prize of Rs. 2 lakh, a trophy and a certificate. The documentary film from Jammu & Kashmir raises concerns about how the free flow of various wastes into the pristine water of the Doodh Ganga River has polluted it and the need for its restoration for the overall good of the people in the valley. The film is in English, Hindi and Urdu with subtitles in English.

The second prize of Rs. 1.5 lakh, a trophy and a certificate were given to ‘Fight for Rights’ by Kadarappa Raju from Andhra Pradesh. The film raises the issue of child marriage and education. It is in Telugu language with subtitles in English.

The third prize of Rs. 1 lakh, a trophy and a certificate was given to ‘GOD’ by Shri R. Ravichandran from Tamil Nadu The silent film through an old protagonist raises the value of potable water.

The four films were awarded 'Certificate of Special Mention' with Rs 50,000 each. These included: ‘Aksharabhyasam’ by Shri Haneesh Undramatla from Telangana; ‘Vilayilla Pattathari (An inexpensive graduate)’ by Shri R. Selvam from Tamil Nadu; ‘Life of Seetha’ by Shri Madaka Venkata Satyanarayana from Andhra Pradesh and ‘Be a Human’ by Shri Lotla Naveen from Andhra Pradesh.

The award-winners also shared the thoughts behind the making of their award-winning short films.

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NSK