Human Rights Day 2018 observed at PU

Chandigarh, December 5, 2018: To commemorate forthcoming Human Rights Day which is observed on the 10th December every year, Centre for Human Rights and Duties, Panjab University, Chandigarh started with the celebrations of the same. Under the ongoing Special Lecture Series, today’s lecture was based on the theme of “Human Rights”. For the same, Prof. Raj Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh; Prof. Nandita Singh, Dean International Students; Sh. Mahavir Singh, Member Secretary, State Legal Services Authority, UT Chandigarh were invited. Dr. Namita Gupta, Chairperson, Centre for Human Rights and Duties informed the dignitaries about Human Rights Volunteers’ Cell for Paralegal Services which is functioning in the Centre since 2012. She called upon dignitaries to unveil the brochures which have been created by a student, Nihal Kaur and faculty, Dr. Upneet Kaur Mangat of the Centre to spread awareness about the existence of Human Rights Volunteers’ Cell for Para Legal Services within the University. An information leaflet was also unveiled by Sh. Mahavir Singh providing the information about the paralegal volunteers.
Prof. Raj Kumar in his address emphasised on the importance of the duty rather than the rights and further elaborated that rights and duties are two sides of the same coin. He also mentioned that Rights are also being ‘misused’ in some sense, which in order to be curbed requires us to not be 'hungry only for rights’, but check ourselves on our duties. He also focused on the importance of participation, integration and inclusion as essential assets for the inclusive growth and development of society.
Prof. Nandita Singh deliberated on the historical evolution of the concept of human rights and discussed about Indian Philosophers who had elaborated about human rights in their respective works. She also emphasised on the relationship of Rights and Duties for living a better life.
Sh. Mahavir Singh has given in depth insights of the history and working of the State Legal Services Authority in UT Chandigarh. He also discussed about the recent works done by SLSA for outreaching the communities and helping them with Legal Aid.