NHRC begins 2025 summer internship with 80 students nationwide
By Doruvu Paul Jagan Babu: Assistant Chief Editor
New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, inaugurated its four-week Summer Internship Programme (SIP) 2025 on June 16 at its New Delhi headquarters, selecting 80 students from over 1,400 applicants to foster awareness and action on human rights issues.
Diverse group of interns reflects India’s unity in diversity
Out of 1,468 applicants from 42 institutions across 20 States and Union Territories, 80 university students were selected. Their academic backgrounds include Law, Social Sciences, Social Work, Psychology, Journalism, Gender Studies, Digital Humanities, and International Relations—reflecting the Commission’s commitment to interdisciplinary approaches to human rights education.
NHRC Chairperson urges interns to champion justice and empathy
In his inaugural address, NHRC Chairperson Justice V Ramasubramanian emphasized the strength of India’s unity in diversity, echoed by the interns’ varied academic and regional representation. Stressing the value of peer learning, he likened personal growth to the nurturing influence of family and peers. He urged the students to gain purposeful knowledge and contribute to a just society that guarantees equal rights and opportunities for all.
Youth must balance rights and responsibilities: Secretary General
Delivering the keynote address, NHRC Secretary General Bharat Lal underscored the importance of youth in building a compassionate and inclusive society. Drawing from India’s civilizational ethos, he encouraged the interns to approach human rights with both sensitivity and responsibility. He expressed hope that the internship would guide them to contribute meaningfully to social change.
Programme offers hands-on exposure to human rights issues
Joint Secretary Samir Kumar gave an overview of the SIP’s objectives and structure. Designed to deepen students’ engagement with human rights challenges, the internship includes interactive lectures, group research, book reviews, declamation contests, and field visits to institutions such as NGOs, police stations, prisons, shelter homes, and other commissions. These activities aim to cultivate innovative thinking and practical understanding.
Lt. Col. Virender Singh, Director of NHRC, delivered the vote of thanks, marking the beginning of an intensive four-week journey of learning, fieldwork, and advocacy for the interns.
