The office of the program coordinator, National Service Scheme (NSS) held the 1^st One Day Camp Session on ‘Human Rights’ on 17^th of March, 2021 at Ibn Khaldun Auditorium of Allama Iqbal Library of University of Kashmir. A total of 50 volunteers from Government Degree College, Ganderbal, Government Degree College, Pattan, Government Degree College Tangmarg, Government Degree College, D. H. Pora, Kulgam, Government College for Women, Zakura-Batpora, Government Degree College, Chari Shariefand four NSS units of University of Kashmir participated in the program.

The day-long program had the following components:

1.            Brief Inaugural function

2.            Technical Session I

3.            Technical Session II

4.            Lunch

5.            Declamation Competition on the theme of Human Rights

The focus of the program was to foster awareness about human rights among the NSS volunteers and who in turn would sensitise other members of the community to human rights.

The Program began with all present in the auditorium taking the Human Rights Pledge, which reads as:

“I hereby solemnly pledge to protect and promote human rights of all, at all times, without any discrimination. I shall not, directly or indirectly, through my actions, words or deeds violate the human rights of others.”

The Inaugural function of the program was attended by Mr.Desh Raj from the Regional Directorate of NSS, New Delhi, Mr. Ajazul Haq, a noted columnist of the UT and Producer, EMMRC University of Kashmir and Dr. Musavir Ahmed, Program Coordinator, NSS, University of Kashmir, as organiser. Dr. Heena Basharat, Program Officer, University of Kashmir who conducted the proceedings at the outset called upon Dr. Musavir to formally welcome the participants and underline the objectives of the program. 

Mr. Desh Raj from the Regional Directorate of NSS, New Delhi, gave an overview of the working of the National Human Rights Commission in his special remarks.

In the first technical session, Mr. Ajazul Haq, Producer, EMMRC University of Kashmir and a noted columnist deliberated on the conceptual framework of human rights. He also dwelled on the interplay between human rights, power and poverty.

The speaker for the second technical session was Mr. Mir Mubashir Altaf, Assistant Professor, School of law, University of Kashmir. The theme of his lecture was ‘Women’s Rights’.He highlighted the need for fostering respect for human rights of women and stressed on the importance  of changing mind sets so as to undo the historical wrongs to women.

Towards the conclusion of the program, a selected group of volunteers, whose names were forwarded by their respective program officers, participated in the Declamation Competition. The topic of the competition was “Importance of Human Rights and our responsibilities as NSS volunteers”. The declamation competition was adjudged by   Mr. Mir Mubashir Altaf, Assistant Professor, School of law, University of Kashmir and Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed, Assistant Professor, Institute of Kashmir Studies, University of Kashmir. In all 20 volunteers participated in the competitions. The following volunteers won the first three positions:

Towards the close of the program a valedictory cum certificate distribution function was held. Professor Aejaz Mohammad Sheikh, Provost, University of Kashmir spoke on the occasion and underscored the need to organise such programs so as to foster respect for human rights amongst the youth. He congratulated the organisers and sponsors for organising the camp session on socially relevant themes .The winners were given cash prizes and all participants were given certificates of participation by the guests.