Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar today highlighted the affirmative changes taking place in Bharat, home to 1/6th of humanity, in the advancement of human rights, asserting its position as a ‘Role Model’ for the world. VP said this while delivering the keynote address at the Human Rights Day celebrations at Bharat Mandapam today.
During the event, the Vice-President also released NHRC publications namely NHRC Annual Hindi Journal- Manav Adhikaar Nayi Dishayein, NHRC Annual English Journal and Forensic Science & Human Rights.
The Vice-President underlined, “our Amrit-Kaal has become our Gaurav-Kaal primarily due to the blossoming of human rights and values.” He further observed that “our civilizational ethoes and constitutional commitment reflect our deep dedication to respecting, safeguarding, and nurturing human rights which is in our DNA”. He further emphasized, “Bharat serves as an example to the world in nurturing, promoting, and flourishing human rights.”
The Vice President Dhankar stressed that “Equality before law is an inalienable facet of promoting human right”. He also appreciated the convergence of all the three organs of the state, namely the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary for the fostering of human rights as the “Respect for human rights is embedded in our civilizational ethos & constitution”, he added.
We need to empower not pockets, but human minds : Vice President
Mentioning the recent upsurge in the politics of freebies, the Vice President cautioned that this will lead to distorting of expenditure priority and shall undermine of basic framework of macroeconomic stability as “empowerment of pocket through fiscal grants only increases dependence”, he urged for empowerment of human minds & human resources and not pockets.
Highlighting that India has been treated unfairly by some global entities, VP asked them to delve deep into the nation’s performance on human rights and not merely scratch the surface. He wanted such entities to take note of “India’s governance model that is free from corruption, favouritism, nepotism. It’s dictated by transparency, accountability and merit.”
Referring transparency and accountable governance as a ‘game-changer’ for promotion of human rights especially for the vulnerable sections, the Vice-President underscored that utilization of technology in service delivery have also played an instrumental role in fortifying this advancement.
The Vice-President emphasized that the government’s affirmative implementation of inclusive policies has liberated millions from poverty’s grasp. This achievement has paved the way for a future enriched with “economic opportunities, access to quality healthcare, and a sound education – the very pillars upon which a robust human rights edifice rests”, he highlighted.
VP Dhankar also cautioned that “greatest danger to human rights emanates from corruption”, underscoring “corruption and human rights cannot coexist”, Shri Dhankhar expressed satisfaction that “this bane of corruption in India for long is now contained”. He further asserted, “There is now in place a governance mechanism that provides no room nepotism, favouritism and promotion. Corruption has been neutralised in power corridors.”
The Vice President expressed concern over “pernicious narratives and external calibrations” by individuals gauging India’s progress from air-conditioned and closed chambers, detached from the “index of hope, optimism, and confidence” fostered by government policies.
Recognizing the appointment of a tribal woman as the President of India as a testament to human rights, the Vice-President concluded by emphasizing that human rights are a collective endeavour, akin to a yajna, and it’s the shared responsibility of all to contribute, as it concerns every individual.
During the event, the Vice-President also released NHRC publications namely NHRC Annual Hindi Journal- Manav Adhikaar Nayi Dishayein, NHRC Annual English Journal and Forensic Science & Human Rights.
Justice Arun Mishra, Chairperson, NHRC, Shri Rajiv Jain, Member, NHRC, Dr. D.M. Mulay, Member, NHRC, Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator Bharat Lal, Secretary General, NHRC and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.