Bhubaneswar, July 18: In a significant initiative to promote human rights education among youth, the Citizens’ Human Rights Clinic (CHRC), Odisha organised a Certificate & Award Ceremony to felicitate students of Rama Devi Women’s University (RDWU) who successfully completed the 120-hour Summer Internship Programme on Human Rights. The programme was held at the Conference Hall of Red Cross Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, in the presence of eminent dignitaries, academicians, retired civil servants, faculty members and students.
Law, Works and Excise Minister Shri Prithviraj Harichandan, who attended as the Chief Guest, congratulated the interns for successfully completing the programme. He urged students to uphold constitutional values, justice, equality and human dignity while becoming responsible citizens committed to building a peaceful and inclusive society.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Rabinarayan Senapati, IAS (Retd.), former Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary and former State Election Commissioner, highlighted the growing importance of integrating human rights education into mainstream academics. He said such education develops ethical leadership, constitutional awareness and social responsibility while encouraging young citizens to challenge injustice, reduce discrimination and strengthen democratic values.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Gopabandhu Mallick, IPS (Retd.), Chairman of CHRC Odisha, commended the students for their dedication throughout the internship and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting human rights through education and community engagement. He expressed gratitude to distinguished academicians and experts from leading national and international institutions who voluntarily mentored the interns through online sessions.
Prof. Niranjan Barik, Advisor of CHRC Odisha, emphasised that the organisation would continue collaborating with educational institutions to nurture socially responsible, rights-conscious and constitutionally aware young citizens.
Among the distinguished guests were Dr. Pabitra Mohan Samantaray, Editor-in-Chief of The Kalinga Chronicles and The Paryabekhyak, and Shri Basanta Kumar Behera, Head of the Department of Political Science, Rama Devi Women’s University. Both speakers stressed that youth participation is vital for strengthening democracy and safeguarding constitutional and human rights.
Certificates and awards were presented to the interns in recognition of their successful completion of the 120-hour programme. Harapriya Rout received the Best Performer Award, along with a special shield presented by Prof. Rasmi Roul, noted writer, novelist and President of the Sabitri Devi Memorial Charitable Trust.
Speaking on behalf of the interns, Harapriya Rout and Maskan Agrawal expressed gratitude to CHRC Odisha for providing a meaningful platform to understand constitutional values, human dignity and social justice.
The programme was coordinated by Shri Basanta Kumar Dash, National Vice-President, CHRC, while Smt. Banshree Mahapatra, Head of the Women’s Wing, proposed the vote of thanks.
The ceremony concluded with CHRC Odisha reiterating its mission of expanding human rights education through academic partnerships and community outreach, carrying forward its enduring message: “Human Rights for Everyone, Everywhere and All the Time.”
