New Delhi – President Droupadi Murmu addressed the Human Rights Day celebration organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in New Delhi, emphasizing the critical importance of ensuring human rights for everyone, especially those at the "last mile," aligning with the principle of Antyodaya. The President's address underscored India's commitment to protecting and celebrating human rights, recognizing them as fundamental to a just, equitable, and compassionate society.
In her speech on Wednesday, President Murmu reminded attendees that Human Rights Day serves as a yearly reminder that every person is born with equal dignity and rights. She highlighted that these universal human rights are inalienable and form the foundation of a fair and just society. She also noted India's significant role in shaping the global human rights framework, acknowledging the contributions of freedom fighters and Hansa Mehta's efforts to include "rights of all human beings" in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
President Murmu stressed that human rights are deeply embedded in the Indian Constitution, promoting social democracy and ensuring the right to live without fear, access education, work without exploitation, and age with dignity. She reiterated India's stance that human rights and development are interconnected, emphasizing that "there is no peace without justice, and there is no justice without peace".
The President praised the NHRC, State Human Rights Commissions, the judiciary, and civil society for their crucial role in safeguarding constitutional values. She acknowledged NHRC's work on issues concerning marginalized groups, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, children, and prison inmates. She also lauded the NHRC for its focus on women's safety and its recent conference on ensuring everyday essentials, aligning with this year's UN theme. The launch of the NHRC's mobile app was also welcomed, as it aims to make the complaint mechanism more accessible and transparent.
President Murmu reflected on government initiatives aimed at expanding access to essential services like clean water, electricity, sanitation, housing, healthcare, and education. She mentioned the construction of over 40 million houses for the poor and the public distribution system supporting approximately 800 million people, marking a shift from entitlement to empowerment. The recent implementation of the four Labour Codes was also highlighted as a step towards improving livelihoods and workplace conditions.
The President called upon every citizen to recognize that protecting the rights and dignity of fellow citizens is a shared duty, not solely the responsibility of governments and institutions. She urged citizens to actively participate in the nation's development journey towards achieving a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047. She emphasized that human rights protection is a collective responsibility, requiring active participation from all sections of society to build a compassionate and socially just India.
