Your Voice - Your Issues
The role of an active civil society in forming public opinion and effective public policy interventions is well established. Your Issues, Your Voice is an attempt to tap into the knowledge resource of you, the voting public and use your emotions, thoughts and ideas to create consensus for action. I will ask you questions on this forum through our ‘Poll’, give my views on issues of contemporary relevance through the interactive blog and ask for your inputs every step of the way. I want you to stand up and get counted, give your aspirations an expression, reach out and connect.
Human Rights for all
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Human Rights for all
10 December 1948 marked International Human Rights Day, the day that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted. In honour of this occasion, the winter session our Parliament raised the issues of human rights violations in Tibet and Jammu and Kashmir.Similar issues were discussed by civil society organisations, including a talk on human right violations against refugees in India, that I had the opportunity to attend.
On a day that we reaffirm our commitment to Human Rights, principles enshrined in the UN declaration, and our own constitutional values of ‘economic, social and political justice,’it is of course befitting to give due attention to some of the grossest violations of human rights that take place across the world, reflected in these various forums be it parliament or society at large. However, it is perhaps as important to acknowledge that human rights is not isolated to a single region, community,or particular event in our country.
The discourse on Human Rights also encompasses the daily struggles that people across our country continue to face. This includes our children who continue to suffer from malnutrition, women who face abuse and violence,slum dwellers who lack access to basic housing, and thousands who lack access healthcare facilities, or, and livelihoods.All of these represent violations of Article 25 of the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees everyone “the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care.” More so, they represent a living reality for many.
Soaring Spirits: Inauguration of the Delhi-Vrindavan Chopper Service
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Soaring Spirits: Inauguration of the Delhi-Vrindavan Chopper Service
As I drove off the Yamuna Expressway, toward Vrindavan, I could not help thinking it was slightly ironic that I was attending the inauguration of a helicopter service in a town that still needs better road connectivity.
On reaching the venue ground, seeing massive crowds that had gathered to commemorate this event, the expressions on their faces and the general excitement,something changed for me.
Hearing the speeches made by the local leaders, it was apparent that even if a lot of people in the audience had not had a chance to ride in, or even see a helicopter before, this does not diminish the fact that such a facility can still be seen as a positive development for the community.
For one, it is a symbol of pride and progress. This was evident from the eager and expectant faces of the people.More important, however, are the material benefits that can be sought from such a facility, by attracting more tourists, enabling the tourism industry to grow, and consequently leading to greater employment and involvement of the local community.
