Dateline Dehradun: The Gaura Devi National Debate on Human Rights, a collaborative effort between NHRC, Vatsalya, and Valley of Words|Shabdavali reached its conclusion with an offline final event hosted at Doon University on December 10, 2023. The event showcased the participation of eight talented students who successfully navigated three challenging rounds – pre, quarter, and final.
The proceedings commenced with an inaugural ceremony led by the Vice-Chancellor of Doon University, Prof. Surekha Dangwal, and Mr. Sanjeev Chopra from Valley of Words, alongside esteemed members of NHRC and Dr. Chetana Pokhriyal. Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, the Chief Guest, sent a video message highlighting the emphasis of Human Rights. He also motivated the young participants with his words of encouragement. Justice U.C. Dhyani, Chairman, Uttarakhand Public Service Tribunal was the Guest of Honour and laid down the norms of human rights by citing references from cases on how judiciary helps restore human rights.
The topic for the debate “Nation State is the Best Guarantor of Human Rights” marked the 71st anniversary of Human Rights Day. Mr. Devendra Kumar Nim, Joint Secretary, National Human Rights Commission appreciated various gamuts of human rights as vigorously enunciated by the debaters. Prof. Surekha Dangwal, Vice Chancellor, Doon University, paid tribute to Gaura Devi for her Chipko Movement and hailed her an exemplary figure of Human Rights in an unorganized platform. Prof. H.C Purohit, Dean, Students Welfare and School of Management, Dr. Harsh Dobhal, Prof. Rajesh Kumar, Dean School of Mass Communication and Media Studies, Mr. Narendra Lal, Dr. Gazala Khan, Mr. Mehul, Mr. Ayush Kurien, Ms. Aporwa and Mr. Shabeer Ahmad Shah graced the occasion with their presence. The entire event in four rounds that spanned for over 20 days was coordinated by Dr. Aditi Bist, Faculty Coordinator, Vatsalya Debating Club of Doon University.
Throughout the event, the participating students demonstrated their intellectual prowess, offering insightful perspectives on the topic. Their articulate and thought-provoking contributions not only captivated the audience but also significantly enhanced the overall success of the debate. The collaboration between NHRC, Vatsalya, and Valley of Words, complemented by the support of Doon University, provided a rich platform for discussing and understanding the pivotal role of the nation in safeguarding human rights. The event was judged by eminent personalities in their field Ms. Jyoti Dhawan, Ms. Sunita Vijay and Mr. Manoj Manekar.
The Gaura Devi National Debate on Human Rights, characterized by its combination of academic rigor and constructive dialogue, stands as a significant achievement, fostering a deeper understanding of this vital subject matter. The first and second prizes of Rs. 31,000 and Rs. 21,000 respectively were bagged by Satakshi from Law College, Dehradun and Manisha Rawat from Delhi University in Hindi Category. The cash prize of Rs. 31,000 and Rs. 21,000 were bagged by Sambhav Pratap Bhatt from Law College, Dehradun and Priya Singh from Delhi University in English category respectively.
