Nation’s future depends upon what the youth are thinking and doing: Governor

Solan, November 10

Himachal Pradesh Governor Mr Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has said that the future of the nation depends upon what the youth are thinking and doing.

The country’s future “depends on the direction they think,” he said while inaugurating a two-day international conference on Reformist Approaches to Human Rights organised by Shoolini University in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh Human Rights Commission (HPHRC) today.

Mr Arlekar, who was the chief guest at the conference organised by the Faculty of Legal Sciences at Shoolini University, said the average man’s right to a life of dignity is the only fundamental human right that counts. “Countries that themselves have books written about their human rights breaches are targeting India for violations of such rights,” he added.

He added that laws can be enacted to defend human rights, but that we must act like humans in order to do so. He exhorted the audience to try to live a good life.

Chancellor Prof. PK Khosla spoke about goals and perseverance during his address. “With effort and planning, anything is possible,” Prof. Khosla added.

While addressing  the audience, Prof. Rajeshwar Chandel, Vice Chancellor, University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, discussed new problems and approaches to human rights issues. He also stated that, “Malnutrition is the silent killer and the most recent human rights concern, and we need to take it very seriously.”

Maj General Atul Kaushik, Chairman, HPPERC, spoke on how freedom of thought is a fundamental human right and how technology has altered it. He continued, “This generation needs to earn the freedom to think. He also discussed the negative consequences that the digital age and social media have on our surroundings.

The history of freedom of speech and expression was discussed by Justice Rajeev Sharma,  former acting chief justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Courts as well as the Uttarakhand High Court. He advised law students to look at what early authors and philosophers wrote about what freedom means.

Avtar Chand Dogra, a member of the state human rights commission, spoke on the Magna Carta, human rights, and their connection to Hinduism’s Dharma. He told anecdotes about important historical judgments in support of human rights and Justice HR Khanna.

The conference also marked the launch of an edited book on “Reformative Approaches to Human Rights” by Dr. Nandan Sharma, Associate Dean, Faculty of Legal Sciences.