India is a role model in the field of human rights, says Vice President Dhankhar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday highlighted the positive changes taking place in the country, which is home to one-sixth of humanity, in terms of promoting human rights, highlighting his position as a “role model” for the world.

“No part of the world is flourishing and prospering in the field of human rights as much as our country,” the Vice President said during the keynote address at the Human Rights Day celebrations at Bharat Mandapam.

The Vice President underlined that India's Amrit-Kaal has become its Gaurav-Kaal mainly due to the “flourishing of human rights and values”.

He further noted that “our civilizational ethos and constitutional commitment reflect our deep commitment to respecting, protecting and cherishing human rights, which is in our DNA.”

He further emphasized, “Bharat serves as an example to the world in nurturing, promoting and flourishing human rights.”

Cherishing human rights as a 'cornerstone of democracy'; the vice president emphasized that “equality before the law is an inalienable facet of the advancement of human rights.”

He also appreciated the convergence of all three organs of the state, namely the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, for promoting human rights as “respect for human rights is embedded in our civilizational ethos and our Constitution” , he added.

Speaking about the recent revival in the politics of freebies, the Vice President warned that this will lead to disruption of spending priorities and undermine the basic framework of macroeconomic stability, as “strengthening the pocketbook through budget subsidies will only increase dependence increases.”

He urged the empowerment of the human mind and human resources, and not the pocketbook.

Stressing that India has been unfairly treated by some global entities, the Vice President asked them to delve deep into the country's human rights record and not just skim the surface.

He wanted such entities to take note of “India's model of governance which is free from corruption, cronyism and cronyism. It is dictated by transparency, accountability and merit.”

Referring to transparency and accountable governance as a 'game-changer' for the promotion of human rights, especially for the vulnerable groups, the Vice-President underlined that the use of technology in service delivery has also played an important role in strengthening this progress.

The Vice President emphasized that the government's positive implementation of inclusive policies has lifted millions of people from the clutches of poverty.

This achievement has paved the way for a future enriched with “economic opportunity, access to quality healthcare and sound education – the very pillars on which a robust human rights edifice rests,” he emphasized.

In his speech, VP warned that the “greatest danger to human rights comes from corruption,” underlining that “corruption and human rights cannot coexist.”

He further claimed, “There is now a governance mechanism that has no room for nepotism, favoritism and promotion. Corruption has been neutralized in the power corridors.”

During the event, the Vice President also released NHRC publications namely NHRC Annual Hindi Journal-Manav Adhikaar Nayi Dishayein, NHRC Annual English Journal and Forensic Science and Human Rights.