Bhanja
Bihar: At a
time, when we all are worried about violation of human rights on the heels of burning
issues like Rohingya exodus, assassination of Gouri Lankesh, Nagada malnutrition
etc, Department of History of Berhampur University organised a two-day national
seminar on “Violation of Human Rights in Contemporary India: Challenges and
Prospects” at the old conference hall here in campus during September 18 and
19, 2017 to mark the celebration of 50 years of its establishment.
Inaugural function of a UGC sponsored seminar to mark the Golden Jubilee of Dept of History at the old conference hall of Berhampur University |
PG
Council Chairman Prof. Devi Prasanna Patnaik inaugurated the UGC sponsored seminar
by lighting the lamp. After the guest introductions given by Prof Bhagaban Sahu,
PG Council Chairman Prof. Patnaik felicitated three former professors of the
department – Prof. K.C. Jena, Prof. L.N. Rout and Prof. S.C. Padhy.
Introducing
the seminar topic, the Head of the Department Dr. Sadanand Nayak said human
rights violation is ‘seeing a human as not a human’. Law and punishment is not
enough in the context, rather we need to break the shackles of ignorance to address
the issue, he opined.
Addressing
the gathering, key note speaker Prof. Anil Kumar Mohapatra from Fakir Mohan
University elaborated regarding the problems and prospects of human rights. He
spoke about two approaches of human rights violations i.e. traditional and
alternative. He indicated that the alternative approach to human rights
violation is prominent now which is a matter of concern throughout the world.
In order
to define human rights, Prof. Mohapatra said these are inherited rights before
the birth which is ensured beyond the state jurisdiction. He clearly distinguished
the scope of fundamental rights from that of human rights. He explained about
proscriptive rights (State is prohibited to provide certain rights) and prescriptive
rights (State is asked to provide some rights). He also highlighted some of the
current issues on human rights violation and concluded his speech with a quote,
“We can secure our human rights, only by securing the rights of others.”
Addressing
the gathering, department former Professor K.C. Jena, who was instrumental in
naming the campus as ‘Bhanja Bihar’, recounted his days in the university. He invoked
the students to stay happy always as the destiny is unpredictable.
Former Professor
L.N Rout spoke about a number reason behind the increasing cases of human
rights violation and opined that through eradication of discrimination and
proper education, the human rights violation cases can be addressed. Meanwhile,
former Professor S.C. Padhy explained about effects of blessings and benefits
of being optimistic.
In the
valedictory function, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rajendra Prasad Das enlightened the
participants about the duties and rights. He said, “Talking about human
rights is the beginning of the topic, but when we talk about duties, we move
towards solutions. We can’t grow by ignoring our duties and remain in the
shelter of rights.” He concluded his speech by saying, “The rights are
being protected by the Constitution and nobody can take it away from us if we
perform our duties.”
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Valedictory function of Golden Jubilee celebrations of Dept. of History in Berhampur University |
Addressing
the gathering, Chief Guest Mr. Sunil Kumar Mishra, IAS, State Chief Information Commissioner, opined that until and unless human rights are linked with
development and distributive justice, the present stand on human rights can’t
be a reality.
“The person, who has greed for power and thrust for dominance, usually victimises the people who are voiceless (politically and economically deprived section of the country)due to perceived fear of these people to lose their importance by getting less benefits (government schemes and policies) than the lower section”, Mr. Mishra said adding that these people are the main obstacles for efficient penetration of policies and awareness made by the government.
“The person, who has greed for power and thrust for dominance, usually victimises the people who are voiceless (politically and economically deprived section of the country)due to perceived fear of these people to lose their importance by getting less benefits (government schemes and policies) than the lower section”, Mr. Mishra said adding that these people are the main obstacles for efficient penetration of policies and awareness made by the government.
Talking
about the present day scenario, Mr. Mishra, who is also an alumni of this university, held ethnic and religious groups
responsible for violation of human rights. He suggested that there
is a need of reformation and effective collaboration of United Nations
Organisation to deal with the issues. He concluded his speech by giving
information about the RTI Act-2005 and its status in Odisha.
HoD Dr.
Sadananda Nayak coordinated the function while Dr. Shankarshan Mallik proposed
the vote of thanks. Other faculty members of the department Dr. Bishnu Prasad Padhee
and Dr. Ramakant Bhuyan were also instrumental for the success of the Golden
Jubilee celebration.
(A report by Alka Digal and Dhaneswar Jena, JMC, Semester-III, 2017)
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