Generation Y gung-ho about human rights courses

Students show increased interest in the subject

From enrolling in youth organisations dedicated to bring change like Young Leaders Collective to organising protests, students of City colleges are not leaving any stone unturned to make their voice heard.

A latest addition to this list is enrolling for credit and certified courses on human rights which often involve drawing up action plans for the underprivileged.

At St Joseph's College of Arts and Science, the number of takers for a diploma course on human rights course has increased this year. The 100-hour programme, which has nearly 38 seats, saw more number of applicants this year.

Practical sessions

The biggest attraction according to the authorities is the practical sessions. “We conduct two-hour sessions for students on Saturdays. Compared to previous years, this year, there are more takers at many colleges,” said R Manohar, head of programmes at South India Cell for Human Rights Education and Motivation (SICHREM), which conducts credit courses at prominent colleges like Mount Carmel College and St Joseph's College of Arts and Science.

According to Azhar Khan, a second year BA student, youngsters want to speak up and do believe in traits like integrity and honesty.

“Human rights is an umbrella term. In reality, it includes a wide range of topics like children's rights, women's rights and residents’ rights. The course helps to see things on a larger canvas,” said the Josephite.

Moti Pangkam, a journalism student looks forward to interacting with inmates of the Central Jail, which is an important element of her diploma programme.

Awareness

She explains that the short-term course gives her an opportunity to do something useful during her free time. The student, who was not interested initially in the programme, got attracted by the various activities organised for the participants.

Several students often find ways to participate in marches and fasts organised by various NGOs in the City.

“The course helps to network with like-minded individuals and enables participation in programmes for spreading awareness about rights of the target group,” concludes
Moti.